The totally off-topic thread

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He also played Aussie Rules for some Sydney team.

IMO, he is entitled to his beliefs, but as the recent cricket debacle has shown, a lot of young people look up to you as leaders and role models and dare I say it, even 'hero worship' you and so on, it sends the wrong message.

To me personally, I don't care what he says as I don't believe in this heaven and hell bulldust, nor any other religious claptrap regardless of what the religion is, animism included, (am I allowed to say that without offending anyone?), but as usual YMMV.
 
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No such thing as freedom of speech in Australia.
Not quite right.

Without turning this into a religious discussion why is it ok to trash the Bible and Christianity? It happens almost daily yet is highly offensive.

Hypocrisy?
 
Not quite right.

Without turning this into a religious discussion why is it ok to trash the Bible and Christianity? It happens almost daily yet is highly offensive.

Hypocrisy?
Actually it is correct, there is no provision for freedom of speech in our constitution.
The Australian Constitution does not explicitly protect freedom of expression.
from here.

Nothing to do with religion. Discrimination is against the law.
 
from my understanding - which is limited, the idea of free speech, was to originally protect people from religions persecution - from either the State or the Church (in its many, many, many forms).

and so FOP has since morphed into what it is perceived to be today.

i think the important thing to consider/remember is that you are still free to say what you like - just keep in mind there could be consequences following on from what you say - legal, spirited debate on relative merits of various views, etc.

in any manner of FOP - i think the speaker should at least consider the harm and damage their speech could inflict on others - and try and minimize this harm/damage.

it all comes back to trying to be a civil, decent, even tempered, compassionate member of a civil society ? Do no harm if we can ?
 
Not quite right.

Without turning this into a religious discussion why is it ok to trash the Bible and Christianity? It happens almost daily yet is highly offensive.

Hypocrisy?
I googled after blackcat20’s post and it’s true. But all religions are targeted JohnK, not just Christianity.
Unfortunately while the majority want to live and let live there are always those who don’t hold those values. Expect the worst from people and hope to be pleasantly surprised.
 
from my understanding - which is limited, the idea of free speech, was to originally protect people from religions persecution - from either the State or the Church (in its many, many, many forms).

and so FOP has since morphed into what it is perceived to be today.

i think the important thing to consider/remember is that you are still free to say what you like - just keep in mind there could be consequences following on from what you say - legal, spirited debate on relative merits of various views, etc.

in any manner of FOP - i think the speaker should at least consider the harm and damage their speech could inflict on others - and try and minimize this harm/damage.

it all comes back to trying to be a civil, decent, even tempered, compassionate member of a civil society ? Do no harm if we can ?
in fact so many of the so called Christians who come out with offensive statements are actually Old Testament fire and brimstone people. Christ’s message of love one other etc just can’t fit in with these mesages of hate. He never had any exclusions on who to not love.

Whether one believes in god or not his philosophy wasn’t a bad one. Just been distorted by frail mankind.
 
Being labelled a racist isn't just a simple disagreement at what's being said. It's an ugly attack that is somehow justified and allowed.

I should be entitled to freedom of speech without someone telling me what they think or feel.

In your opinion.
 
As I say to my wife who is very much a "christian", (in that she comes from a very religious background and believes in her god and so on), I like to think that I can live my life with strong christian values and ethos (imo) without having to regard myself as a "christian" and believing in all the extra stuff that gets lumbered with it.

Make sense?, probably not, but I know what I mean! :)

I just don't get it when religion causes so much harm and hatred in the world, including those that believe they are the "chosen ones". Why can't we all just get on, without greed, caste systems and anything else that makes some people believe they are better than others...... What is it about us that makes us need crutches?
 
As I say to my wife who is very much a "christian", (in that she comes from a very religious background and believes in her god and so on), I like to think that I can live my life with strong christian values and ethos (imo) without having to regard myself as a "christian" and believing in all the extra stuff that gets lumbered with it.

