Article source: www.christian.org.uk
A rugby league team says it will consider suing a rival club over the signing of a player who put a Bible-based post on Instagram.
Israel Folau called on people to repent of their sins in a post which quoted from Galatians.
He was sacked by Rugby Australia, but later reached a settlement and received an apology.
‘Reputational damage’
Last month French team Catalans Dragons – who play in the English Super League – signed Folau.
Now, rival team Hull KR has contacted the Dragons warning of legal action if it suffers “financial loss”.
“For example, if title sponsor withdraws, or external investment is not secured, or quantifiable reputational damage is caused to the brand of Super League and its members”, it said.
Hull KR’s owner wrote: “I reserve my position to take proceedings v Catalans Dragons.”
Inconsistency
BBC sports editor Dan Roan said he had been told that “nearly all” the twelve Super League clubs have now backed the stance.
The hostile moves are in marked contrast to the relatively silent response to a player found guilty of drink-driving and using illegal drugs.
In 2018, Wigan full-back Zak Hardaker was found to be more than two-times over the drink-drive limit.
In 2017, he and two other Super League players tested positive for cocaine.
Bible
The Folau row centres on a post from April last year which quoted Galatians 5:19-21.
Alongside the Bible reference, Folau’s post mentioned “drunks, homosexuals, adulterers” and “liars” and said: “hell awaits you”, “repent!”, “only Jesus saves”.
Rugby Australia (RA) terminated his playing contract over the ‘high-level breach’ of its code of conduct.
Apology
But in December, RA and Folau reached a settlement.
It acknowledged Folau had posted “genuinely held religious beliefs” and had not intended to hurt or offend people.
RA also apologised for “any hurt or harm caused to the Folaus”.
The parties settled for a confidential payment. The former rugby union star had been suing Rugby Australia for A$14m (£7.4m).
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Date published: 17/02/2020
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Israel Folau disgraced his christian believe by selectively judging certain sins while omitting others. Nowhere in the Bible has Jesus condemned sinners in such a manner. Folau, with his judgmental postings has not reached one single person with the Gospel – in stead he alienated non-believers from the Good News of Jesus Christ. It is a pity Folau did not quote the Words of Jesus – LOVE, GRACE and FORGIVENESS. Sinners will are attracted to the love of Christ and are not attracted by the fear of going to hell. By the way – nowhere in the Bible we (and Israel Folau) are appointed as God’s sheriffs to point out the sins of the people and to condemn them to hell. The Bible clearly teaches that the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, righteousness and judgement.
Wise comment. There’s far too much hate and judgment and far too little love, grace, tolerance and kindness,
Is it not funny that when you mention anything to do with LGBTQ behaviour, everyone jumps to support them, but we are not prepared to state what the Bible says? Compromise is not what God and Jesus expects of His children, but OBEDIENCE. If you are happy to compromise, don’t judge Israel Folau for standing up for his right to be a follower of God and refer people to the results of their actions. As far as I can see, he is just mentioning some sins (not all, like unbelief, etc.) and sometimes people need to hear or see what awaits them before they take action to change. There is 1 certain fact in all this and that is that he supports his Maker and warns others of what awaits. Can we say that we have done the same every day that we live or are we all in a state of compromise. Remember that in Jesus said that we should be either hot or cold, not lukewarm as He vomits out those that are not hot for Him…..