Religious Freedom and Homosexuality

From the Interpreter Foundation:

The Parables of the Unjust Judge and the Importunate Friend: A Video Supplement for Come, Follow Me Lesson 19: “What Lack I Yet?”

Volume 31 Now Available for Ordering in Paperback and E-book Formats

More general Church news:

“Prophet Embarks on Nine-Day Pacific Ministry: Elder and Sister Gong join President and Sister Nelson in visits to seven countries”

From the United Kingdom itself:

“RootsTech comes to London”

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“Church Expresses Support for ‘Fairness for All’ Approach: Equality Act provides no protections for religious freedom”

For some other items on the Equality Act — not from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — see this video:

“The Equality Act Hurts Women”

Or this article:

“The Equality Act Hurts Women”

Or:

“The Equality Act Is about Coercion”

Or:

“Feminist Testifies Against the ‘Equality Act’”

From earlier:

“Bipartisan Women’s Rights Groups Protest the Equality Act: This new act is likely to pass, and bodes more harm than good for women and children.”

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On religious liberty more generally:

“Margaret Renkl vs. Religious Freedom”

“A New York Times Op-Ed Is Very Wrong About Religious Liberty”

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And, finally, an interesting current case involving issues of religious liberty:

I’m not a particular fan of Israel Folau — and not merely because I’m not even remotely a fan or follower of Australian rugby.  He was raised a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but converted to a Pentecostal form of Protestantism — in particular, to the Assemblies of God —  as an adult.

What has recently gotten him into serious trouble is an Instagram post from back in April that read as follows:  “Drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolators — Hell awaits you.”

“Israel Folau sacked by Rugby Australia for social media post: Israel Folau’s contract has been terminated by Rugby Australia after he said “hell awaits” gay people in a social media post.”

Now, I don’t mind a bit that he’s catching flak for his expressed sentiment.  That’s perfectly fine.  But should his opinion end his career?  I don’t think so.  And not merely because a scriptural argument might be made for the position he’s assumed.  For me, it’s a matter not only of religious liberty but of freedom of speech more broadly.  And I would feel the same way if he had also said that “Hell awaits Mormons” — as, indeed, he may well have said, for all I know.  Do others have a perfect right to boo him, to decline to buy jerseys featuring his number, to terminate commercial sponsorships?  Absolutely yes.  But to end his career entirely is, I think, overkill.

Posted from London, England