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Texas Democrat Senate Candidate Sparks Controversy with Comments on Religion
Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico is facing backlash after claiming on a podcast that atheists are “more Christ-like than” some of his Christian colleagues in the Texas House of Representatives. The remarks, made on the “Politics War Room” podcast hosted by journalist Al Hunt and Democratic strategist James Carville, have reignited criticism over Talarico’s views on religion.
“Instead of putting the 10 Commandments in every classroom, instead of forcing school children to read the Bible against their wills, why don’t we, all of us, look inward and figure out how we can be more Christ-like, even when it’s uncomfortable,” said Talarico, who currently serves as a state representative.
When Hunt suggested that Muslims and Hindus could “learn a lot from Jesus,” Talarico expanded his point: “I have met so many Hindus, Buddhists, Sikh Jews, Muslims, atheists, agnostics who are more Christ-like than some of the Christians I serve with in the Texas legislature. It is about how you treat other people.”
Talarico’s Senate campaign represents a significant challenge for Democrats in Texas, where a Democrat hasn’t won a Senate seat since 1988. He’s attempting to unseat Republican incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in a state that has consistently elected conservatives to statewide office for decades.
During the podcast, Talarico, a former school teacher and Presbyterian seminarian, took aim at what he described as “Christian nationalism,” arguing that many conservative Christians have allowed their politics to define their faith rather than the reverse.
“Christian nationalism, you see people’s faith growing out of their politics, right? They’re baptizing their partisanship, and they’re calling that Christianity. And it’s why it doesn’t resemble the life, death and teachings of Jesus Christ,” Talarico said. “These Christians in Congress, these Christian nationalists, they want a Christian nation unless it means providing health care to the sick, unless it means funding food assistance for the hungry or raising the minimum wage for the poor.”
The comments prompted swift criticism from conservatives on social media, with some accusing Democrats of routinely “putting Christians down.” The Republican National Committee also weighed in, with spokesman Zach Kraft saying: “James Talarico has once again broken out his anti-Christian Christian shtick. There isn’t a woke cause that he won’t claim to find buried in the Bible. Twisting Christian principles to promote woke talking points might play well with coastal elites in New York and California, but he’s going to learn real quick that won’t fly in Texas.”
This isn’t the first time Talarico has stirred controversy with his interpretations of Christianity. In 2021, during a speech in the Texas legislature opposing Republican legislation regarding transgender youth and sports, he declared that “God is nonbinary.”
More recently, during an appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast in September 2025, Talarico suggested that the Bible permits abortion, referring to the story of the Annunciation. “The angel Gabriel asks Mary if this is something she wants to do, and she says, ‘If it is God’s will, let it be done,'” Talarico said. “To me, that is an affirmation in one of our most central stories that creation has to be done with consent. You cannot force someone to create.”
He added at the time that “the idea that there is a set Christian orthodoxy on the issue of abortion is just not rooted in Scripture.”
In a January interview with a New York Times podcast, Talarico also claimed his Christian faith has grown “by learning more about Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism,” suggesting that “these beautiful faith traditions are circling the same truth about the universe, about the cosmos. And that truth is inherently a mystery.”
As Talarico continues his uphill Senate campaign in Texas, his views on religion and his interpretations of Christianity will likely remain a point of contention with conservative voters in a state where religious values play a significant role in political discourse.
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5 Comments
The lawmaker makes an intriguing argument about the disconnect between professed faith and demonstrated values. His willingness to call out hypocrisy within his own party is admirable, though it could invite backlash. This is a complex issue without easy answers.
The lawmaker’s remarks highlight an important nuance – that outward displays of piety don’t necessarily equate to moral character. His emphasis on how people ‘treat other people’ as the true measure is a fair one, regardless of one’s specific beliefs.
Interesting perspective from the Texas lawmaker. While faith can be deeply personal, the core values of compassion and treating others well should transcend specific beliefs. I wonder if he sees common ground between different worldviews that could help bridge divides.
This is a thought-provoking statement. The lawmaker raises a fair point that adherence to religious doctrine doesn’t always align with embodying Christ-like virtues. It will be interesting to see how voters respond to his comments about the ‘Christian-ness’ of his colleagues’ actions.
This is a bold and somewhat controversial stance for a Democratic politician in Texas. While it may resonate with some, it could also alienate more conservative Christian voters. It will be interesting to see how the lawmaker’s campaign navigates these sensitive religious and political dynamics.