December 4, 2019

AFTER blaming bushfires on abortion and gay marriage last month, former Wallaby Israel Folau, 30, now wants ‘all Australians to know that he does not condone discrimination of any kind against any person on the grounds of their sexuality.’

Well, isn’t that nice.

Those words came in a statement today from Rugby Australia after it reached a settlement with Folau, who was demanding $A14-million in compensation for wrongful termination. Folau was sacked  after he said on Instagram earlier this year “hell awaits” gay people.

Folau and RA released a joint statement saying they had reached an agreement, settling for a confidential amount.

Image via YouTube

Folau later released a video on his website thanking his supporters. Standing alongside his wife Maria, he said:

We are extremely pleased with the settlement reached today. With today’s acknowledgment and apology by Rugby Australia, we have been vindicated and can now move on with our lives to focus on our faith and our family. Maria and I would like to thank God for his guidance and strength.

We started this journey on behalf of all people of faith, to protect their rights of freedom of speech and religion.

We now look forward to the Federal Government enacting the legislation necessary to further protect and strengthen these rights for all Australians.

RA said:

Mr Folau wants all Australians to know that he does not condone discrimination of any kind against any person on the grounds of their sexuality and that he shares Rugby Australia’s commitment to inclusiveness and diversity.

Rugby Australia and NSW Rugby do not in any way agree with the content of the social media post. Inclusiveness is one of rugby’s core values and it welcomes all people to the game, including all members of the LGBTI community.

While it was not Rugby Australia’s intention, Rugby Australia acknowledges and apologises for any hurt or harm caused to the Folaus. Similarly, Mr Folau did not intend to hurt or harm the game of rugby and acknowledges and apologises for any hurt or harm caused

In line with utterances repeatedly made by Christian bigots whenever they find themselves neck-deep in shit, Folau said his views come from “a place of love.”

Sharing the word of God is so important to me because it’s the great commission, it’s what God has called each Christian to do. It would be unloving for me just to keep it to myself and keep it within the four walls of my church and within my family.

Because God wants the Gospel out there and wants people to hopefully come to the knowledge of the truth and have the peace and love that comes from him, it’s our duty as a Christian to be able to go out there and share that.

So that’s why I’m so vocal about it at church, in the general public and on social media ­because I care about the state of people’s souls, and the love that I have for mankind is what is driving me.

News.com.au ran a poll back in June on Folau’s fight against his rugby bosses. Fifty-three percent of more than 150,000 polled said it was right for RA to sack him.

June 3, 2019

A REPORT on Christian website Faithwire suggests that Australia’s God-crazed Israel Folau’s sacking could have been avoided if he omitted two words from his homophobic post on Instagram: ‘Warning’ and ‘Hell’.

Images via Instagram and YouTube

Folau’s contract, worth over $5 million, was terminated by Rugby Australia after a disciplinary process concluded with an appeal panel finding him guilty of a “high level breach” of professional conduct.

Some of those following the case have insisted that Folau would have been spared punishment if he had deleted the two key words from the post, to ensure it exactly matched the original scriptures.

A source told Australia’s Daily Telegraph:

Everyone has missed the key here, have a look at the post, it says ‘Warning’ and ‘Hell’, but the Bible verse does not mention either word. But if he had removed that image and re-posted word for word what the verse says, they couldn’t have sacked him.

Will Maule, writing for Faithwire, said:

While the words ‘Warning’ and ‘Hell’ are not directly mentioned in the original scripture, it’s fairly evident those are accurate implications of the verse, which reads as follows: 

’Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.’ (NIV)

As a result of the Instagram post and subsequent disciplinary action, 
six of Folau’s sponsors; Qantas, Vodafone, Land Rover, ASICS, Accenture and HSBC have indicated they will part ways with the star.

