Clerics back Israel Folau’s ‘right to free speech’

Religious leaders have backed the right of rugby star Israel Folau to express his view that gays will go to hell unless they ­repent.

Rugby union star Israel Folau. Picture: AAP

Religious leaders have backed the right of rugby star Israel Folau to express his view that gays will go to hell unless they ­repent and turn to God, as another big rugby sponsor expressed disappointment in him.

Folau, a devout Christian, will meet representatives of Rugby Australia, his employer, today in what is predicted to be a heated confrontation over his views, based on religious beliefs, that ­enraged the gay community.

After Qantas said it was “very disappointed’’ in Folau, Land Rover, which has an $850,000 sponsorship deal with Rugby Australia, confirmed its marketing director Kevin Nicholls had told the game’s administrators at the weekend that Folau’s views “did not match our brand values”. A spokesman said the discussion was “the only action” taken.

But Glenn Davies, the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, said the way Folau was treated would be a test of Australian Rugby’s ­inclusion policy. “Israel Folau should be free to hold and express traditional, biblical views on marriage and sexuality without being penalised, just as other players have spoken out with their differing views,” he said.

Former human rights commissioner and now federal Liberal MP Tim Wilson suggested companies and individuals lashing out at Folau “take a chill pill”. “Respecting diversity includes ­diversity of opinion, including on questions of morality,” he said.

There is speculation Qantas, Rugby Australia’s largest sponsor with a multi-­million-­dollar ­annual contract, might reconsider its sponsorship deal, which is due for renegotiation at the end of 2019. But Qantas insiders last night played down such a possibility unless there was a continuation of  “incendiary comments”.

Folau wrote on social media last week that gays would go to hell unless they repented their sins. He tweeted again on Sunday, using a Bible quote from Matthew 5 to suggest he was being persecuted for his beliefs.

“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake,” he wrote. “Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”

🙏☝️ #allglorytoGod pic.twitter.com/6XwkEV6GrH

— Israel Folau (@IzzyFolau) April 8, 2018

Rugby Australia chief Raelene Castle and Waratahs chief Andrew Hore are expected today to try to dissuade Folau from further social media comment that could be considered homophobic or bigoted. It is understood Folau believes he is being discriminated against for his beliefs.

Last night Dr Davies backed Folau’s right to express his views, saying Rugby Australia’s inclusion policy made clear the game was “for all, regardless of sexuality, race, religion or gender”. The archbishop, who advocated a No vote in the same-sex marriage survey, said it would be “hypocritical for administrators to censure a player for expressing views which sprung from his own faith and conscience”.

Peter Kurti, an Anglican minister and head of the religious and civil society program for the ­Centre for Independent Studies, said the pressure on Folau was as much about freedom of religion as freedom of speech.

Mr Kurti, previously vicar of St James Church in Sydney, said he did not agree with Folau’s views, but was concerned corporate pressure might be used to exert control on an organisation fearing losing sponsorship funds.

Folau was not a theologian but a young man expressing his views that did not amount to “hate speech”, he said. The comments were “not particularly harmful”.

“At what point does corporate sponsorship become social engineering?” Mr Kurti said. “Tolerance is about not putting up with things you like — it’s about putting up with what you don’t like.”

Folau’s place as a role model should be judged more on how he behaved on the playing field.

Rugby Australia chairman Cameron Clyne has confirmed the organisation could not afford to lose major sponsors.

Additional reporting: Jamie Pandaram