Dear Conservative friend, I love you. This is the important thing to say. I know it, you know it, but it bears repeating in these times, when the political divide is ever wider, and we are tempted to think of ourselves as on opposing teams, one of which must vanquish the other. I turn on the news or log onto social media, and the prevailing message is that there is evil among us, emanating from the OTHER SIDE. This idea, then, justifies increasing hatred, chaos, and violence. It is hard not...

Most recently, the rapture was supposed to happen on the 25th of September. In a video that went viral, pastor Josh claimed he saw Jesus in a vision. One of his flock said she could read people, and Pastor Josh was 100% telling the truth.  Jesus is coming, she said, whether we’re ready or not.  I’m inclined to believe them, because I’m pretty sure I saw Jesus on Hixson Pike yesterday. She was in front of Target, right there at the intersection, surrounded by all her earthly belongings and...

Dear Conservative Friend, It’s taken weeks of quiet (and not so quiet) struggle to find my way back to a place where I can write to you again. For the first time since I started this flawed but earnest letter-writing project, I’ve felt too raw—too hurt and betrayed, if I’m honest—even to consider reaching across the political divide. This is a painful confession given that I’ve been carrying this banner for years now, convinced, as I’ve been, that there is a way for Democrats and Republicans...