The 30-year-old is reportedly considering taking his case up with the 
Fair Work Commission or even the country’s Supreme Court. Folau did, however, refuse to go through the full appeals process with Rugby Australia, highlighting his lack of confidence in the sporting body. He said in a statement:

My decision not to commence Rugby Australia’s appeal process is in no way an acceptance of the judicial panel’s findings. I simply do not have confidence in Rugby Australia’s ability to treat me fairly or lawfully throughout this process.

Following the final ruling to ditch Folau ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, a former international coach vented his outrage about the case. Alan Jones launched an impassioned defence of Folau noting that the decision:

Prompts you to wonder what kind of society we’re living in. The Australian people won’t accept this. This is not the Australia our veterans fought for and we’re going to have to take our country back by argument and by the democratic and peaceful process – not by hate and revenge or vilification and intimidation.

Jones noted that:

If we’re not free to articulate our religious beliefs and quote from the Bible, and if we’re not free to speak for fear that someone affects a hurt or is part of the offence industry, if that’s where we’ve reached in this country, we’ve reached a dark place and we are all at risk.

May 17, 2019

WHILE Pride in Sport Index (PSI) – a programme in Australia set up to help sporting organisations with the inclusion of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community – has welcomed today’s news that top rugby player Israel Folau’s contract has been terminated because of his homophobia, Christians will no doubt be screeching ‘persecution!’

But PSI co-founder Andrew Purchas reacted by saying:

We commend Rugby Australia, as well as New South Wales Rugby Union, for their leadership and courage throughout this process. Their swift and decisive actions shows that homophobic and transphobic discrimination is not acceptable in sport and individuals – irrespective of their social or professional stature – will be held accountable for their words and actions.

The Pentacostal full-back, 30, was sacked in April but requested a hearing, which was conductd by a three-person panel that found him guilty of a “high level breach” of RA’s player code of conduct and upheld the dismissal.

Folau, who had a RA deal until 2022, has 72 hours to appeal against the ruling and is considering his options.

An appeal would mean a second code of conduct hearing with the same evidence but a new panel, while he could also try to take his case to Australia’s Supreme Court.

New South Wales Waratahs’ Folau, who escaped punishment for similar comments last year, said in a statement he was “deeply saddened” by RA’s decision.

It has been a privilege and an honour to represent Australia and my home state of New South Wales, playing the game I love. As Australians, we are born with certain rights, including the right to freedom of religion and the right to freedom of expression.

The Christian faith has always been a part of my life and I believe it is my duty as a Christian to share God’s word. Upholding my religious beliefs should not prevent my ability to work or play for my club and country.

RA Chief Executive Raelene CastleFolau said:

This outcome is a painful situation for the game. Rugby Australia did not choose to be in the situation, but Rugby Australia’s position remains that Israel, through his actions, left us with no choice but to pursue the course of action resulting in today’s outcome.

This issue has created an unwanted distraction in an important year for the sport and for the Wallabies team. But our clear message for all rugby fans is that we need to stand by our values and the qualities of inclusion, passion, integrity, discipline, respect and teamwork.

Folau  has recently lost sponsorship deals with Land Rover, who withdrew a car issued to him, and sportswear brand Asics.

Screenshot

Two years ago, Purhas, above, founder of Australia’s first gay rugby union club, the Sydney Convicts, was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for:

Service to rugby union and to the promotion of social inclusion for LGBTI people.

Purchas was instrumental in bringing the Bingham Cup to Sydney in 2014 and has been the driving force behind a number of anti-homophobia and inclusion initiatives in sport.

 While thrilled to receive the honour, he said there was still much to be done.

This represents the contribution of a large number of people in working towards equality in sport regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Despite significant social advances in the recognition of rights of gay and transgendered people, discrimination in sport continues to be both common and damaging.

Without pro-active initiatives, at all levels of sport, this discrimination will continue to have a very negative impact on the ability for LGBT people to enjoy the many benefits that sports offer.

Purchas is also chairman of International Gay Rugby and has been on its executive for the past 12 years.

Three gay rugby clubs now operate in Australia, with the Brisbane Hustlers and the Melbourne Chargers joining the Convicts.

