DOUBLE STANDARDS

WHAT a torturous path it treads when the Australian Rugby League attempts to curb their star, Israel Folau and his strongly held religious beliefs regarding homosexuality.

ARU Chief Executive Raelene Castle did verbal cartwheels trying to deflect heat on the issue and not get sponsors noses out of joint.

Religious conviction is not on the radar for big companies such as Qantas, Asics and Land Rover when they only want to continue sponsorship as long as the ‘inclusiveness’ boat is not rocked.

A listener to Ray Hadley hit the nail on the head regarding double standards in this debate.

Qantas flies to countries such as Indonesia, where gays in Aceh Province are publicly flogged.

Malaysia jailed a former politician Anwar Ibrahim on sodomy charges.

There are also Middle Eastern destinations, that may or may not be serviced by Qantas, where gays are executed by being thrown from buildings.

Will all these places now be on the ‘no-fly’ list for our non-discriminatory national carrier?

Does Asics sell shoes into the Middle East and do Land Rover export their vehicles to such anti-gay places as Saudi Arabia? Scratch around and you will probably find these sponsors make export dollars there.

The issue here is not whether Israel Folau is right or wrong, in his statements. But by the double-standards explained, a principle has been violated.

It used to be, in the words of Evelyn Beatrice Hall referring to the atheist Voltaire’s writings, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

The public square is getting smaller for people like Hall or Folau to have their voices heard. There are no winners in all this for Folau, the companies or the gay movement itself. PETER KNOBEL, Toowoomba