Talking with author Jeff Rasley Godless Living a Valuable Life beyond Beliefs

Jeff Rasley had a successful law practice for 30 years, made profitable investments, and so left law for more satisfying endeavors at the age of 55.  I am the president of one foundation and serve on the board of 5 nonprofit corporations.  In addition to 40+ articles, I've written eight books, six nonfiction and two fiction.  The most recent was published Nov 11, 2014, GODLESS -- Living a Valuable Life Beyond Beliefs athttp://www.amazon.com/dp/069232481X.  It advocates replacing religious doctrines and political ideologies with pragmatic humanistic values. 

The major claim of the book is "Beliefs divide us; values unite us." It makes the case that religious extremism and political gridlock can be defeated with pragmatic decision-making guided by shared values.  It also argues that our own lives are more valuable when we recognize our own and others' common humanity and then guide our life decisions by positive values.  Finding our own unique equilibrium of taking care of ourselves and sharing our time and talents is encouraged, rather than trying to follow religious doctrines or political ideologies. The book straddles memoir, philosophy-theology, social science, and advice/self-help.  Wisdom gained from the Rai people of Basa Nepal, Quaker values, and the American philosophy of classical Pragmatism are interwoven (probably a first in English literature).