So Manly are standing down seven players from their next game where the team is wearing a pride jersey, because they don’t want to wear it. It turns out their god, who is quite happy by the way with the club’s regular alcohol and gambling sponsors, really hates rainbows so the players won’t wear them.
Re the Greens leadership struggle - I do admire Chloe for not standing, hence giving James Shaw the room at this point. I think he's done a great job - but then I'm a Labour voter.
Very pertinent Nick - there is such a divide between a god and religion - heaven help us. Then the gap between the god of compassion and the mean-ness of people.
Two comments: One, James Shaw is a white male, a bit socially awkward like Ashley, but he holds strong and ideallist opinions and values shared by many. Diversity doesn't mean wiping out all white people. It means sharing power. White males have just as much right to see themselves represented in Parliament and in the Green Party as everyone else. I appreciate his steady hand and pragmatism.
Two, my God is definitely NOT homophobic! I don't know where these players found their ideas but it wasn't from my God or my church where we value all human beings as God's people.
Such a lovely song. Re the NRL players who refuse to wear the Rainbow jersey because they know the rainbows on the jersey are symbolic of the gay community. These players are all pasifika.They will have all been brought up wihin the orbit of fundamentalst christianity. Diverting from those beliefs is not easy for them,especially given how widespread within pasifika communities those beliefs are. I alwys knew that Israel Folau was not an outlier, but in fact his views represented most pasifika rugby, and rugby league players. NZ rugby legend Michael Jones ,also religious campaigned against the Marriage Equality Bill. Recently he has made comments that show he is more accepting of, and valuing of fonua who are gay. His message to Israel Folau was that he should stop posting anti-gay verses from the old testament. That these posts were harmful - especially to young , gay people.
Re the Greens leadership struggle - I do admire Chloe for not standing, hence giving James Shaw the room at this point. I think he's done a great job - but then I'm a Labour voter.
Love that song :)
BTW - great read as usual
Very pertinent Nick - there is such a divide between a god and religion - heaven help us. Then the gap between the god of compassion and the mean-ness of people.
Great piece , with 2 great links .
Thanks
an excellent piece thank you...
Two comments: One, James Shaw is a white male, a bit socially awkward like Ashley, but he holds strong and ideallist opinions and values shared by many. Diversity doesn't mean wiping out all white people. It means sharing power. White males have just as much right to see themselves represented in Parliament and in the Green Party as everyone else. I appreciate his steady hand and pragmatism.
Two, my God is definitely NOT homophobic! I don't know where these players found their ideas but it wasn't from my God or my church where we value all human beings as God's people.
Such a lovely song. Re the NRL players who refuse to wear the Rainbow jersey because they know the rainbows on the jersey are symbolic of the gay community. These players are all pasifika.They will have all been brought up wihin the orbit of fundamentalst christianity. Diverting from those beliefs is not easy for them,especially given how widespread within pasifika communities those beliefs are. I alwys knew that Israel Folau was not an outlier, but in fact his views represented most pasifika rugby, and rugby league players. NZ rugby legend Michael Jones ,also religious campaigned against the Marriage Equality Bill. Recently he has made comments that show he is more accepting of, and valuing of fonua who are gay. His message to Israel Folau was that he should stop posting anti-gay verses from the old testament. That these posts were harmful - especially to young , gay people.
Another excellent piece Nick!! Thank you 🙏
What planet are we on and what decade are we living in FFS that such bigotry is still strong?? 🤬🤬🤬