Recent letters about the protesters against the Thirty Meter Telescope have used terms like tyranny of the minority, stone age, animistic religion, petty criminals and troublemakers.

In a democracy the majority may rule, but that does not necessarily make it right.

No person, group or society anywhere is currently living in the stone age — that was prehistory.

Animism is by far the oldest and most widespread of all religions, persists in many forms for millennia, and elements of it are often embraced by individuals who identify with one of the commonly called world religions. Animism is also one of the most environmentally friendly religions.

Nonviolent civil disobedience by the protectors of Mauna Kea is not petty criminality.

People who challenge something are often dismissed as troublemakers, thereby distracting from dealing with substance.

Name-calling and stereotyping opponents does not advance any argument, contribute constructively to discussion and debate, or lead to common ground toward reconciliation.

Leslie E. Sponsel

Hawaii Kai

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