Fr Liam Power: The Blue Tsunami - the influence of the Christian Left

The American midterm elections produced a shock result. Commentators labelled it a blue tsunami to describe the extraordinary surge of support for the Democratic Party. The result heralds a dramatic shift in US politics. The Democrats have captured eight Republican-held seats in the Senate and 44 Republican-held seats in the House, which means they now control Congress.

An Instagram reel, produced by Paper Planet, succinctly outlined some of the causes of the tsunami…Rural America crushed by diesel prices and watching those who work the fields rounded up like criminals… The mass deportations ordered by President Trump… citizens saw what it meant…people snatched off the street and killed by masked goons. In Minneapolis, people walked out of the polling stations and covered the memorials for Renee Good and Alex Pretty (who were murdered by ICE agents) with voting stickers saying I voted for you. And of course the opposition to the Iran war.

What fascinated me about the result was the number of religious Democrats who were elected, many of them serving as pastors in Christian Churches. There will be at least seven ordained Democratic clergy in Congress. James Talarico, elected to the Senate in Texas, traditionally a Republican stronghold, is a Presbyterian seminarian. Adam Hamilton, a megachurch pastor, won a Senate seat in Kansas, the first Democrat to do so since 1932.

Raphael Warnock, a black pastor, was re-elected to the Senate in Georgia. Other clerical Representatives include Frederick Hynes of Texas, Lindsey James in Iowa and Emmanuel Cleaver in Missouri.

All of the clerical candidates ran a 'faith-forward' campaign, basing their political philosophy on fundamental Christian values, heralding what some commentators described as the rise of the 'Christian left'. I will focus on the campaign of James Talarico, perhaps the most celebrated and charismatic of the newly elected members of Congress. He has a cherub-faced youthful appearance (just 36 years old), with an easy smile, and a gentle disposition.

He is unapologetic about his Christian faith.

He firmly believes that his Christian faith should and does influence politics, but that it should never become an instrument of power. In that sense, he believes in the separation of Church and State in that the Government should not impose religion on citizens but also that citizens should be free to practice religion without political interference. 

“The Christian is called not to make the state Christian but to bring Christian love, justice and concern for the neighbour into the life of the state.” His views are consistent with the doctrine of Church and State proclaimed by the Second Vatican Council.

In a powerful sermon delivered from the pulpit in his church in Austin, Texas, he posed a series of rhetorical questions: he asked what would Jesus do about a tax system that favours the rich over the poor; what would Jesus do about an economic system that prioritises profits over the health of the planet… a health care system that forces the sick to start GoFundMe pages to pay for life-saving operations… or kicking the sick off health care while cutting taxes for the rich.

He made a striking criticism of the expression "welfare Queens" in an election debate (those who exploit government welfare programmes). He replied that the biggest welfare Queens are the giant corporations that don’t pay a penny in federal taxes and corporate executives who benefit from tax deductions for private jets.

“Christians,” he claims, “are called to do more than charity: we are called to challenge the systems that make charity necessary.” 

In his victory speech, he emphasised the fundamental Christian conviction about love of God and neighbour. You cannot claim to love God and remain indifferent to the suffering of other people. He claimed that political action should be judged by how it treats those who are economically disadvantaged, marginalised or politically powerless.

He was scathing of politics that promoted division and hate. He also wants to reduce the influence of wealthy donors. 

Talarico has excoriated the doctrine of Christian Nationalism, which is unashamedly promoted by the Trump administration. Secretary of Defence, Pete Hegseth, is a passionate supporter. Christian Nationalists demand that Christianity be privileged by the State, the implications being that to be a good American, you must be Christian. It is inherently supremacist, racist and misogynistic. 

In a sermon delivered in October 2023 at this home church, he claims that Christian Nationalism is a form of idolatry, as it is primarily a worship of power: social power, economic power, political power in the name of Christ. It makes political power, national identity and cultural dominance objects of religious devotion. God becomes an instrument of politics rather than politics being subject to the demands of the gospel. It is deeply un-Christian.

In an interview with the Baptist News Global, he was concerned that Christian Nationalism can be used to consolidate wealth and power; it serves the interests of powerful economic and political groups while neglecting the poor.

All the other Christian pastors elected to Congress identify with Talarico’s political philosophy. His policies are entirely consistent with Catholic Social Teaching, and he has expressed admiration for Pope Leo and Pope Francis. I believe that he has much to teach us as we try to forge a new Church /State relationship here at home.