The problems of our own time always seem to be immense. Even insurmountable. But we must keep perspective, and remember that change is inevitable. We have more power to influence it than we realize, especially when we stand together.

These are all causes that line up with our core Dionysian values. They may be seem daunting, but they are worth fighting for.

Wealth Caps

Income inequality is one of the biggest sources of imbalance in this world, and that is antithetical to everything Dionysian. We believe there is a space and a purpose for wealth. Hard work, cleverness and service should be rewarded. There should be something for the ambitious to aspire to. (So if you’re someone who has worked hard and managed to save a few million dollars for you and your family, you are NOT who we’re talking about here).

We are talking about the billionaire gap. The sheer size of this gap is unspeakable and should not be allowed to exist. The whims of one private citizen should never be able to buy entire nations, to singlehandedly dictate legislature, or to make or break the lives of thousands of people. We are not exaggerating.

The average human doesn’t fully understand the difference between a millionaire and a billionaire. To put it into some context:

• One million seconds is about 11 days. One billion seconds is 31 years.

• If a person makes one million dollars per year, their income is $3,846 per day. If a person makes a billion per year, that’s over $3,846,000 per day.

Let those numbers sink in. Imagine making about $4,000 per day. Just about any normal person on this earth would be absolutely THRILLED. Now imagine making four MILLION per day… and still somehow not being satisfied. If that isn’t enough, what IS enough? Will anything ever make you happy?

In Billionaire territory, numbers become purely theoretical. Every basic human need is met, and you could lavishly feed, shelter, and educate yourself and your entire family for generations… and STILL have billions left over. What is the point? Put simply, it is greed, and it is waste.

There are several possible ways to deal with rabid wealth inequality like this. One example is firm wealth caps. Basically, once a person’s wealth totals a certain amount (say 999 million), we can tell them they have “won capitalism”. Maybe they even get a certificate or a medal. But they’re never able to go beyond this amount. Anything in excess simply goes back to the system to fund education, healthcare, energy, housing, and other vital programs. This would also give them an incentive to SPEND their money and actually re-invest it in the system, rather than hoarding it like a medieval dragon.

Whatever system we choose to go with, the details will be messy. And rest assured, it will be fiercely opposed by armies of very expensive lawyers. But just remember, their numbers are extremely small. For example, the number of billionaires in the USA is about 900. Versus 340 million normal citizens. They should be scared of us, not the other way around.

Womens’ Rights/Gender Equality

Most ancient Dionysus followers were women, slaves, and outsiders. Unlike mainstream society of the time, under Dionysus all were equal. All had a voice. His most notable followers were the Maenads: “mad women” who practiced strange rites in the mountains and lived free of the constraints of society. They were so fierce and mysterious that they spawned countless legends. It was said they could produce springs of water, wine, milk, or honey at will, and they could not be burned by fire or harmed by any weapon made of iron. They could even tear wild beasts apart or uproot trees with their bare hands. Even if most of this is whimsical legend, it’s clear you would NOT want to be on the bad side of these women.

Ruling forces of the time were both appalled and terrified by the Maenads, and sought to subjugate them at all costs. Sound familiar?

Today we live in a time of attempted regression. Instead of advancing equal rights, equal pay and body autonomy for all, there are forces attempting to reverse the last hundred years of progress. And once again, the vast brunt of this burden falls directly onto the shoulders of women. We believe all humans should recognize this injustice and rally to the cause, until true equality is reached. Equal pay. Body autonomy. Equal representation.

Racial Equality/Justice

We cannot state enough that Dionysus is a god of equality and unity. Some of the most unspeakable crimes happened throughout history on the basis of race, and they continue to happen across the world today. We must work to right the wrongs of the past and restore balance with all power available to us. Some things cannot be undone, but we must do whatever is in our power to make recompense and ensure we learn from the mistakes of the past.

Let us celebrate and embrace our differences rather than fear them. Let us be open and learn from each other, and remember that in the end we are all simply human. We all deserve an equal chance.

Legalization

Along with so many other things, Dionysus is the god of Madness. We believe this includes the use of all kinds of natural substances to achieve an enlightened state, or to elevate consciousness. These substances were thought to invite the spirits of the gods to inhabit one’s body and teach them mysteries of existence. We wholly encourage the intentional, disciplined, and responsible use of these substances, and we join with the scientific community calling for their legalization and study. There is immense potential waiting to be unlocked, stalled only by our own fears and short-sightedness.

Sexual Education and De-stigmatization

Our most natural and human drive should not be loaded with shame and fear. It is one of the greatest disservices to humanity when this occurs, and one of the greatest sources of unhappiness and quiet discontent. It is largely due to the sad state of sexual education in most countries, and the intense guilt used as a weapon by many religious organizations (particularly towards LGBTQ communities, but also towards straight unmarried women and men).

In this environment, so many young people feel forced to turn to equally naive peers or to mainstream pornography for all of their information about sex- both of which can be disastrous. It should not be this awkward to talk about sex as a society- it is only awkward because we make it so. Dionysus is a god of liberation- particularly from the chains of shame and guilt. We believe that using guilt to turn people’s natural sexual drives into a weapon of control is itself a great perversion, and one of the greatest evils in our world.

Climate Protection

Everything possible must be done to advance scientific discoveries in this field. Incredible breakthroughs are already close at hand in energy production, and even a single one of them could potentially revolutionize life on earth as we know it. But we must also be willing to question our own habits and change wherever needed in order to live more in harmony with our planet. Dionysus is a god of cultivation and harvest, and naturally wants us to protect and care for these lands. We can’t make wine if the vineyard is burning.

Universal Health Care

This is a call specifically to the United States (and any country that finds itself in a similar situation, though there are few). Volumes could be devoted to this subject. But put simply, the for-profit health care system is evil. It is held aloft by sheer greed, inertia, and apathy.

The number one cause of bankruptcy in the United States of America is medical debt. Just let that sink in for a moment- that means that these people are wiping out savings, college funds, retirement funds, everything they have before finally being forced to declare bankruptcy. Because they got sick. Or they got into an accident.

To add salt to the wound, the US vastly outspends universal healthcare countries in per-capita medical costs. Any reputable study shows that switching to universal healthcare would save money within a scant few years. For the love of Dionysus, give the people basic health care.

Universal Basic Income

This system could potentially be another great equalizer. Dionysus is a god of equality and unity. Due to automation and AI, the time for some form of universal income will come sooner than later, whether we are ready to face it or not. Why not get ahead of it? Any country offering this would be ahead of its time; a pioneer. It gives citizens something to point to and say, this is a solid, tangible reason that makes our country great. And the beautiful thing is this: UBI could be equal for all, yet disproportionally benefit those most in need.

If every single citizen received the same amount, one that would at least guarantee that they would not be homeless or starve to death, then it could be a perfectly equal system. Everyone receives the same, and yet it would exponentially benefit those on the razor’s edge of poverty. Rather than the ridiculous maze forms and documents and bureaucracy that comprise most welfare systems, we believe a universal system is poetic in its simplicity and effectiveness.