Nigel Owens on inclusive rugby.

[crossref]

This is a good read

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/20...hind-ugly-mess

This also is quite good. More re thoughtful than what we normally get from stuff
https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/opinion/...h-israel-folau

Interesting idea that it's ok to be anti gay in semi public, like within your own homophobic church, but not ok if you put into t on Instagram .. how does that work ?

Again we have to wonder ... Is this a contractual issue or a moral one ?

[Ian_Cook]

This also is quite good. More re thoughtful than what we normally get from stuff
https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/opinion/...h-israel-folau

Interesting idea that it's ok to be anti gay in semi public, like within your own homophobic church, but not ok if you put into t on Instagram .. how does that work ?

Again we have to wonder ... Is this a contractual issue or a moral one ?

The stuff article is much closer to "on-point" than the Guardian one. The problem with the Guardian article is that it is not balanced. Its painting contract law and religious freedom as enemies. The writer doesn't seem to understand that an important part of the purpose of contract law is to protect minority groups from vilification.

If I was an Australian employer now, I would be very reticent to hire theists.

[Dickie E]

We have staff members ?
Who is left, and what do you do now ?

If you think the forum has gone down hill what are the staff members doing about that ?

the first rule of staff membership is to not discuss staff membership

[crossref]

Meanwhile Nigel Owens says he respects Folau's religious beliefs (shom mistake , shurely )

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/48320171

"I respect their religion, I respect their beliefs and all I would like to ask is that they respect other people's way of life and try to understand that it's not a choice," Owens added.

"I cannot choose my sexuality; I can choose what religion I follow, I can choose what kind of person I am - I'm a good person - what sport I play. There are many, many things I can choose in life but my sexuality is not one of them, that's what I'd like them to understand

[crossref]

.

If I was an Australian employer now, I would be very reticent to hire theists.

Why theists? Do you mean homophobics?

[Ian_Cook]

Why theists? Do you mean homophobics?

Thanks to Folau, how can we tell the difference?

[crossref]

Thanks to Folau, how can we tell the difference?

We are so far from rugby refereeing aren't we ? If only there were some staff members who would take control

But meanwhile , Ian, it's a venn diagram thing, there are theists , and there are homophobics, the two setsoverrlap

[Ian_Cook]

We are so far from rugby refereeing aren't we ? If only there were some staff members who would take control

I can move this to general discussion if you wish

But meanwhile , Ian, it's a venn diagram thing, there are theists , and there are homophobics, the two setsoverrlap

Whether they are part of a Venn diagram or not, how can you tell the difference. Do theists walk around with "I am a gay-hating bigot" tattooed on their foreheads?

I think you are (unsurprisingly) missing the point.

If a non-theist brings my business into disrepute by going on a bigoted, homophobic rant, I am within my rights to fire his arse on the spot, but under a system that allows special privileges to theists to go on bigoted, homophobic rants because God, I will be powerless to stop him. He will be able to drag my business through the mud and there won't be thing one I can do about it. If I fire him, I will be suppressing his freedom of religious expression.

From my perspective, its better to not hire him in the first place.

[Dickie E]

From my perspective, its better to not hire him in the first place.

Indeed and that is why governments make that action illegal. Similarly you can't not hire a woman just because you think she might get pregnant and have a negative impact on your business.

[Ian_Cook]

Indeed and that is why governments make that action illegal. .

Let them prove it.

Similarly you can't not hire a woman just because you think she might get pregnant and have a negative impact on your business.

I have four employees; all women - ranging in age from 21 to 43