My Christian Man Crush

I’ve been on a rant lately about the toxicity of religion in politics and the existential threat it poses to American democracy. So, imagine my surprise when I found myself in political lockstep with a devout Christian pastor and state legislator from Texas.

James Talarico is a state legislator, pastor, and former teacher representing Travis County, Texas. (When I hear the phrase Christian Pastor from Texas, I reflexively think this is not someone I’m going to connect with in any way, whatsoever).

As a humanist, my ethos is grounded in reason, compassion, and a commitment to human welfare, all without relying on religion or divine authority. I tend to distrust religious groups or individuals that emphasize moral absolutes, spiritual warfare, and cultural dominance, as many of today’s MAGA Christians do.

I deplore the charged and politically partisan nature of right-wing Christian leaders today, many of whom openly support Donald Trump as a divinely chosen figure. In my view, Donald Trump’s association with “the divine” is more accurately reflected in Alighieri’s Divine Comedy, which highlights how weak character and poor choices lead to moral decay in man – but I digress.

Although James Talarico and I disagree on the existence of God and the usefulness of faith, we share a common political identity and moral compass regarding the role of religion in politics and how we treat our fellow human beings.

When I listen to James Talarico speak, I hear humanism bathed in religious compassion. His arguments on why Texas should not display the Ten Commandments in schools are grounded in reason and commitment to the welfare of non-Christians and atheists.

Talarico’s political identity is fundamentally rooted in his Christian beliefs, which he draws upon to inform his legislative priorities and public stances. Now, one can say the same of the Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, whom I detest.

Mike Johnson has informed Americans that the best way to understand his stance on any issue is to read the Bible. ‘That’s my worldview, that’s what I believe.‘ James Talarico proudly proclaims, “Jesus is the reason I’m in politics.”

So, we have two men who identify (quite publicly) as politicians guided by their Christian beliefs. Yet, the divide between them on almost every issue is wider than the Grand Canyon.

So, what gives?

Imagine two river boats (the SS MAGA for Christ and the SS Real Deal Christians) drifting down a wide river. The passengers on both boats refer to themselves as Christian, both rely on the same map for navigation — the Bible — but they interpret the terrain and the currents very differently.

• The SS MAGA for Christ is sturdy and traditional, built from old wood passed down over generations. Its passengers believe God divinely determines the river’s course and shouldn’t be altered. They value order, hierarchy, and preserving the design of the boat as their ancestors built it. They’re wary of new boats with modern tech, worried those might drift off course or sink under unfamiliar values.
• The SS Real Deal Christian is sleeker and adaptive, built with newer materials and open decks. Its passengers see the river as dynamic, winding through evolving cultures and perspectives. They believe their faith calls them to adjust their sails and reach out to those stranded along the shore, even if it means challenging long-held boating rules.

When the crew and passengers on the SS MAGA Christians see other boats on the river, like the SS Islam or the SS Atheists, they immediately consider them a threat and aggressively try to ram those boats or push them towards the riverbank to wreck them. Sometimes, crew members on the SS MAGA become pirate-like and try to board the other boats and convert their passengers to their dogmatic views of riverboat travel.

When the crew and passengers on the SS Real Deal Christians see other boats on the river, like the SS Islam or the SS Atheists, they share the waterways in the spirit of cooperation. They have no desire to board them or force them off the river.

In the analogy above, James Talarico is clearly aboard the SS Real Deal Christians. His interpretation of Christianity emphasizes tolerance, compassion, justice, and care for the marginalized or other, which he uses as the foundation for his political views.

Talarico’s political stances are an extension of Leviticus 19:18, which states, “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord,” where he applies that verse to issues like healthcare, education, and immigration.

As a Real Deal Christian, Talarico’s faith calls on him to challenge far-right, conservative Christians and Christian Nationalists, making him a natural ally to humanists and non-believers like me.

He is known for quoting scripture in legislative debates, often to counter conservative Christian arguments. His speeches have gone viral for reframing Christianity as a force for inclusion, equity, and environmental stewardship.

For example, Talarico:

• Opposed a Texas law requiring the Ten Commandments in classrooms, calling it “un-Christian” and “idolatrous,” arguing that it misrepresents the teachings of Jesus.
• Supports abortion rights, citing biblical passages that suggest life begins with breath and emphasizing the importance of consent in creation.
• Rejects the idea that Christianity mandates opposition to LGBTQ+ rights or abortion, saying there’s no biblical basis for those positions.

Talarico describes Christian nationalism as “the worship of power – social power, economic power, political power, in the name of Christ” and has accused Christian Nationalists of turning Jesus “into a gun-toting, gay-bashing, science-denying, money-loving, fear-mongering fascist” and argued that it is “incumbent on all Christians to confront it and denounce it.”

Political progressives and moderates in the Democratic and Republican parties would be smart to build coalitions with Christians, in the mold of James Talarico, and use these coalitions as a form of political activism moving forward.

Unfortunately, in America today, there’s no getting religion out of politics altogether. The best we can do is to fight fire with fire by co-opting the positive, humanistic ideals and values espoused by Mr. Talarico’s interpretation of Christianity (inclusion, equity, and tolerance) and use them politically to win the hearts and minds of voters.