Faithwire
  • Watch
  • Go!
  • Podcasts
  • Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • News
  • Politics
  • Coronavirus Updates
  • Faith
  • Opinion
  • Christmas
  • Set Free Course

GoFundMe Shuts Down Israel Folau’s Campaign Page After $750,000 Raised In Legal Fees

Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Share Tweet
By Will Maule
Author

June 24, 2019

A crowdfunding campaign set up in support of former Australian national rugby player Israel Folau has already raised upwards of $750,000, despite the media’s insistence that he is alone in his spiritual convictions and lacking general support.

Australian Rugby Player Israel Folau Could Have Kept His Job if He Deleted Two Words From Bible Post

Folau’s multi-million dollar playing contract was terminated after he shared a Bible verse on Instagram which called on people to repent of their sins.

Since the final decision was taken to kick Folau off the team ahead of the 2019 World Cup, a group called the Australian Christian Lobby has sought to offer support through a crowdfunding campaign as the star full-back announced he was launching a legal challenge against the decision. Folau is seeking up to $10 million damages.

The group’s managing director, Martyn Iles told 7 News that Folau had “lost his job, lost his livelihood and has been dragged through the mud” after being stripped of his $4 million Rugby Australia contract and vowed to back the rugby player’s lawsuit with Australia’s Fair Work Commission.

“It’s more about creating a grassroots support network, raising the profile of the case and giving people a voice to buy into the whole thing,” he said of the fundraising campaign.

“People have been asking me how they can support Izzy, and this gives them a way.”

Fundraising page shut down by GoFundMe

Despite raising an enormous amount of cash, GoFundMe reportedly shut down the fundraising page at the weekend. According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the online platform says his campaign “breached its terms of service.”

“As a company, we are absolutely committed to the fight for equality for LGBTIQ+ people and fostering an environment of inclusivity,” said GoFundMe spokeswoman Nicola Britton in a statement, according to the BBC.

“While we welcome GoFundMe’s engaging in diverse civil debate, we do not tolerate the promotion of discrimination or exclusion,” Britton added.

‘No Australian Should Be Fired for Practicing Their Religion’: Rugby Star Israel Folau Files $10 Million Lawsuit

What did Folau’s Instagram post actually say?

The post, which is still live on Folau’s page, declares “WARNING,” before listing a number of sins which must be repented of, pending eternal judgment.

Peta Credlin: The issue isn't whether or not you agree with what Israel Folau posted. It's about his right to post it. It's more important to defend the right of others to say things you disagree with than it is to defend views you support.

MORE: https://t.co/XfKwvG9XRz #Credlin pic.twitter.com/XebYEs2Lka

— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) June 24, 2019

Referencing 1 Corinthians 6:9, the graphic lists “Drunks, homosexuals, drunks, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists, idolaters,” before imploring “HELL AWAITS YOU,” and “REPENT! ONLY JESUS SAVES.”

You can see the original post below:

View this post on Instagram

Those that are living in Sin will end up in Hell unless you repent. Jesus Christ loves you and is giving you time to turn away from your sin and come to him. _______________ Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these , adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19‭-‬21 KJV _______________ Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38 KJV _______________ And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Acts 17:30 KJV _______________

A post shared by Israel Folau (@izzyfolau) on Apr 10, 2019 at 1:18am PDT

In a video released last week, Folau argued that “every Australian should be able to practise their religion without fear of discrimination in the workplace.”

Latest

  • Entertainment

    ‘You Simply Changed My Life’: Steve Harvey Pens Heartfelt Love Letter to Wife Citing ‘God’s Grace’ and His Journey Overcoming Homelessness

  • Faith

    URGENT PRAYER: Wife of Pastor Detained in China Has a Plea for the Global Church: ‘May the Lord Be Glorified…’

  • Culture

    ‘Honor Them For Their Great Sacrifice’: Chris Pratt Praises Men and Women in Uniform After WWII Veterans Surprise Him at Hollywood Premiere

  • News

    As Pro-Lifers Cheer End of Roe, Democrats Lament SCOTUS Overturning ‘Right’ to Kill the Unborn: ‘One of the Darkest Days Our Country Has Ever Seen’

  • News

    ROE NO MORE: Supreme Court Overturns Roe v. Wade: States Can Ban Abortion


Navigation

  • Watch
  • Go!
  • Podcasts
  • Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Staff
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Sign up to get our newsletter your inbox every day.

Newsletter Signup

Do you want to read
more articles like this?