The Israel Folau saga is a gift that keeps on giving.
Taniela Tupou has now weighed in on the matter, writing on social media “Might as well sack me and all the other Pacific Islands rugby players around the world because we have the same Christian beliefs.”
I am not sure where Tupou got the crown to represent all Melanesian and Polynesian players around the world, but it doesn’t add up.
As it stands, we at least know that Samu Kerevi subscribes to a form of Christianity that compelled him to like Folau’s controversial post.
However, Will Genia has stood against Folau.
Internationally, English International of Tongan descent Billy Vunipola supported Folau’s post. On the other hand, Japanese International of Fijian heritage Michael Leitch posted a video defiantly calling out Folau to make an apology.
Furthermore, even after Folau’s initial comments last year, All Black’s halfback TJ Perenara expressed grave concern for the consequences of what was posted.
So Tupou’s assertion that all the other Pacific Island rugby players around may as well be sacked for their Christian beliefs are clearly inaccurate.
Thank God.
Having a whole demographic – and one that adds so much to the rugby brand worldwide – openly support Folau and his need to broadcast his views on a global forum would have been disastrous.
However, even though there are those that do speak out against homophobia, I do worry without evidence that Pacific Island players do harbour the same viewpoint as Folau.
Being of Fijian heritage myself, I have never taken the opportunity to sit down with family and friends of the same heritage to explicitly determine where they sit on the judgment day question, heaven or hell for certain people?
Yet my limited exposure to Fijian society, heavily influenced by the Church (all forms) where the pews are full, leaves me apprehensive to what I am about to say.
Pacific Islanders, rugby players or not, in contrast to Tupou’s post, and their thoughts and beliefs as influenced by many forms of Christianity are nuanced and cannot be stereotyped into a single basket.
I for one, a Catholic, do not believe homosexuals will got to hell for their sexuality. I do think the Bible has anti-gay sentiment, but I also don’t think the Bible should be taken literally. If so, how can you reconcile conflicting statements such as “eye for an eye” and “turn the other cheek”.
That’s one for the theological scholars.
But it’s these complexities in Christianity, as well as the societies and cultures of all Pacific Island nations that I believe show Tupou’s assertion to be way off the mark.
So where does that leave us?
Is Tupou just a former teammate who believes Folau was hard done by? Does he feel that what has happened to Folau is an attack on Christian beliefs or Christianity and by extension the Pacific Island players? How many players within the Wallaby group is he speaking for, if any?
Answering those question each would warrant a single article in response. My gut feeling though is that this is a storm in teacup.
I think Tupou, with maybe a few other Wallabies like Kerevi, believes Folau has become a victim and feel the need to publicly show support. Unfortunately, it’s very likely they’ve unintentionally turned this into a race-religious issue.
(Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)
But just as nothing comes good out of saying something mean, so does Tupou’s stereotype. By supporting Folau, claiming incorrectly that all Pacific Islander players do so through their Christian belief, he has tried to show Folau’s comments come with a silent endorsement from Pacific Islanders worldwide.
So just as I asked Mr Folau to stop it, I ask you, Mr Tupou, to stop it too!
Diablo James
Roar Rookie
Not according to my tribe ( Ngati Porou ) or any of the tribes of my Fijian, Nuiean, Tongan, Samoan or Cook Island whanau!
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
Yeah. Had a feeling that was the case.
Toanuiunoo
Guest
No it wasn’t in response to Folau’s post it was in response to Kerevi’s Easter post which he (Kerevi) apologised for because he feared he might offend someone by his no offensive post. It seems like everyone is just wanting to be offended by everything now and the crux of the issue is starting to be forgotten so that people can write more articles. As Tupou’s post has been taken out of context and this entire article is completely off the mark as a result everyone just needs to settle the farm and take a breath.
Kenny Williams
Guest
One does not have to be a theological student to know that "an eye for an eye" and "turn the other cheek" is not a contradiction at all so if you are going to pick holes in the bible at least get to know the facts. Fact is an "eye for an eye" was a comandment to Moses who represented the law. Even today the law requires us to pay for our crimes. Turning tbe other cheek is a comandment to us as individuals to show love. We should not serk revenge but the law is not there to forgive someone who has infringed any member of society.
Homer Gain
Guest
So essentially you are saying, please shut up unless you agree with your interpretation of Christianity?
