Democratic Senate Candidate’s Views on Christianity
James Talarico, a Democratic candidate for the Texas Senate, recently made headlines for describing himself as a “Christian who hates Christianity” during a podcast episode of Activist Theology. This statement, made in a 2021 speech, reflects his complicated relationship with the faith.
“I’ve always thought of myself as a Christian who hates Christianity,” Talarico stated. He elaborated that, in his view, no other political ideology or economic theory resonates as profoundly as the teachings of “that barefoot rabbi,” referring to Jesus.
In the podcast episode, titled “Navigating Congress with Love,” Talarico discussed Texas, his theological beliefs, and what he believes is his responsibility in contemporary governance.
One of the podcast’s hosts, Dr. Roberto Che Espinoza, identifies as a “non-binary, transqueer, Latinx” pastor and is a founding member of the Activist Theology Project. Talarico expressed admiration for Espinoza, calling himself a “fanboy” of her work, which he found inspiring.
The show aims to address “Diverse Tactics for Achieving Social Healing,” focusing on liberation and justice efforts. However, the hosts acknowledged that Talarico’s identity as a “straight, cisgender, white male” could be seen as problematic, and they addressed this concern during the episode.
During the interview, Talarico pointed out the irony in the fact that Jesus—often a revered figure on the conservative right—was, in his mind, a “socialist anarchist” from ancient Palestine, which he described as a peculiar paradox.
In a previous feature in The New Yorker, Talarico referred to Christianity as the “most violent” religion, asserting that it has caused more harm to Judaism and Islam than the two religions have inflicted on each other.
During another speech in 2021, Talarico declared, “God is non-binary,” suggesting that the divine encompasses both masculine and feminine traits, along with everything in between. He also stated that transgender children are “perfect, beautiful, and divine,” a sentiment echoed by the Texas Democratic Party.
As the election approaches, Talarico is set to challenge Republican candidate Ken Paxton in the upcoming November general election.
