I’ve always been vigilant about the separation of church and state and wary of political figures who tout their faith. But I’m intrigued and encouraged by James Talarico’s candidacy for Senate.

Why? Because Talarico is that rare Democrat who, as a Presbyterian seminarian, is well versed in Christianity. Moreover, he doesn’t shy away from talking about his faith in the political arena. Instead, he has the wisdom to channel his spiritual convictions into persuasive, secular rhetoric, instead of holier-then-thou talking points.

For far too long–at least since 1954 when “under God” was added to the pledge as a Cold War reaction to Communism–the Right has hijacked faith (evangelical Christianity in particular) and perverted it into a political weapon. They’ve wielded it to marginalize Catholics, Jews, Atheists, Muslims, and others. Like the badge of patriotism, it’s high time for the Left to end the Right’s exclusive claim to the mantle of faith.

Look no further than the Trump administration’s recent attempt to censor Stephen Colbert’s interview with Talarico. Thankfully, it’s available on Youtube, and everyone should watch it. But what was so threatening about the segment?

Apparently, the administration’s campaign to consolidate media into a channel of state-controlled propaganda was threatened by a devout, outspoken Democrat. Ironically, this example mirrors the Pharisee’s attempts to silence the “radical” teachings of Jesus. Theocratic power is threatened by those who dare to reveal the hypocrisy of its unholy church-state alliance.

Locally, certain leaders use performative piety and articles of faith as a cudgel against the rights of women, LGBTQ+ people, and immigrants. Their contortions to twist faith in defense of discrimination and repression are truly astounding. They chip away at the wall between church and state at every turn and the Left must not let this assault go unchallenged.

Also on the local level, we may have our own Talarico-like candidate in Aaron Gies, a Theology Professor from St. Bonaventure University, who is challenging Nick Langworthy for Congress. It remains to be seen whether Gies has Talarico’s talent for walking the line between the political and spiritual with confidence. I encourage him to be more forthcoming about that challenge.

At the end of his Texas Democratic primary acceptance speech, Talarico related the story of Jesus turning over the money changers’ tables in the temple as an analogy for the corruption of the elites that the other 99% of us are suffering under. As he put it, Jesus “walked into the seat of power and flipped over the tables of injustice.”

Talarico wasn’t calling for us to storm into the IRS and wreck the furniture. But he did say it’s time to “flip the tables” on the deeply corrupt MAGA regime, to upend its foundation of divisive faith-based rhetoric. If Talarico goes to Washington, he may get the chance to do just that, emphasizing a “love thy neighbor” message that’s been all but forsaken by the Christian Right.

Eric Jackson-Forsberg is a Jamestown resident.