Israel Folau scandal: Who cares what a footy player thinks?

While, like many, I disagree with his theology and have no time for anyone who hates gays, drunks, or Christmas, those cheering on Israel Folau’s dismissal should be careful what they wish for, writes James Morrow.

Israel Folau, it can safely be said, is not a 21st century man.

Truth be told, he’s actually more of a Puritan from the early 1600s.

If his social media posts warning that gays, fornicators, adulterers, drunks, and liars are bound for Hell weren’t enough to prove this point, on Friday this newspaper reported that the now ex-Wallaby also thinks celebrating Christmas and Easter are against the rules, too.

Which pretty much proves what most people already know.

Namely, that going to a professional rugby player for advice on the state of your soul is a bit like going to a naturopath for investment advice.

MORE FROM RENDEZVIEW: Pull it together Israel Folau, for the love of God

The question, though, is whether all this is worth anyone losing their job over.

Now, strictly speaking and under the terms of his contract with Rugby Australia, he seems to have been legally given the flick for his violation of the code’s social media policy — an event which has been celebrated by many commentators and much of the Twitterati as a huge win for love and tolerance over hate and bigotry.

Israel Folau has come under fire again for his homophobic comments. Picture: Tony Feder/Getty

But while I disagree with his theology and have no time for anyone who hates gays, drunks, or Christmas, those cheering on Folau’s dismissal should be careful what they wish for. Because whatever the terms of Folau’s contract, setting a precedent whereby employment contracts set the parameters of public debate just means no one will ever risk saying anything controversial because it might cost them their job.

Given the fact that our supposedly tolerant society was forged largely by people pushing the boundaries of what is and is not acceptable to say, do, or believe, it is a bit rich that today’s liberalism seems to want to pull the ladder up behind it and say, we don’t need any more controversy thank you very much, and everyone should fall into line.

MORE FROM RENDEZVIEW: Let Folau say whatever he wants

It’s as if the old principle (often wrongly attributed to Voltaire) of “I disapprove of what you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it” has outlived its utility. Instead we have, “say what you will, but better check it first with HR.”

Folau first came under fire for homophobic comments in 2018. Picture: Ben Stansall/AFP

Having used free speech to dismantle all the old traditional, limiting institutions of society, the progressive liberal left has decided that now that they hold the commanding heights of the culture, contrary opinions are not only superfluous, but dangerous.

Hence what I suspect is many people’s real problem with Folau: he tried to break modern liberalism’s monopoly on who gets to decide whom is a sinner.

But this is a recipe for a totalitarian tolerance that asks that people not think too much or too hard.

MORE FROM RENDEZVIEW: Free speech isn’t freedom from being called a bigot

And although one need not be religious to be happy, and while large numbers of Christians disagree with Folau’s approach, a world where the big questions are left to be settled by politicians and the market is not necessarily a happier one. Just look at the EU.

Instead, a truly tolerant society has space in it for people who believe and say things that others find annoying, and for moral codes that step outside the mainstream.

James Morrow is Opinion Editor of The Daily Telegraph and co-host of Outsiders on Sky News Australia, 9-11am, Sundays.

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