Yes, as they say 'the more things change the more they stay the same'. The configuration shifts from time to time but the game remains the same.

Child marriage is against the law in general. However, even on our own doorstep we have special marriage licenses given out to Travellers and Gypsies who are underage - as they are a recognised ethnicity. You probably were not aware of this.
Also posting pictures of underage girls online would be peodophilia - especially with sexual commentary.
Stating that homosexuals go to hell is hardly the same. For a start it's a possibly fictional afterlife. And it is his genuine belief. If someone wants to believe in these things I say let them. I don't believe in these things at all personally - just to state my position.
I don't think Folau is openly going to attack homosexuals - he believes it is wrong and has stated that.
As another poster said - I believe this is a save face knee jerk reaction from rugby. But there are wider consequences. On another thread about Wayne I provided a tongue in cheek list about what we can joke about.
Perhaps now we need a list about what we can have an opinion on. I don't like religion - any of them. I particularly dislike some of the teachings of Islam and Christianity. Am I allowed to talk about that? To be honest, I would be fired if I gave my true opinion on Social Media. My main job is as a Public Servant. That is the real debate.

There is actually no contradiction in my argument. I don't support or believe in what Folau said.
However, he seems to have been sacked for expressing his religious beliefs. I believe this is wrongful dismissal due to employment law. Having quite a bit of experience with it here and in Britain - I believe a legal case could be taken that demonstrates he has been dismissed wrongfully on the grounds of his religion.
I am stating a legal case - not one where it has anything to do with me agreeing with him or not.
There is no contradiction in that.
What I don't like are the thought police watching everything that's said and getting rid of people when they don't like what's said.

As a side note, my son was at school with the Vinipola boys.
He said he went round there house one morning,and the brothers where having breakfast out of what could only be described as washing up bowls.
Well known family in my area, and very well thought of.

I've not said that you agree with anything he says. I'm saying that you either believe that it's wrong to dismiss someone for expressing all and any religious beliefs, as you professed, or you don't. No matter how far those views differ from those held by the modern world or what religion they are.

As stated, by your own logic, you'd be there defending a rugby player repeatedly publicly declaring a love of very young girls "because it's his genuinely held religous belief" and "okay with his god". I seriously doubt you'd be doing that. I would find those views repellent and they lead to real world harm to others. I also to an extent believe that about Folaus views. It's not 'just a view' just because you personally don't care about what he's saying. There are real life consequences through hate spread through religion and this is an example of it.

And what if a player is essentially telling another team member that they're going to hell? Great for the team dynamic. Or there are two muslim players and one leaves the religion, I think we all know what the islamic view of Apostasy is. It becomes absurd to give an endless stamp of approval within a team dynamic of any and all bizarre religious prattlings when they impact the team, take the focus away from it, and continue despite being previously warned. I don't much care if they are "genuinely held beliefs". It's fantasy and beyond a point if people believe things that are either dangerous, damaging, counter to the society they're within, or against commercial interests that will get factored in as it was here.

Edited by dollardays (18 Apr 2019 1.31pm)