Rugby Australia says the Bible itself is a problem
When Israel Folau is asked to swear on the Bible before he gives evidence in the High Court, will someone from the legal team of Rugby Australia object that it is an example of ‘hate speech’? That’s a serious question now because as Miranda Devine reported in The Sunday Telegraph, even if Folau had simply “photocopied the passages that referred to in the posts… that would have caused a problem.” What follows is a copy—supplied by Devine—of the transcript from Folau’s code of conduct meeting in May: Q. What about when the Bible requires him to tell the good and…
The Folau and Felix cases show, when marriage is redefined freedoms are taken away
Like Australia’s Israel Folau, Felix Ngole from the UK, is a litmus test regarding freedom of religion, as well as freedom of speech, in the Western World. And for all those concerned about the future of freedom of speech in this country, it couldn’t have come at a more opportune time. As John Steenhof, the managing director of Human Rights Law Alliance Limited, wrote in The Sydney Morning Herald: Britain’s second-highest court handed down a decision on religious freedom yesterday that will send chills down the collective spine of Rugby Australia. In contrast, Israel Folau and his team will be…
Sydney mural mocking Israel Folau says, “Go to hell, a–hole”
A new mural has been unveiled on the wall of a Sydney hotel, mocking Israel Folau and depicting the former rugby star as a self-righteous, money-hungry beggar. The Australian Family Coalition shared photographs of the mural on social media today, pointing out that hidden within the artwork is the phrase, “Go to hell, a–hole.” The mural, painted by Scott Marsh on the side of the Botany View Hotel in Newtown, shows Folau sitting on a milk crate in front of a Lamborghini begging for donations to put towards his property portfolio. “The righteous shall taketh from the punters, for the…
Human Rights Commission guidelines introduce transgender quotas in sports
The Australian Human Rights Commission has just released its Guidelines for the inclusion of transgender and gender diverse people in sport dated June 2019. According to the Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Kate Jenkins: The federal Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) (the Act) prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of sex and gender identity in certain areas of public life. The Act has recognised the non-binary nature of gender identity since 2013. The Guildlines provide information on the operation of the Act, and practical guidance on how sporting organisations, their staff and volunteers can promote the inclusion of transgender and gender diverse…
Green is the colour of envy, not good economic policy
Wayne Swan is the former federal treasurer who promised a budget surplus over and over and over again but never delivered a single one. He retweeted this tweet in response to the Government’s new tax rates. That the office cleaner and the company executive will pay the same rate of tax while one takes home two or three or five times as much as the other, does not just entrench inequality, it masquerades the powerful’s exploitation of the powerless as “economic policy”#auspol“ This is either idiocy or willful ignorance. It’s simplistic propaganda to sell socialism, using sneaky and manipulative language…
Political Posting Mumma forced to pay $100,000 to LGBT activist for comments other people wrote on her Facebook page
Under current defamation law, social media users can be held legally responsible for third-party content on any post they make. The guiding rule seems to be: You posted it. You incited it. Ergo, you’re responsible for it. In other words, anything someone posts on my timeline or writes in the comments section, that is deemed offensive, defamatory or “hate speech” could end in a lawsuit. For those who only have a private Facebook account, there is currently no mechanic to prevent this from happening. The only real preventative measure is to keep an eye on comments or keep your friends…
Push to introduce Islamic blasphemy laws in the West under the guise of anti-racism policy
In May, the UK government rejected a proposed definition of Islamophobia that was so vague it would essentially prohibit all criticisms of Islam. The definition, proposed by a cross-party group of MPs and adopted by the Labour party, states: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” The proposed definition was backed by more than 750 British Muslim organisations, 80 academics and 50 MPs. Naz Shah, Labour MP for Bradford and shadow minister for women and equalities, argued the definition is crucial for fighting the rise of the far-right…
There were two people in the temple, a journalist and a footballer
A response to Claire Harvey, deputy editor of the Sunday Telegraph: “I’m more of a Christian than Israel Folau is. I’m more of a Christian than anyone at the Australian Christian Lobby – and I don’t even go to church.” There were two people in the temple – a journalist and a footballer. The journalist could hardly be bothered going in because she was superior to all those inside. But on this occasion, she deigned to stoop down and enter. ‘I thank you, God, that I am not brainless like all those who worship you as this footballer does. I…
We’re All Homophobes Now!
