Folau’s church goes underground but he’s still posting
Campbell Gellie, The Daily Telegraph, Australia
Israel Folau’s God-fearing congregation has gone underground after the sacked rugby player put himself in the spotlight asking for $3 million for his legal bills.
The Truth of Jesus Christ held its usual Sunday service inside Israel’s father’s $2.1 million Kenthurst home on Sunday.
The YouTube video of Israel Folau asks for donations to fund his legal fees.
The service is usually broadcast on Facebook and open to the public at the Uniting Church Kenthurst.
Sunday’s service was closed and the home’s blinds were drawn.
The move comes after the Uniting Church Kenthurst secretary said there could be a time when Folau’s comments would see his congregation banned from using the building.
However Folau posted a passage from Corinthians on his Instagram page on Sunday afternoon, which received 8,391 likes within the first four hours.
On Friday, the highest-try scorer in Super Rugby history was slammed by former teammates and fans for asking for $3 million in donations to fund his legal challenge against Rugby Australia.
Australian netball royalty Liz Ellis slammed Netball Australia for stating it would take no action against Folau’s wife Maria, who plays for Adelaide Thunderbirds.
Maria shared her husband’s GoFundMe page on social media accounts.
Israel Folau and his wife Maria. Picture: Instagram.
“Yeah nah not good enough,” Ellis tweeted. “There is no room for homophobia in our game. Anyone who is seen to support or endorse homophobia is not welcome.
“As much as I love watching Maria Folau play netball I do not want my sport endorsing the views of her husband.”
Folau has engaged a high profile PR company to manage the advertising campaign for his GoFundMe account, including the production of a video. The company Civic Reputation would not reveal how much the campaign cost.
Since launching the campaign Folau has raised more than $700,00.
Maria Folau playing for the Thunderbirds. Picture: AAP/Mike Burton
“My fight with Rugby Australia to defend my right to practice my religion has so far cost my wife Maria and me over $100,000 in legal fees.
“Rugby Australia has an army of lawyers at their disposal and they have already said they will divert significant resources to fight me in court,” Folau said in the video.
“The cost to me and my family of continuing my legal action against Rugby Australia is expected to be significant. To help me, I’ve engaged a top-flight legal team, including one of Australia’s leading workplace relations barristers.”
Israel and Maria Folau at Kenthurst Uniting Church, where Folau’s father’s church usual holds its Sunday services. Picture: Hollie Adams/The Australian
Folau has lodged a legal challenge with Fair Work after his $4 million RA contract was ripped up in May over one of Folau’s social media posts, where he targets several sections of the community claiming they will go to hell.
He is claiming $10 million is lost wages and earnings.
The social post, which went up in April, has not been taken down.
Between a rock and a hard place - Christians are required by God share the Gospel and to warn those who are heading toward an eternal punishment that they need to turn away from sin and turn toward God. Perhaps there is a better way to do that than Folau has chosen, but this is a serious step in the War on Christianity. When speaking the truth becomes unacceptable, it would seem to be the beginning of the end for the Bible. It isn't, of course, but it is a sign of the approaching End Times when Christians will be persecuted like never before.
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