Democrat Texas Senate nominee James Talarico described himself as “a Christian who hates Christianity” in a recently unearthed episode on the “Activist Theology” podcast.
“I always think of myself as a Christian who hates Christianity,” Talarico said during his 2021 appearance on the podcast. “And, like, I always get drawn back into [Christianity] because nowhere else in no other political philosophy, in no other economic theory, do I find anything as truly radical or revolutionary as the teachings of that barefoot rabbi, right?”
Democrat Nominee for U.S. Senate in Texas James Talarico: “I always think of myself as a Christian who hates Christianity.” pic.twitter.com/xMjSn2hgsC
— America (@america) June 23, 2026
The Democrat candidate joined the “Navigating Love & Legislature” episode to discuss “Texas, his theology, and how he’s called to govern during these times.” (RELATED: Bible-Thumping Democrat Says White People Spread ‘Virus Of Racism’ Just By Being Alive)
One of the podcast hosts, Dr. Roberto Che Espinoza, is a “non-binary transqueer Latinx” pastor. The founder of the Activist Theology Project, she is a “reluctant leader” who advocates for “transing religion.”
The Activist Theology podcast focuses on “a diversity of tactics to achieve social healing” and aims to “explore the work of liberation and healing justice.”
The hosts interviewing Talarico warned their listeners about the “straight, cisgender, white man,” acknowledging that their invitation to the Texas candidate could seem “problematic.” (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Trump Aligned Group Drops Six Figures On ‘Talafreako’ Ad In Texas)
“We just wanted to let you know that we recognize the challenges that cisgender straight whiteness and maleness brings to the public platform,” the hosts said.
After reading Espinoza’s book, “Activist Theology,” Talarico described himself as a “fan boy” of the transqueer pastor. Talarico told Espinoza her work “continues to inspire” him during the interview.
@jamestalarico Thanks for the follow! I’m just here trying to build a better world, one story at a time. I work to dismantle supremacy culture by composting existing hierarchies into the kind of transformation we long to see. I call it Activist Theology!
— Dr. Roberto Che Espinoza ✊🏽 (@irobyn) February 23, 2021
Dr. Henderson-Espinoza!! I’m a BIG fan. I read Activist Theology last year! As a progressive Christian in Texas, your work is an inspiration. I would love to talk with you!! pic.twitter.com/FvboIajDy2
— James Talarico (@jamestalarico) February 23, 2021
Talarico will face Republican Texas nominee Ken Paxton in the November general election.
At another point during the episode, he referenced Jesus Christ, saying, “the most popular figure in our country, particularly on the conservative right, is this socialist anarchist from ancient Palestine, right? It’s such a strange paradox to me.”
Talarico previously called Christianity the “most violent” religion during a New Yorker feature, arguing that Christianity has done more harm to Judaism and Islam than the two religions have done to each other.
During a speech delivered on the Texas House floor in 2021, Talarico said, “God is nonbinary,” adding that God is “both masculine and feminine, and everything in between.” The Texas Democrat also called transgender children “perfect, beautiful, and sacred.”