Texas state rep James Talarico (D) (1 Viewer)

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    superchuck500

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    I have been following James for a while now on social media - and I continue to be impressed. He's so articulate, so thoughtful, and so knowledgeable, with an ability to cut through the MAGA noise to get to the issue. Where he is strongest is in defending Christianity against fraudulent use by bigots and charlatans, his command of scripture is strong and his view about Jesus's message is so crystal clear . . . and it should never be used as a weapon against anyone, including non-Christians.

    His committee work in Texas has just been outstanding. He also posts speeches including from church (like below). He's got a Bachelors in Government from Texas at Austin, and he's got a Masters in Education Policy from Harvard. He actually taught in a low-income school in San Antonio for the Teach America program and then worked for an NGO that focuses on improving technology in low-income schools - before going on to politics.

    I suspect his arc is bring him to greater things.


    He posted this from yesterday.

     
    Example of his committee work.



    he is quite informative along with clam and knowledge which puts that woman on her heels almost immediately.

    IT works very well in a 1 v 1 setting like that.

    The issue is when there is a room full of "hers" in attendance that will start misdirection, create chaos and he wouldnt be able to provide adequate rebuttal. ( like he did in that clip which was masterful in he wasnt "talking down" to her- he immediately found their "common ground" and then went in to the reasoning )
     
    he is quite informative along with clam and knowledge which puts that woman on her heels almost immediately.

    IT works very well in a 1 v 1 setting like that.

    The issue is when there is a room full of "hers" in attendance that will start misdirection, create chaos and he wouldnt be able to provide adequate rebuttal. ( like he did in that clip which was masterful in he wasnt "talking down" to her- he immediately found their "common ground" and then went in to the reasoning )

    I’m confused - what is this “the issue is when there is a room full of ‘hers’ in attendance” scenario you’re talking about? Like in a conference room?

     
    I’m confused - what is this “the issue is when there is a room full of ‘hers’ in attendance” scenario you’re talking about? Like in a conference room?



    I mean in an instance where he has to address those like her- the christian nationalists that are bent on blurring/removing the separation of church and state - in a larger setting.

    His demeanor, tone and delivery is perfect for a receptive audience. ( by receptive i mean decent, respectful and open-minded )

    I think it would be tested somewhat in an environment where folks arent really wanting to have it.

    I hope this is a harbinger of where we are headed as a nation when it comes to political discourse/debate. We have strayed soooo far of the path and i was very skeptical ( and remain somewhat ) that we ever return to a time where discussion/debate is civil.
     
    I mean in an instance where he has to address those like her- the christian nationalists that are bent on blurring/removing the separation of church and state - in a larger setting.

    His demeanor, tone and delivery is perfect for a receptive audience. ( by receptive i mean decent, respectful and open-minded )

    I think it would be tested somewhat in an environment where folks arent really wanting to have it.

    I hope this is a harbinger of where we are headed as a nation when it comes to political discourse/debate. We have strayed soooo far of the path and i was very skeptical ( and remain somewhat ) that we ever return to a time where discussion/debate is civil.

    I still don’t know what you mean - like if he was standing on a street corner or something? When does this contentious public forum occur? He seems to do pretty well at the Texas state house, which I can imagine is quite contentious.
     
    I still don’t know what you mean - like if he was standing on a street corner or something? When does this contentious public forum occur? He seems to do pretty well at the Texas state house, which I can imagine is quite contentious.

    Think school board meetings during COVID with MAGA inciters.

    Also, until recently (Abbot's tenure as governor) the Texas legislature had been remarkedly bi-partisan. Regardless of the proportions of Republicans and Democrats, Texas House committee chairs were split between both parties. The Republicans always won the votes because they were the majority, but a lot of concessions were made to the minority party because they know the economic engine of the state runs through these urban Democratic centers. It's only been since Abbot, Patrick and Paxton with the help of MAGA extremist, that this has changed and MAGA has tried to dominate the other side and the cities. So there is still a lot of that lingering good will and respect for each others side, but that is quickly fading.
     
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    I still don’t know what you mean - like if he was standing on a street corner or something? When does this contentious public forum occur? He seems to do pretty well at the Texas state house, which I can imagine is quite contentious.


    I would think so and id love to see him in action within the Texas State House operating in that manner.

    Again, im hopeful that these few videos are an indication that many are wanting to return to polite debate/discourse when it comes to governmental actions and political ideas.
     


    Except for that pesky 1st commandment, and that the original audience for the texts weren't 21st century English speaking U.S. residents... "love" didn't mean back then what means today... "your neighbors" were fellow Jews, not everyone, and definitely not those aberrations of different sexual orientations. And even among your neighbors and family, remember, Jesus didn't come to bring peace, but a sword, make set you up to make enemies.

