James Talarico

I would think they would define it as wanting a Christian nation.

But again, these politicians want a Christian nation unless it means providing healthcare to the sick or funding food assistance for the hungry or raising the minimum wage for the poor.

It seems like they wanna base our laws on the Bible until they read the words of Jesus.

Welcome the stranger, liberate the oppressed, put away your sword, sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor.

I mean, I'm not exactly sure a Christian nation is really what these people want.

Again, I believe the separation of church and state is sacred.

I think a nation with one supreme religion is not just un-American.

I also think it's un-Christian, given how Jesus taught about religious supremacy.

But I do think if these people are going to call for a Christian nation, they need to reach for all of it.

You know, I fought the bill to require the Ten Commandments posted in every classroom.

And I've often wondered, instead of posting the Ten Commandments in every classroom, why don't they post money is the root of all evil in every boardroom?

Why don't they post do not judge in every courtroom?

Why don't they post, turn the other cheek in the halls of the Pentagon?

Or it's easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into the kingdom of heaven on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.

This is the inconsistency I'm trying to call out because they're using my tradition.

They're speaking for me.

And so I think I have a special moral responsibility to combat Christian nationalism wherever I see it.

That's not the gospel.

And I don't think I'm saying this as a Democrat.

I think I'm saying this as a fellow believer.