COMMENT

There appears to be a religious revolt in Australian rugby if reports are to be believed.

In the wake of the Israel Folau furore a number of players who also have a strong faith have come out swinging.

It's ironic that Taniela Tupou, aka "Tongan Thor" has a nickname that comes from Norse mythology because he is a believer in Jesus Christ. He has now claimed all Pacific Islanders "might as well just be sacked" because of their religious beliefs.

This comment came after Wallabies centre Samu Kerevi felt he needed to apologise for 'offending' fans after saying "I love Jesus" in an Instagram post on Easter.

When Kerevi posted his  Jesus comment most people were supportive but a few asked leading questions. Some asked if it meant he supported Isreal Folau's stance on homosexuality. Others asked if he’d take a stand on supporting homosexuality.

But nobody criticised him for loving Jesus and saying it at Easter.

But for some reason, Samu came out a few days later and apologised if he offended anyone. And the idea that he needed to apologise for his faith has caused Taniela Tupou and other Pacific Island players, in particular, to start grumbling that Rugby Australia doesn’t support their faith.

What a mess and to the faithful players, I’d actually say chill out and calm down.

Too many people seem to think the Folau affair is an attack on his faith when it isn’t. It’s a response to his active denigration of people who do not have the same beliefs and that’s the thing.

Remember Folau wrote on Instagram: "Warning.  Drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists, idolaters. Hell awaits you. Repent! Only Jesus saves". It wasn’t just a statement of his personal faith, it was a condemnation of people who don’t conform with his way of thinking and living. 

When people impose their codes on others in a free society then don’t be surprised if there’s a backlash. Though I’m surprised any atheists would have taken offence because if you don’t believe in heaven and hell then you can’t be threatened with it. But there are a lot of believers cursed with the disease of alcoholism, that are right to feel upset.

As an ex-church choir boy and man with a little bit of faith, I have no problem with Folau, Tupou and Kerevi’s faith. I have no problem with them expressing their love for their God. I have no problem with prayers on field and hands raised to the sky after a try. I had no problem with Michael Jones refusing to play on Sunday. I had no problem with Sonny Bill refusing to wear a bank sponsor.

But if people with belief want to tell off other people who don’t believe what they believe, then that’s a step too far and the very thing that has caused so much strife between religions and faiths since the beginning of time.

Remember it’s called faith and belief, and not truth and fact for a reason.  People should keep their God to themselves. To me, God is a very personal thing and the world works better when it stays that way.