Articles of Distraction

[Angrboda]

The divergent takes on Talarico can be explained in part by differences between the mainline Protestantism he espouses and the evangelical Christianity that makes up a plurality of Christian voters in Texas.

Mainline Protestants tend to view faith as part of a pluralistic religious and social landscape that can adapt to the needs of the people it serves. Evangelicals recognize only one form of salvation — through Jesus — and the infallibility of the literal text of the Bible.

Roughly 67 percent of Texas adults identify as Christian, with roughly 27 percent identifying as evangelical, compared to only 10 percent identifying as mainline Protestant, according to Pew Research Center. Catholics make up about 22 percent of Texas adults, making them the second largest denomination in the state.

Evangelical voters have been some of the Republican coalition’s most reliable supporters. Nearly 70 percent of White evangelicals nationally approve of President Donald Trump’s performance, according to Pew.

Paxton identifies as an evangelical and has invoked his faith throughout his time in office as a major motivator for his conservative beliefs.

He and his wife were longtime members of the influential Prestonwood Baptist Church, and he worked at its pregnancy and family care center, which ministers to women while discouraging them from having abortions. He has also questioned the constitutionality of separating church and state and called for encouraging public school students to pray and read the Bible in school.

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Some of Paxton’s evangelical supporters say forgiving lapses in judgment is easier than looking past fundamental disagreements on doctrine.

“I say, Here for the grace of God go I. There is nobody without a past,” said Jennie Evans, a nondenominational Christian and Paxton supporter from Dallas, reflecting the core evangelical belief that humans are all equally sinners and in need of redemption. Evans said all elected leaders have fallen short personally, but she felt Paxton’s core values still aligned with hers. Talarico’s did not, she said.

Senate hopeful Talarico touts his faith. Texas Republicans call it blasphemy.