Opinion: Reminder of how intolerant religion can be

Devout: Aussie rugby star Israel Folau with Kiwi netballer Maria Tutaia, anouncing their engagement in 2016.

By Steve Baron

IT NEVER ceases to amaze me how sanctimonious some religious zealots can be … but I do expect better from those who are in positions of influence. They should know better.
I mean people like Wallaby rugby fullback and devout Christian Israel Folau.

On Instagram he recently said, in response to a question about God's plan for gay people: "I believe God's plan is for all sinners, according to my understanding of my Bible teachings."

He said gays were going to hell — "unless they repent of their sins".

Saying he did not mean to hurt anyone, he quoted from the Bible — specifically 1 Corinthians 6: 9-10.

That verse says that "neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor the drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God".

"I believe the Bible is the truth and sometimes the truth can be difficult to hear," Folau said.

While many readers may not know who Israel Folau is — and I was one of them until he hit the headlines — this guy is a rugby superstar who is married to Kiwi Silver Fern netball star Maria Folau (Tutaia).

He has more than 128,000 followers on Facebook and that gives him some influence — that is a huge audience to spread what is effectively hate speech about gay people.
Folau went on to say: "If you sin, which we all do, and do not repent and seek forgiveness, you will not inherit the kingdom of God."

So all gay people are destined for hell, unless they repent of their sins and turn to God. If people like Folau weren't so serious, you would have to laugh.

Who do these religious zealots think they are? Why do they think that they are better than anyone else? Why would they think for a moment that gay people needed saving? Because their fictitious god says so?

If homosexuality was such a bad thing, why did their god embed it in up to 10 per cent of the population? It's even widespread in the animal kingdom ... and who really cares what this guy thinks anyway?

Now, after the ensuing media furore, the poor guy feels persecuted for his religious beliefs. After all, he was simply quoting the Bible. Well, I've never read the Bible and never will — why would you bother wasting your time reading a book that looked down upon and despised a certain sector of the community?

There is a fine line between freedom of speech and hate speech, but to me this is hate speech and says more about Folau's Dark Ages-based religion than it does about anything else.

Steve Baron

The hurt this guy inflicted upon gay people was best summed up by proudly gay TV One Breakfast weatherman Matty McLean, who said Folau's comment was a "bigoted, hatred, homophobic speech". McLean went on to say he "wished we could get to a place where everyone can accept everyone for who they are and who they want to be". Amen to that.

There are those who say Folau should be punished for his comments and perhaps gay international rugby referee Nigel Owens might be just the man to find a good reason to penalise Folau if he ever referees another Wallaby test match.

However, I think we should actually thank Folau for reminding us how intolerant religion actually is.

■ Steve Baron is a Whanganui-based political commentator, author and Founder of Better Democracy NZ. He holds degrees in economics and political science.