Hat tip: BarrieJohn

November 18, 2019

Images via YouTube

AUSTRALIAN rugger bugger-turned-preacher Israel Folau, 30, sacked earlier this year by Rugby Australia for demonising gay people on social media, is embroiled in a new row – this time for preaching ‘rubbish’ and ‘manure’ about the bushfires that have devastated Australia and left six dead.

In a video sermon posted to the Truth of Jesus Christ Church Sydney at the weekend, Folau claimed that the fires are God’s punishment for legalising abortion and same-sex marriage.

During the 10-minute recording, he says the timing of the bushfire crisis is no coincidence but only a taste of God’s judgment if Australia doesn’t repent of its evil ways.

After saying “I’ve been looking around at the events that’s been happening in Australia, this past couple of weeks, with all the natural disasters, the bushfires and the droughts,” he reads
from the Book of Isaiah in the Bible:

The earth is defiled by its people; they have disobeyed the laws, violated the statutes and broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore a curse consumes the earth; its people must bear their guilt. Therefore earth’s inhabitants are burned up, and very few are left.

Folau links the passage to the twin disasters of bushfire and drought and, in turn, the legalising of same-sex marriage and abortion.

The events that have happened here in Australia, in the last couple of years – God’s word says for a man and a woman to be together … they’ve come and changed this law. Abortion, it’s OK now to murder, kill infants, unborn children.

Folau says he believes the scripture is talking to Australia.

Look how rapid these bushfires these droughts, all these things have come in a short period of time. Do you think it’s a coincidence or not? God is speaking to you guys. Australia you need to repent and take these laws and turn it back to what is right.

Image via YouTube

Among those who blasted Folau’s comments was Australia’s first Pentecostal Prime Minister, Scott (ScoMo) Morrison, above, who said:

I thought these were appallingly insensitive comments. They were appalling comments and he is a free citizen, he can say whatever he likes. But that doesn’t mean he can’t have regard to the grievous offence this would have caused to people whose homes have been burnt down.

And I’m sure to many Christians around Australia for whom that is not their view at all and who’s thoughts and prayers, let me stress, are very much with those who are suffering.

And Opposition leader Anthony Albanese tweeted:

This is pretty reprehensible. Some people might not want to give his comments any more oxygen than they deserve, and I get that. But for people in leadership positions, it’s on us to reject this rubbish. To call it out.

Hillsong Church Founder Brian Houston delivered a message to all Australians affected by the fires and in a post stated “Pray for your Nation, don’t condemn it” in a shot at Folau.

Folau insisted he  is sharing the message “out of love” but even staunch ally broadcaster Alan Jones, above, condemned the comments on his 2GB radio programme

Israel is a lovely human being, I know him well. But, Israel, button up. These comments don’t help.

And Sky News contributor Gemma Tognini said:

As a Christian I feel so desperately sad reading that because that’s not the nature of God, that’s not the heart of God … I feel like wearing a T-shirt saying ‘not on my team’.

At least I will say this, (Folau) is willing to say what he thinks and stand by his beliefs … That being said, there’s no such thing as freedom from consequences. It’s almost as if he’s acting as if he doesn’t care if he ever plays rugby again – and he may not care.

I just look at him and say ‘why would you say such divisive, hurtful things?’ It’s a hurtful thing to say to someone who has lost their home in a bushfire – that God hates you and he’s punishing you. Nothing could be further from the truth. It’s manure.

Hat tip: BarrieJohn

September 5, 2019

Images via Instagram and YouTube

IN THE wake of the Israel Folau affair that saw the rugby player sacked for posting homophobic messages on social media, the Australian government is now contemplating legislation that may allow faith-heads to trumpet their intolerance with impunity.

Equality Australia said the proposed legislation enshrined “religious exceptionalism” by giving new privileges to people of faith, while overriding existing protections from discrimination for others.

