"Godless synthesizes the wisdom of ancient animism Rasley has learned from the Rai people of Nepal, Quaker values, and the classic American philosophy of Pragmatism to describe a values-based way of living and decision-making.
The contemporary history of religious and political ideologies is bloody. From the Nazi Holocaust to beheadings by Islamic Jihadist terrorists, fanatics have divided the world into believers and heretics. Their propaganda has persuaded followers to torture and slaughter unbelievers. The cure for the pathology of fanatical beliefs is to discard religious doctrines and political ideologies.Let shared values be the guides of personal and policy decisions. Godless illuminates a way forward into a more harmonious and peaceful future. It offers a remedy for dysfunctional urban communities and to revive political participation in an age of apathy. It advocates a pragmatic middle way to counter both fundamentalist extremism and secular cynicism through community connectivity and activism.
Godless -- Living a Valuable Life beyond Beliefs begins as a memoir reaching back into the author's Puritan family history and the Salem witch trials. Rasley's worldwide travels, spiritual quest, and intellectual journey took him far from his small-town roots in the Presbyterian Church and Republican Party.
Fascination with cultures very different from his Hoosier homeland developed during adventure travel breaks from studies in London and the University of Chicago. A successful law practice eventually allowed him the freedom to combine ethnographic research with mountaineering expeditions and philanthropy projects. A special bond with the Rai people of Nepal developed during Rasley's "philanthro-trekking" in the Himalayas.
Indianapolis First Friends Quaker Meeting agreed to sponsor fundraising for a foundation Rasley developed in partnership with Basa village, Nepal. These dissimilar people on opposite sides of the world share fundamental values in their tolerant,peaceful, and simple approach to life.
Godless blends what Rasley has learned from the Basa Rai and Quakers with the classic American philosophy of Pragmatism to describe a values-based way of living. It encourages a spiritual response of awe and gratitude for being alive and conscious in this wonderful shared world.
Godlessaddresses a deeply serious subject with an engaging conversational style.It advocates guiding our lives by positive values and pragmatic decision-making rather than superstitious beliefs. Godless recommends a modern pragmatic version of the Judeo-Christian ethic of loving self and neighbor. It does not encourage readers to abandon their religious communities, but suggests a way to worship focused on awe and gratitude. It doesn't demand leaving political parties, but proposes a pragmatic method of conflict resolution to replace the political gridlock of divisive ideological politics.
Excerpt
Beliefs divide us, Values unite us.
Professional Reviews
Point of Inquiry
"Rasely spent 25 years of his life as a dedicated member of the Presbyterian Church, and even studied to become a minister. As comforting as religious belief can be, Rasley learned through his rich experiences that belief also often divides and isolates people who would otherwise find common ground, if they only embraced their shared values instead of contentious religious commandments." Josh Zepps, Point of Inquiry pointofinquiry.org/the_benefits_of_religion_without_the_belief_with_jeff_rasely/
Friends Journal
"Although its title sounds confrontational, Godless is about freedom from creed and dogma, and freedom inspiritualexperiences like gratitude and praise. In addition, Friend Jeff raisesup the central theme of the difference between beliefs andvalues.Values, he argues, have the ability to guide us into behaviorbased onour vision. But when belief guides decision making, it isdivisive.Beliefs requires us to uphold forms or follow precedents, often empty,whereas values propel us into discerning right behaviors in ourown time and place. Various sections of the book focus on Quakerism, the Raipeople of Nepal, and the philosophy of Pragmatism, with some memoirandadvice woven in." Karie Firoozmand, Friends Journal, March 1, 2016 friendsjournal.org/godless-living-a-valuable-life-beyond-beliefs/
Indianapolis Books Examiner
"This book extols Quaker virtues ... Original and controversial views on religion and politics are mixed with Himalayan travel experiences. It will appeal to readers interested in religion, politics, community values, and travel. Part I discusses how beliefs divide us, and extols the Socratic Method, scientific inquiry, and pragmatic thinking. Part II is about 'finding your golden mean and which way to lean.' Part III was the most interesting as the author begins to talk about his Quaker affiliations and his work in Nepal." Sylvia Andrews Indianapolis Books Examiner
Because we have an opportunity to choose our attitude and focus our intentions in the present moment, the world and our own personal lives are a reflection of our thoughts. It is our 360 degree review on how we think. Put simply, our job is to fully
