Self-Righteousness On Steroids

‘You Won’t Be Missed’ 

Rugby Fan Gets Life Ban for Criticising ‘Marxist’ BLM

Jack Montgomery
Breitbart London

A rugby fan has been banned from his club’s stadium for life for praising a girl who refused to “take the knee” and criticising “Marxist extremism and intimidation”.

Sharing a now-viral image of a player on a girl’s football (soccer) team declining to kneel for Black Lives Matter ahead of a game shared by actor Laurence Fox, Twitter user GJPowell had commented: “More moral fibre than the rest of her teammates combined and more balls than the entirety of the [English Premier League] player pool in the face of Marxist extremism and intimidation…?”

While the girl’s stand has been praised by thousands of social media users who are not fully on board with the organisations leading the Black Lives Matter movement, GJPowell’s support for it incensed Ben Jeffreys, the CEO of Pontypool Rugby Football Club in Wales, prompting an astonishing and highly personal attack.

“Find another club to support. You’re no longer welcome at @PontypoolRFC and Pontypool Park,” Jeffreys raged.  “I’ll personally ensure we never sell you a ticket ever again,” he vowed.  “When I said I would make positive change moving forward, I meant it. Good riddance. You won’t be missed.”

This remarkable personal intervention by Jeffreys, who recently shared a blog post about his personal revelation that “because of my white privilege, I’d never considered just how much inequality and discrimination truly exists within our communities” until the death of George Floyd, received heavy criticism from some commentators.

“What a woke ass Ben is,” remarked James Wells, a former Brexit Party MEP.  “[Black Lives Matter UK] is a Marxist political movement — even the [English Premier League] is distancing itself now!” he added.  Andrew Allison of The Freedom Association, meanwhile, said he “imagine[d] that many supporters of [Pontypool RFC] will think that Ben Jeffreys wouldn’t be missed if the club decided to fire him.”

“[GJPowell] didn’t say anything remotely racist in his tweet. He expressed the views of many of us. I am not going to genuflect for anyone. I am not about to take on the sins of people who died 200 or more years ago,” Allison insisted.  “Nor am I going to apologise for not supporting a Marxist movement which seeks to end the nuclear family, bring down capitalism, and abolish police forces across the country. Why would I?” 

Selective Morality

Hypocritical Prejudice

The dust is not settled in Australia.  Some folk have taken bitter umbrage at the confidential settlement reached by Israel Folau and Rugby Australia.  One of the more prominent, outspoken critics is ex-Rugby player, Peter FitzSimons.  He remains incensed that anyone would be allowed to hold, let alone practice, Christian beliefs and doctrines in the twenty-first century.

Here is FitzSimons in full flight:

As one who has followed the issues closely since Folau first disgraced himself by putting up a post endorsing the view that gays are destined for hell, and who has written and ranted about it extensively, I am more aware than most of the damage he has done, the hurt he has caused. In the 21st century, his homophobic gibberish—you heard me—simply has no place. And it is no excuse that the gibberish in question is sourced from the Bible. I was hoping the court would confirm that, hence the dissatisfaction.

Homophobic gibberish, eh.   It is sad to see a once great rugby player sneering at the beliefs of others.  It is sad indeed to see such sexist gibberish dribbling forth over the play ground.  FitzSimons should know better.  Well, he does know better, but we all love and energetically protect our own prejudices, don't we Peter.

FitzSimons, you see, is a grade A hypocrite.

Rugby Australia's Only Got Itself to Blame

Every Which Way They Lose

So, what to do?  Israel Folau has been found guilty (by Rugby Australia) for a "high-level" breach of his contract.  

A disciplinary hearing ruled Tuesday that Wallabies fullback Israel Folau committed a "high-level breach" of Rugby Australia's code of conduct when he used social media to criticise gays.  "The panel has today provided a judgment that Israel Folau committed a high-level breach of the Professional Players' Code of Conduct with his social media posts on April 10, 2019," the Rugby Australia statement said.  "The panel will now take further written submissions from the parties to consider the matter of sanction." [NZ Herald]

In so doing, Rugby Australia has opened itself up to a legal challenge that is far more egregious than Folau's alleged breach.  Rugby Australia has committed a prima facie breach of the law because it has denied Folau's fundamental human rights--and last time we checked Australia was a nation which has said not only that it recognizes such fundamental rights, but is dead serious about seeing they are upheld in that country.

