<![CDATA[Feasts of Reason]]>Lively, respectful discussions even when, especially when, there's disagreement. No shouting, no talking over each other, no straw man or ad hoc arguments. Reason baby, it's what's for dinner! To learn more about New Atenism please visit our website,

]]>www.newatenism.orgRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:04:31 GMTSun, 01 Mar 2026 23:20:10 GMT60Matt Ward<p>Lively, respectful discussions even when, especially when, there's disagreement. No shouting, no talking over each other, no straw man or ad hoc arguments. Reason baby, it's what's for dinner! To learn more about New Atenism please visit our <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://newatenism.org/" target="_blank">website</a>,</p>episodicMatt Wardmatt@newatenism.orgno<![CDATA[Does Reason Lead to Religion? | Daniel Bookman on Evolution, Faith, and a Divided World]]>Can reason bring us to religion—or does it lead somewhere else entirely?

In this episode of Feasts of Reason, Matt sits down with Daniel Bookman, a lawyer and lifelong student of Jewish thought who has spent over four decades navigating the fault lines between religion, law, and modern society.

Drawing on his experience in Israel and the United States, Bookman explores whether deeply divided societies can hold together—and what role religion might play in that effort.

At the center of the conversation is a provocative idea from his book Fundamentally Rational: that belief in morality, religion, and even a creator might be grounded not just in faith, but in reason itself.

Along the way, the discussion turns to one of the most contentious topics of all—evolution.
Can evolutionary theory fully explain human existence and morality? Or does it leave something essential unanswered?

This is a respectful but unflinching conversation about truth, belief, and the limits of reason in a divided world.

Topics covered:

  • Can reason justify religious belief?
  • Religion vs. secularism in modern societies
  • Evolution and the origins of morality
  • Israel as a case study in ideological tension
  • What holds societies together when values clash?
]]>b16af1fd-e895-47f7-a3dc-6e6f296b2a25Fri, 24 Apr 2026 17:00:00 GMT<p>Can reason bring us to religion—or does it lead somewhere else entirely?</p><p>In this episode of <i>Feasts of Reason</i>, Matt sits down with Daniel Bookman, a lawyer and lifelong student of Jewish thought who has spent over four decades navigating the fault lines between religion, law, and modern society.</p><p>Drawing on his experience in Israel and the United States, Bookman explores whether deeply divided societies can hold together—and what role religion might play in that effort.</p><p>At the center of the conversation is a provocative idea from his book <i>Fundamentally Rational</i>: that belief in morality, religion, and even a creator might be grounded not just in faith, but in reason itself.</p><p>Along the way, the discussion turns to one of the most contentious topics of all—evolution.<br />Can evolutionary theory fully explain human existence and morality? Or does it leave something essential unanswered?</p><p>This is a respectful but unflinching conversation about truth, belief, and the limits of reason in a divided world.</p><p><b>Topics covered:</b></p><ul><li>Can reason justify religious belief?</li><li>Religion vs. secularism in modern societies</li><li>Evolution and the origins of morality</li><li>Israel as a case study in ideological tension</li><li>What holds societies together when values clash?</li></ul>no01:01:41Does Reason Lead to Religion? | Daniel Bookman on Evolution, Faith, and a Divided Worldfull<![CDATA[Disability Activist Hollis Peirce]]>Canadian Disability Activist (and wheelchair hockey star) Hollis Peirce describes how evolving technology and social attitudes have led to disabled people not only being able to get around better, but to become more involved and integrated into society. He also relates his experiences living in a facility run by the Catholic Church, and the close relationship he's developed with a Chaplin there, despite being an atheist.

To learn more about Hollis Peirce: https://www.21stcenturydisability.com/
To learn more about Sielo Robotics: https://www.sielorobotics.com/
To lean more about New Atenism: https://newatenism.org/

]]>cbb361f5-8e27-41bb-a31c-39defab92a9bFri, 17 Apr 2026 13:00:00 GMT<p>Canadian Disability Activist (and wheelchair hockey star) Hollis Peirce describes how evolving technology and social attitudes have led to disabled people not only being able to get around better, but to become more involved and integrated into society. He also relates his experiences living in a facility run by the Catholic Church, and the close relationship he's developed with a Chaplin there, despite being an atheist.<br /></p><p>To learn more about Hollis Peirce: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.21stcenturydisability.com/" target="_blank">https://www.21stcenturydisability.com/</a><br />To learn more about Sielo Robotics: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.sielorobotics.com/" target="_blank">https://www.sielorobotics.com/</a><br />To lean more about New Atenism: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://newatenism.org/" target="_blank">https://newatenism.org/</a></p>no00:46:55Disability Activist Hollis Peircefull<![CDATA[Anne Riley and "The Human Idea"]]>Author Anne Riley discusses her latest book "The Human Idea: Earth's Newest Ecosystem." The conversation delves into the evolution of human understanding and the exploration of the human idea, highlighting the collaboration and competition observed in nature. It further explores the concept of humans in the universe, survival and collaboration, government and nature, taxation and nature, coordinating institutions, intrinsic morality, and progress. The conversation delves into the impact of wealth accumulation as a human goal and its potential consequences. It also explores the role of reason and emotion in decision-making and societal progress.

