Folau’s online comments have taken a turn for the worse.

[Not Kurt Weaver]

That is a false dichotomy. The law proscribes certain talk such as defamation, racism etc.

(Apart from the fact that Folau is not discussing - he is pontificating.)

I'm suggesting censorship and discussion by 2nd parties to IF pontificating message. Discussion with him would be pointless. Censorship of him would be dangerous and foolish.

Censorship would null his critics and effectively silence any argument against him.

[Not Kurt Weaver]

Get to hell Israel Folau, it is overflowing with bigots like him.

Not sure, but I think hell should be capitalized when referring to a place, real or not. Put it in all CAPS to make a point on Rugbyrefs.

[SimonSmith]

St Augustine? Rare, I accept, but let's not pre-judge..

sed noli molo

[OB..]

sed noli molo

"da mihi castitatem et continentam, sed noli modo"

[Jarrod Burton]

The bloke is a dick, but IMO he can hold whatever opinion he likes, even if people think its distasteful/damaging/whatever. If he is a hypocrite because of his opinion and his actions - well he won't be the first and definitely won't be the last and everyone has the right/choice to become a social pariah.

He also should have the opportunity to grow personally from this mistake - and who grows when attacked in the media, its much more likely that he would become defensive than open to "new" ideas - hence why populism is so strong in modern politics, social elites who attack the "deplorables" for their opinions really only serve to strengthen the us vs them.

[crossref]

A lot of this discussion is far from rugby related

Some good rugby questions might be
.. if you realised that a member of your grass roots rugby club is on YouTube delivering that sermon .. what would you do ? If anything

If someone on a rugby field said to the other team something like, no wonder your clubhouse got struck by lightning , it was God .. because of ... reasons

As a ref what would you do. If anything

[L'irlandais]

"da mihi castitatem et continentam, sed noli modo"

Give me chastity and continence, but not just yet.

I stuck it in the Non-rugby section for a reason.

[smeagol]

As a ref what would you do. If anything

Within the context of a match? If he's trying to wind someone up, I'd be having a chat with him and the captain.

At the social? Steer very clear, and do not engage.

[SimonSmith]

Sanction Table, Regulation 17:

9.12 A player must not verbally abuse anyone. Verbal abuse includes, but is not limited to, abuse based on: religion, colour, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation.

Low-end: 6 weeks

Mid-range: 12 weeks

Top-end: 18+ weeks

Max: 52 weeks

[Jarrod Burton]

As a ref what would you do. If anything

Excessive swearing or threats/barbs that include issues that the player has no control over (gender, sexuality, race) will usually elicit a word to the captain to settle it down followed by other sanctions - we've had history here of some pretty bad brawls arising from racial taunting so I'm very intolerant to it. Thankfully the teams down here know the referee's so they also know what we will accept as on-field behaviour and how far a bit of banter/verbal needling can go before its dealt with.

Barbs about a person's religion - personally who cares - but I can see why some would take it very badly.

A high level (ex international) netball umpire friend of mine and I have discussed what if the IF comments were made on the court/FOP. I wouldn't card (or probably even warn) a player who said "you are going to hell because you are gay" as I can't see it as abuse. If the words used included p**fter, fa**ot or many of the other words, then I'm going to step in, but only because the words used are likely to cause a reaction. She was on the fence so to speak - it doesn't seem to happen at Netball (in my state league experience) but she didin't like the use of any sort of provocative statements.