The State Of Belief

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

  This week, Rabbi Dr. Jay Michaelson joins Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush for a deep dive into the state of U.S. politics, the role of the rule of law in preserving democracy, and political attacks against institutions of higher education. Together, they explore how faith can play a role in resistance and activism, reflecting on the deep divisions within American society and the responsibility of institutions to defend core values in times of crisis. Jay speaks about the weaponization of accusations of antisemitism – and how these tactics are being used to attack higher education, ultimately harming the interests of American Jews. He also critiques the rise of the "woke right," arguing that anti-woke rhetoric has evolved into a new form of censorship, and expresses concerns about the future of LGBTQ+ rights. Above all, he emphasizes the importance of standing in solidarity across lines of difference to protect civil rights in these challenging times. “[The right isn’t] against censorship. They just wanted to do the censoring. And the same things that people complained about, rightly or wrongly, in the last few years: Oh, you can't say anything about gender, or you can't say anything about race, or you have to be careful what you say about this and that, and you have to always be careful because somebody's going to be offended. That's exactly the world we're living in now. It's just the other side. You can't say anything that's too critical of anything that's on the right…The people who are complaining are now doing the exact same thing that the people who they were complaining about were doing.” - Rabbi Dr. Jay Michaelson, visiting professor at Harvard Law School and a field scholar at the Emory Center for Psychedelics and Spirituality.  He is the author of ten books, and a journalist whose work appears on CNN, in Rolling Stone, and in his weekly substack newsletter, Both/And with Jay Michaelson.  For twenty years, Jay's work has focused on the intersections of politics and religion; he worked as a religious LGBTQ activist for ten years, and earlier this month he convened the first-ever conference on the legal recognition of religious psychedelic use by Jews, Christians, and Muslims. He holds a PhD from Hebrew University, a JD from Yale Law School, and nondenominational rabbinic ordination. Jay's latest book is The Secret That Is Not a Secret: Ten Heretical Tales. Please share this episode with one person who would enjoy hearing this conversation, and thank you for listening!

  --------  

  58:57
• Navigating the Narrow Bridge: Congressman Eric Swalwell and the Fight for Democracy

  This week, Representative Eric Swalwell joins host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush to discuss the ongoing challenges facing American democracy, lessons not learned in the January 6th Capitol riot, and the critical role of faith communities in this time of division. Together, they explore the importance of political engagement, especially in the face of significant threats to fundamental democratic norms and vital public services. Reflecting on his experience during the January 6th attack, Congressman Swalwell shares his outrage that heroic law enforcement officers who saved lives that day are now being vilified while the perpetrators are pardoned and exalted. He emphasizes the need for Congress to protect essential services like healthcare and education – and to remain committed to fighting for justice, fairness, and security for all Americans. “Go one more rung up the ladder of where you are right now. Go one more rung up the ladder to give yourself more agency and put yourself higher and closer to where decisions are being made. And if you've never gone to a local city council meeting before and you care deeply about what's happening in your community, go to a city council meeting. And then the next time you go, speak at the city council meeting, and then find out when those council members are up for election and find one that you can get involved with.” Congressman Eric Swalwell is a seven-term member of Congress, representing California’s 14th District. A former prosecutor who led the Hate Crimes Unit in Alameda County, his experience in local government prepared him for his Congressional role, where he served on the House Intelligence Committee and played a key role in the investigations into Russian interference and President Trump's impeachments. Known for his bold voice, both on the House Floor and across his social media platforms, Rep. Swalwell consistently speaks out on issues that matter to everyday Americans, never shying away from standing up for what he believes in. Please share this episode with one person who would enjoy hearing this conversation, and thank you for listening!

  --------  

  48:28
• Jeff Sharlet: The Slow Civil War Is Speeding Up

  In difficult times, the work of truth-telling can seem like obsessing on the negative. But the most important truths are very often uncomfortable and even frightening. This week, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush welcomes writer Jeff Sharlet, author of The Undertow: Scenes From A Slow Civil War, back to The State of Belief. As Jeff sees America’s slow civil war speeding up, he and Paul revisit his reluctance to initially use the term 'fascism' and now emphasizes the growing movement's influence, without yet consolidating into a regime. They explore the implications of such movements on journalism, rule of law, and personal freedoms, highlighting examples like Trump's cult of personality and Musk's hyper-capitalist influence. The conversation also examines the role of Christian Nationalism and its influence on politics, with a particular focus on the intersection of religion and governance. Jeff underscores the importance of solidarity, complex storytelling, and the fight against inevitability in combating these trends, even though the future remains uncertain. The dialogue between Paul and Jeff serves as both a cautionary tale and a call to arms. We need listeners and readers alike to stay alert, engage actively, and never lose sight of the human element amidst the grand political machinations. As we confront these challenging times, this conversation stands as a reminder that solidarity and storytelling are powerful tools in shaping a future where democracy and humanity prevail. I remember at one point a Trump supporter showing me, sharing with me, some crazy conspiracy theories. And at the time I was out there, when I met her, I was reporting for Vanity Fair Magazine, and it was just a pivot. I remember I was sitting in her Cadillac outside a Trump rally. She was showing me this crazy stuff, and then I look up and it was actually a congressman talking on Tucker Carlson sharing this conspiracy theory. And I realized she's not the fringe - I am. - Jeff Sharlet, the best-selling author of books like The Undertow: Scenes From A Slow Civil War. His book The Family was turned into a powerful Netflix series, and his Substack is a must-read @Slow Civil War. Jeff is Frederick Sessions Beebe '35 Professor in the Art of Writing at Dartmouth College. Please share this episode with one person who would enjoy hearing this conversation, and thank you for listening!

