Fair enough. Believe me I can see your point. I don't really see the connection with protecting Peados though. Peadophiles is rightly a crime in our society.
Is stating that homosexuality is not supported by God - according to his teachings - the same? I don't think you genuinely believe that.
Where exactly is the line drawn. I could extrapolate your argument further and say all hard line Christians and then all Muslims are basically wrong - and should be sacked for the beliefs they have. Whilst I don't agree with religion, is that my or society's place to say?
I agree largely with what you say about team and management and obviously you should respect certain codes of conduct when representing one's country. But there is a whole can if worms here.
This is quite a difficult argument for all sides of the political spectrum. What can we say and what can't we say?
Folau could have pleaded complete ignorance like Wayne and said he knew nothing of the treatment of homosexuals. However, it is quite interesting that he appears hell-bent (s******) on sticking to his religious beliefs.
My best advice to sporting teams is to ban players from social media in their contract. Then have club/national employees posting uncontentious player's tweets/ posts. Essentially gagging their right to freedom of expression.

Comma after everything! Let's eat Grandma, while we're at it.

Yes, I do get where you're coming from on this.

The connection is that we're talking about speech and belief, not activity. Whether support for something that is a genuinely held religious belief but out of sync with the modern world, trumps that of the society it falls within. Where the line is as you say, that kind of thing.

I posted in the Wayne thread the other day supporting him, on the understanding that personally I believe that humour, even very offensive humour is a very good way for society to thrash things out. That's why legal action like that nazi pug b0llocks was entirely absurd and many rightly came out to condemn it.

Within team dynamics though, and in line with advice from employers, I think a person publicly admired and playing for their nation should be mindful of their conduct and responsibilities. I don't elevate genuine beliefs on account that they are said to be delivered from intergalactic beings seeking to punish entire demographics or telling the individual that it's fine to this or that. If what they feel it's telling them is roughly in line with the society they live in no-one cares, if it isn't, it causes problems. Not to target a specific religion, but has the hands off approach on hardcore islamic beliefs in this country really helped anyone or just caused endless problems for all?

I feel that a cultural take on religion that is at least partially aligned with basic understandings of others can certainly be of benefit to a person. Just spouting off and offending people and expecting no reaction to that, not so much.

Edited by dollardays (18 Apr 2019 2.27pm)

What a weird example to give, which is a crime and not free speech.

But the main issue is who decides where the line is. An authoritarian government? A Twitter hate mob?

Free speech is a classical liberal view. Shame the left disowned these social liberties a while ago.

Edited by Penge Eagle (18 Apr 2019 2.47pm)