Stephen Colbert hosted Texas Senate candidate James Talarico on “The Late Show,” despite network lawyers warning that it might breach FCC rules—a concern stemming from former President Trump’s influence. Colbert aired the interview anyhow, which has since garnered over 7 million views on YouTube. The segment addressed the pressing issue of religious nationalism, a political force that has sought to leverage Christian faith to roll back civil and human rights advancements from the 20th century.
Both Talarico and his opponent, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, are using their Christian faith to challenge the GOP’s claims of embodying Christian values, arguing that the agenda associated with Trump contradicts core Christian beliefs. They emphasize the moral responsibility to advocate for policies that support the vulnerable and uphold justice.
A group of over 400 church leaders recently began Lent by condemning the misuse of Christianity to justify harmful policies. They assert that Christians must remember their faith’s true message, calling on them to oppose any authority that abuses power or neglects the needy.
In a recent exchange, House Speaker Mike Johnson cited biblical verses while being pressed about ICE’s treatment of immigrants. He declined to engage in a deeper theological discussion, prompting an invitation to debate from church leaders that remains unaccepted. The article posits that without divine justification, the controversial policies of the Trump administration face greater challenges.
Ultimately, the authors, William J. Barber, II and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, argue for a Christian movement centered on justice and freedom, distancing faith from the extremism they view as antithetical to true Christian values.
