Israel Folau and the Hypocrisy of His Haters
Australian rugby great Israel Folau is two days into his kangaroo court trial for quoting the Bible on social media. Rugby Australia has confirmed that the code of conduct hearing will continue for a third day on Tuesday, with experts tipping that a final verdict may be weeks or even years away if a settlement isn’t reached.
Izzy is in hot water for expressing beliefs that corporate giants Rugby Australia and Qantas say aren’t inclusive enough. What these corporations should explain is how tearing up Folau’s $4 million contract, simply for expressing a tenet of his religious faith, is somehow consistent with their own inclusion policies.
In the words of Alan Jones, former coach of the Australia national rugby union team,
“How odd that Rugby Australia preaches ‘diversity’ and ‘inclusiveness’ when what they really mean is uniformity or exclusion.”
Media personalities and other stakeholders are scrambling over each other to express their outrage at Folau’s Christian beliefs.
Even the boss of Sport Australia, Kate Palmer, has praised Rugby Australia for targeting Folau, urging other codes to follow their example, saying, “divisive and discriminatory beliefs [are] harmful to sport and the broader Australian community.” Ironically, she’s unable to see that her beliefs about Folau fit the same description.
This is only the beginning of the astounding hypocrisy of Israel Folau’s haters. Consider three more examples that should be making headlines.
1. The Qantas and Emirates Partnership
It’s 2007. Alexander Robert, a 15 year old from Switzerland, bursts into tears as a Dubai police doctor, having inspected him, insinuates that he has had consensual gay sex. In truth, he was kidnapped by three men, held at knifepoint in the desert, and raped.
UAE authorities discouraged Alexander’s family from pressing charges, and they also failed to inform him of the HIV status of one of his attackers. This is just one of a string of stories of injustice in the emirate city of Dubai.
In 2008, two women were arrested and jailed for a month each for kissing on a Dubai beach. In 2011, two expats in Dubai were given a year in jail for having sex in a car. A year later, another gay couple received a six month jail term after being seen by a cleaner having sex in a public toilet.
More alarming still is that any of these people could have suffered the death penalty, given that homosexuality is still punishable by death in Dubai.
All of this points to a staggering hypocrisy on the part of Alan Joyce, CEO of Qantas, who is a gay man himself. Qantas, the national flag carrier of Australia, enjoys a formal partnership with Emirates, the flagship airline of Dubai.
Since the beginning of their six-year partnership, Joyce has voiced no concern over Dubai’s abject violation of human rights towards the gay community. Yet he was one of the first to throw Israel Folau to the lions merely for voicing his beliefs online, saying the star’s social media comments “clearly don’t reflect the spirit of inclusion and diversity that we support.”
Sports columnist Mark Reason summed it up well when he said,
“It seems very peculiar that Rugby Australia can partner with Qantas, whose sister airline is Emirates, the flagship of a state where homosexuality is a jailable offence, and yet cast Folau out into the wilderness.”
Even gay activists have labelled the hypocrisy of it all a kind of “queer fascism”.
It’s tempting to speculate that Qantas doesn’t hate intolerance—it just hates Christians. But let’s be charitable and assume that they just love profit more than their own principles.
2. Racial Prejudice Against Pacific Islanders
The untold story in the Izzy saga is the racial prejudice that Rugby Australia has shown towards its pacific islander players. One third of last year’s World Cup team were Polynesian—many of them considering their Christian faith central to their identity.
One of these is “Tongan Thor” Taniela Tupou, part of the national squad, who last week took to social media with these brave words:
“Seriously might as well sack me and all the other Pacific Islands rugby players around the world because we have the same Christian beliefs. I will never apologise for my faith and what I believe in, religion had nothing to do with rugby anyways.”
This was after Billy Vunipola was given the sack by the UK’s Channel 4 as the face of their European rugby coverage for defending Folau’s Instagram post. Vunipola plays for the English national team but was born to Tongan parents.
