Post by goz on Apr 11, 2019 21:23:31 GMT
What is happening to this young man here in Australia, is a universal problem, and IMHO a classic case of where some theists get it wrong.
www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/rugby-australia-set-to-sack-israel-folau-for-anti-gay-social-media-post/ar-BBVPGPE?ocid=spartandhp
What he posted on social media is also in the above link. It reminds me of Cody mslovak and Erjenious and the like.
Where is the line between sharing your personal religious beliefs, freedom of speech, as opposed to vilifying others, discriminating against them ( which is illegal in this country) and just plain bullying.
IMHO this young man wants his cake and to eat it. He wants millions of dollars to play representative rugby and then wants to use this 'fame' as a platform to spread his personal religious beliefs.
Is he incredibly stupid? a martyr? needs better advice to be a professional sportsman? According to some he is the best player in Australia and did he trade this talent off for his religious fervour, thinking that he could do what he liked?
BTW the main sponsor of rugby in Australia Qantas, is headed by one of the most respected and prominent homosexual CEOs in this country.
What makes religious people think that they have a free pass to bully intimidate and vilify?
www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/rugby-australia-set-to-sack-israel-folau-for-anti-gay-social-media-post/ar-BBVPGPE?ocid=spartandhp
The glittering rugby career of Wallabies and Waratahs star Israel Folau has all but come to a screeching and sudden halt.
After yet another controversial and divisive social media post which stated homosexuals were destined for hell, Rugby Australia and the NSW Rugby Union have put the foot down and signalled their intent to terminate Folau’s multi-million dollar four-year contract.
Both organisations spent the 24 hours from Wednesday to Thursday evening trying to contact the Wallabies and Waratahs fullback to question him about another anti-gay post on Instagram that listed "homosexuals" as one of eight groups of people whom "hell awaits".
© AAP Israel Folau.
With no other choice and a tidal wave of criticism being thrown their way, RA and NSWRU released a statement on Thursday evening saying that barring unforeseen circumstances, Folau would be sacked.
"In the absence of compelling mitigating factors, it is our intention to terminate his contract," said RA chief executive Raelene Castle and NSWRU boss Andrew Hore wrote in a joint statement. "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.
"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.
There was significant pressure from sponsors, too. RA's major partner, Qantas, said earlier in the day Folau's comments were "really disappointing".
The timing is precarious given the two organisations are in the middle of negotiating a new sponsorship deal.
"These comments are really disappointing and clearly don’t reflect the spirit of inclusion and diversity that we support," a Qantas spokesperson said before Folau had been sacked. "We’re pleased to see Rugby Australia’s condemnation of the comments."
Providing RA do go through with their intention to axe Folau for good, it is unclear where this latest setback leaves the dual international.
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.
Wallabies and Waratahs coaches Michael Cheika and Daryl Gibson will now have to ponder life without the high-flying fullback, who could be poached by cashed-up European clubs or even lured to the NRL provided the price is right and he is allowed to cross back to the code where he began his career.
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.
From New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to Matildas captain Sam Kerr, there was no shortage of outrage directed at Folau, whose faith could cost him his football career.
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," Leitch said. "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."
After yet another controversial and divisive social media post which stated homosexuals were destined for hell, Rugby Australia and the NSW Rugby Union have put the foot down and signalled their intent to terminate Folau’s multi-million dollar four-year contract.
Both organisations spent the 24 hours from Wednesday to Thursday evening trying to contact the Wallabies and Waratahs fullback to question him about another anti-gay post on Instagram that listed "homosexuals" as one of eight groups of people whom "hell awaits".
© AAP Israel Folau.
With no other choice and a tidal wave of criticism being thrown their way, RA and NSWRU released a statement on Thursday evening saying that barring unforeseen circumstances, Folau would be sacked.
"In the absence of compelling mitigating factors, it is our intention to terminate his contract," said RA chief executive Raelene Castle and NSWRU boss Andrew Hore wrote in a joint statement. "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.
"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.
There was significant pressure from sponsors, too. RA's major partner, Qantas, said earlier in the day Folau's comments were "really disappointing".
The timing is precarious given the two organisations are in the middle of negotiating a new sponsorship deal.
"These comments are really disappointing and clearly don’t reflect the spirit of inclusion and diversity that we support," a Qantas spokesperson said before Folau had been sacked. "We’re pleased to see Rugby Australia’s condemnation of the comments."
Providing RA do go through with their intention to axe Folau for good, it is unclear where this latest setback leaves the dual international.
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.
Wallabies and Waratahs coaches Michael Cheika and Daryl Gibson will now have to ponder life without the high-flying fullback, who could be poached by cashed-up European clubs or even lured to the NRL provided the price is right and he is allowed to cross back to the code where he began his career.
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.
From New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to Matildas captain Sam Kerr, there was no shortage of outrage directed at Folau, whose faith could cost him his football career.
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," Leitch said. "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."
What he posted on social media is also in the above link. It reminds me of Cody mslovak and Erjenious and the like.
Where is the line between sharing your personal religious beliefs, freedom of speech, as opposed to vilifying others, discriminating against them ( which is illegal in this country) and just plain bullying.
IMHO this young man wants his cake and to eat it. He wants millions of dollars to play representative rugby and then wants to use this 'fame' as a platform to spread his personal religious beliefs.
Is he incredibly stupid? a martyr? needs better advice to be a professional sportsman? According to some he is the best player in Australia and did he trade this talent off for his religious fervour, thinking that he could do what he liked?
BTW the main sponsor of rugby in Australia Qantas, is headed by one of the most respected and prominent homosexual CEOs in this country.
What makes religious people think that they have a free pass to bully intimidate and vilify?
