An Australian rugby player has annoyed people on social media by posting evangelical Christian beliefs.
Slow news days in Australia tend to be like this.
Peter Fiztsimons has a good point; Israel Falau’s contract with the ARU does have restrictions on his public behaviour and speech. In that regard, by signing the contract he has agreed to further limitations, beyond those already on the law books, to his freedom of speech.
This is a matter between employer and employee.
So far, so boring. We all have a range of views on the topic Folau has posted about on social media, some of us have multiple opinions on the same topic depending on the time of day. That’s not really the point.
What’s fascinating here is the use of the term “repent” and the suggestion that Folau’s behaviour is homophobic. To risk bringing the concept of nuance and subtlety to a nation not previously known for its philosophers and intellectuals, could we suggest that there’s actually no proof that Folau is homophobic?
Sure, he’s stated that homosexuals are on their way to hell, but that’s simply repeating a view endorsed by, among others, the Catholic Church, most Anglican denominations and Islam. So, it’s a view shared wholly or at least partially by almost 5 billion people, i.e. more than half of humanity.
It’s worth noting that he’s never stated that he hates homosexuals or that he believes they are deserving of eternal damnation, just that his understanding of scripture suggests that’s where they’re heading.
Again, a subtle point but we do need to try to pull the conversation back to what was said, not what we think was in the mind of the speaker. None of us are mind-readers.
As for Fitzsimon’s call for Folau to repent, it’s not clear what form this would take for it to be acceptable. An apology for breaking the terms of his contract of employment doesn’t seem like it would satisfy Peter. By the use of the verb, repent, he seems to be suggesting a change of opinion is the only acceptable way to seek forgiveness.
In other words, he needs Folau to stop believing something that he, presumably, holds as true as part of the core teaching of his faith.
Bill’s Opinion
I don’t want to know what sports people’s beliefs are on matters of religious doctrine. I really just don’t give a fuck. I don’t share Israel Folau’s views on this or many other philosophical areas of discourse. I do like the way he can catch a ball, sprint and side-step, however.
I also don’t want the world I live in to be one where bandana-wearing columnists get to call for the termination of someone’s employment for having the wrong faith.
There is much whataboutery we could invoke at this point. For example, we could ask for just a single example where Fitzsimons has defended anyone with an opposing opinion to his to hold that opinion without being hounded off social media, out of their employment or other similar consequences.
The easiest job in the world is to defend someone’s right to believe the same things as you.
“It’s worth noting that he’s never stated that he hates homosexuals or that he believes they are deserving of eternal damnation, just that his understanding of scripture suggests that’s where they’re heading.”
Indeed, as some people have noted in cases like this, it might be that someone stating this belief is demonstrating concern and love for those homosexuals, in order that they refrain from acting out their predilection and ending up in hell.
What’s interesting here is that laws originally intended to prevent attacks on certain people are now being invoked (not yet deployed, thank goodness!) to censor opinions about certain activities. If you don’t like the idea of blokes buckling down to it, you’d best keep that to yourself. If you want to “celebrate” it, though, you’ll probably get given a public grant to do so.
“Indeed, as some people have noted in cases like this, it might be that someone stating this belief is demonstrating concern and love for those homosexuals, in order that they refrain from acting out their predilection and ending up in hell.”
Quite.
I don’t understand why people like Fitzsimons reach straight to a malicious interpretation rather than assuming there’s some genuine positive conviction.
Perhaps it’s simply “projection”?
I bet you that Fitzy wouldn’t ask Foula to repent, straight to his face.