Despite Israel's strong physical appearance, he is a highly personable, gentle and kind individual. He is extremely likeable. Israel is a Christian of the evangelistic ilk.
Israel, despite being a very nice person has repeatedly made the following types of statements:
That those that are gay, unmarried people having sexual relationships, those that drink to excess....[the list goes on] are sinful and all going to hell.
Society contains many different people from many walks of life. As people with common citizenship living in common communities and interacting with each other, we all need to learn to get on with each other. One aspect of getting on with each other is to not poke our noses into each other's business and publicly shame or criticise people. Shaming an individual person is one thing, but shaming a whole group of people is quite another thing. If we learn not shame people, not to pick on people of certain groups (and specifically, minorities) and especially if we don't pick on a minority group which is already being picked on, then perhaps our society can be more friendly to each other and to ourselves as well.
Now the way society has been developing is that societies are coming to the conclusion that gay people are not dangerous, that adults can choose who they are to love and who they are to be affectionate with. This hurts no-one. A compassionate and nice person will treat gay people as if they are people and not be concerned about who that person chooses to have romantic relations with. Not be judgemental, not call them out, not shame them, not threaten them with hell.
Many people in society are not Christians. It doesn't make sense for a Christian to run around pointing at strangers (regardless if they are Christian or not) and telling them they are going to hell.
If people are interested in Christian beliefs, they will either go to church and learn, or perhaps ask a Christian some questions. A nice Christian will answer those questions but will not simply tell people on the street that they are going to hell.
If you are the type of Christian that feels compelled to win people over to Christianity. Then do it with love. Be a nice Christian, be charitable, be a role model, share and care, help people in need, be pleasant. Telling people they are going to hell is the opposite of pleasant.
Now Israel, of course, is making biblical references inline with his christian beliefs.
He is entitled to have his Christian beliefs, but others around him are entitled to not share his beliefs. Gays are entitled not to be picked on and harassed.
He's not saying terrible things per se....
Yes he is saying horrible things. It is horrible to single out the gay community and publicly decree that they are all going to hell.
Surely there are nicer quotes from the bible that Christians can post and that won't be seen as harassment of minority groups.
HOWEVER - it has clearly been a breach of his contract and despite just recently signing a four year contract and despite being Australia's shining star - he has been sacked.
Fair enough too. I don't tolerate people or groups of people picking on or harassing other groups.
Being a public figure (sporting star) comes with a social responsibility to help unite people and get people feeling included and happy. Not to incite people to pick on minorities.
So the debate - religious freedom of speech versus the right of a sporting to code to insist its code of conduct is followed.
Again, why can't those religious folks quote nicer parts of their scripture? Why be compelled to quote parts that tell minority groups that they are sinners and are going to hell?
I mean, a non Christian hearing the statement "you are going to hell" is either going to be [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]ed off by you, scared of you, or just simply hate you. They are not going to be compelled to become a Christian and to tow the Christian line. If you want them to tow the line, you need to first win them over, them slam them with your rules.
This has cost Israel Millions of dollars. He has lost sponsorship worth millions and his International rugby career is ended unless he can change his public statements.
This is nothing compared to the costs borne by those minorities who are constantly being picked on, being attacked by hate groups, being thrown out of their families, being de-friended etc.
We should not be inciting hate, we should be growing respect for each other, showing charity, allowing people to be themselves, daring to be different etc.