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
I say there was no significant pressure from any real sincere person. You'd have to ask Samu but he may have responded to social media tweets from unknown persons who allege to be real people with sincere opinions. Very little on social media is real imo
andrew36
Roar Rookie
How was kerevis post motivated by folou??? It was a Easter post thanking Jesus for dying for him???? In which he was then asked to apologise. It had absolutely nothing to do with folou!!! You really should get some facts straight before writing the article
andrew36
Roar Rookie
He was referring to Kerevi being forced to apologise for thanking Jesus, not to folou’s comment. He clearly reposted Kerevis post, and never once mention folou. You have no idea at all if he agrees with folous comment at all
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
Timbo - yes I agree that's also at play. While there's a combination of motives and actions by different competing corporate forces at work the outcome is the same - manipulation of public opinion in order to cause conflict in society. Conflict sells subscriptions, creates website hits, gets TV ratings and sells advertising space.
andrew36
Roar Rookie
What stereotype? That Pacific Islander who are religious believe in Jesus and want to thank him for dying for there sins? His post had nothing to do with folou and homosexuals, he was commenting on Kerevi being forced to apologise for thanking Jesus for dying for him!! In other words if we (Pacific Islanders) can’t express our love for Jesus then you may as well sack us now. Do you think Kerevi should have to apologise for saying he loved Jesus and for thanking him for dying for him?? You clearly don’t even understand what it was all about
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
I like your “same line” metaphor. RA’s co-ordinate is in the information age. Folau’s co-ordinate is in the Bronze age, along with incurable disease, pestilence, slavery and women having the same status as cattle.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
If the comments were made privately, we wouldn't be having this conversation.
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
I would suggest googling fa’afafine and having a thorough read. I'm certainly no expert myself.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Wax, I think it is simpler than that, new media is driven by clicks and banner ads. The more times you come back to this site to read and post, the more money the roar get from their sponsors. The more sensational the article, the more clicks, the more posts, facts take a back seat. Now, I am not claiming that the roar actively participate in sensationalizing articles, but it can't be denied that these articles have been cited here. Fortunately, I think collectively we have some pretty strong BS filters here tend to call out these misrepresentations
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Wasn’t Apartheid Religiously motivated/justified? There are passages in the bible about how slaves should be treated and how they should behave for their masters.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Isaac, Bravo to you for writing this piece. It mirrors my thoughts exactly. That said, as an Australian born, anglo-saxon atheist my thoughts on this matter have limited appeal. But from a Fijian Christian, Your words have 100+ times the weighting and I am thrilled to see you put finger to keyboard and express your views in this forum. I believe that when we speak of Folau's comments, we need to be specific about their origins: Evangelical, Pentecostal Church of Christ. Our criticisms, should be directed there, and not conflated, spilling over into racism against Tongan/Pacific Islander communities or religious persecution against Christians. I should also be careful to say that not all Pentecostal denominations have the same fundamentalist views, and we should be cautious not to tar them with with the same brush. I feel for Taniele, Samu, Sefa and Vinapolu, I suspect that they may have been drawn into this debate under the premise that it is a fight for the right for freedom of religious expression. My understanding is that the debate is more neuonced and revolves around the right to be bigoted and discriminatory and whether it can/should be restricted under civil contract. The secondary debate is if it is acceptable under the IHR's freedom of expression hate speech clause. Religious and Racial straw men have been erected to disguise, deflect and ultimately excuse, the underlying messaging. Messaging that the bulk of civilized, modern society, that includes PI communities, agree is abhorrent. If US politics is anything to go by, normalizing views like this has managed to fuel hatred polarizing the country for political gain. My inner cynic thinks the timing is suspicious as we lead up to the next federal election. I hope it isn't the case.
Massive Ferguson
Guest
Does a child have to show feminine behaviour or characteristics before the parents decide to raise him as a girl?
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
I have looked and I haven’t been able to find the actual post that Tupou was responding to. Does it even directly relate to the Folau post? Does anyone know where that can be found?
Edward Parsons
Guest
So Anyone who thinks PJ Perenara is not a Pacific person must be a great thinker ...Not a particularly clever one though. As for Israel Folau should be be allowed to have his say..yes I don't agree with him at all and if he broke a contract agreement as a professional athlete then he will suffer the consequences of breaking with an undertaking made earlier. Should I respect his right to make a conscience decision yes and let's not forget that there been consultation discussion with the RA what's the point... Posturing Bigger than the game.
Isaac Buatava
Roar Pro
Fantastic response wasn't it the AS91. And thanks. It sucks that the game has been bought to this. I'd rather and will be talking about who is in the frame for wallabies selection etc due to super rugby form. It was a fair point to bring up what you did though. Putting Folau's name to the original AAP article was always going to get more hits than having Kerevi's name.