But the witch hunt didn’t stop there. Vunipola was issued with a formal warning by the UK’s Rugby Football Union, a mark that will remain on his disciplinary record for five years and may impact the future of his career.
Over Easter, another wallaby, Samu Kerevi, quoted John 3:16 on Instagram with the words, “Thank You Jesus for dying on the cross for me. I love you Jesus”—and then spent the next few days in the spotlight trying to work out whether he should apologise for his post or stand by it.
If Rugby Australia are successful in tearing up Izzy’s $4 million contract, they may win the battle but lose the war. Some commentators warn of a Polynesian revolt from the national team.
Not only will this risk their own financial ruin, but it will expose Raelene Castle and Rugby Australia’s hypocrisy further as they seek to colonise Pacific Island players with their predominantly white, demonstrably narrow, queer-normative viewpoint.
3. “No” Voters in the Postal Plebiscite Betrayed
When same-sex marriage was debated in the lead-up to the postal vote, many Australians of faith were genuinely concerned about the impact it would have on religious freedom in our nation— in particular, freedom of speech.
While the more moderate voices in parliament took these concerns seriously, many dismissed this fear out-of-hand, labelling it a red herring, a scare tactic, or even a trojan horse to advance discrimination against minorities.
Labor leader Bill Shorten told a press conference that same-sex marriage posed no threat to religious practice, saying that all such talk was a “distraction” and a “separate discussion”.
Fiona McLeod, President of the Australian Law Council, long-standing supporters of the “Yes” vote said,
“Extending the right to marry to same-sex couples will not impact upon another fundamental right, freedom of religion.”
Alex Greenwich, co-convener of Australian Marriage Equality, proclaimed with confidence that
“There are clear, strong and robust religious protections in the draft legislation.”
Even members of the Liberal party lined up with their reassurances. “You can have religious freedom and you can have same sex marriage and by Christmas we’ll have both,” George Brandis, then Attorney-General, famously declared.
Malcolm Turnbull himself reached out to Aussies of faith, promising,
“As strongly as I believe in the right of same-sex couples to marry, even more strongly, if you like, do I believe in religious freedom.”
Where are they all now?
One of Australia’s greatest sporting heroes is having his career shredded simply for challenging the new (eighteen-month-young) orthodoxy, and they stand by in silence—or worse, join in the “crucify” chorus.
Hypocrisy doesn’t even begin to describe it.
You might dislike Folau’s faith or the way he expressed it. But regardless of your religious views, it’s time for all concerned Australians to stand up and defend free speech while we still have it.
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Exceptional piece of writing, well done for speaking the truth! ????????❤️
Exceptional piece of writing, well done for speaking the truth ????????❤️
They apparently offered a $1million settlement to Izzy to walk away – not happening – RA are so scared.
RA will lose and RA will go bust unless they pull their heds in; the board must go now!
A superbly narrative. Thank you Kurt.
.
Australia and Australians alike have been brazenly lied to and betrayed from the very beginning.
Our freedom of speech has the greatest advocate in platforms like yours
Raise your voices o righteous people, lend a hand ,God bless you for all you do
John
Thanks John!
How fitting that his name is Israel.
And how striking that he is going through exactly what Jesus warned we would go through.
Going forward beyond izzys case, we will all be tested in days weeks andontgs to come. Let a person in Tassie who has changed their LABEL from he and she come to work in the mainland and there will be hellish screams of offence because they are mislabeled according to self.
I have said it before and I will say IT again. How long before these people seek to ban the Bible or at the very least all the parts that refer to sin and hell that make them uncomfortable.
Sadly Cyril that does seem to be where this sorry saga is headed.
Not long Cyril. Labor would have fine it immediately whereas the LNP are not that concerned with what a minority group desire. I just want the gay community it’s to shit up and get on with life. I am sick and tired of them
Wanting to be modicuddled like babies. Grow up. .