  --------  

  49:46
• One Month of Trump's Attacks on Faith: Policymakers, Faith Leaders, and Legal Experts Take Action

  This week, Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush is joined by a panel of faith leaders, legal experts, and policymakers to discuss the urgent threats facing democracy and religious freedom under the Trump administration. Together, they explore how faith communities can take action against executive overreach, attacks on religious institutions, and efforts to dismantle critical government programs. Here's the complete list of speakers: Jamie Raskin – United States Congressman, MD-08 Skye Perryman – President and CEO, Democracy Forward Adam Nicholas Phillips – Chief Strategy Officer & Chief of Staff, Interfaith America; former head of localization and faith-based efforts at USAID Melissa Rogers – Former Special Assistant to the President and Executive Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships in the Biden and Obama administrations Jennifer Butler – Founder, Faith in Democracy; former founder and executive director, Faith in Public Life Maggie Siddiqi – Senior Fellow, Interfaith Alliance, former Director of the Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships at U.S. Department of Education At a time when religious communities are being targeted, and democratic institutions are under attack, this discussion serves as a powerful call to action, emphasizing that courage, community, and persistence are essential in this moment. Rep. Jamie Raskin warns, "It is the religious, the real religious community, that is under attack by these people, and we've got to stand up and defend all of these positive projects that religious organizations have been engaged in." Rev. Jennifer Butler underscores the need for resistance, stating, "The first rule for resisting autocracy? Do not obey in advance." Maggie Siddiqi highlights the misuse of government power, reminding us, "Formal investigations are the role of government whenever that's warranted. Unsubstantiated slander is not." Skye Perryman reinforces the legal limits of executive authority, asserting, "In this country, the president doesn’t get to denounce the Constitution or take away constitutional rights with the stroke of a pen or with the signing of an executive order." Rev. Adam Nicholas Phillips paints a dire picture of the consequences of policy decisions, warning, "Stories are unfolding every day, every hour, around the world because of the pause in funding, and because of the systematic dismantling of USAID in a matter of days." Melissa Rogers reinforces the fundamental principles of democracy, stating, "Presidents are not kings, and thus the federal executive branch must have legal authority for its actions." Video of this panel discussion is available online at https://youtu.be/dXw0VjJOmJ8?si=huGDOgoJ-vDdY2bj Please share this episode with one person who would enjoy hearing this conversation, and thank you for listening!

  --------  

  1:09:31
• Unfiltered: The Gen Z Revolution with Olivia Julianna

  This week, Gen Z activist Olivia Julianna joins Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush to discuss the importance of political engagement and the pursuit of social justice at an incredibly difficult moment in our history. Together, they explore how a rising generation of young leaders is doing critical work to address systemic injustice and inequality – and the influential role that faith and faith communities can play in fueling that activism and change.  Olivia, known for her work in reproductive rights and advocacy, discusses her journey as a young activist and the challenges and triumphs she has already experienced. She emphasizes the importance of using one's voice and platform to create meaningful impact, and the necessity of working together to build a more just and compassionate society. Olivia discusses how her faith informs her activism – and helps give her the strength and energy to persist in her work no matter what obstacles are thrown her way.  I posted a video where I said if Jesus, Mary, and Joseph showed up at your door and asked for a place in the inn, would you welcome them into your home? Or would you say, “Show me your papers”? And this woman, she's a conservative, she responded to me. She said, “If three strangers showed up at my home in the middle of the night, I would answer the door with a gun.”Do you not understand how insane you sound? Do you not understand how warped your view of religion has become? ... I'm like, do you not realize that you are the false prophets that we are warned about in the Bible, do you understand that? - Olivia Julianna, abortion rights activist, democracy organizer, and political influencer from Houston, Texas. With over 1 million followers across TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram, her content has accumulated over 1 billion views, putting youth voices front and center in the fight for our future. She rose to national prominence for initiating the takedown of a whistleblower website that targeted those in the state of Texas who aided in abortion access, and raised $2.2 million for abortion funds after she was publicly attacked by Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz. Olivia spoke at the 2024 Democratic National Convention about the complexities of her religious upbringing while championing progressive causes. An influential force on social media, more of Olivia’s work can be found on her Substack. Please share this episode with one person who would enjoy hearing this conversation, and thank you for listening!

  --------  

  58:28

More Religion & Spirituality podcasts

Trending Religion & Spirituality podcasts

About The State Of Belief