Rugby player Israel Folau avoids sanctions for anti-gay comments
Image: Image: Israel Folau / Instagram.
Rugby star Israel Folau has avoided any sanctions for posting that hell is God’s plan for gay people who don’t repent.
Earlier today Folau met with chief executive of Rugby Australia, Raelene Castle, and NSW Waratahs boss Andrew Hore to discuss his controversial social media usage, according to news.com.au.
While he admitted he could have conveyed his religious views in a more positive way, he has not yet given a commitment to change his social media use to fall in line with Rugby Australia policy.
“We’re proud of the fact he’s a strong believer and he’s prepared to stand up for what he believes in,” Castle told reporters.
“We want athletes in our code who are prepared to do that and that’s really important.
“But at the same time, Rugby Australia’s got a policy and position of inclusion and using social media with respect.
“So that’s where we shared stories, shared ideas, and shared positions and both of us recognise that what we want is a situation where we use our social media platforms in a respectful and positive way.”
Folau came under fire last week for the comment he made about gay people going to hell on Instagram, before posting a Bible verse on social media on Sunday suggesting he was being persecuted for the comment.
“Even Israel acknowledged that maybe he could have put a positive spin on that same message and done it in a less disrespectful way,” Castle said.
“He certainly understands that he has caused some people grief through the process.”
I have no idea why a person’s religious views would give them more rights than anyone else, in a SECULAR society like Australia, sports person or not. It’s not like because you are a ‘Sports-person’ or even a Christian sports person you are morally squeaky-clean. Practice tolerance like your bible states Israel Folau and keep your socially repugnant comments confined to your tiny bigotted mind.
When you want a ball kicked, Folau will probably do. When you want an opinion on God/Human Rights, choose a person with a few brain cells who is not a religious fanatic.
How can such a remark possibly offend anyone when “Hell” is yet to be proven to exist?
Christian whack-job and tobacco pusher Kevin Donnelly jumped on this bandwagon in today’s Sydney Morning Herald. Strangely enough, Donnelly has never been one to support free speech or even the right to life of gay men or lesbians at anytime ever. But a privileged footballer is different of course.
Hmmm I respect he is allowed to voice his own opinion but when you say he is a role model for future young sport players, then you are saying its ok for him to make gay sport players feel inadequate or they are sinners in the eyes of God. Seems like they are afraid to lose a very popular drawcard which suggests you can get away with anything.
Sorry that is not acceptable and sponsors like QANTAS should be wary that they are supporting and condoning this behaviour.
“Avoids sanctions” – do we know that yet?
Raelene Castle seemed to indicate in the press conference today that the matter was not closed.