This, from the Australian Human Rights Law Alliance:

Israel Folau

The Legal Context

The situation unfolding in Australia is fraught with difficulty for the Australian Rugby Union.  It faces significant liability if it pursues its attempt to shut down Israel Folau's free speech.  Here is an explanation of what confronts Australian rugby.

Slouching Towards Uncertain Justice

HRLA, Israel Folau and Freedom of Speech

May 03, 2019
HRLA

The year of our Lord two thousand and nineteen in Australia has so far been a fertile year for the public profile of the fundamental right of freedom of religion for Christians to manifest their beliefs. Whether it was the pre-Christmas attempted raid on Christian School freedoms in the Penny Wong Bill, the disappointing decision out of the High Court in the Clubb case about abortion “safe access” zones or the case of Israel Folau, never has religious freedom been so prominent in the general consciousness and culture of Australia. This is a time of both crisis and opportunity.

Human Rights Law Alliance

2019 has also been a providential time for the Human Rights Law Alliance to move into transition. As of March, Human Rights Law Alliance has incorporated as a not-for-profit law firm that is dedicated to helping Christians who experience discrimination because of their Christian beliefs. HRLA will specialise in legal cases and advisory involving freedom of speech, freedom of thought and freedom of conscience. Already, HRLA has been involved in over thirty matters, ranging from provision of quick advice to full representation in litigation matters. God’s timing is good timing. It is reminiscent of Esther 4:14 that HRLA has arrived “for such a time as this?”.

The Centre Cannot Hold

And these are critical times for religious freedom in Australia. I am reminded of the famous poem “The Second Coming” by William Butler Yeats, which is admittedly over-dramatic and starts with the ominous and portentous:

Turning and Turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,

This poem is usually widely quoted by those of a left-of-centre bent when a new “disaster” occurs, such as the 2016 election of Donald Trump. But I am happy to co-opt it as the frame of reference for discussing the state of religious freedoms in 2019 in Australia. For it seems that we have strayed far from our Judeo-Christian heritage and foundation – it appears that the centre cannot hold.

Further Ramifications From Rugby Australia's Prejudice

'Might as well sack me'

Taniela Tupou defends teammate over religious post

NZ Herald

Rugby Australia is facing a potential Polynesian player mutiny.   Taniela Tupou has claimed all Pacific Islanders "might as well just be sacked" because of their religious beliefs after Wallabies centre Samu Kerevi felt he needed to apologise for 'offending' fans after saying 'I love Jesus' in an Instagram post on Easter.

In an explosive development days from Israel Folau's attempt to save his multi-million-dollar career at a Rugby Australia code of conduct hearing, Tupou took to Facebook in a now deleted post.  The man once known as the Tongan Thor when he played in New Zealand, says he will never apologise for his faith.

"Seriously," his post began.  "Might as well sack me and all the other Pacific Islands rugby players around the world because we have the same Christian beliefs.  "I will never apologise for my faith and what I believe in, religion had [sic] got nothing to do with rugby anyways #TYJ ".

Phillip Jensen on the Australian Rugby Imbroglio

Israel Folau and Three Myths of a Changing Society

Phillip Jensen
Talks, Articles Resources

As Australians celebrate Easter, I want to assert, as a Christian, that because of his love, Jesus died and rose again to bear the sin and judgement of we sinners who deserve his condemnation. So, with all Christians, in obedience to our Saviour, I would call on all to repent and find forgiveness while they may.

However, I write this article not as a Christian but as an Australian citizen and lifetime rugby supporter, who happens to be a Christian, seeking what I see as the good of society. Furthermore, I am writing simply on the basis of public media information, without knowing the full details of Israel Folau’s employment. As a Christian, I don’t expect the Government or anybody to defend me, or my preaching of the gospel. They crucified my Lord and I am not to be surprised by any hostility towards his people. But as an Australian rugby supporter, I do think it is in the best interest of everybody to identify the issues behind this present imbroglio and do something about them, in order to protect our society and the game of rugby.

