Israel Folau posts homophobic social media rant: diverse views are fine, but this expression is a hate crime

Australian rugby player Israel Folau has taken to social media once again to express his religious views. In the wake of a decision in Tasmania for optional listing of gender on birth certificates, Folau posted on Instagram: “Warning – Drunks, Homosexuals, Adulterers, Liars, Fornicators, Thieves, Atheists, Idolaters. HELL AWAITS YOU. REPENT! ONLY JESUS SAVES”.

The man doesn’t beat around the bush. Folau has now entered the murky area between free speech, the right to religious views and out and out hate speech.

On Twitter he added: “The devil has blinded so many people in this world, REPENT and turn away from your evil ways. Turn to Jesus Christ who will set you free,” with a screen shot of the Tasmanian headline.

Rugby Australia has terminated Folau’s contract. But should he have had his career cut short? Or should he be allowed to continue, given his views are based on religion, as Rugby Australia declared previously, stating that they don’t support his position but they support his right to have it?

After all, Australia captain David Pocock uses his platform to promote his political views, which happen to be the polar opposite of Folau’s, without threat of termination.

But there is a difference between Folau and Pocock, and it is a difference that puts Folau out of protected category – religion – and into an altogether less desirable one – that of a bigot hiding behind religious views.

There is nothing inherently wrong with being religious, but you can’t so strongly condemn groups of people to hell and think it is OK. It empowers others to take physical or violent action against the LGBT+ community and is thus a hate crime.

If Folau had expressed his point in a more constructive manner, given a reason why and offered salvation without the threat of eternal damnation it would still be a view I strongly disagree with, but an acceptable way to express it.

Equally, if a famous liberal progressive used social media to say “Support gay marriage: Christians are disgusting, horrible, liars, mentally ill, idiots who should be tortured for eternity”, it would be an unacceptable way of expressing pro-LGBT+ opinion.

So, Rugby Australia has made the right decision not to support Folau’s right to a view if he chooses to label gay people as “evil”.

He has rightly been fired for hate speech and not protected by his religious status.

Rugby Australia has called Folau’s posts “unacceptable” and “disrespectful to members of the rugby community”.

Now he has the down time, Folau should learn from Welsh rugby player Gareth Thomas on appropriate ways to make his point, which is not only more open, but more constructive and ultimately more powerful.

Thomas wrote: “I don’t write this with hate or anger after Israel Folau’s comments. I write with sympathy. To everyone who reads it, don’t be influenced by his words. Be the better person and be YOU. Whoever YOU is ... Hell doesn’t await YOU. Happiness awaits YOU.”

Comedy is also a useful and powerful tool, as former England prop Joe Marler proved by tweeting Folau a series of pictures of men kissing.

Diversity of views is a symptom of free speech, so don’t expect everyone to agree with you in a functioning society. Expect people to debate, and ridicule you if you have a view that they disagree with. But don’t expect religion to be a free pass if you’re a professional sportsperson, with a huge following, categorically condemning masses of people as evil and hell-bound. Instead, expect to lose your job.