Mormon Apostle Dallin Oaks is correct: There is an analogy, albeit slight, between some tactics used by the opponents of California's anti-gay marriage Proposition 8 and the civil rights violations against blacks in the South, such as inhibiting voting ("LDS apostle under fire for analogy," Tribune , Oct. 14). Firing someone for being for Prop 8, shunning, boycotting businesses and vandalizing churches are intimidation. Ideally, debates over issues like gay marriage should be rational and respectful, using reason over emotion, persuasion instead of threats.

What the apostle in his persecuted self-righteousness doesn't acknowledge is the underhanded methods his church used, from silencing its dissenters by intimidation and threats, to its scary and emotional public appeals to tricking people to vote by absentee ballot so they couldn't change their minds before Election Day.

As to boycotts, as a child growing up Centerville, we were told over the pulpit to boycott 7-11, because it was open on Sundays, and any polygamist-owned establishment.

Later, in the Midwest, we were organized in church to boycott and picket stores that sold Playboy .

Before criticizing others too much, Oaks' church needs work on that beam in its own eye.

Matthew Rush

Salt Lake City