Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico is facing scrutiny following a resurfaced podcast interview where he identified himself as a Christian who ‘hates Christianity.’ This controversy adds to the ongoing disputes surrounding his religious beliefs during his campaign.
The comments were made in March 2021 on the *Activist Theology Podcast*, where Talarico engaged with theologian Roberto Che Espinoza and minister Anna Golladay to discuss topics including Christianity, political activism, and social justice. Espinoza is known for identifying as transgender and queer.
During the podcast, Talarico stated, “I always think of myself as a Christian who hates Christianity.”
The resurfaced footage gained traction in June when Republican researchers highlighted it. These remarks have become part of a broader Republican strategy aimed at questioning Talarico’s religious credibility as he competes against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the upcoming Senate election.
Talarico elaborated that despite his frustrations with traditional Christianity, he continually finds value in the teachings of Jesus Christ.
He characterized Jesus as a ‘barefoot rabbi’ whose message provides a radical alternative to mainstream political and economic ideologies. Talarico also noted similarities between Christian principles and those in Buddhism and other spiritual traditions.
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In an interview with a self-described “TransQueer” activist theologian, Texas Democrat James Talarico says he “hates” Christianity:
“I always think of myself as a Christian who hates Christianity.” https://t.co/wFEONx03CW
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 23, 2026
The Democrat’s comments have drawn criticism, especially since Christianity is a key aspect of his political identity. A Presbyterian seminarian, Talarico often references biblical teachings while advocating for progressive stances on issues such as abortion and gender identity.
His relationship with Espinoza has also sparked debate. Talarico praised the theologian during the podcast, explaining how Espinoza’s writings influenced his views on religion and politics.
Furthermore, Talarico acknowledged that his identity as a white man may limit his comprehension of diverse struggles, affecting his perspectives.
Throughout the interview, he discussed interactions with Republican legislators. Talarico shared that he initially expected antagonism from those backing what he sees as discriminatory legislation against transgender individuals.
Surprisingly, he found some lawmakers to be genuinely decent, despite disagreeing on key policy issues.
Republicans contend that Talarico’s comments reflect a broader pattern of unconventional theological views. He has previously characterized God as nonbinary and suggested that Christian doctrine could support abortion rights, stances that have met resistance from traditional religious constituents.
The discussion intensified during an October CNN town hall when a Christian voter challenged Talarico regarding his past statements on gender and biblical interpretations.
He admitted that his prior comments about God’s gender were intentionally provocative but argued that his theological views remain supportable.
Talarico’s campaign has dismissed allegations that he is against Christianity. In contrast, Paxton’s campaign frames Talarico as someone who uses Christian rhetoric to justify progressive policies that many conservative believers find objectionable.
This ideological clash has become a significant aspect of the Texas Senate race, with both candidates leveraging their faith to engage voters.
