Do you feel powerless, and have you given up hope in a political process that continually seems to fail you?

Are you exasperated that so many people seem to be sleepwalking, as our country is being dragged back into the Dark Ages?

Are you facing persecution because of the color of your skin? Desire for bodily autonomy, gender identity, or sexual orientation? Or perhaps for a general nonconformance to a white patriarchal Christian ethos?

Have you watched in growing alarm as our Constitution, rule of law, and individual liberties are methodically subverted and interpreted through the lens of medieval, tyrannical Christian dogma?

Do you consider yourself religious, but are ashamed to be associated with the unhinged actions of others making that claim?

If so, the “Four Words to Start a Rebellion” podcast series is definitely for you.

Every generation has its challenges. But the youngest generations inheriting the world today, face trials across the spectrum of existential threats, including some that could make the planet itself uninhabitable. From social injustices to genocide. From environmental disasters to climate crisis. From terrorism to nuclear war.

It is no wonder why so many young people today disengage from the political process altogether. We seem to be trying the same things over and over again, hoping for a different outcome.

But here’s the kicker. There is a path. And it is ridiculously straightforward. Notice I didn’t say easy.

It is the boldest and likely most dangerous path. Yet it represents the single greatest opportunity we have to create a world where critical thinking rises above religious beliefs and speculation; where logic and reason triumph over fear and rage; where the value of human beings is not measured by caste or coin; and where the rules of law are not divined by men masquerading as messiahs.

Buckle in, because you are about to embark on a journey to confront the greatest weapon ever unleashed by man. It has been used to justify some of the worst crimes against humanity and is unmatched in its power, persuasiveness, and brutality.

That weapon is: religion.

You heard me right. We are going to take on organized religion, and all those who weaponize it, and hold them accountable. Accountable, because faith is not fact.

Scientific rebellion is not a campaign against religious beliefs or believers. To the contrary, those who identify as religious or spiritual are as essential to this rebellion as those who see themselves as agnostic, atheist, or humanist. The tie that binds us together as rebels is critical thinking.

All things being equal, I believe each generation is more inclined to challenge and reject the biases, and irrational assumptions of previous generations. Unfortunately, all things are not equal.

We see how the long-lasting effects of slavery and segregation have become so ingrained in our institutions, that even today we still struggle to excise it from our systems and culture. We see it in the generational indoctrination that persists like an undetected virus, replacing learning and reason with a preconceived, insidious narrative. We see how easily wealth and power can influence legislation and policy at every level of government, from school boards to the halls of congress, all the way to the Supreme Court. We see how that same wealth and power can be used to convince electorates of even the most logic-defying conspiracy theories, and big lies.

As it stands, it seems half the world has evolved to value cooperation, and the other half has evolved to value confrontation. We collectively seem to be held prisoner in a competition between those who see the world as a non-zero-sum game and those who see it as a winner take all.

Our Supreme Court has a conservative majority that bases its rulings on a Christian interpretation of the Constitution and will influence the judiciary for a generation, and maybe more. The Republican nominee for president considers himself above the rule of law, and apparently the Supreme Court agrees with him.

If this stirs your soul, the “Four Words to Start a Rebellion” podcast series, is made for you.

Rebellion is more than a call to action. It’s a state of mind. A state of being that allows us to recognize the harsh reality of our situation yet remain focused on what we need to do in this moment.

Scientific Rebellion is about taking direct, non-violent, and immediate action to prevent The Handmaid’s Tale from becoming prophecy. Half measures won’t cut it. There is no time to waste, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Frankly, the odds are not in our favor.

I cannot offer assurances of a victory, but I can assure you that your efforts will not be in vain. We will be on this journey together and there is joy in that. There is joy in the fight.

Are you ready?

Let’s give them something they’ve never seen before.

This is Peter Tchoryk. Sign up on this site to receive updates on the Scientific Rebellion. If podcasts are your thing, please check out our Scientific Rebel podcasts.