Don't worry about it, all of those people will burn in hell for those incidents (apparently)

So you really do think that gay people will be sent to hell?
Whilst some people may find his comments objectionable most people would just ignore them and let him make a fool of themselves.
I dont believe that his comments could seriously drive anyone to depression.

In a world where youngsters hang on every word of "influencers" or those who they idolise, do you think that his actions will have a positive or negative effect ?

Unfortunately its been proven in far too many cases that you are wrong

So Super League prevented Ben Barba from signing for a club (if he had wished to do so) but the RFL would have allowed him to sign for a championship club. That didn't make sense, and the fact that Folau IS allowed to come over and play here doesn't either.

https://ukcatalansdragons.blogspot.com/ ... ledge.html I think this is worth a look. The money I was going to spend on Catalans merchandise for my family this year will be donated to charity instead.

https://ukcatalansdragons.blogspot.com/ ... ledge.html I think this is worth a look. The money I was going to spend on Catalans merchandise for my family this year will be donated to charity instead.

The RFL won't register a player banned by the NRL

Barba was blocked by the RFL. Don't think he could have went to the championship.

Falou was never banned by the NRL Legally if a club did sign him in oz they could have took it to the courts if the NRL tried to block it as Falou legally never breached any NRL contract.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and beliefs - I actually believe that allowing Izzy in has helped, as the outpouring of condemnation for his comments shows that the vast majority of folk are entirely inclusive. So, whilst some W ill look at this and say allowing him into the game is showing that we are accepting of homophobia, actually what it has done is provide a platform and discussion point which has shown that everybody in the game condemns his views and support gay rights.
I for one think it’s much better to allow people free speech, and let people form and share their opinions on that persons comments rather than total censure.

I agree in principle.
However, if what people are advocating in exercising their right to "free speech" with cause harm or endanger others then, no, free speech shouldn't be a given.
You say that him coming has given a "platform for discussion", the same could be argued for every hate preacher in the land - I havent got him in that category but, that is what you have just suggested is ok ??

I don’t see that the post he shared (as ridiculous and offensive as some might find it) is causing harm or endangering others. He didn’t call for people to do anything (other than repent), and whilst I get that it could potentially influence some people negatively, I’d say the pretty much unanimous condemnation has actually caused more of a positive impact than his stupid post would ever have caused negative. I think far more people will be influenced to be more inclusive based on the wider positive remarks, than people seeing his post and thinking ‘yeah, I hate gays too, in fact I’m gonna start doing horrid things to them’.

People need to get a dose of reality. Yes he’s a bigoted fool who follows some silly religion to the letter of the law, but let him be exactly that, and watch the world look at him and think he’s an imbecile.

The irony with this, is that he doesn't. Most Christians don't, they just pick and choose which parts of the Bible suit them. Which is why I dont buy the whole "my beliefs say it so its ok for me to say/think it" thing. He isnt telling anyone not to work on Sunday is he?

It has very much annoyed me, but I'm coming round to the whats done is done, we can all let him know what we think of him on the pitch when he plays, and as you say, the condemnation everyone has shown does actually show what our sport is about more than Catalans signing him

https://www.saintsrlfc.com/2020/01/29/s ... ael-folau/ i expect a few more of these to pop up in the coming days.

https://www.saintsrlfc.com/2020/01/29/s ... ael-folau/ i expect a few more of these to pop up in the coming days.

The language of being 'condemned to eternal damnation' and 'burning in hell' is exactly what is used to shame gay people into hiding who they are, especially if you're from an ultra conservative religious community it's quite easy to be convinced that you ARE going to hell. it's the language that has been used to justify their imprisonment and torture and murder, and the lifeblood of most worldwide homophobia.

Maybe Mcmanus could show the same tolerance to cup final referees rather than trying to ruin a man's livelihood because they lost.

Yup, there's a lot of vulnerable people drawn in by religion. Putting the frighteners on over their "sins" really shouldn't be dismissed as being of no consequence.

On the bright side, Rugby League is a family game

For the religiously intolerant, what are your views on SBW being permitted to cover up the league’s sponsor’s logo?

The Catalans club may well say bienvenue Izzy, but Australian NRL fans will counter with these simple words:good riddance!

Folau has only just signed and already he's making charities better off. Maybe this signing is a good thing after all?

A few years ago there was a lower grades player at the Newcastle Knights with a similar fundamentalist christian background to Folau. His father was also a preacher in an obscure sect (like Folau's).
No one cared much when he started to have prayer meetings after training with most of the polynesian players, in fact, he was even encouraged to put up a weekly bible quote on the Knights official website, but he posted a long rant on his personal blog about conversion therapy for gays and got in a lot of trouble with the NRL and the club.
The point of this is that at least half a dozen of his "followers" have played or are playing in the ESL now, and I was just looking at some highlights of a trial involving a lower grade side, and his best mate had a really good game against an ESL side.
Many polynesians have very similar views to Folau. Maybe most of them in fact.

Sensational Sensational https://chaser.com.au/sport/folau-quits ... the-cheek/

Sensational Sensational https://chaser.com.au/sport/folau-quits ... the-cheek/

Quote ="LeedsLurch"Sensational Sensational https://chaser.com.au/sport/folau-quits ... the-cheek/'" Completely disgraceful racist article.

Quote ="LeedsLurch"Sensational Sensational https://chaser.com.au/sport/folau-quits ... the-cheek/'" Completely disgraceful racist article.

Quote ="LeedsLurch"Sensational Sensational https://chaser.com.au/sport/folau-quits ... the-cheek/'" Catalans coach Jacques Strap

Quote ="LeedsLurch"Sensational Sensational https://chaser.com.au/sport/folau-quits ... the-cheek/'" Catalans coach Jacques Strap