My childhood church low-key forced out a mixed race couple.
I grew up in the Church of Christ religion while living in an all white, low income neighborhood.
Old white men in suits would stand outside the church building before the service, smoking cigarettes and telling racist jokes, using the N-word frequently. These are the Christians I had as role models.
Before I became agnostic, I studied the New Testament from cover to cover. I thought I knew what true Christianity meant and I tried to live my life following in the footsteps of Jesus. I tried my best to avoid racist and evil people. It was impossible to do this in Texas. Even a simple trip to the local grocer would result in hearing people act stupid.
It's a long story as to why I'm now agnostic. But my actual point to the story is that I believe I understand the concept of Christianity as much as anyone. And I'm sorry, but I try to avoid extremely religious people. Let them believe what they want to believe as long as they act decent while in the world. I just don't want to listen to them tell me "The Good News."
And I tell you that so that I can tell you this… James Talarico is a very religious man who could help the state of Texas become better in many, many ways. And he can do it without preaching to you.
I am so tired of evil, racist white men who are criminals with no morals.
No matter what I personally believe, I'll take a God-fearing or Jesus-loving man in office any day.