To the editor:

Jesus tells us in the Gospel of Matthew (5:44-45) to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. That you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.”

Hate is at the root of many of our biggest problems in our country right now. Our desire and willingness to turn differences of opinions into hateful acts is hurting our families and popularizing a “cancel culture.” We look to our elected leaders on both sides to lead us through our problems and all they do is feed the hatred and contempt for each other and for our wonderful, but suffering, country. With God’s help, the freedom loving people of the United States can fix this by resisting hate from growing in ourselves, our families, our communities, and our country. Instead of following any calls to hate from public leaders, we should follow our consciences that know the difference between right and wrong. Striving to do what’s right at all times will lead us to the unity as a people that we seek.

God Bless America,

Deacon Steve Spilman

Courtland