Bill Moyers on Faith & Reason
In the tradition of the landmark series Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth, Bill Moyers on Faith & Reason, premiering features provocative conversations with unique voices drawn from the group assembled at the PEN World Voices Festival in New York: Salman Rushdie, Margaret Atwood, Mary Gordon, Richard Rodriguez, and others. During the course of seven hour-long weekly episodes, Moyers takes viewers on a rare journey deep into these writers' work and their own experience to plumb new ways of thinking about the role of religion in shaping our world. The resulting conversations provide revelatory observation on the long-running argument between believers and disbelievers, and enlightening perspective on the fear, violence and intolerance that grip our times.
- 2006-2006
- 1 season
- PBS
- Documentary
In the tradition of the landmark series Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth, Bill Moyers on Faith & Reason, premiering features provocative conversations with unique voices drawn from the group assembled at the PEN World Voices Festival in New York: Salman Rushdie, Margaret Atwood, Mary Gordon, Richard Rodriguez, and others. During the course of seven hour-long weekly episodes, Moyers takes viewers on a rare journey deep into these writers' work and their own experience to plumb new ways of thinking about the role of religion in shaping our world. The resulting conversations provide revelatory observation on the long-running argument between believers and disbelievers, and enlightening perspective on the fear, violence and intolerance that grip our times.
Season 1 Episode Guide
7 Episodes 2006
Episode 1
Salman Rushdie
Sun, Sep 6, 2026 56 mins
The Indian-born author and president of the PEN American Center discusses the politicization of religion and its implications for artists.
Episode 2
Mary Gordon and Colin McGinn
Fri, Jun 30, 2006 56 mins
New York novelist Gordon discusses the role of belief in her life, work, and American culture, while British philosopher McGinn recounts his reliance on reason alone and his journey to unbelief.
Episode 3
Jeanette Winterson and Will Power
Fri, Jul 7, 2006 56 mins
Winterson, a British author, and Power, an American playwright and rapper, explore the role of ancient myth to illuminate the human condition in their work.
Episode 4
David Grossman and Anne Provoost
Fri, Jul 14, 2006 56 mins
What does it mean to be a "chosen people"? Belgian author Provoost and Israeli writer Grossman offer fresh viewpoints on the biblical stories of Noah and Samson, respectively.
Episode 5
Richard Rodriguez and Sir John Houghton
Fri, Jul 21, 2006 56 mins
Two lifelong Christians--American writer Rodriguez and British climatologist Houghton--face different challenges and yet persist in their faith.
Episode 6
Margaret Atwood and Martin Amis
Fri, Jul 28, 2006 56 mins
Canadian novelist Atwood and British novelist Amis--both agnostics--explain the portrayal of fundamentalism in their works and its role in today's world.
Episode 7
Pema Chödrön
Fri, Aug 4, 2006
Bill Moyers talks with one of North America's most prominent practitioners of Buddhist monasticism, Ani Pema Chödrön has written extensively on Buddhist principles in the context of everyday living.