But this bill, especially in its current form, is not the way to do that. As it’s written in its current form, there are very few protections for students and parents. There are very few guardrails. There is no oversight. There are weak definitions of what a chaplain is, and no standards they have to meet. So I worry this bill will lead to Christian nationalists infiltrating our public schools and indoctrinating our students.
Texas Republicans are trying to force public schools to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom.
I told the bill author: “This bill is not only un-constitutional and un-American, it’s deeply un-Christian.” #txlege pic.twitter.com/TI7TmGvIKM
— James Talarico (@jamestalarico) May 3, 2023
You garnered attention recently for criticizing a proposal that would require schools to put a version of the Ten Commandments in every classroom if they are donated. You called the idea “unconstitutional and un-American, but also deeply un-Christian.” Speaking more generally, what do you find onerous about that and other religion-related bills working their way through the Legislature?
I see this as part of a troubling trend across the country of Christian nationalists attempting to take over our democracy and attempting to take over my religion — both of which I find deeply offensive. This is the culmination of 40 years of the religious right taking over our political system, and I think my fellow Christians and I have a moral obligation to speak out against this growing Christo-fascist movement.
About that: You’re a person of faith pursuing ordination, but you seem to disagree with conservative Christian activists and your own religious colleagues on pretty core issues here. What is that like for you?
Texas state Rep. James Talarico speaks on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives on Oct. 14, 2021, in Austin, Texas. Submitted photo
It’s incredibly personal, right? Because it’s not just a perversion of our Constitution, it’s a perversion of my faith. Jesus, when he was in the wilderness, was tempted by Satan with, among other things, political power— with all the kingdoms of the world. That should go to show us Christian nationalism is kind of an oxymoron. The idea that this universal faith, based on radical universal love, could be confined to one political subdivision is just contrary to the entire gospel. Furthermore, to use political power to hurt marginalized people — whether it’s folks from other faith traditions like Hindus and Buddhists and Muslims, or whether it’s to hurt LGBTQ people, or women seeking reproductive health care — (is) blasphemous, according to my reading of the New Testament.
What has the reaction been to your strident criticism of these bills — be it from constituents or, perhaps, seminary professors?
Well, my seminary professors are waiting for me to turn in a few assignments that are late, so they’re probably not thrilled about that.
But I’ve had high profile moments before. I was part of the group of lawmakers that broke quorum in 2021 and went to Washington, D.C., to protest the voter suppression bill. I usually get some passionate support and passionate criticism, as these can be polarizing moments.
But the thing about (my) Ten Commandments speech from last week is it hasn’t been that polarizing. It’s been almost universal support that I’ve heard — and not just from Democrats. I’ve had Republicans calling my legislative office and thanking me for speaking from a Christian perspective. In fact, I’ve been confused for a Republican by people who just see the clip and don’t know anything about me. I’ve had a lot of posts saying, “We’re so thankful to have Republicans standing up to this thing,” and, you know, “Glad that a Republican is finally speaking out.”
So, I guess that just goes to show how unusual it is for Democrats to be speaking about faith in that kind of way.
You mentioned Christian nationalism earlier. As a three-term legislator, has the intensity of the Christian nationalism movement in Texas increased during your tenure?
Yes, it has.
Again, I don’t want to limit it to just my three terms, because I really do think it’s the culmination of 40 years of the religious right taking over Christianity, taking over the Republican Party and now taking over our democracy. But I’ve seen just in my three terms, since 2018, it get worse and more flagrant, more arrogant, more extreme. The Ten Commandments bill, I think, is a perfect example of that. I think if you had told me the Legislature was introducing a bill to force schools to put up the Ten Commandments in every classroom, I would have thought you were telling me about an SNL (skit). We’ve become a caricature of ourselves. Some of these bills read like an Onion headline.
So yes, I think these Christian nationalists have gotten more bold, and I think they’ve been emboldened by President Trump and that movement within the Republican Party that really no longer feels constrained by the Constitution or democratic values
