The Rule of Law and the Chaos of MAGA: Jay Michaelson

This week on State of Belief, Rabbi Dr. Jay Michaelson and host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush share an insightful and thought-provoking conversation about the current state of U.S. politics, the vital role of the rule of law in protecting democracy, and the political attacks on our higher education institutions. Together, they explore how faith can fuel resistance and activism, while reflecting on the deep divides within American society. They also discuss the responsibility of institutions to stand firm in defending core values during times of crisis.

Jay dives into the alarming weaponization of antisemitism accusations and how these tactics are being used to target higher education—ultimately undermining the interests of American Jews. He also critiques the rise of the "woke right," highlighting how anti-woke rhetoric has turned into a new form of censorship, and he raises concerns about the future of LGBTQ+ rights. Above all, he stresses the importance of standing together across differences to protect civil rights in these trying times.

Jay Michaelson is a visiting professor at Harvard Law School and a field scholar at the Emory Center for Psychedelics and Spirituality. He is the author of 10 books, and a journalist whose work appears on CNN, in Rolling Stone, and in his excellent weekly Substack newsletter, “Both/And with Jay Michaelson.”

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You can also hear this week’s episode below:

Ray Kirstein is the producer of The State of Belief podcast.