Firestorm! An Australian sports figure writes on his social media platform his own opinion. The sports world in Australia goes ballistic. The media brands Israel Folau a bigot and homophobe. There are calls for his being fired for declaring his opinion about who is on their way to hell. Wow, let's sit down and consider what this is about and what it is not about.
Some say that he is welcome to have his own opinion, but he shouldn't declare that opinion if the content might offend someone. Some don't want him to express any opinion at all if it is 'out of bounds' Wait a minute, who decides which of your opinions are worthy or proper or agreeable? Do you really want the thought police 'out there?'
Imagine if Anthony Mundine or Khoder Nasser, Usman Khawaja or Fawad Ahmed were being told they couldn't say that homosexuality is out of bounds in their religion. Muslims hold that as one of their beliefs. Would their sports association dismiss them for that, too?
Some say that he is welcome to have his own opinion, but he shouldn't declare that opinion if the content might offend someone. Some don't want him to express any opinion at all if it is 'out of bounds' Wait a minute, who decides which of your opinions are worthy or proper or agreeable? Do you really want the thought police 'out there?'
Imagine if Anthony Mundine or Khoder Nasser, Usman Khawaja or Fawad Ahmed were being told they couldn't say that homosexuality is out of bounds in their religion. Muslims hold that as one of their beliefs. Would their sports association dismiss them for that, too?
Someone is crossing the line here, and it's not Folau. Or did he?
You see, the issue, they say, is that Qantas and Rugby AU have said that their sportsmen are not to say things which will cause some fans to withdraw their support. Folau signed an agreement with that position less than three months ago. So there are TWO issues, one the signed agreement, and the 2nd is the matter of Rugby telling their players what they can or cannot say.
Commentator Alan Jones weighed in. News.com.au reported today
"Folau has found an ally in broadcast heavyweight Alan Jones after Rugby Australia vowed to terminate the contract of the Wallabies star after he posted an image which included anti-gay sentiment to Instagram this week. Folau, 30, was widely slammed for calling on “drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters” to repent for their sins or else “hell awaits” them.
Jones, a former coach of our national rugby team, is pointing the finger at Rugby Australia. “Rugby Australia are only worried about the quids, they’re only worried about the sponsorship,” Jones said on his 2GB radio show on Friday morning.“That’s why they asked Israel to sign a contract in which he wouldn’t say this and he wouldn’t say that and that his views would be consistent with (Rugby Australia sponsor) Qantas.“He’s made comments about religion — who will end up heaven and who will end up in hell. Who cares? It’s an opinion. I don’t necessarily agree with what he said, by the way, but a lot of people don’t agree with what I say.
“We’re going down a very, very narrow road here and this has gone on and on and on this crap. I’m telling you, out there people are terrified of saying anything. They are frightened, they don’t know what they can say. We’re on a slippery slope here ... it’s got nothing to do with Israel, or rugby, or religion, or homosexuals, or whatever. Where are we in this country on free speech?”
Sports figures worldwide regularly make comments about their beliefs, just like movie folks accepting their Oscars. In the US, sports and religion, especially after a significant victory, go hand in hand. The US media wrote this about former star player Tim Tebow: "Evangelical quarterback Tim Tebow is known for demonstrating his faith on the football field, including wearing Bible verses on his eye black in college and dropping to a knee in prayer (launching the meme “Tebowing”). The son of Baptist missionaries, he spurred a movement to let homeschooled athletes compete on public school teams and starred in a pro-family Focus on the Family ad during the 2010 Super Bowl. At the University of Florida, Tebow won the 2007 Heisman Trophy. He went on to play for the Denver Broncos and New York Jets in the NFL."
Michael Chang won the French Open when he was 17 (still the youngest male to win a major) (see this link: /) Chang has always been outspoken about his faith in Jesus, beginning in 1989, when he won the French and then told the interviewing commentator, “I thank the Lord Jesus Christ, because without Him, I am nothing."
Social media is exploding with calls for Folau to be gone, and others who like this blog, are standing with Folau. Some religionists and prime ministers, even Christian ones, are not speaking up as loudly as they might in defense of Folau's right to free speech. Listen to this from Lyle Shelton today on the radio. AUDIO. What happens if gagging becomes the norm?
God, give Israel Folau great wisdom and terrific lawyers.
God, help our country to calm down about the religion of non-offense and learn to disagree agreeably.
We really need help.
#OneWayReligiousTolerance
4 comments:
Not all of us are articulated with fluent speech that would get a stamp of approval of the critics. The world doing the critiquing.
I have had division in my Christian family dynamics for over 50 years who have their rendition on how Scripture is to be interpreted and there is the divide.
Agreeing to disagree doesn't stop the marginalising... however that's what we're to expect as we run the race.
Jesus was faced with the same conflicts when people in leadership and Christians hold to tradition mixed with Scripture and not Scripture in context only.
We are not called to be successful but to be faithful.
Not all of us are articulated with fluent speech that would get a stamp of approval of the critics. The world doing the critiquing.
I have had division in my Christian family dynamics for over 50 years who have their rendition on how Scripture is to be interpreted and there is the divide.
Agreeing to disagree doesn't stop the marginalising... however that's what we're to expect as we run the race.
Jesus was faced with the same conflicts when people in leadership and Christians hold to tradition mixed with Scripture and not Scripture in context only.
We are not called to be successful but to be faithful.
test
Dear Izzy ,
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from you, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can.
When someone tries to defend the homosexual/transsexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination ... End of debate.
I do, however, need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Laws and how to follow them.
These are:
1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighbouring nations.
A friend of mine claims that this applies to Papua New Guineans, but not New Zealanders. Can you clarify? Why can't I own New Zealanders?
2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of Menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15: 19-24.
The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offence.
4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odour for the Lord - Lev.1:9.
The problem is my neighbours. They claim the odour is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
5. I have a neighbour who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death.
Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?
6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination, Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination?
7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?
8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?
9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot.........
..... Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)
I am still having issues with the talking snake urging me to read books of knowledge against Gods law but I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I'm confident you can help.
Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.
PS: It would be a real shame if we couldn't own a New Zealander
(attributed to Crazy Tiger)
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