    But hey, if he can get some magas away from ballot boxes, so they don't vote or burn the ballot boxes, more power to him.
     
    Except for that pesky 1st commandment, and that the original audience for the texts weren't 21st century English speaking U.S. residents... "love" didn't mean back then what means today... "your neighbors" were fellow Jews, not everyone, and definitely not those aberrations of different sexual orientations. And even among your neighbors and family, remember, Jesus didn't come to bring peace, but a sword, make set you up to make enemies.

    But hey, if he can get some magas away from ballot boxes, so they don't vote or burn the ballot boxes, more power to him.

    In order to avoid this thread going down the wrong direction, I’ll just say that I like his version better.
     
    In order to avoid this thread going down the wrong direction, I’ll just say that I like his version better.

    I don’t know that I ever met James but we attended the same church, St Andrew’s Presbyterian (he still attends). I keep up with him through social media. He’s a voice of reason in Texas politics.

    Jim Rigby is the church pastor and I’ve mentioned him before in conversations. My wife and I used to live in the same neighborhood the church is located, and started attending when we were looking for something different. We were questioning beliefs we both held and the general state of faith.

    Pastor Rigby had just started a sermon series called, I believe, the Nine Christs Before Jesus. I won’t claim to remember it in detail, years later, but the general message was to acknowledge that a lot of Christian mythology isn’t original. What people should be focusing on are the most basic tenets of loving and helping one another. That’s about all anybody would need to know about St Andrew’s Presbyterian to understand their mission.

    Back then, the congregation would allow homeless people to sleep on church grounds overnight. They serve as an inclimate weather shelter. They operate a food pantry and periodically serve meals and at times during the week, open up access to showers and other services inside the church.

    Pastor Rigby performed free wedding ceremonies and funeral services for members of the homeless community. I attended the funeral of a man I’d become familiar with around the neighborhood; there were many congregation members in attendance.

    The church has given sanctuary to a mother and her son, Hilda and Ivan, who fled a violent situation in Guatemala. She had nowhere else to go and the church took them in and have provided for them for years. Their story is public, by their own choice, and reported on over the years, which is why I’m using their names.

    I only know the general church history on this, but there was an associate pastor, Babs Miller, who is a lesbian. The church supported her and kept her on staff even though she couldn’t be ordained by the governing council. Eventually there was a split or something and St. Andrew’s became a part of the More Light Presbyterian church. The congregation celebrated with her when she was finally able to go through ordination.

    I say all of this because I think it helps to demonstrate what distinguishes James Talarico from a lot of the ugliness that is associated with Christianity in our country. While my wife and I have drifted more into agnosticism - unsettled and complicated, as that is - we would still feel at home at St. Andrew’s, and we deeply admire the kind of people they aspire to be and the community work they do.

    When Talarico cites his faith, I belief he is as well-meaning and sincere as we could hope somebody would be. I know firsthand, it comes from a place of genuine acceptance and compassion for others, and a pursuit of social justice for the suffering and marginalized.
     
    I don’t know that I ever met James but we attended the same church, St Andrew’s Presbyterian (he still attends). I keep up with him through social media. He’s a voice of reason in Texas politics.

    Jim Rigby is the church pastor and I’ve mentioned him before in conversations. My wife and I used to live in the same neighborhood the church is located, and started attending when we were looking for something different. We were questioning beliefs we both held and the general state of faith.

    Pastor Rigby had just started a sermon series called, I believe, the Nine Christs Before Jesus. I won’t claim to remember it in detail, years later, but the general message was to acknowledge that a lot of Christian mythology isn’t original. What people should be focusing on are the most basic tenets of loving and helping one another. That’s about all anybody would need to know about St Andrew’s Presbyterian to understand their mission.

    Back then, the congregation would allow homeless people to sleep on church grounds overnight. They serve as an inclimate weather shelter. They operate a food pantry and periodically serve meals and at times during the week, open up access to showers and other services inside the church.

    Pastor Rigby performed free wedding ceremonies and funeral services for members of the homeless community. I attended the funeral of a man I’d become familiar with around the neighborhood; there were many congregation members in attendance.

    The church has given sanctuary to a mother and her son, Hilda and Ivan, who fled a violent situation in Guatemala. She had nowhere else to go and the church took them in and have provided for them for years. Their story is public, by their own choice, and reported on over the years, which is why I’m using their names.

    I only know the general church history on this, but there was an associate pastor, Babs Miller, who is a lesbian. The church supported her and kept her on staff even though she couldn’t be ordained by the governing council. Eventually there was a split or something and St. Andrew’s became a part of the More Light Presbyterian church. The congregation celebrated with her when she was finally able to go through ordination.