Make sense?, probably not, but I know what I mean! :)

I just don't get it when religion causes so much harm and hatred in the world, including those that believe they are the "chosen ones". Why can't we all just get on, without greed, caste systems and anything else that makes some people believe they are better than others...... What is it about us that makes us need crutches?
I don’t mind people needing crutches - that’s perfectly OK. It is when the crutch requires you to look down on other people, that it is a step too far.
 
I googled after blackcat20’s post and it’s true. But all religions are targeted JohnK, not just Christianity.
Unfortunately while the majority want to live and let live there are always those who don’t hold those values. Expect the worst from people and hope to be pleasantly surprised.
I don't see many cartoons in our newspapers criticising or making fun of Hinduism, Buddhism or Islam.
 
People expressing their disagreement with you doesn't constitute suppression of free speech.

There's no right to just say whatever you want and expect people to nod thoughtfully and acceptingly.
But sponsors threatening to withdraw sponsorship when you make a statement that states your beliefs but they disagree with is a strike against free speech as in the Folau case.
Of course the hypocrite of the year award goes to the Red Bandanna who lashes out at Folau but says nary a word about Andrew Mundine who made a much worse comment on the same subject on prime time TV this year.
 
Well that shuts down my question then! Things you learn on AFF! Thanks BC.
I have a question in reference to what he said. Did he say anything that is illegal in the eyes of Australian Law? (Im no law expert just asking the question)
 
But sponsors threatening to withdraw sponsorship when you make a statement that states your beliefs but they disagree with is a strike against free speech as in the Folau case.
Of course the hypocrite of the year award goes to the Red Bandanna who lashes out at Folau but says nary a word about Andrew Mundine who made a much worse comment on the same subject on prime time TV this year.
There’s your hot button man again.
 
how does that convert to him facing penalties

Because our society has changed from a theistic society to an non theistic society.

addendum..

The result of the above is that Australian born theists are required to conduct themselves in a manner that does not offend non theists, even when this conflicts with their theistic beliefs.

Of course we must accomodate our new brothers and sisters who have come to live in our land. Their theism is quite acceptable along with any expressed features or behaviours that may seem challenging to Australian non theists.

On the other hand Israel Folau is Tongan where in the 2011 census 91% define themselves as Christian.
In Australia discrimination on the basis of religion is not specifically unlawful but can be if based on ethnic considerations.So quite possible Folau would have a case if he loses his job.On the other hand the NRL would probably pay him more.
 
The Banking Royal Commission is already having an effect on lending practices.
Just applied for a personal loan to restructure debt.
After submitting the application the auto response came back within 3 seconds.

"After examining your application in full we regret we are not able to assist on this occasion."

Must have been a lot of examination.
 
But sponsors threatening to withdraw sponsorship when you make a statement that states your beliefs but they disagree with is a strike against free speech as in the Folau case.
Of course the hypocrite of the year award goes to the Red Bandanna who lashes out at Folau but says nary a word about Andrew Mundine who made a much worse comment on the same subject on prime time TV this year.

Legislators and regulators are one thing, but seriously, sponsors? Totally free to do with their money as they like, as indeed are you.

Virgin or another Qantas competitor are totally free to sponsor the “gays all going to hell” side if they think it makes commercial sense, but I think you’ll find it doesn’t and they won’t.

Peter Fitzsimmons being an idiot really doesn’t make Folau’s comments any less odious.
 
What I was trying to say - a bit obtuse, perhaps - is that the self-righteous, hectoring, lecturing, damning 'rights' groups ... many types ... have taken over how the Christian 'right' in the USA used to go about. 'Their' side/position is right/just, everyone who doesn't agree with their view is evil/unjust and must be silenced. I'm not sure if we can talk about the recent plebiscite now or not, but that pretty benign beer ad that got howled off air is what I'm talking about.

As I noted above, silencing/censoring an opposition is the only way to go if your arguments are not good enough to counter the other side..
Sounds to me like left sided politics and some way to the left.
 
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