Thank you for your clear writing on this matter. I am amazed that all the drunkards, adulterers, liars or one of the other 6 sins named in the passage are not also up in arms.
This is so bizarre, especially the revelation of the Emerites connection and the Dubai policy on homosexuality. It’s all okay if there’s money involved, let’s not worry about integrity…
Thank you Raine. Yes I’m surprised about that too. I guess that list describes all the other rugby players who hit the media for their sins but kept their jobs. Only Christianity seems to be a lynchable offence to RA. Sad times.
Thank you for your story. I wonder what would happen if Israel Folau’s supporters were to stop flying with Qantas….
It is so very sad, that the ignorant do not know that they are ignorant, they just keep on flouting rubbish and indictable lies, which is sin that without a shadow of doubt will take all who chastise a true son of God (Israel), are chastising God (Jesus Christ) himself, as per Matthew chapter 25, regarding the parable of the sheep and the goats. Oh, AND incidentally, no sodomite, “poofter” “queer”, etc can ever be married because it is a creation and command of our Creator Jesus, and as he ordained it, that sexual relations are between a man and a woman only, and to co-create the greatest physical miracle, a brand mew human life. But the answer as to why governments are corrupt and mankind is also utterly corrupt, let me quote from (the Royal, emphasis mine) The Authorized King James Bible, ” Finally my brethren Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places”, Ephesians Chapter 6 Verses 10-12. Murders, homosexuals, rapists, armed robbers, deceitful politicians etc. are Satanists or are under the influence of Satan. Francis Colosimo, Chairman: Central Highlands Economic and Law Reform group, A private gathering of concerned Australians/Christian minister/Evangelist. God bless you, and he will if you let him.
If Izzy was a Muslim and qouted the Koran would this hullabulloo have happened at all?
I have been saying the same thing – what if he quoted confucius or a Hindu tenet… isn’
t this discrimination? and isn’t discrimination on any grounds illegal
Thank you for the article Kurt
I would add
Rugby Australia can never win this fight because they have attacked a faithful servant of the one true God, and God will not abandon his servant. RA and their supporters may enjoy a short time of pleasure, but God is not mocked, and he will have victory and his name be glorified.
Stand with Issy and watch how God blesses him. Woe to RA
You’re welcome Stan. Yes, Joseph, Esther and Daniel all come to mind.
A great article that summarises the key issues succinctly.
My view is that Israel Folau should not be held to account for making a social media post that is lawful and reflects his devout religious worldview. Indeed, the quote comes directly from 1 Corinthians 6:9 (ie. the Bible, which underpins his Christian faith). That some wish to exert power over Israel Folau to retract, apologise or face the wrath of his accusers for saying something that is lawful and well within his human rights is itself reprehensible. Rugby Australia and those supporting RA’s actions are the ones who should apologise to Israel Folau and the wider Christian community for being intolerant and divisive.
It’s ok for people to disagree with Israel Folau’s posts – but to do so they need more than dislike if they seek to punish. The vast majority of the criticisms I have seen have been ignorant, bigoted, inaccurate and uninformed. None have justified the termination of Folau’s contract. The code of conduct is not the only issue here – the issues are freedom of religion and the role of corporations when it comes to any restriction of free speech as a human right.
Having read RA’s code of conduct, I find it astounding that their independent tribunal has concluded there is a high-level breach of the code. To my mind, their findings are prejudicial. Folau’s post was not directed at any rugby player specifically, or any administrator, nor the game of rugby and its rules, or any competing team. Instead, it was to the world at large. It would appear that the mere utterance of anything remotely perceived to be negative towards homosexuality is offensive to RA. But Folau’s post was one of hope for those engaged in destructive immoral behaviours.
While a “turn or burn” message is not seen by some to be effective, it does encapsulate the Christian solution for a broken world. When taken in context with the rest of Jesus Christ’s teaching, the message is not offensive at all. That some do not see homosexuality as immoral is not a reason to take offence at something they neither believe nor understand. How can those who don’t believe in God, read the Bible, don’t believe in Sin, don’t believe in Hell take offence at Folau’s post? And if they do believe in God, the Bible, Sin and Hell, then the post certainly can’t be offensive.
