It is almost incomprehensible that an incident over seating arrangements in a church could be allowed to snowball into an emotional storm of anger that further deepens mistrust and disdain over how some people view those who hold leadership positions in our country.It is painful because, given the problems facing Bermuda, seating arrangements in a church seem very minor by comparison. More to the point, church is the one place where all are equal in the eyes of the Lord and our leaders should know that.Even if Government Ministers were placed at the back of the church by ushers, they should be setting an example by not only accepting the arrangement, but using the opportunity to display their belief in sharing the worship experience from any part of Gods house. It would the highest act in humility.The amount of fury generated by this blunder has become a talking point throughout Bermuda, with few people pleased with having to debate the pros and cons of who did what.Bermuda can ill afford such a distraction, at a time when the people are clamouring for more responsible leadership with focus on major priorities affecting every day life for all. Instead we have a wave of anger from many who have expressed embarrassment, and disgust, over a seating incident that should never have even reached the press.I recall an incident at what was then the Southampton Princess Hotel. There was a designated parking space for the company president, the late Chris Szembek. One morning he drove up and the space had been taken by someone visiting the hotel.Instead of pulling rank and creating a fuss, he simply drove to the regular parking area. Later when approached about the matter, he quickly pointed out he had no problem with using the regular parking area, if his space was occupied. What a positive attitude.Surely Premier Paula Cox, will not be overjoyed to know that a church seating mix-up, could not be sorted out with reasoning and common sense, before blossoming into some type of political and religious swordfight over protocol. No sound thinking Bermudian is delighted with squabbles on matters unrelated to serious issues of the day.I once attended a men’s day service while in my teens at the St Paul AME Church on Court Street and the Pastor at the time, Rev Owens, began his message by urging all to think deeply before speaking or taking action. Even back then, he said, we need friends, because enemies are easy to make.What I remember most is that he used the word think, three times, before launching into his sermon. It seems these days we all could do with a little more thought, before flying off the handle when something is not meeting with our favour.Hopefully the seating squabble will not be allowed to develop into a contest of bitter exchanges that usually result in deeply negative feelings that too often become very personal. During these challenging times we all need each other, irrespective of which side of the political fence one finds themselves.The wonderful quality of democracy is that it provides free expression on various issues and as long as there is an element of dignity and respect, no views should be discouraged, even when critical of those in authority.The Government should never fear criticism because it is the one way to sound out how the people they serve, really feel about them. No one is anxious for a Government to fail, on the other hand they don’t want to feel the Government is failing them. With the current political picture still quite cloudy as the island braces for a new political opposition group, one can only wonder what the lead up to the next general election will contain. If bitterness, be it racial or political is allowed to fester, we could turn out to be our own worst enemy as a people.No one gets it right every time, not even Governments. Only when we can learn from mistakes will we as a people be able to move forward to build a better Bermuda.