Faith, Football And Folau – Documentary Explores The Israel Folau Controversy
Israel Folau is widely recognised as a superstar of Australian sport. He ran into controversy after posting his religious views on social media, which indicated that “hell awaits” “homosexuals”. This public view was diametrically opposition to his employer’s view, Rugby Australia, who have a non-discriminatory position, and lead to the termination of his contract.
ABC TV will air a new documentary called Folau over two consecutive Mondays starting on November 21 that explore the complexities of the scandal. The series promises to delve into Folau’s upbringing, the nuance of religion in regards to LGBTQIA+ discrimination and will feature important Pasifika voices.
RELIGION AND RIGHTS
Folau has also said on social media, “The devil has blinded so many people in this world, REPENT and turn away from your evil ways. Turn to Jesus Christ who will set you free,” reports Sydney Morning Herald.
The rift between Folau and Rugby Australia made international headlines after RA terminated Folau’s contract, leading Folau to claim religious discrimination. Folau then pressed legal charges against Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs over the matter.
Katherine Wolfgramme FRSA is a trans advocate and gender diversity consultant, a Sydney WorldPride 2023 Rainbow Champion and was interviewed for this documentary; Ms Wolfgramme told DNA that Folau’s comments reflect a new-wave of religious zeal among younger generations. “Israel reflects a new wave of intolerant and very self-righteous born-again evangelical Christianity that is bewildering to everyday Pasifika people,” she says.
“The new wave is a worry because it tries to force people to be ashamed of themselves and to condemn each other. Unfortunately, this strain of American evangelicalism is extremely fanatical and intolerant. They seem to like to fight, and for them to do battle is to do God’s work, and if they are forced to be tolerant then they are being persecuted and they are martyrs.”
An opinion piece by Professor Jioji Ravulo reveals how Pasifika religion derives from a torrid history of colonialism from the West. When Manly Sea Eagles players refused to don Pride jerseys, Ravulo cited that their faith-based reasoning was misaligned with Pasifika traditions. Ms Wolfgramme says, “I believe the Pacific Nations have always been a haven of tolerance for transgender people because the third gender is, indeed, a part of all traditional Polynesian nations pre-European colonisation.”
“The problem with public intolerance is that it trickles down into the schoolyard where our children are being bullied and are being marginalised because the children are watching adults and taking example from them. It’s sad and it hurts me that I can do nothing to ease what they are going through because of the politics playing out in the public arena,” says Katherine Wolfgramme.
Folau to be screened in two parts by the ABC, the first instalment coming out Monday, November 21, will deep-dive into the rugby player’s upbringing, background and rise to fame. His religious and Pasifika background may offer invaluable insight into his perspective and worldview.
The second instalment releasing Monday, November 28 will detail the fall of Folau. After posting the contentious social media memes and making strong anti-LGBTQIA+ statements, Folau battled his former employer in court and found an ally with the Australian Christian Lobby.
Both parts of the series feature interviews and archival footage that helps round out the picture of who Israel Folau is and why this scandal is so complex. By featuring Pasifika voices and religious perspective, ABC hopes to engage all sides of this topic and examine the multifaceted issue of religious practice and anti-discrimination policy.
The documentary aims to create a holistic picture of who Folau is and to debunk the idea that anybody is innately bad despite their current opinions.
When asked about her personal opinions on Folau’s character, Ms Wolfgramme has this to say: “Fundamentally, I believe Israel is a good person. I hope people see this documentary and realise he is not a sinister person. I believe that he feels ashamed of himself because of his wild football days. And I believe he’s trying to wash his sins away by preaching against all the things he feels guilty for. It’s classic born-again hypocritical behaviour. I believe he has been misled and believe he is misleading good, innocent Christian people with his rhetoric. I also believe he is being used by the likes of The Australian Christian Lobby who are exploiting his naivety to their own ends. He chose to be Christian; we did not choose to be LGBTQIA+.”
Read DNA’s feature on Katherine Wolfgramme in DNA’s First Nations issue, DNA #274.
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