Dear Israel Folau,
I’d like to talk to you about three things that are relevant to both of us.
Firstly, what it means to be a professional in an organisation. Secondly, what it means to be an outsider. And thirdly, I’d like to share some words from Jesus.
Being a professional
You and I are both professionals in different fields. I used to work full-time in the arts – comedy, music, and cabaret. Then I became a school teacher. Now I’m back to writing and performing full time.
At my first school teaching job, I was called into the principal’s office to discuss some of the content that I had placed online during my previous stint in comedy. There was one video in particular in which I had said, “Underage drinking … it’s whisky business.”
Get it? Whisky… risky? A cheap pun from my nineteen-year-old self. I like to think that I’m making better work today.
The principal made the point it was inappropriate for a school teacher to be associated with this kind of content. Even if this was a silly pun I had made years ago as a teenager, it didn’t align with the professional values expected of a teacher at that institution.
He requested I take the video offline. I didn’t argue or protest. I certainly didn’t respond by making another post of the same nature. I took it offline for the duration of my contract.
I’m not saying that I agreed with him. I didn’t think my silly pun was immoral, and I privately didn’t believe that my video would do any harm. But I understood this wasn’t just about me. My public presence, online or offline, had to align with the values and the code of conduct of my organisation.
To work for an organisation, you have to respect their rules. If you don’t like their rules – if you feel that there is an irreconcilable clash between your values and their values – you shouldn’t work for them.
A quick glance at Rugby Australia’s home page shows the heading “Diversity”. If you click on it, the next page states, “Rugby Australia is committed to making rugby a game for all Australians and ensuring that it reflects the communities in which we live.”
There’s a whole section dedicated to LGBTI inclusion. They clearly state, “Rugby Australia is a Foundation Member of Pride in Sport”. They didn’t hide that this was a part of their values. If you weren’t willing to play by their rules, you should have done your research before working for them.
That’s not just advice for an athlete. I’m not telling you how to play rugby. This is about being a professional in any organisation.
I understand you have won awards and broken records in your area of work. So have I. So have lots of other people. That doesn’t set us above anyone else. We still have a duty to respect the values of the organisations that we join – and if we can’t do that, we should leave those organisations.
Being an outsider
There are people who don’t like us, Israel. Right now, I’m not talking about people who don’t like your tweets or my stand-up. I’m talking about people who aren’t massive fans of the colour of our skin.
There have been times and places in history when neither of us would have been welcome. In the wrong place at the wrong time, they wouldn’t have let you onto a field, and they wouldn’t let me onto a stage. If we walk into the wrong room, even today, we’ll face some cold shoulders.
This isn’t a huge issue for me at this point in my life. I have great friends and colleagues, and I feel respected and welcomed in the professional and personal circles in which I move. I hope you live a life that is as free from racism as it possibly can be. But I’ve known, as I’m sure you have too, rooms full of faces that turned away before I’d even said hello.
Gay people know this feeling too. The National LGBTI Health Alliance provides some sobering statistics. LGBTI people suffer from higher incidences of depression, anxiety, and psychological distress than the general population. LGBTI Australians aged 16 to 27 are five times more likely to commit suicide than the average Australian.
Young gay people are rugby fans, players, coaches and referees. They are members of our community.
As a Wallaby, you represent Rugby Australia. Don’t be a cold shoulder, a door in the face, a kick in the guts to some of our most vulnerable people. Telling gay people they’re not welcome is a sure way to ensure we lose some great people – and I mean “lose” literally.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Some words from Jesus
I don’t want to delve into our religious differences, Israel. It’s clear we have divergent viewpoints on faith and morality. Right now, I’d like to focus on some common ground.
Whatever my disagreements with the teachings of yours or any other church, I’ve always been a huge fan of Jesus and his words. Since you try to live by his message, I’d like to share a couple of quotes from the Gospels.
“Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone.”
– John 8:7
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.”
– Luke 6:37
He puts it very well. I hope you agree.
Yours,
Josh Cake
enoughisenough
Roar Rookie
So you can quote the Bible, but Folau can't? Who decides which sections of the Holy Book can be quoted, and which can't? Your hypocrisy is astounding.
Kiwikrs
Roar Rookie
I'll take your silence as an admission to you being in the wrong. No hard feelings
clipper
Roar Rookie
Being abusive seems to be the way to reply when you don't like someone pointing out what you don't agree with. You missed out this very important piece when talking about his values not aligning with RA's. 'if you feel that there is an irreconcilable clash between your values and their values' Which means you don't have to have the same values, but if you can't keep it to yourself or feel you can't, under any circumstances, work for an organisation that you don't share values with, then you shouldn't work for them. RA doesn't say which values we should have, just the values they have and by extension, which we should abide by. If you still want to follow the bible and be allowed to have slaves, so be it, although that is illegal here.
Apbd
Guest
That is a psychologically naive assertion with absolutely no foundation.
Tom
Guest
Regardless of Australia not having a constitutional right to free speech, the 1st amendment in the US refers to the government abridging freedom of speech. Nobody I have heard is suggesting what Folau said should be illegal. A private entity imposing conditions upon its employees is nothing to do with freedom of speech as commonly understood.
