Pastor Says Democrats Virtue-Signal To Christian Voting Bloc

Detroit Pastor Lorenzo Sewell spoke with Fox News Digital, arguing that progressive politicians seek to virtue-signal and placate Christians because they hold sway over America's largest religious voting bloc. "It's the largest voting bloc in America," Sewell stated. "We're celebrating 250 years, where our forefathers understood that the God of the Bible, the Lord Jesus Christ, would give them the ability to start this great nation." He noted the nation has not been perfect yet remains benevolent. "We've been the nation that's protected Israel," he said. "We've been the nation that, quite frankly, has spread Christianity throughout the world to reach hundreds of millions of people in the last 250 years."

Sewell insisted these Democrats are merely playing politics with the electorate. "They know that they need to appeal to Christians. But the question becomes: What is their agenda for the church?" he asked. He pointed to President Donald Trump as the only leader with an agenda for the local church. "I was with them last week," Sewell added regarding his presence at the upcoming RNC. "I'll be preaching there because the president honors the church and honors the presence of God. But you won't hear Jesus in the DNC. You won't hear Jesus spoken about through the real Jesus, the God of the Bible."

Three progressive Democratic candidates running for U.S. Senate share a habit of bucking their party's establishment while weaving faith into their campaigns. These contenders include Florida state Rep. Angie Nixon, former Michigan health official Abdul El-Sayed, and Texas state Rep. James Talarico. They have all faced high-profile primary bids in this midterm cycle.

Talarico, a theological seminary graduate, often cites biblical scripture to defend progressive policies and has gained national attention for doing so. He argues Jesus focused on feeding the hungry, welcoming strangers, and helping the poor rather than engaging in partisan culture wars. "Imagine a Democratic Party that takes on big money and isn't captured by it," Talarico told an audience of Democrats in Hays County according to the Texas Tribune. "Imagine a Democratic Party that delivers for people on housing, health care, and education, and actually defeats the right-wing extremists who have taken over this country."

In a sermon outlining his progressive reading of the Bible, Talarico questioned what Jesus would do about a tax system favoring the rich or a health care system forcing the sick to use GoFundMe pages for lifesaving surgeries. During comments at the Saint Paul AME Church in Jacksonville, Florida, Nixon contended her political positions matched those of Jesus Christ as she faces Republican incumbent Sen. Ashley Moody this November. "They are trying, y'all," Nixon said about critics labeling her an extremist or radical. "But, you know, Jesus was a radical."

Abdul El-Sayed invoked Christ when pressed on his views during an appearance on the Progressive Christians Podcast in May. He is running in Michigan's Senate race against former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers and discussed why his platform faces such framing. When asked about overlaps between Islamic teachings and Christianity, El-Sayed offered a comparison to Jesus. "Well, you know, Jesus, peace and blessings be upon him, was considered radical in his time, too," he said.