Image via YouTube

EA’s Chief Executive Anna Brown, above, who is also Director of Legal Advocacy at the Human Rights Law Centre, said:

These new, radical provisions go too far and hand a sword to people of faith to use their religious beliefs to attack others in our community.

Brown criticised the federal government’s attempt to override Tasmania’s Anti-Discrimination Act, which prohibits conduct which “offends, humiliates, intimidates, insults or ridicules” other members of our community. The proposed new legislation explicitly overrides the Tasmanian Act.

We must not go backwards or remove any protections from harmful behaviour which have already been achieved – at great cost.

Equality Tasmania spokesman Rodney Croome said that Canberra was:

Directly interfering to weaken a Tasmanian human rights law that protects vulnerable people. A significant proportion of complaints under this section are from people with disability, so Canberra is directly weakening protections for them, as well as for women, LGBTI people and anyone else who falls foul of traditional religious doctrines.

Image via YouTube

Discussions of the proposed legislation are being led this week by Attorney General, Christian Porter, above. These follow the release last week of a draft religious discrimination bill that outlined the new provisions to protect people of faith from “unfair” treatment. Porter hismself  “is not particularly religious.”

While the Greens have criticised the government’s proposed bill, Labor’s shadow Attorney General, Mark Dreyfus, said it was too early to say whether the opposition would offer bipartisan support for the legislation. He said:

Unlike the government, which has only been having an internal debate, Labor will be listening carefully to the whole Australian community, Labor will be consulting deeply and widely, which is what the government should be doing to.

The Greens’ senator Janet Rice warned the bill could be:

A Trojan horse for hate. The far-right of Morrison’s party are still trying to get their way, chipping away at the rights of LGBTIQ+ people and other minorities. Any bill that comes to the parliament must ensure all Australians are treated equally.

Religious groups, naturally, have been broadly supportive of the legislation.

Image via YouTube

Michael Kellahan, above, of Christian legal think tank Freedom for Faith said he hoped Labor would support the bill, which he welcomed as a positive first step.

It shouldn’t be contentious that we agree that there is such a thing as a need for protection of religious freedom.

He also urged the debate not to forget the daily discrimination being experienced by people of faith, particularly among the Jewish and Muslim communities.

In June, Freedom for Faith said of Folau’s sacking:

Rugby Australia was wrong to criticise Folau’s Instagram post, let alone to dismiss Folau because of it, for the simple reason that, as a secular organisation representing the nation in a sporting code, it must be institutionally agnostic on matters of faith. It can no more deny the existence of Folau’s God than it can affirm the deity’s existence.

It can have no view on whether there is life after death, in what that life consists and who will get into heaven, if heaven exists. To disagree with Folau’s interpretation of the New Testament is to take a theological position which it is institutionally disabled from taking.

In announcing the draft legislation at the Great Synagogue in Sydney last Thursday, Porter said the new laws would ensure religious people were protected in what was:

A necessary and difficult balancing exercise.

The legislation would have explicit protections for people to express their religious beliefs in a private capacity unless an employer can prove it is a “reasonable” limitation, in a move aimed at addressing the circumstances that saw high-profile rugby player Israel Folau sacked earlier this year.

Porter said this would provide an “extra protection” for an employee faced with the same circumstances as Folau’s.

Protected religious activity is not defined in the bill but the explanatory note states that “expression of a religious belief” may be included.

For example, evangelising may constitute a religious activity where adherents of that religious group are required, or encouraged, to evangelise.

Porter said the protection from discrimination in the bill would extend from education to employment and the provision of commonwealth programmes and services.

If passed the bill could become law before the end of the year.

June 7, 2019

Image via YouTube

SACKED Australian rugby player Israel Folau is seeking up to $10 million in damages, claiming that he had been punished by Rugby Australia for his religious beliefs.

Folau has engaged eminent lawyer Stuart Wood QC, an industrial relations expert and the head of employment law at Macpherson Kelley, George Haros, who has represented Australian basketballer Liz Cambage in employment matters.