Whether you agree or don’t agree with Israel Folau, his sacking is a test case revealing the deep unresolved problems of our changing society. It’s much more than simply breaking a contract.

Hypocritic Hypotheticals

When Will They Ever Learn?

Over the past few weeks we have been regaled with oodles of hypocrisy being dolloped on one rugby team after another.  How can team managements ,be so stupid?

At the top of the pops has been the Israel Folau affair.  It looks like there is a risk that New South Wales Australian rugby is going to integrate into the void.  Team management has almost single handedly cut rugby off at the knees.  So effective has been the self-consumption, one is left musing whether the the supremo of rugby in Australia--(New Zealander!)  Raeleen Castle--has actually been playing out a role as a deep cover agent for NZ Rugby all the while.

Then there has been the delicious irony of Alan Joyce, CEO of Qantas--a serious sponsor of rugby in Australia--getting involved in the Israel Folau imbroglio.

Rugby Australia Is In A Dark Place

Fettered Minds

Alan Jones is a former coach of Australia's national rugby side.  He has changed roles.  Now he walks around a notional rugby ground with a big whistle dishing out penalties.  He has called out an noisome foul committed by Rugby Australia--at least as he sees it.  

Jones has taken out his filleting knife and skinning the fish.  He has decided he will stand in Israel Folau's corner and whistle the game as he sees it.  It turns out that Rugby Australia is beneath contempt--at least as Alan Jones sees it.  How refreshing to see the Chattering Classes get exposed. He writes:

White Colonialists At It Again

Sexular Colonialism

APRIL 14, 2019STEPHENMCALPINE

If my male, pale and stale heart could be warmed, it would be so by the growing realisation that the baton of colonialism, long the historic burden of the conservative, Christianised West, can now been handed to the woke Left in our culture.

The evidence is coming in in spades.  The progressive narrative has created, and is the process of enforcing, a new colonialism and, in a great irony, is enforcing it upon those it once championed.  For so long the progressive side of politics accused the historical nations of the West of colonising ethnic minorities, but suddenly they’ve signed up to the agenda.

And it’s all come down to sex.  The progressives have their own version of cultural assimiliation – let’s call it Sexular Colonialism.  What else to make of what is becoming a widening conflict between the self-aware sexular culture of big money, big government and big sport in the West, and many of those who are the actual players on the field?

In the wake of Israel Folau’s injudicious Instagram message, there has been a growing response from other rugby players of Islander backgrounds, who are backing his stance upon pain of sanction by their own unions.

Go through the list of those who have backed them.  Not a Smith or Jones in sight.  But plenty of names you can’t pronounce quickly and that you know come from Pacific Islander and other ethnic backgrounds.

So we get this from England’s Australian born Billy Vinupola, as quoted in The Guardian:

What was the UK response to this, frankly, historical orthodox view of Christian sexual ethics, minus the obvious “pleasure principle”?

Well Channel 4 cut him from their commentary team.  The Rugby Football Union has hauled him before a disciplinary board.  And when he took to the pitch to play this weekend he was roundly booed by spectators, and the tannoy speakers at the ground were pumping out  “It’s Raining Men“, just to make sure he got the point.  In other words, we’re watching you mate, and don’t forget it.

Well it might be raining men, but the men it’s raining are predominantly white, secular, well-heeled, well-educated men for whom sexual identity IS the foundational identity of a human being, and who have the power to enforce that perspective in the public square.  It’s Sexular Colonialism big time.

Now don’t get me wrong.  I do think Izzy blew it. I do think that we have all sorts of identity markers in our lives, and as a dreaded Pale/Male/Stale I’ve certainly learned to recognise this  And as a Christian I’m not so pious to airily wave my hand and say “Well, my identity is in Christ”.

Yes it is, theologically and in reality, but that’s not how I always manage to live my life, and in some senses other markers are important.  If we didn’t think identity markers were important then we wouldn’t have such clear gender definitions grounded in creation.

