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.

One would think the severity of these threats would make it obvious that rigorous scientific inquiry is absolutely essential to finding viable solutions.  Yet here we are, more than four hundred years since the Scientific Revolution, and rather than embracing critical thinking and scientific discourse, we see it being censored and even criminalized.

Well then, what ideology holds more power over our nation’s decision-making process if not critical thinking?

The answer is: Religion.

Yes, you heard me right. Religious belief holds more sway over our elections, and thus the direction of our nation, than critical thinking.

The power of religion does not surprise me. Throughout history, the most enduring and far-reaching authority has not come from kings, constitutions, or economic theories, but from organized religion. Ideology rooted in the invocation of supernatural claims that are, by definition, beyond human verification.

And of course, unlike political ideologies or legal systems, which must appeal to logic, evidence, or consensus, organized religions claim their legitimacy through divine revelation. This makes organized religion not merely influential, but uniquely powerful in a way no other ideology or institution has been able to replicate.

Let that sink in a moment. In this modern age, religion has remained more powerful than scientific inquiry. Critical thinking, the defining characteristic of humanity, still takes a backseat to religion and those who weaponize it.

Some may think that we’ve been here before as a nation and assume this too shall pass. But this type of thinking ignores a glaring difference between what has happened in the past and today: a conservative demi-God has adopted religion and weaponized it so thoroughly that our country has already become a theocracy. It just hasn’t become apparent to everyone yet.

To drive this point home, consider that we are not yet half a year into the four-year term of this administration. And in this limited amount of time, the president has already claimed authoritative power over the three branches of government and used that power to punish opponents and stifle dissent, and scientific inquiry is among the victims.

This is precisely why we need Scientific Rebellion, a movement rooted in scientific inquiry and committed to enshrining critical thinking in our practice of government and as the foundation for our nation’s next renaissance.

 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.

Inclusive churches in fact should be leading the way. It is time for them to put their faith into action and take their place at the vanguard of this movement.

Scientific Rebellion is much more than a call to action. It is 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.

The tie that binds us together is critical thinking. And that is our strength. We will be on this journey together and there is joy in that. There is joy in the fight.

Are you ready?

This is Peter Tchoryk.

Welcome, to the rebellion.

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