Because magic sky daddy is the most important thing to many people in many places, all the time. Because they've been conditioned to believe that if someone doesn't hold the correct views on magic sky daddy, they'll suffer for all eternity, and so they live in constant fear that they or their children might become misled by the incorrect views on magic sky daddy. This stuff is deeply internalized.

Because Texas is dominated by Christian nationals and the GOP has framed themselves as the only choice for "true" Christians to vote for. Talarico is flipping that narrative on its head.

Because religion is brain rot and also, by far, the greatest threat humanity is facing today.

Because stupid breads at a far greater rate than intelligent and educated people. Unless your one of those rightwing psychopaths that's all about seeding the population with your "superior" genetics.