But notice what Billy said? 

There just comes a point when you insult what I grew up believing in that you say enough is enough.

For Billy, for Israel, and for a host of other players in the spotlight, they’ve come to realise that their deep ethno-religious frameworks upon which they have built their lives have to bow down the idol of sexual identity.  There is no option if they wish to continue in their employ.

These other markers – ethno-religious -, for so long championed by the Left, are now being viewed as barriers to progress.  And we know how the Left treats barriers to progress.  There is a pecking order when it comes to identity, and race and religion sit squarely below sex.   It must be quashed.

Sexular Colonialism right there.

Still not convinced?  So a friend working in the public service in our home state tells me that after a long intense PD day on how to promote sexual diversity in his workplace, he approached the organisers and said that many people within the Australian indigenous community would have a problem with this.  The response?  “Well they will just have to get on board.”

Get on board.   The bulk of the indigenous community who hold to traditional values in terms of marriage, will have to get on board the whitefella’s agenda.  Since when did that become anything but colonialism? If they don’t get on board, they’re gonna get run over.

Sexular Colonialism is also the reason why 600 Muslim families, of assorted racial backgrounds, have been protesting outside government schools in the UK, where a radical sexual curriculum is being rolled out across schools.  The very cohort who the Left has championed for so long are now firmly in the same cohort’s crosshairs.

You would assume it would make the new colonists stop and think.  And it does.  They stop, think, and then say “You’re wrong, get on board.”

Now none of this is to say that there are not those within these communities who take a different approach to sex.  But what it is to say is that when it comes to pushing a dominant cultural barrow that is alien to those outside the West, the Left is as good as any at doing it.  And they’re hypocrites for denying it.

The other thing I’ve noted is the sheer bravery – if not always entirely sensible – of those such as Billy Vunipola.  For all of those of you who wish to tear him down, I’d like to see you deal with anywhere near the public pressure and scorn that he is facing. You’d curl up in a ball and cry in a minute.

He’s actually had time to watch how Folau has been scorned by the progressive narrative.  He’s seen the ridicule heaped upon Folau by the likes of Peter Fitzsimons and the ABC.  He’s realised that Folau’s career is dead in the water, and that the sensible thing to do – the thing he would feel under enormous pressure to do – would be to distance himself from Folau, or try to find reasons to support him while not supporting him at the same time.

What does he do?  He puts it all on the line.  Of course Billy has been praised time and time again for putting it all on the line for his football.  But for his faith?  Don’t even think about it.

If anyone wants to say “Yes, but” at this point, especially a Christian, then just project yourself to The Last Day and ask, will Billy be ashamed of saying what he said about God and sex and the gospel when he stands before Jesus?  If you can’t say “No” to that then perhaps you’ve been more colonised than you think.

And look, I don’t pretend that I would stand up and say what either of those two men said and I could find a way to consider it stupid, uneducated and not culturally savvy.  But I am pale, male and stale after all, that’s how we pale, male and stale types justify ourselves.

For the large cohort in the West that seems to be insulted by just about everything that ends up on social media that drops onto the insular safety of their iPhone, the fact that Billy can stand on a grass pitch in the middle of an oval being booed by fans, and then scorned by the public address system before the game has even begun, before knowing that he faces disciplinary procedures from his employer, is testament to his bravery.

And that’s for saying something far milder, with less sting in it, than Folau did. But Sexular Colonialism will have its way.  It must have its way.  Dissenting voices in the public square now know what they will face. It’s both sad and admirable to realised that it’s those who have already emotionally muscled up to public scorn on the football field for their skin colour, who are emotionally muscling up for another round of colonialism.

Meanwhile the male, pale and stale of us sit in the comfort of the stands munching on a pie.

Steve McAlpine is approaching an age which would be a more than useful Test batting average. He is a pastor of Providence Church in WA, is married to Jill and together they have two children, Sophie and Declan. Steve grew up in Northern Ireland, but apart from rolling his “r’s”, and talking too fast, is a West Aussie through and through. He has degrees in journalism and theology and enjoys combining the two through writing and blogging, especially on matters of church planting and cultural negotiation for Christians in the increasingly complex West.

