Yes society has the power to erase one's humanity. In “The Lottery” the town was willing to stone Tessie without reason. “Bill Hutchinson went over to his wife and forced the slip of paper out of her hand. It had the black spot…” “It isn't fair, it isn't right,” Mrs. Hutchinson screamed and they were upon her.” This quote shows that Tessie knows the lottery is unfair and wrong, but the town still stones her. This shows that the townspeople no longer have their humanity because they don't need reason to kill other than the lottery choosing someone.