RA, to me, sounds like they are overly delicate and lack the fortitude to at least just ignore the posts, or if acknowledged make a personal statement from the CEO to express their disagreement. Instead, the CEO has misrepresented what was said and also misrepresented what has been said between RA and Folau.
RA will be the only losers here, whatever the outcome, You cannot claim to be tolerant and inclusive when the fundamental expression of Christian love (sinners can be saved through acknowledging God and repenting) causes you concern. To punish that says you are intolerant and uninclusive. Shame, RA, shame!
Great articulation of the issues Steve!
It’s not a direct quote. Here’s the passage from the KJV
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
Doesn’t say anything about hell.
But wait, here’s the same passage (plus a bit more) from the NKJV
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 New King James Version (NKJV)
9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor [a]homosexuals, nor [b]sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
Wow! Different words, confusing but still not mention of hell!
It’s a sad day for Christians and freedom of religion and speech. Thank God for Israel Folau and his integrity when RA tried to get him to walk away by offering him a payout. Allen Joyce and RA may have won the battle but God will have the final say. It’s a sign of the times and a very big line has been drawn in the sand between freedom and lies. We need to keep/start speaking out against the lies and stand up and be counted. We want to be sheep who hear the Masters’ voice and follow wherever He leads us. A very well written article.
I don’t know Israel Folau, I have never met Israel Folau, I have never played Rugby and I am not a Rugby fan.
All I knew about him was that I had heard the name Israel Folau mentioned on the radio a few times, so I knew he was “some Rugby player” – but I had little interest in him.
However now, due to the “outrage” over him sharing his beliefs and quoting from The Bible,
I know a lot more about Israel Folau.
Israel’s “crime” is because he is not ashamed to declare that he is a Christian, and that he gave a quotation from The Bible.
I am a born again Bible believing Christian, and I strongly support Israel’s right to share his beliefs as a Christian.
It should be noted that Israel was not expressing his personal opinion – nor was he directing this against any one individual, or one group of people – he was quoting from the Holy Bible, the Words of God Himself – the God that that both Israel and I are not ashamed to say that we believe in.
It would appear that giving a quotation from The Bible is regarded as being a much more serious offence than being involved in a drunken brawl and physically assaulting someone.
I stand with Israel!!
This is a well written and thought out article
Steve, you said it all!
Abraham Lincoln said “I may not agree with what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” Israel Folau has honoured God. Now God will honour him. The truth makes many people uncomfortable.
Jan we need less snowflakes today and more Abraham Lincolns!
Well said and thank you for your articles, they say the things that are not said.
How wonderful that God is using his servant Israel Folau to bring the whole ‘religious freedom’ issue into the light at this particular point in time – just prior to the election. It has motivated so many to prayer and to action. It has made this issue a priority in this election. Hallalujah! Our God is wise and powerful and beyond the comprehension of people!
Israel was not speaking on behalf of the ARL. There should be no rule to prevent freedom of speech. They select only one of the offences – homosexual – and accuse him of homophobia, hatred,etc. But the truth is he is actually being loving and caring in an effort to save them from hell. We all need to speak up while we still have time because truth is being trampled in the streets.
Why isn’t Israel entitled to his opinion?
Make no mistake. This attack on Israel Folau for quoting scripture, is an attack on true Christianity. We live in a society that indeed has a false Christianity and a true Christianity and that has always been the case since our Lord was crucified.
There is a false Church and a true Church and it takes spiritual discernment to know the difference. Those of us who have been born again by the Holy Spirit belong to the True invisible Church, those who believe that the Bible is the infallible Word of God to all humanity.
