Our small island recently was invaded by a hate group, inflaming passions. Like the infamous Westboro Baptist Church, several people attempted to pass out hate literature to the public in several of our communities.

The literature wasn’t an intelligent discussion of a point of view, but epithet hurling diatribes.

Some citizens were incensed and called the police. The police came and watched but said no laws were broken. The group operated within their rights of free speech.

Those who ignored them appeared to offer the best response, in some cases silently walking around them on the sidewalk. It seemed the best response was indeed a refusal to engage, thus depriving the group of the attention they craved.

Such episodes illustrate the necessity for  exercising wisdom in our encounters in this deeply divided country. Blessed is a discussion between two citizens of differing opinions ruled by common courtesy. Each may learn something. They may even be able to compromise on a few issues or at least retain respect for the beliefs of the other.