‘Sometimes the truth is difficult to hear’: rugby player Israel Folau says he isn’t homophobic
Image: Israel Folau on the cover of Star Observer's August 2014 issue.
Embattled rugby star Israel Folau has opened up about the Bible, homosexuality, and sin in a new column.
“I have sinned many times in my life,” Folau wrote yesterday in Players Voice.
“I take responsibility for those sins and ask for forgiveness through repentance daily.”
He said he was brought up Mormon and reads the Bible every day.
Folau came under fire recently for saying on social media that God’s plan for gay people was “hell” unless they repented.
“In the comments section of [a] post, I was asked a question by somebody about what God’s plan is for gay people,” he wrote.
“My response to the question is what I believe God’s plan is for all sinners, according to my understanding of my Bible teachings, specifically 1 Corinthians 6: 9-10.
“I do not know the person who asked the question, but that didn’t matter.
“I believed he was looking for guidance and I answered him honestly and from the heart.
“I know a lot of people will find that difficult to understand, but I believe the Bible is the truth and sometimes the truth can be difficult to hear.
“In this case, we are talking about sin as the Bible describes it, not just homosexuality, which I think has been lost on a lot of people.”
Folau went on to explain that he doesn’t consider himself homophobic—and to remind readers that he was once on the cover of Star Observer.
“Since my social media posts were publicised, it has been suggested that I am homophobic and bigoted and that I have a problem with gay people,” he wrote.
“This could not be further from the truth.
“I fronted the cover of the Star Observer magazine to show my support for the Bingham Cup, which is an international gay rugby competition for both men and women.
“I believe in inclusion. In my heart, I know I do not have any phobia towards anyone.”
Folau said that many people have told him in person or via social media that they disagree with his views on gay people, but he doesn’t mind.
“I don’t have any issue with this,” he said.
“Every individual in this world is different and we have all experienced things that have shaped us in unique ways.”
Folau avoided sanctions from Rugby Australia over his comments about gay people, though he has reportedly been cautioned about his social media use.
“Truth may be difficult to hear” sometimes, but utter bullshit is equally difficult to hear and an utter waste of time.
Anyway using the bible as a justification for anything, has a very weak argument indeed. Might as well use Mother Goose’s Big Book of Nursery Rhymes.
How can Israel remain with this homophobic, RACIST – Yes, Israel, RACIST so-called religion? How come you were allowed to become a Mormon or have not been thrown out because of the colour of YOUR skin?
Truth and Faith are Incompatible. Truth is just that: Something which can be PROVEN to be True, Factual.
The Truth plays no part in Religion for there are no proofs whatsoever their is a Jahweh/Allah/God – (Those three names are for the same entity. There is no proof whatsoever that there is such a being.
Israel, if you are Not homophobic then you can’t honestly be a member of one of the most homophobic religious businesses in the world.
How do I know? Well once some years ago before I gave away the whole concept of believing in God/Yahweh/Allah I studied with Mormon Missionaries. They were homophobic then – never mind that I got into one of their missionaries pants (initiated by him) a few times, he was very good at SEX! – and they are still Homophobic. Ergo, Israel, you ARE Homophobic.
A “mystery” person asked a question and instead of a generic answer,he comes out with the first thing on his mind.Just happens to be homosexuals.I wonder why?Methinks he doth protest too much.
The issue occurs when the words ‘believe’ and ‘truth’ are used in the same sentence. Beliefs are not facts, period. They are oil and water, and should be taken as a theory rather than passed off as fact until empirically proven otherwise.
The Mormon church has a lot to apologise for. In addition to being homophobic to this day, as recently as the late 1970’s they used biblical passages (like Folau does now) to justify slavery and forbid black people from participating in the church, with the widespread understanding that black people were not permitted to get to heaven.
Then in 1978 they claim God changed his mind and black people were okay after all.
The Mormon church has a history of outrageous discrimination and hatred towards many minorities, not just gay people. Folau can wave their flag, but all I see is a classic ‘Uncle Tom’ character waving the flag for white hetero privilege. If that’s considered a racist sentiment (actually yes it is racist, I’m playing devil’s advocate here pardon the pun) then so be it, but it’s in response to Folau claiming he’s not homophobic so if he’s not homophobic I’m not being racist.