You cannot,by nature of the case,be a true christian and not believe in the Bible and what it says. Only false [worldly] christians believe this. Folau quoted scripture and he is correct when scripture says that no practising homosexual will enter the Kingdom of God. The Bible says that homosexuality is a sin, and along with other sins, all of humanity must turn back to God, who forgives our sins through Jesus Christ. Yes, God loved the world so much that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ to save the world from the coming judgement. the Bible says,turn to Christ for the forgiveness of your sins or face the consequences.
The consequences are………unless we believe in Jesus Christ, we will stand condemned of our sins, and this condemnation we bring upon our self. God condemned His only Son, so that we may be set free.If we reject Christ, we have no excuse, we have condemned ourselves. This is the Word of God. No one will enter God’s Kingdom except through through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ, who died for you, that you may escape the coming judgement.
He selectively quoted scripture. Does he also endorse slaveery, genocide, incest and women as 2nd rate beings all of which are clearly and repeatedly endorsed in your horrible work of fiction.
The bible is unsubstantiated nonsense written by mostly anonymous authors long after the dubious events described. The idea that faith in these preposterous stories sans evidence is somehow worthy of respect turns logic on it’s head.
There is zero contemporary evidence to support the veracity of any one the supernatural nonsense in the gospels and the Old Testament is a collection of stories about a genocidal maniac and his sick rules for the people he clearly despises.
Finally, what sacrifice is there in Jesus having a nap for 3 days and then becoming co-ruler of the Universe. Some sacrifice.
We stand with Israel and for all freedoms we have inherited, we will to fight to uphold them in this hour of impending darkness. Christians should be able to voice as our beliefs which are a personal right, and when voiced they are not of full hate but of love.
My stomach is turned when I think about a) the hypocrisy shown by different people listed here (obviously the love of money has opened the door to evil and people are so blinded to their own contradictions!) and b) how we were assured that there would be no changes or danger to freedom of speech and religion. – Where are they all now? Probably hiding under a rock somewhere!
Thanks Kurt for your article bringing in sharp relief what is at stake – freedom of speech and religion.
The irony of it all is that those who loudly proclaim tolerance become the most intolerant,
exclusive and hateful. Izzy Folau has been a wake up call and a tremendous encouragement
to us all. Speak up and be faithful to Jesus. Go Izzy, faithful man of God!
Will Australians take heed what is at stake and consider carefully when voting. I hope so and pray so.
I am facing the same issue with the medical board. Conform or lose your licence to practise.
Israel Folau only spoke the truth and spoke it in love and concern for his fellow man. May God protect and bless him as he stands.
I admire Israel Folau for his unwavering stance, and steadfast belief in Gods word no matter what the cost, and it appears to be substantial and not just financial but at great personal cost (persecution).. It is painfully obvious that freedom of speech exists only if you agree with the gay lobby and those who would try to extinguish our right as Christians to proclaim what God has laid down in the Bible as the way we are meant to live our lives.
It is time we as Christians stood up to be counted and express our Christian views and beliefs.
That article shows the truth Kurt.
Deception and mind control are at the core of the socialist elite.
Truth has been thrown to the ground.
Pity their followers cannot see it.
An excellent and thought-provoking article. I agree that it’s time for all Australians to stand up and defend free speech while we still have it.
Izzy has presented a section of the New Testament which millions of people would never have otherwise heard, and which you will never hear even in many churches. What a witness! Well done Izzy. Stay strong.
Concerning revelations. Thanks for the insight into such staggering hypocrisy.
Israel Folau listed a range of different types of sinning, all denounced many times throughout the Bible but the focus throughout has been exclusively on homosexuality. To my mind this shows up the hidden agendas of the LGBT groups. They don’t just want to be accepted but to foist their lifestyle on as many as possible. Such issues have been the downfall of other empires through history – we do need to beware & fight such agendas strongly. .
I support Israel, here is a young man who is not afraid to stand up for Jesus. We must continue to fight for freedom of speech. Thank you for your article.
Thank you for your informative article. It shows the complete hypocrisy of those who would seek to destroy Israel’s right to express a Christian viewpoint.