Some Sanity and Perspective in the Folau Imbroglio

Israel Folau Controversy Proves Christians Are Fair Game

Northland Age
Peter Jackson
Editor

Israel Folau has been lambasted with hatred by the media for his beliefs. Israel Folau has been lambasted with hatred by the media for his beliefs.

The furore over Israel Folau's stated belief, in answer to a question, that unrepentant homosexuals are destined for Hell, is remarkable for one thing and one thing only — that it is news. And big news at that.

What should not surprise us is that it reminds us, if we needed reminding, that when it comes to the laws and social mores governing the denigration of people, cultures or religions, Christianity is in a class of its own. And not a good class.  Clearly, Christians cannot be offended, and while they have the right to believe what they will, they do not have the right to articulate those beliefs.

Those who have objected to Folau's utterance might well have a point in terms of some who do not conform to the Christian view regarding what is sexually acceptable, namely heterosexuality strictly confined within the bounds of marriage, are fragile, and therefore vulnerable. Some who take his warning to heart, we are told, might in fact be so vulnerable as to take their own lives.

That concern might well be genuine and realistic, but the bigger issue is his right to say what he said, and the extraordinary reaction to it.

Rugby's Collective Versus Free Speech

The Hum of the Hive

"The team is the thing!"  Australian rugby boss, Raelene Castle is caught in a cleft stick over Israel Folau.  She says its the hardest thing she has ever had to deal with.  At least she is making an effort to deal with the Folau's beliefs that unrepentant men and women are bound for Hell.  Here is her account of the fundamental issue:

Castle said she has spoken to Folau again this week, but Rugby Australia has refrained from taking action against Folau despite the reaction from fans, players and sponsors.  "There's no black and white answer," Castle said.  "On the one hand you're dealing with a human rights issue. On the other hand, you're dealing with freedom of speech and someone's right to express their views, whether it be religious or otherwise.

"I think the test continues to be whether that's done in a respectful way, so that's the measure that we'll continue to apply.  It's a very hot topic in the Australian landscape at the moment. The freedom of speech movement is looking for a conversation to be had and that's why - and I keep repeating myself - it's very delicate and we're trying to manage both sides so everyone feels included."  [NZ Herald]

In this quotation, however, Castle seems confused.  She appears to distinguish between "human rights" on the one hand, and "freedom of speech", on the other.  For some reason Castle may have overlooked, or forgotten, that free speech is one of the most fundamental of all human rights.

Advance Australia Fair

Richie McCaw vs Australia


It's the day of the final Australian test match and Richie McCaw goes
into the All Blacks changing room to find all his teammates looking
down.

"What's up?" he asks.

"Well, we're having trouble getting motivated for this game Richie. We
know it's important but we've just beaten Argentina and South Africa
in consecutive weeks and, let's be honest, it's only Australia. We
simply can't be bothered."

Richie looks at them and says: "Oh well, the way they've been playing
recently, I reckon I can beat these Aussies by myself.  You guys go
down to the pub and forget about rugby."

So Richie goes out to play the Wallabies by himself while the rest of
the All Black team head off for drinks.

Salute the French

 Almost . . .

The old rugby adage, "never underestimate the French" has been proven true again.  Those who were nervous and cautious were vindicated.  Those who thought the All Blacks would win by thirty points had their "on-paper" calculations exposed as artificial. 

What an amazing game the French played.  And amidst the perpetual debate about the relative merits of northern and southern hemisphere rugby there are few games that kept us on the edge of our seats right to the last second as this final did.  What a torrid game. 

It also shows how difficult it is to win the Cup away from home.  Congratulations to the AB's.  They will go down in history as one of the great teams developed in turn by a great management team .  Its great to see personal egos submerged beneath a common goal, yet in such a way that each individual played his heart out.  It was also great to see the mix of old and new in the team--and it is pretty evident that the lack of experience of the younger players would have had them crumble last night were it not for the steely resolve of the older heads. 

