On my podcast, In Conversation with Frank Schaeffer [Apple Podcasts] [Spotify], I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Jerome Copulsky, a research fellow at the Berkeley Center for Religion and World Affairs at Georgetown University. His book, American Heretics, is a deeply insightful exploration of the religious right and its influence on American politics. Given my own past within that movement—helping shape the religious right’s stance on abortion and other so-called moral majority issues in the 1970s and ’80s—I was especially intrigued by his chapter on my father, Francis Schaeffer, and me. His accuracy and depth in covering this history makes it an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of religion and politics in America.
What sets American Heretics apart is Copulsky’s ability to present both sides of the debate with nuance rather than the usual black-and-white narratives. Rather than simply condemning or celebrating the religious right, he provides a well-researched analysis of its historical development and influence. He delves into figures like my father and Rousas Rushdoony, exploring how cultural and political shifts helped create and empower them. The book, though written before Trump’s second election, feels eerily prescient, outlining the ideological battles that continue to shape America today, from the evangelical push for political dominance to the ongoing war on democratic values.
If you want to understand the forces driving American politics, this book is indispensable. It’s not just another partisan critique; it’s a serious discourse on the history and impact of religious movements in the U.S. As Noah Feldman puts it, American Heretics is essential for anyone who cares about liberty and equality. That’s why I’ve chosen it for my book club, It Has to Be Read. I highly recommend it—read it, engage with it, and gain a deeper understanding of the ideological struggles defining our time.
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