Very well written and very truthful… Especially the part about those people who were defending freedom of speech and protecting religious rights
where are they now defending Israel and his right to religious freedom …. no answer was the loud reply!
Following is a letter sent to the sports writer at the SMH on the 4th May in response to a thoughtful and respectful article he wrote on the Israel Folau issue.
______________________________________
Thank You for your Article.
For many of us in the community, it is amazing that a man can be at risk of loosing his job in Australia for telling the truth.
Mr Folau has called out behaviours that are the scourge of Rugby League – alcohol abuse and sexual promiscuity. His comments around homosexuality are those held by a very significant proportion of the Australian population that holds the view that homosexual practice is unnatural sexual perversion and should not be promoted as normal behaviour – a view held by many cultural and religious groups and particularly by many senior Australians for whom such behaviour has been considered reprehensible and illegal and totally contrary to normal Australian family values for most of their lives.
As far as I am aware Mr Folau has not targeted any particular person, he is a great role model for young people in the community, has represented his country internationally with distinction and is the sort of player that is a great example of what Rugby League should be about – clean hard football and a decent life in the community outside the game and off the field. In the light of the appalling behaviour of some Rugby players over the last year or so, it is amazing that Mr Folau could be under any threat of sanction when his life demonstrates exactly the sort of off field life Rugby League aspires to for its players.
That such an individual should be sanctioned for stating traditional family values, telling it like it is from a Judeo-Christian moral perspective – which provides the moral and legal foundations on which Australian society is based – is simply inexplicable and contrary to Australia’s fair go ethos.
Seems unless you pushing the irrational Christina line you cant get posted here so I wont bother again
joyce is nothing more than a hypocrite and bully. He hasn’t got the guts or the character to take on a whole country, so stoops to picking on one person just because he can. rugby australia and its equally hypocritical ‘head’ as well as the head of sport australia are all spineless apologists for the marxists. Israel Folau has more integrity in his little finger than all of these hypocrites have collectively. joyce’s use of his bully pulpit is the sole reason why I go out of my way (sometimes, quite literally via stopovers) to choose any airline but qantas/crapstar.
Thank you to Israel for being an excellent sports role model for young Christians, just because you are in the world you do not have to bow and conform to the world. We stand with you Israel.
Israel Falou is not ashamed of the gospel because he knows it’s the power of God unto salvation.
Israel…l support you and l love you, as showing you are a normal human being.
l thank you for showing courage in the eye of the savage lion. V: Daniel – Old Testament.
I actually posted my comment last week and it doesn’t show it is there!! why?
Ever battle is first won in the heavenly in reguards to Israel and freedom of speech Christians need to fight this with pray and fasting and lets regain what we have lost People looking up to Christians as they use to. Israel stood for what is and always will be the WORD of GOD that never changes Prayer changed the out come of the election..Let stop talking about how we are beening put down by evil people (actually the one who controls them) and start declaring the Truth Greater is He thats is in me than he that is in the world. We are more than conquers through Christ Jesus . No weapon formed against us will prosper .We serve a victorious Christ Jesus they serve The defeated ! Pray for the Grace of God to cover them and bring them unto Him in Love and the TRUTH OF HIS WORD. AMEN
How true. It is appalling how leaders abuse their power to share “their beliefs”. They should at least be honest when saying “radical beliefs” = “Christian faith”. Because all other religions, no matter how dangerous or useless, are allowed to express themselves.
We support Israel, great role model.
I will not be flying Qantas when I go overseas now or Emerites airlines. Put your protest where it will hurt these hypocrites, money. Don’t fly with them. What a valiant man of God Israel is and you too Kurt. Keep up the hit back! Let us all keep praying for the situation and God’s wisdom and strength for all involved. The attackers also need our prayers for their salvation don’t forget.
Thank you Kurt. Well written and truthful. God bless you all.