If you were one of the 20,000 people “who donated to Israel Folau’s bogus fundraising campaign” then you are a hard-core homophobe. At least, that’s what Claire Harvey, the deputy editor of the Sunday Telegraph thinks! According to Harvey, she is the only true believer whereas everyone else is just religious pretenders. As Harvey writes: Here’s the truth: I’m more of a Christian than Israel Folau is. I’m more of a Christian than anyone at the Australian Christian Lobby — and I don’t even go to church. I say you professional Christians are all fakes and phonies, and you’re riding…
Israel Folau graciously comes to the defence of Magda Szubanski after she accuses him of preaching hate and being out of step with Jesus
Israel Folau has graciously come to the defence of his latest critic Magda Szubanski, urging his followers not to attack her for her criticisms of Folau and Christianity but to continue the debate in love. “Hey everyone I totally agree with Julia Baird,” Folau tweeted on Sunday, “please stop the anonymous online attacks on Magda Szubanski who has entered this debate very respectfully. She is entitled to express her views – let’s all have this important discussion with love in our hearts.” Hey everyone I totally agree with @bairdjulia – please stop the anonymous online attacks on @MagdaSzubanski who has…
Five Ways You Can Support Israel Folau
It’s clear that Israel Folau is the latest target of media elites, intellectuals, and woke corporate executives. Just take a look at Mark Powell’s recent post and you’ll get a glimpse of how far their attacks have gone. While many support Folau’s right to express his convictions, what’s not clear is how we are supposed to go about doing this. Here are five practical ways you can be supporting Folau and his family at this time: 1. Pray for Israel, his family, and those who are persecuting him We ought to be praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ;…
Ten People Bullying Israel Folau
Since the re-definition of marriage, no one is denying the validity of the “slippery slope” argument anymore. Instead, they’re simply shaking their heads and wondering, “Has the world gone mad?!” It seems as though the world is hurtling down the slope faster than the Gadarene swine. According to The Australian, even Gillian Triggs, the former head of the Human Rights Commission, has accused the corporate sponsors of Maria Folau’s netball team of “bullying”. Media pundits, business leaders, as well as current—and former—sporting heroes all seem to be in front of the pack but, as Andrew Bolt rightly points out, one…
WATCH: Israel Folau’s first televised interview; Rugby Australia reportedly offered Folau money to remove Instagram post
Israel Folau has appeared on Sky News for his first televised interview since he was sacked by Rugby Australia for sharing a Bible verse on his Instagram account. Speaking with host Alan Jones, Folau revealed that Rugby Australia offered him money to remove his offending Instagram post. “As a Christian, I feel it’s my duty to share it,” Folau said, “and that’s part of who I am and what my purpose is… I’m wanting to share that message of love God is trying to extend to all people.” WATCH:
President Trump praises Australia’s ‘illegal immigration’ policy: ‘Much can be learned!’
US President Donald Trump has praised Australia’s ‘illegal immigration’ policy, sharing a series of Australian government advertisements published by the Department of Home Affairs designed to deter illegal immigrants. “These flyers depict Australia’s policy on Illegal Immigration. Much can be learned!” President Trump tweeted on Thursday. The adverts read: “No way. You will not make Australia home,” “If you come here by boat without a visa, you won’t be settled in Australia,” and “Australia’s borders are closed to illegal migration.” These flyers depict Australia’s policy on Illegal Immigration. Much can be learned! pic.twitter.com/QgGU0gyjRS — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 27,…
When Atheists Start Defending Christianity…
You know that things have really spiralled downward when Princeton atheist and bioethicist — Peter Singer — is defending Israel Folau and his freedom to express his Christian convictions. Singer writes: [Folau’s] post no more expresses hatred toward homosexuals than cigarette warnings express hatred toward smokers. The only rational reason that anyone would get so upset about Folau’s post is if you actually believe that he is speaking the truth about heaven and hell. Singer continues: [Folau’s beliefs] do not trouble me, because there is, in my view, no god, no afterlife, and no hell. Nor do I differentiate, ethically,…
They call the Apostle Paul ridiculous and cruel, but would they say the same thing about Muhammad or the Quran?
The Sydney Morning Herald and the Brisbane Times published an opinion piece today which referred to the teaching of the Apostle Paul in the New Testament as ridiculous, vicious, and cruel. Pru Goward, former NSW Liberal minister who authored the piece, said: Christianity hasn’t prevailed for two thousand years without taking on its opponents. There was always going to be a Folau, a Christian somewhere, who was going to promote his Christian beliefs relying on the as-yet-unbanned Bible (as his faith dictates) in all its muddled, wonderful and sometimes cruel teachings to challenge today’s freedoms. Exactly what freedoms Folau has…
Taxpayers to fund new children’s television series about a 12-year-old transgender girl
Australian taxpayers will fund a children’s television series about a 12-year-old boy’s first day at school after transitioning to a girl. Screen Australia, the Federal Government body for Australian screen production, announced this week more than $5.7 million in production funding for three features, two online projects, and two children’s television series. One of the children’s series, titled ‘First Day’, is said to follow a 12-year-old transgender girl named Hannah as she “navigates the challenges of starting high school and finding the courage to live her most authentic self.” Screen Australia’s CEO, Graeme Mason said: “In ‘First Day’ we see an…
Calls for charity watchdog to investigate Australian Christian Lobby after raising $1.6 million in support of Israel Folau
The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission has been asked to investigate the Australian Christian Lobby over its role in helping Israel Folau raise more than a million dollars for his legal fight against Rugby Australia, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. But the ACL have not breached any rules for maintaining their charitable status, according to ACL’s Managing Director, Martyn Iles. In an interview on Sunrise today, Iles explained: “We got legal advice on this before we went ahead with it. But also, I think it’s just the latest thing… Our purpose is to advocate for changes in law and public…
BACKFIRE: Israel Folau’s supporters raise over $1 million in just one day after GoFundMe campaign shut down
Israel Folau’s supporters have raised over $1.2million in just one day after GoFundMe shut down the former rugby star’s crowdfunded campaign to help with his legal battle with Rugby Australia. The Australian Christian Lobby set up the alternative donation website after GoFundMe removed Folau’s original campaign which raised more than $760k in four days. GoFundMe said they will refund all donations back to Folau’s supporters. Nicola Britton, regional manager for GoFundMe Australia said the campaign was shut down because they will not tolerate the promotion of discrimination or exclusion. “As a company, we are absolutely committed to the fight for…
The Toxic Tolerance of Sweet Liz Ellis
In a nation that worships our sport and our sporting elites, Liz Ellis is a beloved Australian sporting hero. Liz played 122 netball games representing Australia, four years of which were as captain. Her personality displayed in the media is down to earth, her relative modesty and unassuming humour make it easy to like her. She seems like she should be a voice of moderation. But yesterday Liz Ellis effectively accused Maria Folau of supporting or endorsing homophobia in a comment on Twitter. There are serious problems with Liz’s comments, problems which reveal a toxic practice of intolerance and bigotry against…