Back at the end of July, Texas U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico said his Christian faith was inspired by Islam.
"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," Talarico said.
But it's not the only time he's paid homage to Islam. In 2024, Talarico delivered a sermon about the Islamic mystic Hafiz while standing in front of a cross draped with the transgender pride flag.
What does “renaming” Lake Ontario have to do with making life better for everyday Americans?
— Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) August 31, 2026
Absolutely nothing.
These extremists are all unfit to govern.
"In one of my favorite poems the Islamic mystic Hafiz says we are all invited to join that dance," Talarico said. "He says 'every child has known God.' Not the God of names. Not the God of don'ts, but the God who only knows four words and keeps repeating them. Saying, 'Come dance with me.'"
This, of course, is borderline heresy.
His target demographic is people who hate Christians and Christianity.
— Red Dot in a Blue Dot in a Red State (@reddotaustintx) August 30, 2026
Yes, it is.
This is what it looks like when you wear Christianity like a skin suit
— Acquisitive Chuckle (@Acq_Chuckle) August 31, 2026
Bingo. That's exactly what he's doing.
This kind of idiocy coming from a "church" and a "pastor" sounds good to people who don't know anything about Christianity. It sounds nice. In reality this is demonic and no actual Christian believes anything he says. https://t.co/O5H75jafPS
— Bo French (@bofrench) August 30, 2026
It's morally therapeutic deism, at best.
Crap. Talarico’s sermon is gay and Muslim at the same time.
— WannabeAnglican (@WannabeAnglican) August 31, 2026
That’s quite an accomplishment. https://t.co/BYlmg84jbK
Guys like Talarico are going to be in for a rude awakening when he realizes Islam is not tolerant. Especially not about that flag hanging behind him.
Jeremiah 14:14 KJV
— RedRocketRaccoon (@WilliamArmentr5) August 30, 2026
"Then the LORD said unto me, 'The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart'." https://t.co/X7PPwM53Wz
Talarico doesn't put much stock in the Bible. In fact, he said the notion that Christians are the villains in America is "spot on."
But what is a supposed Christian pastor doing using an Islamic mystic in a sermon?