1. Folau is a bigot!! That is enough to condemn him!
2. He uses his beliefs in a fake god as his defence
a. There are no gods
b. and he is a coward to hide behind his fake religion
3. His religion is disgusting for finding reasons to hate other humans
There is absolutely NOTHING in the Christian religion the promotes hate to anyone. To the contrary it promotes that Christians should ONLY LOVE to each other, but hate the sinful act, not the person.
Hell the the eternal separation from God through death. If people don’t believe in the teachings of Jesus and live life according to His teachings, they will suffer the consequences.
The Christian message is to love everyone and show tolerance to all.
Brien I’m sorry you find it necessary to show your intolerance.
Telling people “love me or I will torture you forever” is a pretty sick idea of “love”. Sounds like an abusive husband or mafia boss type like love along the lines of “That’s a nice soul you have there. Be a shame if something bad happened to it”.
Teaching children they are worthless creatures minus Jesus’ forgiveness is sick and idiotic.
The Christian religion is clearly anti-humanity and immoral.
He must have touched part of Your heart, with the scripture, perhaps you are in danger of the hell-fire.
There is nothing that I can add to the incrediblle weight of comment above, apart that I grieve for this young man. Oh also that I love the game of Rugby as both a player and coach. My last game as a player was a lower grade last minute inclusion on my 39th birthday.
But no more. Ms Castle and Mr Joyce – your act to terminate this young man for his faith sickens me. If your unjust decision is not reversed it is very likely I’ll never watch a game of Australian rugby again.
Thanks for the memories – but not the recent one!
I see no mention of concern about offending the other sinners he mentioned – drunkards, adulterers, ey. – just gays.
Why?
I am PROUD to stand as a CHRISTIAN, I stand TALL and unforgiving, let us not forget one thing, Our HOD is in control, Our GOD has this in hand HE will not allow the evil one to win, GOD is waiting for the right time, however, in saying this we are are being called to stand and tell everyone we area free country and refuse to have this freedom taken from us.
Israel Folau is a Son of God.
The nature of God is unchanging, holy, merciful and patient. Those caught in the snare of homosexuality on the other hand would recognise familiar characteristics even though thousands of years ago. Changes have occurred in the way society has reacted to them over time during which they have been persecuted, emasculated, gaoled, abused and murdered etc up to very recently. God will not compromise his holiness while mankind goes on lowering the bar on what is an acceptable standard. We who are called Christians have given our allegiance to Christ, been baptized in water and the Holy Spirit then commissioned to exert a holy dynamic in response to the pressures throughout the created world for healing, for relief from the unrelenting depredations of evil spirits whose antics, possession and enslavement of people have lead them into diabolical pain and suffering. Each person can be delivered from the possession of these evil, lying and homosexual spirits only by the caring acts of demonstrated power by loving and merciful, referred to in the bible as Sons of God. How can we do this? Ask God. He will give wisdom, surely this is a more excellent way
Wow. Care to point out the “merciful and patient” nature of these quotes from your lovely book:
Happy is he who repays you for what you have done to us / He who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks. Psalm 137, – INFANTICIDE
For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him.” – Is this why a grown man obeys his father like a child.
This is what the Lord Almighty says… ‘Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’ (1 Samuel 15:3) – GENOCIDE
1 Peter 2:18: “Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the cruel.”
This is just scratching the surface. I could fill pages with similar quotes. According to the ridiculous Noah story your merciful and loving God killed every living person and creature on Earth except for his favorite drunk and his family. Your god makes Stalin and Hitler look like amateurs when it comes to inflicting human suffering.
Silly old me.
When I read the opening paragraph while I did not agree I followed it as every opinion is important yet when I got to the “Rugby Australia and Qantas say aren’t inclusive ” I saw the light.
While I am sure Mr Joyce has an opinion, I did not know and no other publication has said so, What your suggesting is that Mr Joyce was consulted by Rugby Australia to assist them to arrive at a conclusion. Seriously.