Takeaways

  • Evolution of human understanding
  • Collaboration and competition in nature Wealth accumulation as a human goal
  • The impact of reason and emotion on decision-making

Chapters

  • 00:00 Exploring the Human Idea
  • 09:10 Survival and Collaboration
  • 18:45 Taxation and Nature
  • 30:17 Intrinsic Morality and Progress
  • 36:11 The Impact of Wealth Accumulation
  • 41:21 The Role of Reason and Emotion
]]>7634ee83-48f3-428b-b234-c05fd3f0d9adTue, 31 Mar 2026 08:00:00 GMT<p>Author Anne Riley discusses her latest book "The Human Idea: Earth's Newest Ecosystem." The conversation delves into the evolution of human understanding and the exploration of the human idea, highlighting the collaboration and competition observed in nature. It further explores the concept of humans in the universe, survival and collaboration, government and nature, taxation and nature, coordinating institutions, intrinsic morality, and progress. The conversation delves into the impact of wealth accumulation as a human goal and its potential consequences. It also explores the role of reason and emotion in decision-making and societal progress.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Evolution of human understanding</li><li>Collaboration and competition in nature Wealth accumulation as a human goal</li><li>The impact of reason and emotion on decision-making</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Exploring the Human Idea</li><li>09:10 Survival and Collaboration</li><li>18:45 Taxation and Nature</li><li>30:17 Intrinsic Morality and Progress</li><li>36:11 The Impact of Wealth Accumulation</li><li>41:21 The Role of Reason and Emotion</li></ul>no01:05:33Anne Riley and "The Human Idea"full<![CDATA[Why Negotiations Break Down in The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict]]>New Atenism presents Feasts of Reason. In this episode, Professor Raphael Cohen Almagor, a British Israeli political theorist, discusses his background, interest in conflict resolution, and the research behind his forthcoming book on resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He emphasizes the importance of justice, empathy, and leadership in achieving sustainable peace. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including the preconditions for peace between Israel and Palestine, the concept of justice as explored by John Rawls, the importance of listening in negotiations, and the current situation with Iran. The themes of peace, justice, negotiation, and conflict resolution are central to the discussion.

Takeaways

  • Conflict resolution requires understanding, empathy, and recognition of the other side's wishes.
  • The most important value in conflict resolution is justice, and sustainable peace requires leadership, empathy, and recognition of both sides' aspirations. Preconditions for peace between Israel and Palestine
  • The importance of listening in negotiations

Chapters

  • 00:00 The Importance of Justice in Conflict Resolution
  • 01:08:26 The Current Situation with Iran
]]>ecf5cf85-e3af-45d3-a662-22b2d1ad50a7Mon, 23 Mar 2026 16:00:00 GMT<p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://newatenism.org/" target="_blank">New Atenism </a>presents Feasts of Reason. In this episode, Professor Raphael Cohen Almagor, a British Israeli political theorist, discusses his background, interest in conflict resolution, and the research behind his forthcoming book on resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He emphasizes the importance of justice, empathy, and leadership in achieving sustainable peace. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including the preconditions for peace between Israel and Palestine, the concept of justice as explored by John Rawls, the importance of listening in negotiations, and the current situation with Iran. The themes of peace, justice, negotiation, and conflict resolution are central to the discussion.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Conflict resolution requires understanding, empathy, and recognition of the other side's wishes.</li><li>The most important value in conflict resolution is justice, and sustainable peace requires leadership, empathy, and recognition of both sides' aspirations. Preconditions for peace between Israel and Palestine</li><li>The importance of listening in negotiations</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 The Importance of Justice in Conflict Resolution</li><li>01:08:26 The Current Situation with Iran</li></ul>no01:15:12Why Negotiations Break Down in The Israeli-Palestinian Conflictfull<![CDATA[The Menu for the Feasts]]>This first Feasts of Reason episode will tell you a bit about where this podcast came from and where it's going. You can find the Feasts of Reason kits on The Thomas Jefferson Foundation's website

]]>af7bdea5-674e-49a3-a483-82550aa4c2aeFri, 06 Mar 2026 18:59:17 GMT<p>This first Feasts of Reason episode will tell you a bit about where this podcast came from and where it's going. You can find the Feasts of Reason kits on The Thomas Jefferson Foundation's <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.monticello.org/for-educators/educational-resources/feast-of-reason" target="_blank">website</a></p>no00:23:30The Menu for the Feastsfull