Israel Folau

Israel Folau (born 3 April 1989) is an Australian former professional rugby player. He was born in Minto, New South Wales to Tongan parents. He played for the Melbourne Storm and the Brisbane Broncos in the National Rugby League as well as for the Queensland rugby league team and the Australian national rugby league team (nicknamed the Wallabies). Born into a Mormon family, Folau became a member of an Assemblies of God fellowship as an adult. In May 2019, Folau's contract with Rugby Australia was terminated as a result of homophobic comments that he made on social media for which he refused to apologize. 
==Religious views and controversy==
Folau grew up as a Mormon, but moved to being an active member of an Assemblies of God fellowship in 2011. Folau has credited his relationship with God as a reason for his athletic success in the NRL, AFL and rugby union.Wallabies David Pocock responds to Israel Folau tweet after indicating he'll vote yes for same-sex marriage; wwos.nine.com.au; Sep 13th, 2017 In a 2017 article for Players Voice, Folau wrote that he reads the Bible every day and that faith in Jesus Christ is the "cornerstone of every single thing in my life" and "I believe that it is a loving gesture to share passages from the Bible with others. I do it all the time when people ask me questions about my faith or things relating to their lives, whether that’s in-person or on my social media accounts." Folau is nontrinitaria.
===Same-sex marriage and homosexuality===
In 2017, the Australian government called a national plebiscite on the question of changing the law to recognize same-sex marriage. In September, the ARU management declared the Wallabies in support of the change, prompting Folau to announce his personal opposition a day later on Twitter, where he wrote: "I love and respect all people for who they are and their opinions. but personally, I will not support gay marriage."SSM survey: Israel Folau breaks ranks with Wallabies to oppose same-sex marriage; www.abc.net.au; 13 Sep 2017 Folau later wrote in Players Voice: "I didn’t agree with Bill Pulver taking a stance on the same sex marriage vote on behalf of the whole organisation, but I understand the reasons behind why he did."
Folau's religious views became a subject of controversy in April 2018, when a follower of his instagram account asked him what God's "plan for homosexuals" was, and Folau replied: "Hell.. unless they repent of their sins and turn to God."
Folau later wrote in Players Voice "My response to the question is what I believe God’s plan is for all sinners, according to my understanding of my Bible teachings, specifically 1 Corinthians 6: 9-10". The tweet led to accusations of homophobia against Folau and of religious discrimination against him by accusers. The Wallabies chief sponsor Qantas condemned Folau's comments, announcing: "We've made clear to Rugby Australia that we find the comments very disappointing."Israel Folau a 'strong role model' despite saying gay people go to hell, Rugby boss Raelene Castle says ; www.abc.net.au; 10 Apr 2018 Rugby Australia's CEO, Raelene Castle, said that they accepted Folau's position, though they did not agree with his views, and he would not be sanctioned by the organisation.
Folau wrote: "Since my social media posts were publicised, it has been suggested that I am homophobic and bigoted and that I have a problem with gay people. This could not be further from the truth. I fronted the cover of the Star Observer magazine to show my support for the Bingham Cup, which is an international gay rugby competition for both men and women. I believe in inclusion. In my heart, I know I do not have any phobia towards anyone."I’m a sinner too; www.playersvoice.com.au
On 10 April 2019, in another Instagram post, Folau posted a screenshot of a meme which listed various groups, including “homosexuals, adulteres, liars, fornicators, thieves”, bearing the words, “WARNING: HELL AWAITS YOU. REPENT. ONLY JESUS SAVES”. Rugby Australia immediately denounced the post as homophobic. The next day, Rugby Australia announced their intention to terminate his contract "in the absence of compelling mitigating factors", and said they had been unable to contact him. Folau's post and the actions of Rugby Australia divided opinion amongst players and supporters and ignited a human rights debate across Australia, with Rugby Australia arguing its "inclusiveness" policy had been breached, and others calling for tolerance of the expression of religious views.Alan Jones condemns Rugby Australia over Israel Folau sacking… here’s why; www.2gb.com; 12/4/19Liberal MP Tim Wilson ‘concerned’ by move to sack Israel Folau; www.theaustralian.com.au; Apr 17, 2019 Ahead of his disciplinary hearing, Folau expressed a determination to continue playing rugby, while still holding to his beliefs. Delivering a sermon at his church on Easter Sunday at the height of the controversy, he broke down while recalling the words from the Bible "For what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" (Matthew 16:26)‘This life we live in is pretty hard’: Tearful Israel Folau breaks down in delivering sermon to churchgoers; www.foxsports.com.au; May 3, 2019
In May 2019 he was found guilty of breaching Rugby Australia's code of conduct, and later that month he lost a sponsorship deal with Asics. On 17 May 2019, he was sacked by Rugby Australia, ending his career with the Waratahs and the Wallabies. In January 2020, Folau was hired by French rugby league club Catalans Dragons.Aaron Bower, "Israel Folau: shock and outrage greets Catalas Dragons' signing" The Guardian 28 January 2020
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==External links==
Category:Famous Mormons
Category:Living people
Category:Homosexuality and Christianity