For us, one of the best moments was the appearance of Donald at first five.  It represented a resurrection motif--and how we love that theme and motif, all us Christians! 

Now, back to the real world!

Congratulations

 Barely a Foot Wrong

Congratulations to the All Blacks.  Best game we have seen them play in a long, long time.

Scenes of monstering the Aussie scrum late second half were a sight to behold!

Robbie Deans was honest, as ever, as reported in the Sydney Morning Herald. 

Being Played

Bad Manners

We have to confess that we have been enjoying a good belly-laugh at the clever Greg Growden, rugby columnist for the Sydney Morning Herald.  He has written a piece seething with faux indignation about the alleged bad behaviour of a Minister of the Crown at a corporate hospitality box watching the Australian rugby team struggle manfully against Italy.

Apparently the Minister (unnamed) shouted out ungentlemanly remarks about the Australian team's quality of play, its ethics, manhood, and other publicly unmentionable matters, whilst enjoying the hospitality of the Australian Rugby Union.

Peter FitzSimons Clarifies

Those Useless Sub-Editors

Peter FitzSimons was explaining several days ago how the Wallabies were going to romp to victory over the All Blacks. This morning in the Sydney Morning Herald, he, ummm, clarified his position! FitzSimons at his best!

Oh, come off it. One time in your life, one time in your life, you haven't made a complete dickhead of yourself by publicly proclaiming the Ten Reasons the Wallabies would thump the All Blacks, only to subsequently see them go down by a near record score? All while wearing the absurd affectation of a red bandanna?

I know I have.

And the worst of it is I didn't really mean to. For when I went back to compare what I had written with what was published, I was horrified to see that what I had originally written was actually right on the money, and it was just the bloody subeditors that changed the meaning. Here, thus, finally, is the original, unexpurgated version.

Ten reasons we're gunna be flogged like a convict caught with the governor's wife.

1. While it is against the natural order of things for a group of New Zealanders to beat a group of Australians at anything, you only have to see how Julia Gillard went from playing full-forward with the Western Bulldogs to being Prime Minister - all in the space of three weeks - to see that stranger things have happened.

2. George Bernard Shaw once said German composer Richard Wagner ''has some wonderful moments … but some terrible half- hours!" and as the same may be said of the Wallabies over the past few Tests, there is every chance that will happen again.

3. The All Blacks are on fire. Some blowhard know-nothings say there is no way they can possibly play better, ever, than they did against the Springboks in their past two Tests, but form like that doesn't die overnight.

4. Our forward pack is going to get belted! Yes, they've moved forward from the days of having a collapsing scrum and a dud lineout, but they're still probably a week off being able to BELT THOSE MONGRELS STUPID!

5. We're out of our depth. When you lose a player the likes of Quade Cooper at five-eighth, it doesn't matter when you have a genius the calibre of Matt Giteau to move into that position, it never happens immediately. By next Saturday in Christchurch the new combination should be on fire, but I fear it won't happen immediately.

6. Drew Mitchell. He worries me. Yes, he's talented, but he's also hot-headed. If you really want to know what I think, I fear he's going to threaten my record for being the only Wallaby sent from the field in a match against the All Blacks.

7. Richie McCaw. He is the most damaging player in the world, and has never been stronger than right now. I think he will tear us apart in the second half. Plus he has the luck of the All Blacks.We're Australians. They're Kiwis. They're a lot luckier than us. Fair dinkum, how long is it since the ball bloody well bounced our way in a Bledisloe Test? EVERY freaking time, they get the rub of the green and we get a hole in the bloody donut. There is no reason to expect that will change.

8. History shows that the All Blacks are never stronger than a year out from the World Cup, and that is exactly where they are now.

9. The Kiwis want it more. We Australians have so many things to boast about, we lose track. Those poor bastards only have the All Blacks, so they ride it harder.

10. The Wallabies are cleverer. The most important match is not this first match, but the NEXT THREE, when our blokes will be BAAACK to tear them apart, after having lulled them into a false sense of security by allowing them to rack up 49 points. Remember, you heard it here first!