Anyone who derives a certain humour from contemplating the dilemma faced by pontifical politicians in forming laws on freedoms could be called a cynic.

Freedom of expression cannot include the "right not to be offended" yet we have law in place enshrining that right.

With admirable detachment, Israel Folau has expressed his religious opinion in public, a practice from which some people earn a good living. It therefore becomes apparent if allowance is made for expression then it must be made for criticism in light of genuine provocation.

With this in mind we can examine Folau's choice to dedicate his life and mind to what in reality is a phantom, a spirit, a fist full of Phlogiston and draw the inevitable conclusion that here is a substantial part of a life and an intellect wasted in futile pursuit. That futility will be visited upon his defenseless children. It is the conscious choice to grovel, to surrender and to corrupt innocence that offends.

But then, perhaps Folau's "choice" is that same physical phenomenon that predisposes one to homosexuality. It would be unbearably ironic if it were.