Contested History: The Story of Church-State Separation

Dates: November 11 - December 9, 2025
Meets: Tu from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
 Location: Bozeman, MT - Hope Lutheran Church
Cost:  $50.00

There is only one opening remaining at this time.

Date Day Time
11/11/2025Tuesday2 PM to 4 PM
11/18/2025Tuesday2 PM to 4 PM
12/02/2025Tuesday2 PM to 4 PM
12/09/2025Tuesday2 PM to 4 PM

Please note: This course program requires membership in a 2025-2026 OLLI at MSU Membership

Description

The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution enshrines the separation of church and state. The U.S. was the first nation to sweep aside the entanglement of religion with government and guarantee freedom of religion (and no religion) and conscience for all. Nonetheless, America remains a majoritarian Christian nation, with many Christians trying to abolish church-state separation for their own benefit. This course traces the backstory and evolving history of a foundational yet contested freedom.

Course Takeaways

  • Participants will learn how America's constitutional separation of church and state came to be, how it was evident in the 18th century, and why some Americans today deny the reality of constitutional church-state separation.
  • Participants will obtain a historical understanding of church-state separation and the knowledge necessary to discuss this constitutional principle in our present day.

Meet the Instructor

Scholarship

Apply for a needs-based scholarship to take this offering.

Fee:  $50.00

Fee Breakdown

DescriptionAmount
OLLI Member$ 50.00
OLLI member with a partner$ 100.00

Bozeman, MT - Hope Lutheran Church

2152 Graf St
Bozeman, MT 59718
View the location on a map.

Bruce Gourley

Bruce Gourley is a historian (Ph.D. from Auburn), the editor of "Church & State" magazine (the publication of Americans United for Separation of Church and State) and the author of nine books. He previously taught in the collegiate classroom before becoming a public historian.
Date Day Time Location
11/11/2025Tuesday2 PM to 4 PM Bozeman, MT - Hope Lutheran Church
11/18/2025Tuesday2 PM to 4 PM Bozeman, MT - Hope Lutheran Church
12/02/2025Tuesday2 PM to 4 PM Bozeman, MT - Hope Lutheran Church
12/09/2025Tuesday2 PM to 4 PM Bozeman, MT - Hope Lutheran Church