Excerpts of court documents say that Folau will seek a declaration that his employment was unlawfully terminated because of his religion and that he will make a compensation/damages claim.

It’s alleged that the termination has cost  Folau the best years of his rugby career, participation at the Rugby World Cup, the chance to become the greatest Wallaby try-scorer (a decades-old record he was likely to break), and the associated exposure and opportunities.

As well as around $5 million in lost salary, Folau will claim a sum in respect of the loss of these opportunities (renewal of contract, sponsorships, etc). The damages will be particularised in due course, but will be substantial. In addition, Folau will seek civil penalties.

A statement released by Folau’s team said he would challenge his sacking under section 772 of the Fair Work Act, which prohibits an individual’s employment being terminated on the basis of religion. If the parties cannot reach a resolution in the Commission, his claim may go to the Federal Court.

The message at the heart of the controversy is still on Folau’s Instagram account. Image via YouTube.

The 73-Test Wallaby’s four-year contract was torn up on May 20 after a three-person independent panel found his April 10 Instagram post – proclaiming homosexuals, among other groups, would go to hell – amounted to a high-level breach of the code of conduct.

RA said in a statement the issue was about an employee refusing to honour the contract he signed.

He was bound by a code of conduct for all professional players in Australia that spells out clear guidelines and obligations regarding player behaviour, including respectful use of social media.

An independent panel, having sat for 22 hours and heard testimony from several witnesses and reviewed over 1000 pages of evidence, determined that Israel’s conduct constituted a high-level breach of the code of conduct and ordered termination of his playing contract.

It is important to make clear that Rugby Australia and NSW Rugby did not choose to be in a position where they are forced to divert significant resources to defend the ongoing legal action taken by Israel, but his action leaves the game with no choice.

The issue is set to suck up the attention and budget of Rugby Australia for at least 12 months, potentially overshadowing a World Cup campaign. It is reportedly a battle without precedent in Australian sport.

In an earlier statement, Folau said he felt his treatment by RA and the Waratahs had left him no choice but to stand up for his beliefs.

I will forever be grateful and proud to have played the sport I love for our nation. Ours is an amazing country built on important principles, including freedom of religion. A nation made up of so many different faiths and cultural backgrounds will never be truly rich unless this freedom applies to all of us.

The messages of support we have received over these difficult few weeks have made me realise there are many Australians who feel their fundamental rights are being steadily eroded. No Australian of any faith should be fired for practising their religion.

Meanwhile, in another “religious freedom” case, a florist who refused to provide flowers for a gay couple’s wedding in 2013 has lost her appeal against a court ruling that said she violated Washington’s anti-discrimination laws.

The Washington State Supreme Court yesterday unanimously upheld its previous ruling that Baronelle Stutzman, above, was in violation the state’s laws regarding discrimination.

Attorney General Bob Ferguson said:

Washington state law protects same-sex couples from discrimination based on their sexual orientation, the same way it protects Washingtonians from discrimination based on their religion, veteran or military status, disability, race and other protected classes. I will continue to uphold these laws and fight to protect Washingtonians from discrimination.

The case was appealed to the US Supreme Court, but following a ruling in a similar case of a Colorado baker, Jack Phillips, the High Court tossed the decision out and told the Washington Court to review it and make sure they did not rule with any religious bias.

Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys representing Stutzman, of Arlene’s Flowers in Richland, will ask the US Supreme Court to take her case after the Washington Supreme Court ruled against her Thursday.

May 14, 2019

Image via YouTube

Scott Morrison, above, Australia’s first Pentecostal Prime Minister, has been forced to express an opinion regarding hell and homosexuality.

And its not one that will go down well with his evangelical supporters.

Morrison said he doesn’t believe gay people are destined for Satan’s barbecues after an initial silence on the issue.

Morrison released a statement on Tuesday (May 14) saying:

No, I do not believe that.

