“Christian Who Hates Christianity” James Talarico Now Credits Islamic Mystics and Rumi for Shaping His Faith as Much as Christian Writers * * by Jim Hᴏft

James Talarico, a Democrat from Texas and progressive Senate candidate running against Attorney General Ken Paxton, has once again come under scrutiny.

Recently surfaced audio from an April 2024 episode of The State of Belief podcast, featuring Muslim state Rep. Salman Bhojani, reveals Talarico crediting Islam for influencing his religious views.

“I’ve personally gained as much insight about my faith from Salman’s tradition, Islamic mystics, and poets like Rumi as I have from Christian authors,” Talarico remarked.

He continued by commending interfaith conversations for adding “new flavors and new colors” to his beliefs, quoting Rumi: “In every religion there is love, yet love has no religion.”

This audio, highlighted by RNC Research and covered by The Daily Wire, adds to Talarico’s controversial statements.

WATCH:

🚨UNEARTHED

James Talarico — who said he “hates Christianity” — praised Islam for inspiring his religious beliefs:

“I’ve learned as much about my faith from Salman’s tradition, from the Islamic mystics, from poets like Rumi, as much as I have from Christian authors…” pic.twitter.com/2UeksY9Hko

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 27, 2026

Talarico, who has previously described himself as “a Christian who hates Christianity,” continues to make headlines.

According to , Talarico expressed this sentiment during a 2021 interview on the Activist Theology podcast, hosted by a self-described “TransQueer” activist theologian.

“I often think of myself as a Christian who hates Christianity,” Talarico stated, adding that he is repeatedly drawn back to it due to the “radical” and “revolutionary” teachings of the “barefoot rabbi.”

Now, as he campaigns as a “Christian” alternative in a crucial Senate race, Talarico claims that Islamic mystics and Sufi poetry have influenced his faith as much as Christian teachings.

Talarico has made his faith a prominent aspect of his campaign, often discussing “biblical Christianity.” However, his record shows a tendency towards progressive reinterpretations that deviate from traditional Christianity:

• He has stated that God is “nonbinary.”
• He has referred to Jesus as a “radical feminist.”
• He has suggested the existence of multiple biological sexes.
• He has argued that displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms is “deeply unchristian.”

also reported Talarico’s view that Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and other religions are different paths leading to the same “fundamental truth.”

“I see all the world’s faith traditions as a circle, with the divine mystery of the universe at its center,” Talarico commented in that segment.

Texas voters, especially those who are Christian, should take note. A candidate who has expressed disdain for Christianity and now acknowledges the influence of Islamic mystics on his faith may not align with the religious values held by many Texans.