As a rugby evangelist, I was doing my best to convert my non-rugby mate so he would finally sit down and watch the Wallabies with me.
I live in Victoria, so rugby fans can sometimes feel few and far between. I was describing the beauty of watching rugby; Quade Cooper’s long flat bullet passes to the backs outside, Adam Coleman making dominant tackles, putting more and more pressure on the opposition, Michael Hooper (despite being one of the smaller loose forwards going around) running into bigger men while still pumping those legs and gaining metres.
I still think that of all of these images, watching Israel Folau evading defenders at full speed, changing direction effortlessly, is like poetry in motion.
His tweets, on the other hand… For someone who plays ‘the game they play in heaven’ he seems to be rather focused on hell.
The whole situation reminded me of this story in the book of Luke in the bible. Jesus tells the story of the Pharisee (the ultra-religious elitist) and the tax collector (still part of one of the most hated professions in society – don’t worry ATO, my tax debt might have been late but I promised I’ve paid it).
This is how the story Jesus tells goes.
“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people – robbers, evildoers, adulterers – or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
I find it is all too common in our human nature to point out where everyone else is going wrong rather realising the “log in our own eye”.
While I don’t know Izzy well enough to comment on the depth and robustness of his faith, I often find there are many whose ‘Christian beliefs’ look more like what some have termed “moralistic therapeutic deism”.
This is the belief in a God who is like a divine butler; there to make you feel good if you do all the ‘right things’.
It is a works-based view that unfortunately leads the moralists to blame the issues of this world on the others who aren’t doing the ‘right things’. It often leads to pride and then a separation of oneself from those of ‘lesser morals’.
Israel Folau (Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)
It all seems rather contrary to the Jesus we see in the New Testament hanging out with the marginalised of his culture; the lepers, the tax collectors, and the prostitutes.
U2’s Bono once said, “if Jesus was on earth today, you’d probably find him hanging in a gay bar”.
Too often in our political and religious climate, we use language that seeks to separate ourselves and blame the other for the world’s woes.
While I believe we should be able to be critical of each others actions, public social media accounts do nothing to further the discussion and heal conflict within relationships.
It’s also disappointing that Folau’s comments come at a time in the Christian calender where Christians get together to celebrate the greatest love story ever told.
It is the story of a God who came to earth and allowed himself to be humiliated and tortured as a sacrifice for the indiscretions of this world – and it is said that this was done because of his love for all. Not just the ‘upright citizens’ of this world.
When preaching to the non-rugby public I often add that there is no sport, that I know of, that combines the different talents of so many different body types.
Gridiron comes close, but I still think it’s outdone by rugby. I’d say rugby would have to be the foremost sport when it comes to inclusivity, so I understand the response by Rugby Australia to Folau’s comments.
One of their main roles as an organisation is to sell our sport to the public. Visually, Folau does a great job of selling our sport, but socially? Not really.
While I believe in the importance of freedom of speech in our country, it is a freedom that is not without consequence.
As comedian Michael Che once said: “if [America’s] first amendment is that we can say whatever the hell we want; then the second will have to be ‘you’re going to need a gun!’”
Jokes aside, I hope Izzy realises his comments come across like the self-righteous Pharisee in Jesus’ parable.
I hope and pray his time away from the game is spent reflecting on his faith. The letter to Galatia that Folau quoted was written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Galatia. This was a church that Paul had started and knew the congregants well, hence the rebuking when he hears that the church is ‘falling apart’.
What I’m getting at here is that if my friend, for instance, has a drinking issue I would discuss with him or her my concern because I care for my friend.
I would not, however, post on their social media page “YOU’RE A DRUNK! AND YOU NEED JESUS”.
There is no use saying “Jesus is the answer” to everything when no one has been asking him “what is the question?”
I do hope we see Izzy back playing rugby but maybe fasting from rugby (and social media) for Lent might be beneficial to reflect on the way in which his comments are received, the hurt that results, and to think about his public apology.
Darryl Roberts
Guest
It is obvious to me (as I follow Izzy on Twitter) that the writer of this article does not. He has only taken what the media that are grilling Izzy have taken and run with that. To be taken seriously as a writer - you should do your research (which he admits he hasn't by stating "While I don’t know Izzy well enough to comment on the depth and robustness of his faith". All this lazy writer had to do was follow Izzy on Twitter and you would get a very good picture of the depth and robustness of his faith. You would see thousands of positive and loving tweets - then this one that he is being crucified for. You would see form the love and support that he is receiving from his team mates that he cannot be the Pharisee in the story quoted above. I'm always amazed by these "grace only" Christians who think that they no more about God and what he wants than the Apostle Paul did who wrote most of the New Testament. What he forgets is that the Meme that Izzy posted was a paraphrase of a section of Paul's letter to the church in Corinth - a very public letter. Is the writer then suggesting that Paul was wrong in writing that letter and that Paul is also the Pharisee in the story? Remember that hand written letters were their closest thing to social media back then. It also amazes me how writers like this always confuse warning with judging - that is the bottom line here. In the observation of the Pharisee and the tax collector, Jesus is pointing out the judgement of the tax collector by the Pharisee based on Pharisees misconception that his observation of religious rites made him a better person. At no point in the story does the Pharisee (out of love and concern for the tax collector) in any way try to communicate with the tax collector to bring him to repentance. In this light - the writer has taken a story from the Bible and tried to make it fit into a scenario happening today when it is actually totally irrelevant to the situation Folau faces. In other words, he's twisted scripture and used it completely out of context and not done his homework at all before putting pen to paper - making this a very poorly written article and not worth reading.