Images via Instagram and YouTube

The question was put to Morrison at a Perth press conference amid discussions about Australian rugby player Israel Folau, who is also a Pentecostal Christian.

Folau is in deep doo-doo following his post on Instagram saying “hell awaits” gay people.

Said Morrison:

I support the law of the country and I always don’t mix my religion with politics and my faith with politics. It’s always been something that has informed how I live my life and how I seek to care for and support others

Opposition Labor leader Bill Shorten, a Catholic, has slammed Scott Morrison for steering clear of the controversy that erupted in the wake of Falau’s stupid post.

I cannot believe in this election that there is a discussion even underway that gay people will go to hell. I cannot believe that the Prime Minister has not immediately said that gay people will not go to hell.

He continued:

I think if you want to be Prime Minister of Australia you are going to be Prime Minister for all people. I don’t believe gay people, because they’re gay, will go to hell. I don’t need a law to tell me that. I don’t believe it.

Morrison has been outspoken about his anti-LGBT views and voted against marriage equality in Australia, despite his electorate of Cook voting 55 percent to 45 percent in favour on same-sex marriage. After he was elected last year he called a band that took the piss out of his Christian beliefs “numpties”.

According to this report, Australian political leaders’ religious views are rarely raised in election campaigns, which have long been regarded as a strictly secular.

But nine prominent Christian church leaders wrote to Morrison and Shorten this week demanding protections for religious beliefs and freedom of speech after Folau, the son of a Pentecostal preacher, was found guilty by the sport’s administration last week of breaching the sport’s code of conduct for using social media to say gays were doomed to hell.

In 2015, 22 Pentecostal pastors in Sweden penned an op-ed in the Christian newspaper Dagen, which condemned homosexuality as a sin, “based on what the Bible says.”

Those who are gay but do not choose celibacy will “miss out on heaven,” the article said.

One of the pastors, Tommy Dahlman, said gays “could be lost” after death.

They won’t go to heaven. They’ll go to hell.

Can the same be said of Pentecostalists who fly in their face of their movement’s core beliefs?

April 14, 2019

Image via Wikipedia CC

THE row sparked by Israel Folau, the anti-gay Australian rugby player, took a new twist yesterday when Viliami ‘Billy’ Vunipola, above, a professional British rugby union player, was booed for his support of Israel Folau on social media.

Not only that, at the end of a match between the Saracens and the Bristol Bears, played at the Ashton Gate stadium in Bristol, loudspeakers began blasting out “It’s Raining Men.”

The 15,000 strong crowd were clearly aware of the unfolding controversy and used it to mercilessly rib Vunipola.

On Friday Harlequins prop Joe Marler’s took to goading Vunipola on Twitter over his support of Folau.

The former England prop had first taken aim directly at Folau after the controversy broke over the Wallaby’s star most recent homophobic outbursts on social media – sending the fullback a picture of two men kissing.

Folau and the list of ‘sins’ he posted on social media. Images via YouTube

In reference to the top “sin” on Folau’s list, Marler tweeted a picture of Vunipola stumbling drunk out of a nightclub in Dublin, effectively exposing the Jesus junkie’s hypocrisy.

Vunipola could face disciplinary action for his support of Folau. An RFU spokeswoman said:

Rugby is an inclusive sport and we do not support these views. We will be meeting with Billy to discuss his social media posts.

Saracens subsequently issued a statement saying that Vunipola’s comments were “inconsistent” with the club’s beliefs and that internal discipline procedures will follow. However it appears that Vunipola’s views have already had repercussions, with Channel 4 dropping him as the face of their European rugby coverage.

A spokesperson for Channel 4 has said that:

(Billy Vunipola)’s views are incompatible with our values as an inclusive broadcaster and in light of this Billy Vunipola won’t be used as a contributor in Channel 4’s rugby coverage.

Vunipola was born in Australia to Tongan parents. His mother is Reverend Iesinga Vunipola, a Methodist Minister, and the player has repeatedly spoken of the strength he draws from his faith.