    I say all of this because I think it helps to demonstrate what distinguishes James Talarico from a lot of the ugliness that is associated with Christianity in our country. While my wife and I have drifted more into agnosticism - unsettled and complicated, as that is - we would still feel at home at St. Andrew’s, and we deeply admire the kind of people they aspire to be and the community work they do.

    When Talarico cites his faith, I belief he is as well-meaning and sincere as we could hope somebody would be. I know firsthand, it comes from a place of genuine acceptance and compassion for others, and a pursuit of social justice for the suffering and marginalized.


    Perfect summation of what i think many religions are truly about. I wish there were more "St Andrews type churches" and congregations than "Paula White/City of Destiny" type churches and congregations.
     
    Perfect summation of what i think many religions are truly about. I wish there were more "St Andrews type churches" and congregations than "Paula White/City of Destiny" type churches and congregations.

    I want to add, too, that I never witnessed ulterior motives as they served the community. It wasn’t about converting people or placing requirements or expectations on others. If somebody is hungry, come eat. Dirty? Take a shower. Scared? Seek shelter. Tired? Sleep.

    Come. Go. Hold religious beliefs or none at all. The congregation will be a part of your journey if you want or need it to be.
     
    I don’t know that I ever met James but we attended the same church, St Andrew’s Presbyterian (he still attends). I keep up with him through social media. He’s a voice of reason in Texas politics.

    Jim Rigby is the church pastor and I’ve mentioned him before in conversations. My wife and I used to live in the same neighborhood the church is located, and started attending when we were looking for something different. We were questioning beliefs we both held and the general state of faith.

    Pastor Rigby had just started a sermon series called, I believe, the Nine Christs Before Jesus. I won’t claim to remember it in detail, years later, but the general message was to acknowledge that a lot of Christian mythology isn’t original. What people should be focusing on are the most basic tenets of loving and helping one another. That’s about all anybody would need to know about St Andrew’s Presbyterian to understand their mission.

    Back then, the congregation would allow homeless people to sleep on church grounds overnight. They serve as an inclimate weather shelter. They operate a food pantry and periodically serve meals and at times during the week, open up access to showers and other services inside the church.

    Pastor Rigby performed free wedding ceremonies and funeral services for members of the homeless community. I attended the funeral of a man I’d become familiar with around the neighborhood; there were many congregation members in attendance.

    The church has given sanctuary to a mother and her son, Hilda and Ivan, who fled a violent situation in Guatemala. She had nowhere else to go and the church took them in and have provided for them for years. Their story is public, by their own choice, and reported on over the years, which is why I’m using their names.

    I only know the general church history on this, but there was an associate pastor, Babs Miller, who is a lesbian. The church supported her and kept her on staff even though she couldn’t be ordained by the governing council. Eventually there was a split or something and St. Andrew’s became a part of the More Light Presbyterian church. The congregation celebrated with her when she was finally able to go through ordination.

    I say all of this because I think it helps to demonstrate what distinguishes James Talarico from a lot of the ugliness that is associated with Christianity in our country. While my wife and I have drifted more into agnosticism - unsettled and complicated, as that is - we would still feel at home at St. Andrew’s, and we deeply admire the kind of people they aspire to be and the community work they do.

    When Talarico cites his faith, I belief he is as well-meaning and sincere as we could hope somebody would be. I know firsthand, it comes from a place of genuine acceptance and compassion for others, and a pursuit of social justice for the suffering and marginalized.

    I think there are many more kind Christians than it may appear - I don’t go to church much these days but I grew up in the Episcopal church. I went every Sunday, did Sunday school, vacation bible school, Episcopal youth (teen) camps and activities.

    What you’re describing is very consistent with my experience in the Episcopal church - which embraced women clergy and gay clergy fairly early on compared to many of the others precisely because of the church’s guiding principles about what it believes Christianity (or even any relationship with God including other religions) is. This has certainly remained my viewpoint.

    So to bring it back to the political topic, the question is why aren’t there more voices like James’s? Where are the kind Christians in politics? Why isn’t the rejection of the MAGA/“Evangelical” fraud more prominent?

    I suspect that some of it is because the kind Christians are predisposed to respect the principles of the Establishment Clause and to respect others’ beliefs - so it’s more difficult for them to take that voice to politics in such an active way.
     
    These are great testimonies to churches who are beneficial rather than hindrances to a kind society. My family was Lutheran by history (strong German heritage) but we switched to Presbyterian when I was young. My mom grew weary of the local Lutheran pastor’s sermons and I was too young to understand exactly what it was. So I grew up largely in the Presbyterian church and found it to be pretty much as Incumbent describes. More tolerant, more welcoming. Even joyful.

    We don’t attend church any longer, either. But if we did go back I would definitely look for a church who embodies the actual teachings, not some prosperity gospel mega-church.
     

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