To the editor:

In Matthew 12:25, Jesus said:

“Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste and any city or house divided against itself shall not stand.”

Our country has already fought one devastating civil war, “a house divided against itself” over race and economics. We must learn from our history, or as George Santayana wrote, “We are doomed to repeat it.” Our government, abiding by the words of our constitution, promises to “establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity…”

And, our 14th amendment promises in Section 1: All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside…”

We must, if we wish to continue to be one United States, uphold our constitution and take to heart the words of Jesus of Nazareth, Who so many of us profess a belief in…and that means protecting the rights of others, regardless of race, religion or other differences which can be used in order to rationalize “otherness” and the mistreatment of those we consider different from ourselves.

Our enemies will continue to use our internal conflicts to divide us, and we must be aware of this fact and refuse to be so manipulated. Hatred divides. The love of Jesus Christ is inclusive.

Jaklyn Hutchins

Sleepy Eye