Israel Folau is entitled to express his opinions freely

We are told that we must not allow anybody to play for Australia whose social media posts show that on religious grounds he does not agree with a legally sanctioned coupling, nor should we allow any visitor into this country who believes that a religious book is “fundamentally evil”.

Non-Christians routinely criticise parts of the Bible as evil and have done for centuries. It’s called free speech, and everybody is entitled to it. Neither Israel Folau nor the speaker excoriated by Kristina Keneally has a record of violence, nor is any violence threatened (if one can make an honourable exception of the game they play in heaven) and so they should surely be entitled to voice their views in a free country.

Neville Clark, Battery Point, Tas

Israel Folau is a standout Australian sportsman who espouses Christian ideals, once the guiding light of Western progress.

Political elements have increasingly facilitated community acceptance of atheism’s negatives: “free love”, abortion, prostitution, same-sex marriage up there with real marriage. Truth is our ultimate reference, in lieu of modernity’s expediency.

Rugby Australia has become an unwitting sideline cheer squad for the “inclusiveness” movement which, at its core, appears to render truth as obsolete, thereby rendering the Christian ideal obsolete.

Bill Webster, Holland Park, Qld

On the one hand, we have a self-styled “progressive” movement that not only demands everyone show respect for their values on same-sex marriage, homosexuality and transgender issues, but enforces compliance by legislation under pain of punitive consequences.

On the other hand, we have libertarians who believe that freedom of speech and freedom to practise one’s religion are the cornerstone of a true democracy, yet, both freedoms are regularly impugned under weasel-word notions of “equity”, “diversity” or “inclusiveness”.

Anyone who doesn’t hear alarm bells from this Orwellian creep toward groupthink doesn’t understand the implications of this case. While some may not realise it, Israel Folau is engaging in a struggle on behalf of all of us who hold our freedoms dear. I wish him well.

John McLeod, Sunshine Coast, Qld

On the Josiah Folau issue, can’t you see the difference between a person who (as far as I know) does not condemn to hell those who play rugby and one who describes the mass as “a paganistic ritual rooted in heresy, evil and devil worship”?

Israel Folau’s comments, while based on disputable exegesis, have nothing to with playing football; Josiah Folau’s are incompatible with teaching in a Catholic school. The school concerned is not “protecting its religious freedom” by dismissing Josiah Folau, it is merely exercising the right of any employer to employ people who, if not entirely in accord with the ethos of the organisation, are not publicly opposed to it.

John Hill, The Entrance, NSW

If Josiah Folau believes the Catholic mass is a “paganistic ritual rooted in heresy, evil and devil worship” he has no place as a tutor in a Catholic college. His loss of tenure is no surprise. If his celebrated cousin had made the same comment about the game of rugby he would find he had many supporters, despite rumours the game is played in heaven.

Barry Noonan, Balwyn North, Vic

Those who are not alarmed that a footballer lost his job for posting views online that have nothing to do with his job or employer, should remember the saying “value free speech — those who agree with you won’t always be in power”.

But what I find more concerning in a way is this worrying tendency by some to assume that just because one presents a view that some may find objectionable that they must be some kind of intolerant bigot.

For example, if you hold to the traditional view of marriage then you aren’t just someone who has a particular view of what marriage (and its social purpose) is — rather you must be a homophobe. If someone believes in hell then, while they should be sensitive and choose their words carefully, is it not out of heartfelt concern that they would warn people about it?

Michael James Westacott, Cairns, Qld