Appeal to Humanity

 Published in the Towns County Herald May 13, 2026

Dear Editor,

    I recently left a Bible study where derogatory comments about Democrats were made at a communal meal.  As the only minority, my perspective was treated as something to be "converted" rather than heard or accepted.  This pressure to conform has turned a place of faith into one of exclusion.

    Am I truly the "evil," "crazy," or "treasonous" person these labels suggest, or am I simply your neighbor? Consider the Parable of the Good Samaritan.  Christ defines our neighbor not by political party, but by our capacity for mercy.  When we dehumanize others or justify violence against those protecting the marginalized, we lose our witness.  If a minor infraction like jaywalking led to you being ripped from your family without due process, would you finally feel empathy?

    The "Eye for an Eye" doctrine was meant to limit vengeance, yet today many seek to escalate it.  I find myself caught between Democrats driven away from the church and Christians who refuse to pray for their "enemies."  What happened to the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount.

    You are my neighbor.  Though you may cast me as an enemy, I pray that when you stand at heaven's gates, you have an answer for how you treated "the least of these."  My heart is breaking, and I believe God's is too.  I appeal to your humanity: bridge the gap with those who look and think differently.  You don't have to be a Democrat to join the protest for mercy, justice, and human rights.

Elaine Kapell
Hiawassee, GA