Twitter reacts to Folau's axing

SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT: Israel Folau’s termination of his contract certainly highlighted the relations between the professional player and social media.

The Wallaby superstar, Folau, has had his four-year AU$4 million contract with Rugby Australia terminated because of his controversial social media posts.

The fullback took to Instagram last month to proclaim “hell awaits” for “drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists, idolators” in a religiously-motivated post.

 

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Those that are living in Sin will end up in Hell unless you repent. Jesus Christ loves you and is giving you time to turn away from your sin and come to him. _______________ Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these , adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19‭-‬21 KJV _______________ Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38 KJV _______________ And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Acts 17:30 KJV _______________

A post shared by Israel Folau (@izzyfolau) on Apr 10, 2019 at 1:18am PDT

Rugby Australia deemed the posts as a “high-level” breach of RA’s professional players’ code of conduct and has consecutively sacked the superstar.

The fullback’s religious beliefs have opened a can of worms not only in Australia but in the world.

Similar to his formidable steps on the pitch, that used to split defence apart – his axing has taken the exact same route within the rugby fraternity.

There are some people who indeed feel that Folau has the right to express his freedom of religion and belief. Some Twitter users stated that “Australia rugby has no place for Christians,”

Wow big decision by Rugby Australia today. #rugbyAustralia #israelfolau who knows where this will all end. Strange how being inclusive requires exclusion of some.

— Clayton riddle (@clayton_riddle) May 17, 2019

The Israel Folau sacking shows that Australian rugby has no place for Christians. Israel Folau has absolutely been persecuted for his religious beliefs and should fight this injustice all the way to the High Court if he has to. #auspol #israelfolau

— E.R.L (@E_R_L87) May 17, 2019

Don’t agree with the #Israelfolau punishment. Talk about being blown out of proportion, Way too harsh.

— JOHN MARK (@Jhn_mrk86) May 17, 2019

Raelene Castle says that Rugby Australia is inclusive. Of everyone except Christians that is. #israelfolau

— Mr Logic (@mrlogic1234) May 17, 2019

While some have ridiculed him and have backed Rugby Australia’s decision. Labelling Folau’s freedom of speech argument as “delusional”   and “dehumanizing”.

People defending this as a right to “freedom of speech” are delusional. In this day and age it’s okay to victimise a group of people because of your religion? Same people supporting him would have a lot to say if it was racial discrimination but this is okay to them #IsraelFolau https://t.co/7iqRjOZdcg

— Sarah Hughes (@SarahHughes18) May 17, 2019

Outcome completely deserved! Thank you Australian Rugby Union for this display of such dehumanizing act. This world has no place for homophobics.#ByeFolau #IsraelFolau pic.twitter.com/l0I0at7TGc

— Barry Scharneck (@barry_scharneck) May 17, 2019

It is not about being prosecuted for what he said. It’s about the fact that he breached the contract that he signed. Just like any of us would be fired for breaching a contract with our employer #IsraelFolau

— MadameCissy 🌸 (@MadameCissy1) May 8, 2019