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Posted on 09/22/2026 12:11:45 PM PDT by JeepersFreepers
New undercover footage shows a minister at Democrat U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico’s longtime church saying the congregation does not have “a lot of people who are religious” and describing St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church as “not a belief-based church.”
In the video obtained by Texas Scorecard, Rev. Carol Johnson describes St. Andrew’s as a “sanctuary church” and says an illegal alien from Guatemala who has “worked here for 8 years” has been living inside the church.
“We don’t have a lot of people who are religious here,” said Johnson.
“We’re not a belief-based church. We’re a values-based church,” she added.
“We don’t spend time on creeds.” Instead, she pointed to the church’s history of activism on LGBT issues, racial justice, and immigration.
For his part, Talarico has described himself as a “Christian who hates Christianity.” He has attended St. Andrew’s since childhood and repeatedly credited the congregation with shaping his worldview.
“St. Andrews in north Austin—it’s still the church I go to—really shaped my worldview,” Talarico said in a 2023 interview with Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
Talarico has also previously pointed specifically to the church’s LGBT activism and sanctuary activities when explaining how his faith influenced his political career.
During a 2023 appearance on Texas Impact’s Weekly Witness podcast, Talarico said St. Andrew’s was “really active in LGBTQ rights in the ’90s” and later drew attention for allowing an atheist to join the church.
“And then in the 2010s, again stirred some controversy by housing an undocumented family, a mother and son, who were close to being deported by ICE,” he added.
“That was the tradition that I was brought up in,” he continued. “It’s what led me to teach public school students on the west side of San Antonio, led me to run an education nonprofit and then led me to run for office.”
The latest footage also comes shortly after separate undercover recordings showed other St. Andrew’s ministers discussing the religious makeup and theology of the congregation.
Minister Babs Miller said in one recording that if St. Andrew’s members were asked whether they were Christian, agnostic, or atheist, “the vast majority would say agnostic or atheist.”
Longtime pastor Jim Rigby was shown in another recording discussing the congregation’s use of an “Inclusive Bible” that uses gender-neutral language.
Rigby has also publicly described an approach to worship that minimizes traditional Christian creeds. Johnson’s remarks in the new footage echo that approach.
Talarico has identified Rigby as a mentor and has said the church has played a prominent role in his public discussion of Christianity and politics.
Texas Scorecard has reached out to Talarico’s campaign and St. Andrew’s for comment without a response.For his part, Talarico has described himself as a “Christian who hates Christianity.” He has attended St. Andrew’s since childhood and repeatedly credited the congregation with shaping his worldview.
“St. Andrews in north Austin—it’s still the church I go to—really shaped my worldview,” Talarico said in a 2023 interview with Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
Talarico has also previously pointed specifically to the church’s LGBT activism and sanctuary activities when explaining how his faith influenced his political career.
During a 2023 appearance on Texas Impact’s Weekly Witness podcast, Talarico said St. Andrew’s was “really active in LGBTQ rights in the ’90s” and later drew attention for allowing an atheist to join the church.
“And then in the 2010s, again stirred some controversy by housing an undocumented family, a mother and son, who were close to being deported by ICE,” he added.
“That was the tradition that I was brought up in,” he continued. “It’s what led me to teach public school students on the west side of San Antonio, led me to run an education nonprofit and then led me to run for office.”
The latest footage also comes shortly after separate undercover recordings showed other St. Andrew’s ministers discussing the religious makeup and theology of the congregation.
Minister Babs Miller said in one recording that if St. Andrew’s members were asked whether they were Christian, agnostic, or atheist, “the vast majority would say agnostic or atheist.”
Longtime pastor Jim Rigby was shown in another recording discussing the congregation’s use of an “Inclusive Bible” that uses gender-neutral language.
Rigby has also publicly described an approach to worship that minimizes traditional Christian creeds. Johnson’s remarks in the new footage echo that approach.
Talarico has identified Rigby as a mentor and has said the church has played a prominent role in his public discussion of Christianity and politics.
Texas Scorecard has reached out to Talarico’s campaign and St. Andrew’s for comment without a response.
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This is not a church, rather it is a political activist organization. They should lose their tax-exempt status.
What has happened to this once great Presbyterian denomination?
And of course she’s harboring an illegal. It’s a fashion accessory. ICE should go over and have a chat with the guy
“We’re not a belief-based church. We’re a values-based church,” she added.
That about says it all, their values not American ones. Besides she/it is a female pastor, so she/it is a heretic.
I believe Talirico is just another Democrat who will tell whatever lies he thinks will get him elected but has no intention of ever fulfilling the promises he makes. I can’t figure out if it’s the voters don’t care or are to lazy to vote but looking at how NYC’s Mayor, Virginia’s Govenor and Seattle’s Mayor have fulfilled their campaign promises I surly think tho voters who elected them must now regret their choices.
This same “pastor” claimed that Talafreako is just lying to appear moderate and that he will go back to his crazy positions once the election is over.
As if we didn’t already know that. The Left lies. The Left breaks laws they don’t like.
“Christian who hates Christianity.”
So, he hates Christ. That won’t work out well for him later.
I believe Talirico is just another Democrat who will tell whatever lies he thinks will get him elected but has no intention of ever fulfilling the promises he makes. I can’t figure out if it’s the voters don’t care or are to lazy to vote but looking at how NYC’s Mayor, Virginia’s Govenor and Seattle’s Mayor have fulfilled their campaign promises I surly think tho voters who elected them must now regret their choices.
He is as “Christian” as Jim Jones.
“...uses gender-neutral language.”
Here is some neutral language for you, f__k ya’ll.
AND-—WHOSE SOC SEC NUMBER HAS HE BEEN USING???
OR DID NO PAYROLL INFO EVER GET FILED??????????
SEEMS LIKE THERE IS ALOT OF UNDER THE TABLE STUFF GOING ON HERE..
WOW. Thanks for posting.
There have been several spinoffs from the main body of Presbyterians from the 1930s onward, the largest of which is the Presbyterian Church of America, which is conservative theologically. But the Presbyterian Church (USA) is extremely liberal and arguably not Christian at all at the national level.
And nobody will see a day in jail. They basically confessed so prosecute them.
Someone please tell me that Talarico is beyond Paxton by at least 5 points at this stage. I just can’t believe he has a real shot of winning the TX Senator seat.
Looks like Texas is going to elect this guy. What happened to Texas?
The Methodist Church isn’t any better, especially the United Methodist Church.
Great summary of the essential doctrines of Christianity. Thank you for the knowledgeable explanation. It is good to know that there are conservative, fundamental Presbyterian Churches that have separated from the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Pronto.
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