Tah Tragic
Roar Rookie
@waxhead Thanks for the reply, sorry in my own delay... Just refer me to an academic peer-reviewed journal article that argues the bible has been changed for millennia and I'll concede your point. Just one would be fine, from someone who is an expert in history.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Because using a bloke like Bono has no relevance to anything, Bono is NOT a gauge of anything when it comes to Jesus! Bono and alike, always want to be 'out there' and cute and think that by making a statement like that, it makes then some sort of a philosopher, when in fact 'he/they are making a fool of themselves'!
clipper
Roar Rookie
Paragraphing is certainly low on the problem list - it just makes reading long posts much easier. I'm still struggling to know why quoting Bono was hypocritical.
Jesse Langley
Guest
Maybe izzy is a genius, Maybe he didnt want to play rugby anymore and locked in a 4 year deal for millions. The lawyers left a loop hole for izzy to exit, not work for 4 years but get his contract paid out by RA!!!
samalavich
Roar Rookie
Yup. I am drawn to comments sections despite knowing that they tend to leave me at best frustrated and annoyed. The Roar is probably a high water mark as far as this goes which is why I'm glad the discussion base has broadened beyond rugby, if only for a short time. Social media does seem to amplify the voices of a few who tend to feel strongly about things (and those who like cute videos of cats) it does also potentially allow those people to hear different points of view that they might not otherwise be exposed to. It seems that currently there are a few prominent atheists who, along with often explaining their points in a fairly clear way, seem to get frustrated and end up calling people idiots. I can sort of understand but don't think it helps their argument but rather makes people discount them without considering what they've said
Joe
Roar Rookie
What a beautifully written article. Even as an atheist, I really enjoyed it. And I learned something. Thanks for sharing it.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
@Tragic I have and my comment is a historical fact supported by most secular universities around the world. I first heard it in a NSW public high school. Non objective christians will of course dispute anything and everything and quote the bible while doing it :)
taylorman
Roar Guru
Cheers mate, I think a lot feel that way now and its being discussed very widely, here and overseas though obviously mainly in rugby circles. For me its similar to a lot of the debate going around the trump dramas, where social media has also stirred the pot up, merely because individuals can now get an unedited version of their views across to many people and people being people, theyve all got opinions. But taking a step back as youve mentioned has got to be the way to go to avoid being dragged through the apparent dramas unfolding on social media when largely there really arent many, until you get the christchurch thing, the nutters. Folau is an interesting case in that he probably desperately means well but is just naive to the point of not really knowing or worse, caring, how stuff works in the minds of others and has misfired. Very interesting but i think its now rin its course and is overblown, but as you say, medicine for us all later. :-)
Tah Tragic
Roar Rookie
'The unknown men who wrote and re-wrote the Bible over millennia'... so you obviously haven't actually read the Bible, or at least thought about it. Statements like this would be laughed out of any ancient history department from universities around the world.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
Well Bigtree One of the many problems with the Bible is that it's so full of contradictory statements, values and philosophies that it can be interpreted and understood to mean anything. And it routinely has been by multi millions for over 1500 yrs. The unknown men who wrote and re-wrote the Bible over millennia made obvious attempts for it to be all things to all people. They were successful in that but the downside is it's nothing specific to anyone. So nice story but anyone else can come up with any number of contradictory stories from this poorly written fantasy :)
bigtree.smallaxe
Roar Rookie
Cheers. Thanks for the feedback :)
bigtree.smallaxe
Roar Rookie
Lol
bigtree.smallaxe
Roar Rookie
Thanks for your reply steveng. I'm sorry if it wasn't clear enough but I wasn't saying Folau isn't allowed freedom of speech/ opinion. He is. It's just that there are consequences and reactions to the things we say. I'm saying we must be mindful of how we come across. We are not free in our workplaces to say whatever we want. Businesses have standards of social conduct and churches also have statements of faith for their members.
Magic Mike
Roar Rookie
this is the best written article. however i would like to defer, in that the damage caused by Izzy’s social media post is not worthy of the punishment issued? how do we measure the damage caused to rugby and the governing body? we can put a dollar figure on the penalty to be paid by Izzy, he will forgo $1million a year for the next 3 years. is the damage to RA measurable? all we know, it might be next to nothing.
samalavich
Roar Rookie
Btw no dig at you tman I generally enjoy your comments.
samalavich
Roar Rookie
I understand you feeling that it's all getting a bit much, and you're right. However I have found this whole debacle and the debate around it very interesting. Though I read the roar almost daily I'm not usually bothered to put in my 2 cents. In this instance I did (probably without a great deal of finesse but I don't think I'm alone there). I enjoy these types of debate and though it's a rugby site I think these types of discussions are worth while having. While this has all been unfolding I listened to a podcast with a guy who works at CERN, Brian cox I think. He said he used to argue endlessly with people who thought differently about the way the world is, but never seemed to get anywhere. As he's gotten older he said he started looking for common ground and starting from there. He found that people are a lot more open to your ideas when they don't feel they're being attacked. It's made me think about how I would best engage people on a topic I feel strongly about. If nothing else izzy has hopefully made us think.
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
That’s an excellent article mate. Well done
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Yep but you still have to ask for Gods Grace . It’s free but you must repent to get it .This is exactly what Israel has said.
Din
Roar Rookie
Life is more than about just rugby.