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To the Editor:
Neither Republicans nor Democrats are inherently evil just because of their political party affiliation. Nonetheless, fractures over party lines have created a kind of rhetoric that is inevitably dangerous. In one particularly shocking instance a comment was made on the View by Sunny Hostin that breached all bounds of decency: “As Hostin put it on the program, the Republican agenda is so opposed to women’s self-interest that for women to still vote GOP is ‘like roaches voting for Raid,’ referring to the bug killer. The people we disagree with aren’t animals or roaches. They aren’t subhuman. They are not objects without moral worth. They are real, thinking, breathing, feeling beings that are no less deserving of respect than those we consider to be part of our “in-group. Unfortunately, a study as far back as 2014 confirmed our unwillingness to recognize the humanity of the opposite political party. The study found that Democrats, Republicans see each other as mindless!
We need to use the Rotary four-way test to help improve our communication and relationships. It asks the following four questions: Of the things we think, say or do 1. Is it the truth? 2. Is it fair to all concerned? 3. Will it build goodwill and better friendship? 4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
The Bible says the greatest commandment is the love command. As Matthew 22:37-40 teaches, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” You must love your political neighbor as yourself. The Bible says live at peace as much as it is up to you. We have 80 percent Republican and 20 percent Democrat in Carter County and they are all our neighbors. We must approach one another with respect and dignity that each human being deserves as a reflection of the image of God Himself and His Creation. There have been times when the Republicans have been in complete charge and they didn’t bring us paradise. There have been times when the Democrats have been in complete control and they didn’t bring us paradise. We all need Jesus and only Jesus can bring us to paradise. Political opponents are Americans and aren’t our enemies. Our country has real enemies without and within. Both Russia and China would like to take over America or destroy America and our divisions help them. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said we must learn to live together as brothers or perish as fools.
The Bible says we are only children of God through faith in Jesus. Without Jesus in our lives we are enemies of God and the truth. Paul’s question from Galatians 4, “Am I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” has become an accurate descriptor for a large segment of today’s culture. This is true with social media giants such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, who more than ever regularly ban or block users for sharing Biblical truth. The website www.nowtheendbegins.com has received it’s 5th Facebook suspension this year for telling the truth!
Jesus warned to watch for deception in these last days. 2 Timothy 3 says in the last days people would be “ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Bible scholar, the late Chuck Missler, correctly said, “the biggest obstacle to truth is to think you already have it.” The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:21, “Prove (test) all things; hold fast that which is good (true).” We should check everyone’s words against the Bible. The truth is all religions aren’t the same. In John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life: no man comes unto the Father but by me.” Jesus is the way and not a way. The most important truth to know is about Jesus. John 17:3 says eternal life requires you enter a personal relationship with Jesus. Your eternal destiny depends only upon how you answer this question. Who is Jesus? While God has unconditional love for everyone he doesn’t offer unconditional forgiveness. Forgiveness only comes from a saving relationship with Jesus and believing in His death, burial and resurrection. Admit you are a sinner and need the savior Jesus. Believe Jesus paid completely for your sins with His death, burial and resurrection. Call on or pray to Jesus to forgive you and save you!

D.D. Nave
Elizabethton