The tragic tale of Israel Folau

It kind of isn’t a bible quote is it? Paul said they won’t inherit the kingdom of God. He didn’t say they will go to hell. Now you might say “same thing” but Paul never gave us much of an idea of his understanding of hell so to change his words to have him warning against something he barely mentions isn’t cool. Also it’s the The Apostle Paul! If he says kingdom of God so should we.

A VERSION is only an update of the same book.

Lol. A VERSION is only an update of the same book. Most are still true to the WORD. It has been compared to the original manuscripts and has been verified as correct.

The quotes are based on scripture. The Bible is proven to be 100% accurate, apart from 2 minor errors in translation.

I think that there are very strong counter examples to your points on homosexuality. The Ancient Greeks and Romans accepted homosexuality

He did. He explained very easily and with love, that Jesus loves them.

Good and Faithful Servant your Saviour loves your courage,but as the world hated Jesus Christ they also will hate IsraeI Folau. Jehovah and Jesus Christ are extremely proud of your loving message to the Sinners of this world. You folk are about to go into pre - Tribulation very soon. World war three will kill two billion alone. Shouldn't they be given a chance and be warned !

Where exactly is the tragedy. If Folau had stayed in rugby league he would have been washed up a while ago. He doesnt have the work ethic for a move to the forwards and would have got more injuries by staying in rugby league and then lost his speed because of it. Apart from catching the high ball the rest of his game would be worthless without speed. The AFL gave Folau a 2 million dollar a year extended holiday which kept him fresh and extended his career. Now at 30 he signed a 4 year contract with Waratahs despite avoiding tackling. Folau has two top speeds the go just slowly enough to let the opposition score a try speed, and then his turbo mode when there is a try in the offing. Just as he milked the AFL for millions without doing anything, he can score big time if he gets any payout on his contract. Then he can go sign in European or Japanese rugby.

Harry. Someone as slow as you would make a good partner for Israel. Just don't fornicate etc or else you will be banished to goodness knows where.

I found this part of your post quite interesting: "Let’s instead all just stand around in a circle and hold hands, looking at each other with big wide fake smiles pretending we live in a society where everything is perfect and everyone shares the same views, are happy and hold the same religious and other beliefs. " I think this is a very strange way of interpreting what a "politically correct and modern Australia" means. The so called "PC Brigade" is actually fighting for equality and celebrating differences - not pretending that everyone is the same, and certainly not trying to force anybody to be the same. They are actively challenging long held prejudices that are inherent in our society regarding Gender, Race, Ethnicity, Religion, Nationality, Disability, etc., in an effort to create a world where everyone has an opportunity to succeed without fear of judgement for being themselves. They can no longer turn a blind eye to those who spout hate and bigotry to oppress others. “I believe that there will be ultimately be a clash between the oppressed and those who do the oppressing. I believe that there will be a clash between those who want freedom, justice and equality for everyone and those who want to continue the system of exploitation. I believe that there will be that kind of clash, but I don't think it will be based on the color of the skin...” ― Malcolm X Note: I prefer to think the term 'clash' in this quote is meant to be existential and not violent.

Pretty much my favourite post ever. Has everything. Welcome Tonga and long may you post

Australian rugby made a big mistake, gay marriage is ugly, having sex with the same gender, good for Izzy to leave before he has a peace of the lowest ugly rugby country in the world, I predict that the Wallabies will not make it to the quarter final in the worlcup.

he is the best nut head, better than anyone in Australia

Thanks for the article Paul. What I think many Christians need to do is to reflect on why homosexuality was considered a sin when the bible was written. At that time societies had a vital imperative of maintaining and growing their populations, as all work, defence and welfare of those needing care depended on labour alone. That meant that it was necessary to ensure that men and women committed to one another to have and raise families. Permitting sexual gratification outside of marriage took away one of the incentives for men and women to marry, hence the bans on sex outside of marriage, homosexuality and the like. Nowdays because of technological advancements and capital accumulation, our societies are able to materially provide for everybody with far less dependence on labour and therefore traditional families. If anything the planet is becoming overpopulated, so having less children may be a better thing, rather than more. That means that it has become possible and even desirable to loosen the traditional rules around sexuality, relationships and marriage, allowing people the freedom to live their lives the way that they prefer. I personally see that as a good thing, there are plenty of people who have spent their lives miserably wedged as round pegs in square holes, in traditional family arrangements that just don't suit them. So long as they don't harm anybody else, I would have thought that supporting people to be happy with their lives is a noble goal. As an atheist I don't know enough about the teachings of Jesus Christ to know whether or not he said anything specific to our modern reality. However, I do think he was one of the greatest philosophers ever and a good man. Therefore I would be surprised if there wasn't something there that supported allowing good people to live their lives in happiness, even if their definition of what that means is a little different to our own.

Fair few well worn and well dismissed theories here. Gospels were not written this late all historians agree on that now. Even the non believing ones. It’s a passage from Paul but even he packaged it in a heap of good news.

Dear Mr. Farthing, I appreciate your post even if I am not totally convinced by it. Yes, Jesus ate with Zacchaeus but was also quite dismissive of the rich (the camel through the keyhole story), so Folau should have some explaining to do. The passage Folau quotes is from Paul, not something Jesus said. We don't know if this religion, or Christianity as a whole, is based on Jesus sayings or on Paul. The latter was quite intolerant and also not terribly consistent. He stayed single and thought the end of the world was upon him and had to change his story when it didn't happen. And as you know, what is and isn't in the New testament was chosen a few centuries later by a committee of men who had no direct knowledge or witness to the history. You know about committees, right? It would be important for Folau to study and understand the Bible in its historical context and not in the way he is trying to read it. After all, the Gospel was written probably a century or more after Jesus' death and in elegant Greek, a language that his disciples probably didn't know how to write, given they were chosen among the poor and uneducated. There is little difference between the Islam fanatics (Talibans) and the Folaus of the world in being so dogmatic in their faith and so literal to their books.

I don't think it fits the definition of discrimination either, that's just what he's been taught is the reality, but I don't think that implies he's necessarily made a judgement about it. Plus I haven't heard heard anyone suggest that he treats members of the gay community any differently. It's like, for example, I think the property market is going to crash, and I'm going around telling people to stop investing in property. Am I prejudiced against houses? Do I hate houses per se? No, I just think it's a good idea to invest in the share market instead (read, pray to Jesus and repent for your sins)

All these players made an impact in Rugby on the field.

I appreciate much about the article but the impression is given that the only possible stance a Christian can take to 'homosexuality' is to condemn it as sin and that it is then just a matter of whether or not one does it with tact and gentleness. Folau is not required by his religion to take the stance that gay people are going to hell. That is the view he has taken within a particular Christian sub-culture but there are other Christian responses possible, including the full affirmation and acceptance of gay people and the denial that sexual orientation is of itself disordered and sinful.

Hi Paul. Good pointers thanks. This could all have been avoided. By Izzy