As rugby superstar Israel Folau’s fate gets decided today, the fallout from his social media antics still runs deep.
They’re a community firm in their beliefs, now forced to be reluctant in sharing their - what can be divisive - religious views publicly.
“I think this has been a lesson for people who are a lot more worried about saying their faith,” Dr Steen said.“I think there is a time and place for when you say your faith but as long as that is said in a way that is not divisive.” One Tongan lawyer told news.com.au if anyone else in their community shared the post Folau did, there would not be such uproar.On the eve of an internal code of conduct hearing for Folau’s appeal against Rugby Australia’s move to terminate his contract, the first Tongan to represent Australia toldIsrael Folau cries while delivering an Easter sermon.
Dr Tangikina Moimoi Steen, a Tongan researcher at the University of Australia, said people had to be responsible for what they said. “I’m a Christian too but as a model to the community I wouldn’t go there, purporting to incite fear, hate and othering, when we’re supposed to bring people together.”
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