The religious views and comments made by rugby player, Israel Folau has caused "division" in the Pasifika community, creating concerns for vulnerable young Pasifika, an expert says.
Dr Jemaima Tiatia-Seath, Auckland University’s Co-Head of Māori and Pacific Studies says ‘safe messaging’ is the way to avoid damaging young people, in the wake of the recent comments made by Israel Folau.
The Wallabies superstar and devout Christian posted a meme last month that read:
"WARNING Drunks Homosexuals Adulterers Liars Fornicators Thieves Atheists Idolaters, HELL AWAITS YOU. REPENT! ONLY JESUS SAVES before adding a bible verse from Galatians.
His future in rugby is again in doubt following backlash from many circles, including Rugby Australia.
Speaking to John Campbell on TVNZ1’s Breakfast today, Dr Tiatia-Seath said that the rugby player’s comments have created division in the Pasifika community.
“We are not able to control what people say and what comes out of their mouths, so I guess it’s coming together and like a damage control and saying “well, how do we respond to this as a community?” she says.
“He’s opened up the dialogue in our community and so, there’s division,” she says.
She compared Folau’s response to the likes of Sir Michael Jones, also a fundamentalist Christian who she said “had never made a homophobic remark,” and consequently showed spiritual maturity, in her view.
Israel Folau has a code of conduct hearing set for Saturday May 4th.
SHARE ME