

Postliberals and NatCons See an Opening in Trumpism to Impose Their Respective Agendas: A Conversation with Jerome Copulsky
May 25, 2025
In this discussion, Jerome Copulsky, a research fellow at the Berkley Center for Religion, shares insights on the rise of postliberalism and national conservatism in America. He explores how certain religious groups are challenging the foundational ideals of liberal democracy. Copulsky delves into the reactions of religious conservatives to landmark Supreme Court rulings, the concept of common good constitutionalism linked to the MAGA movement, and the critical examination of George Washington's views on religion in governance. An engaging exploration of faith, politics, and American identity.
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Religious Opposition to Liberalism
- America's founding opposition has often stemmed from religious groups rejecting liberal political ideals as rejecting divine order.
- Different eras show varied religious-political conflicts reflecting responses to perceived threats against their revealed truth.
Tocqueville’s Religion and Liberalism
- Tocqueville praised American religion's role precisely because church and state were separate.
- This secular-religion balance fosters moral order without politicizing religious institutions.
Obergefell as a Watershed Moment
- The Obergefell decision marked Christian conservatives' perception of cultural defeat.
- This loss shifted strategies from political engagement to withdrawal and preservation of faith communities.