State Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, spoke at University Presbyterian Church on Sunday, discussing the relationship between religion and politics, subjects which are not often discussed in “polite company.”
“Christianity is both spiritual and political because politics is just another word for how we treat our neighbors,” Talarico said in the sermon.
Talarico represents Texas House District 50, which covers part of Travis County, and is currently running for U.S. senator. He is a UT alumnus and recently graduated from the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, which offers courses for pastoral ministry and other theological learning skills. Since winning in a district during 2018, which Republicans had controlled two years before, he has focused on legislation intended to benefit the working class, according to his campaign website.
“As a legislator, I’ve passed bills to reduce the cost of prescription drugs, expand access to childcare, reform our justice system and fund our neighborhood schools,” Talarico said. “Through public policy, I’m trying to make life just a little easier for my neighbors.”
During his second term in office, Talarico opposed measures like Texas Senate Bill 10, which requires Texas public educators to display the 10 Commandments in each K-12 classroom.
“The separation of church and state should never be mistaken for a separation of faith and politics,” Talarico said. “Christian activism is not Christian nationalism. Christian nationalism is elevating our faith over others, dominating our neighbors, instead of loving them as ourselves.”
What it means to love thy neighbor was a central topic in the service. Talarico said to fulfill this, people should embrace the First Amendment by respecting other faiths.
“I don’t think Jesus would endorse the Democratic or Republican party platforms, but I do think Jesus would challenge America to keep working toward a radical vision of democracy, more rights, more freedoms, more opportunities for more of our neighbors,” Talarico said.
Talarico criticized representatives using religion to defend restrictions on rights, such as abortion, gay marriage, contraception and access to books — all of which have been discussed at the state and national level recently, he said.
“Too many of our fellow Christians are putting their politics ahead of their faith,” Talarico said. “They’re baptizing their partisanship and calling it Christianity, but faith isn’t about right versus left, it’s about right versus wrong.”
