"A Calculated Attempt to Slime"

Australian Donors Slam 'Smear Campaign' Against Israel Folau 

Matt Young
NZ Herald


Supporters who have donated to Israel Folau's controversial GoFundMe campaign say they have contributed because "freedom of speech is under attack and religion prevails" as the fundraiser edges closer towards one million dollars.  The devoutly Christian athlete was fired after a tribunal found him guilty of a "high-level" breach of the Rugby Australia code of conduct for posting on social media that "hell awaits" gay people.

He has set up an online fundraiser to support his legal fight against Rugby Australia.  News.com.au approached those who donated to his campaign over the weekend, but none wanted to be identified, citing the "fear of a diatribe of hate and righteousness being thrust upon them by the lefties and extremists".

Another declined to be identified blaming his own workplace's code of conduct. 

One donor in Melbourne told news.com.au: "I don't think there's any reason to shine light. Let people donate to him as he serves his people and is being unfairly shamed in public."  Another said supporters of Folau "fear labels such as bigot and homophobic being piled on them, all while simply expressing their opinion or just exercising their democratic right.  We cannot have a debate nowadays without these labels being thrown at you," the supporter said.

It comes as the Australian Christian Lobby called attacks on Folau a "smear campaign", with managing director Martyn Iles saying he was "very happy to financially support him".  "As Christians, we are supposed to stand with those of the household of faith who encounter various difficulties and trials," he wrote on Facebook.  Mr Iles described the situation as a "calculated and deliberate attempt to slime Israel Folau".
 

"It is unjust, and it threatens to set a precedent which could bring about the same injustice upon many employees, professionals, and others in the Australian community," he said.  "He did no wrong, but he is being punished as a wrongdoer."  Mr Iles said the situation had been "very hard on Israel for a host of reasons, and the media continue to attack both him and his wife with false information".

Folau had his $4 million Rugby Australia contract terminated in May. By noon on Sunday, about 8300 people had contributed $635,000 to his "Israel Folau Legal Action Fund".  The spike in donations came despite reports Folau has a property portfolio worth close to $7 million across NSW and Queensland.

"We are all happy to donate. He could have asked for 10 times that and I'd still chip in," another Sydney donor told news.com.au.  "I donated. Twice. Once for rugby. The second for religious freedom and free speech. I might give again because the Qantas CEO doesn't have the right to get involved," he said, making reference to Alan Joyce, who rubbished claims he was responsible for ordering Folau's sacking.

"(Folau) can do with it what he wants. I'm supporting him. I can send him my money. I trust he will spend it wisely.  "Apparently you can't ask for money if you have money and you must be terminally ill to be on GoFundMe. That's probably more concerning if you ask me."

Despite Folau's decision prompting a sharp backlash, supporters say people "need to back off and leave the guy alone" and that the decision to donate may not be due to Folau's views against homosexuality, but "donating for themselves".

"It's a sign that a lot of people don't support the decisions that Rugby Australia made, not necessarily support his religious views but support his religious freedom," one donor said.  "You cannot contract out common law rights. Freedom of speech and religion are common law rights," said another.

One person told news.com.au the fight "wasn't all about Izzy" and that "not all who are donating share his beliefs or agree with all that he says.  "Free speech is important and people may want to use their own hard-earned money to support the case to uphold that right for all Australians," one donor said.  "A lot of us are getting sick of the leftist outrage mob, and will donate to see Rugby Australia pay for their dumb, intolerant decision."