Alligator
Roar Rookie
Yes, Jesus is about love and inclusion. Love, by dying on the cross for everyone's sins, and inclusion, by opening the way for everyone to receive forgiveness. As had been pointed out above, a plain reading of the Bible shows that Jesus is clear that all are sinful and all need to repent. All the gospels are clear that Jesus's purpose was to save people from their sins (that's what his name means). Jesus does talk about hell more than others in the Bible. Jesus primarily loves people by telling them of his saving power and work on the cross. So, this is the most loving that his followers can communicate to others. Sure, Folau could have said it another way, but the meme was consistent with a plain reading of the Bible.
Rob9
Roar Guru
This is too good; so because Folau didn’t actually type anything homophobic on his Instagram post, that part was simply contained in the image he shared- he doesn’t have a case to answer for!? What was on the post (both that from Folau’s fingertips and the image he shared) is what he’s standing for and to broadcast an image suggesting hell awaits homosexuals is to express a homophobic opinion. It could have been chiseled on Moses’ tablet for all I care, it’s a homophobic opinion. It’s been suggested ad nauseam throughout this that the Bible is full of contradictions and ‘standards’ for life that are out of step for 2019. There are plenty of god-loving Christians who manage to lead impeccable lives while turning a blind eye to the more extreme elements of ancient Christianity. There’s no hiding behind religion in this, Israel’s calling out a section of society based on their sexuality and put it to them that who they are is not right. THAT is not right and his employers are rightly holding him account to his actions. The message RA is sending is that there’s plenty of room for everyone in rugby; Christian’s (of which there are plenty who manage to do the right thing by their god and their employers), gays, Muslims etc. Just no a$$holes. But hey, you might get a gig as Folau’s lawyer, that’s as ‘unique’ a defence as I’ve heard.
Onside
Guest
Folaus remarks cannot affect those who do not accept the concept of heaven or hell.
Ex force fan
Guest
Can you please tell me where Jesus told gays to repend because they are homosexual? I couldn’t find it in any of the gospels... The facts are that Jesus said nothing about gays, that the Hebrew, Aramic and Ancient Greek languages didn’t even had a word for homosexuality as we know it today as the concept as we understand it was only defined in the past two centuries. Why is interesting is to understand how the word homosexual found its way into our Bibles that is suppose to be accurate translation of the Hebrew, Ancient Greek and Aramic text. Jesus had a lot to say to the Pharisees, the religious people of the day, that looked down and judged others but failed to see the bigger picture. It is sad that no-one caused more damage to faith that religious leaders that failed to see the bigger picture.
Ex force fan
Guest
If RA placed themselves into a position where a single sponsor dictates internal policies, it is another indictment on the leadership. My view is that RA have to be more inclusive to appeal to players, supporters and sponsors. The world moved on from homophobia and it is great that it did.
Rob9
Roar Guru
Fatboy, I guess the Bible and Folau collide spectacularly with 2019 where being gay isn’t viewed as a ‘sin’ or having a ‘problem’. You’re also seriously clutching if you think your so-called church based rugby nurseries are going to drop over 100 years of history because the game’s governing body sacked a player over a (series of) homophobic instagram posts.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I’d say Qantas are fully in control of the situation of who they sponsor.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
They contracted him on the condition he met certain requirements, which these supposedly do not. What more could have been done about a man who has publicly said he does not care of the consequences?
The H
Guest
Who is in control of this situation RA boss Castle of Qantas boss Joyce?
The H
Guest
For goodness sake get your facts straight! Falou did not personally pass judgement on anybody. He simply quoted some verses from the Bible. Have you read what he actually posted? I guess not. No where was homosexuality mentioned. Just Alan Joyce bullying RA.
The H
Guest
Josh, unfortunately your article misses a few relevant points. Have you actually read the post? Judging by your stance I guess not. Falou has NOT added his opinion at all- simply quoted scripture. Falou has not judged anyone- again simply quoted scripture. Falou has not mentioned homosexuality anywhere in his post. The homophobic slurs that journalist are attributing to him is just fake journalism. You mention the effect this could have on young gay men who are rugby fans.Could it also have a devasting effect on young Christian men also Rugby fans who give up trying to live godly lives knowing that only condemnation awaits and printed lies. They also feel defeated after becoming aware there is no room for Christians in Rugby in Australia .
Dave
Guest
Good chat. Go take a long walk off a short pier.
Ex foce fan
Guest
If the Folau's personal values are not palatable to those of RA then RA should not employ him. RA however did employ Folau knowing what his views are and thereby took a risk, thinking that the blunt clause provides sufficient control to shut Folau up. It clearly was not - and I argue that more could have been done. Clearly Raelene heart-to-heart did not have the desired effect and neither did the contract. Folau should carry the bulk of the blame but RA could have done better and should learn from their mistakes. Leadership change people's hearts - did RA provide great leadership? Not yet.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
We don't have constitutional freedom of religion or speech.
Kiwikrs
Roar Rookie
Can you please comment on any post I've made where I've "raged against the death of free speech in Australia", because you've quite clearly mistaken me for someone else or grossly misunderstood me. Secondly, I'm not sure how you've come to the conclusion that I'm now on the "otherside" (to what I don't know as you clearly dont know what side I'm on). Especially based on the two line comment I made above congratulating a new author on a well written and presented article. Maybe you could explain your thought process and rationale to me rather than sitting back taking a few cheap shots?