Okay so lets consider the selective Christian, Folau. You may ask why I would call him that. That one is simple. While he is happy to post selective bible verses that suite his crusade, he ignores ones that don’t fit his own lifestyle. Leviticus 19:28 as an example yet unlike homosexuality, tattooing our skin is a choice.
No one seems to want to question him on the art work on his arms and I suspect the reason is simply because of numbers. While you lot are comfortable at pointing the finger at homosexuals, no one wants to attack people who have tattoos for two reasons. 1) Many people of faith have them
2) A very large part of society including many many women have tattoos. You leave them alone as it is easier to attack a minority.
Mr Folau was terminated because he breached his condition of employment. An agreement he entered into after consulting quality legal advice knowing it would not allow for him to publicly bag out members of society.
You know if this had been some 18 year old desperate for a go in the top grade, relying on mum & dad for legal advice then I would have sympathy, The guy is not and neither is he a fool who had no grasp of what the contract demanded.
He chose this path.
I almost feel sorry for Israel Folau. The poor deluded fool has clearly been indoctrinated by his father and others and has a very loose grasp of reality as his posts and stated beliefs attest. The notion that the bible is a moral guide is absurd as is revealed by reproducing just a few of the quotes therein that support and/or openly endorse slavery, genocide, infanticide and rape to name a few.
The God of the bible as described therein is a genocidal maniac who deserves our contempt. He would not be worthy of worship (or even respect) in the extremely unlikely event god is anything bu the delusional ramblings of those deluded by their irrational faith. Faith, of course, being the excuse people give for believing something when they have no good reasons for their beliefs. People with good reasons cite them, they don’t appeal to faith.
Given he apparently believes the bible should be followed literally then does he also support these immoral rantings from the same book.
Happy is he who repays you for what you have done to us / He who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks. Psalm 137, – INFANTICIDE
For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him.” – Is this why a grown man obeys his father like a child.
“Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:22)
I permit no woman to teach or have authority over men; she is to keep silent.” Timothy 2:11
This is what the Lord Almighty says… ‘Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’ (1 Samuel 15:3) – GENOCIDE
But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28) – THOUGHT CRIMES NOW
And for good measure lets keep those pesky slaves in their place:
1 Peter 2:18: “Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the cruel.”
Honestly, Christians are quite hilarious. Now we have the absurd situation where one of the most privileged groups in our society are claiming to be persecuted. You guys are so cute. Hard to claim persecution when a convicted pedophile Cardinal Pell is given character references by two ex-PMs. Spare me.
Hi Paul G,
You have toiled well through the Bible to find these verses which seem at odds to the bigger picture of a loving God that is reaching out to us. You show determination and passion like Saul in Acts. God likes that and he is a God of second (and third, fourth, fifth) chances. If you continue to look through the Bible you will see over and over that God chooses the most surprising leaders. It could be that your Damascus Road experience is coming.
There is pain in your spirit from people you trusted who let you down badly. There is time to carry this pain but it gets heavy. When you are ready consider the weight of this burden and consider the liberty of placing that burden at the foot of the cross.
Noel Huxham,
It would seem to me that Paul G, Brien Doyle and Warren Pont should be writing to RA and pointing out the stupidity of taking actions against an indoctrinated fool quoting a non existent God,
Seems by your understandings, Izzy would have been better off quoting Mary had a little lamb with little or no repercussions.
May our God of enlightenment visit each of you in His Mercy and Grace with loving forgiveness.
[…] Folau should not have spoken or written as he did, that it was not spoken in love and was not a loving thing to speak. Number two is that he broke his contract. Number three is that he should not be defending […]
Very succinct.
Folau misquoted the bible. Jesus said nothing about gay people.
https://www.msn.com/en-au/sport/rugby-union/comment-did-israel-folau-actually-misquote-the-bible-hell-yes/ar-AAEsU1Y?ocid=spartanntp
I’d like to be able to say that god blessed Folau with a great sporting ability but I can’t because that same god denied him any brain cells.