Stonewall, which campaigns for the equality of lesbian, gay, bi and trans people across Britain, objects to the use of religion to explain homophobic beliefs. A spokesperson said:

Faith is often used to justify anti-LGBT views and attitudes. This is wrong and perpetuates a myth that faith and LGBT inclusion cannot coexist.

April 11, 2019

Images via Instagram and YouTube

‘RELIGIOUS nutter’ Israel Folau is about to be sacked by Rugby Australia and the NSW Rugby Union as a result of an image, inset, that he posted on Instagram.

Both organisations released a joint statement today (Thursday) saying that, barring unforseen circumstances, Folau’s multi-million dollar four-year contract would be terminated.

And Rugby Australia’s major sponsor, Qantas, labelled Folau’s post as “really disappointing”.

Said RA chief executive Raelene Castle and NSWRU boss Andrew Hore in the statement:

In the absence of compelling mitigating factors, it is our intention to terminate his contract. Rugby Australia and the New South Wales Rugby Union have made repeated attempts to contact Israel both directly and via his representatives since 6.30pm on Wednesday, and at this point he has failed to communicate directly with either organisation.

Whilst Israel is entitled to his religious beliefs, the way in which he has expressed these beliefs is inconsistent with the values of the sport. We want to make it clear that he does not speak for the game with his recent social media posts.

Israel has failed to understand that the expectation of him as a Rugby Australia and NSW Waratahs employee is that he cannot share material on social media that condemns, vilifies or discriminates against people on the basis of their sexuality.

The statement added:

Rugby is a sport that continuously works to unite people. We want everyone to feel safe and welcome in our game and no vilification based on race, gender, religion or sexuality is acceptable and no language that isolates, divides or insults people based on any of those factors can be tolerated.

As a code we have made it clear to Israel formally and repeatedly that any social media posts or commentary that is in any way disrespectful to people because of their sexuality will result in disciplinary action.

Folau’s deliberate decision to not remove the post, and the fact he made a similar comment this time last year and was warned by RA, left Castle no option but to put the foot down and all but draw the curtains on a stellar career in the code, which began in 2013.

Folau’s stupidity could not have come at a worse time, as the two rugby bodies were in the middle of negotiating a new sponsorship deal with Quantas, which said:

These comments are really disappointing and clearly don’t reflect the spirit of inclusion and diversity that we support. We’re pleased to see Rugby Australia’s condemnation of the comments.

Just last week Folau became the most prolific try-scorer in Super Rugby history and was certain to be a key figure in the Wallabies’ World Cup campaign later this year in Japan.

Another problem RA became aware of was that other Wallabies representatives, such as Samu Kerevi and Allan Alaalatoa, liked Folau’s post.

While Kerevi and Alaalatoa liked the photo, there were a number of other players, including Henry Speight, understood to have unliked the post after being warned to do so on Thursday.

Many, including New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern have slammed Folau, but Japan’s captain, Michael Leitch, was the strongest voice of the lot and called Folau out for what he believed was bullying of the lowest order.

We can’t accept this kind of behaviour. When I see a bully the first thing I have to do is call them out and I think I’m calling you out for the right reasons. You should apologise or do something to make amends.

A commentator on Australia’s 9News pointed out that  “a lot of Australians” were on Folau list, but not child abusers.

I’m sorry but we’re not in a climate that’s prepared to tolerate religious nutters. 

This seemed to upset the programme’s presenter, who took issue with the term “religious nutter”. She said:

He’s a Christian who expressed a personal opinion and he comes from a highly religious background.

In an op-ed for the South China Morning Post, Mark Agnew wrote:

Diversity of views is a symptom of free speech, so don’t expect everyone to agree with you in a functioning society. Expect people to debate, and ridicule you if you have a view that they disagree with. But don’t expect religion to be a free pass if you’re a professional sportsperson, with a huge following, categorically condemning masses of people as evil and hell-bound. Instead, expect to lose your job.


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