Good article as usual, it's a confusing issue, however it can be cleared up if church would create some cool work pathways for their congregants and embrace a neo-gothic design approach to christian living spaces

'Homosexuality, although rare, is a natural occurrence in the human race. It is not a wrong. In condemning it, Israel Folau was being discriminatory.'

sorry Peter I have no intention of allowing university academics telling my kids what is right and wrong. Encouraging sodomy is wrong at every level.

Runner has spoken, therefore let there be no argument on the matter.
Good article Peter.

Though he was unwise, he certainly was moral. It's what he believes. Nor was it discriminatory; he wasn't treating anyone differently nor calling for anyone to be treated differently. And Peter Bowden's claim that it's discriminatory to contradict the prevailing moral standards of the time is utterly absurd.

Homosexuality isn't particularly rare. It's natural, but what's natural doesn't equate to what God wants. And though most people regard sexuality as binary, the truth is far more complicated.

The Old Testament did not simply expire when Jesus died on the cross. Though we are not subject to the OT laws, their purpose is still important. And while Jesus didn't condemn homosexuality, if you look in Matthew's Gospel you'll see that Jesus revealed God's purpose for human sexuality.

A bigger issue IMO was Folau's subsequent failure to clarify his intentions in sending that tweet; many people are now under the impression that he was motivated by hatred. Folau's own inaction on this matter has done far more harm than Rugby Australia's actions.

Folau has a right to hold and practice any religion (almost) that he believes in, even stone age views such as he holds along with a quite massive misinterpretation of biblical text!

None of which is backed in any way shape or form by so much as a single scaric of verifiable evidence. Just flat earth myth and legend!

But none at all to ram his massive misrepresentation of completely unproven and unprovable ancient biblical text! And as a breach of agreed to lawful contract!

Even if one accepts there's truth in some biblical text, when one visits the original Greek, the term homosexual doesn't mean what the term homosexual in literal English means, or Folau's narrow and misrepresented interpretation, ditto many other words and phrases and our incorrect translation. Let me give you one, for instance, example.

The Lord's prayer says, and do not lead us into temptation. As if the God of Love would ever do that!

So, when the original Greek text is revisited, the words more accurately translated mean, And do not put us to the test!

Fornication is between unmarried folk, yet when couples used to marry, that's how they selected their mate for life. Marriage, as we know it as a church ceremony, has only exist for around 300 years

That's so different and so are the admonishments against all that Folau claims a truth! When there's no factual proof that any of his, brainwashed from birth, superstition has anything remotely resembling the ring of truth.

Indeed may find himself facing his maker at the end of the day for being the very catalyst responsible in no small way for the suicide of dozens of confused and conflicted young folk, who sadly believe the garbage he's spouting!?

(Suggested reading should include the historically accurate religious expose, The pillars of the earth) A ripping good yarn! That'll keep you gripped until the final chapter and happy ending! There's also a three-set trilogy on DVD. But dated!
Alan B.

Peter Bowden is certainly not an arbitrator on morals. He has undoubtedly made up his own mind, and he is not really asking a question.