Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Was Izzy Folau moral?

By Peter Bowden - posted Monday, 1 July 2019


The other three are Tom Beauchamp’s and James Childress’, Principles of Biomedical Ethics (2009), William Frankena’s Ethics (1973), and Bernard Gert’s Common Morality (2004). Each of these ethical theories endorses the moral rule that we should not harm others.

We also find elements of these theories in the teaching of Jesus Christ, particularly in the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Help Others); The "do no harm" injunction is to a limited extent in that parable and the Sermon on the Mount.

Israel Folau’s attacks against homosexuals, supposedly drawing on his Christian faith,  are based on the old testament.  By definition, they cannot be the teachings of Jesus Christ. Paul in Romans 1,26-28 may have condemned homosexuality, but Paul was not one of the apostles, repeating the teachings of Jesus Christ . What he writes in his epistles is second hand. In the case of his condemnation of homosexuality, he was brought up a Jew, and is simply repeating the Old Testament. Condemning homosexuality is not the beliefs of Christians today . The Australian Christian Lobby, in supporting Folau, is likewise being discriminatory. 

Advertisement

Homosexuality, although rare, is a natural occurrence in the human race. It is not a wrong. In condemning it, Israel Folau was being discriminatory. That is a wrong. We have in the past, discriminated against blacks, Jews, and homosexuals, among many others. Those days have hopefully passed. Israel, in continuing his discrimination, has not behaved in an acceptable moral manner.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

55 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Peter Bowden is an author, researcher and ethicist. He was formerly Coordinator of the MBA Program at Monash University and Professor of Administrative Studies at Manchester University. He is currently a member of the Australian Business Ethics Network , working on business, institutional, and personal ethics.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Peter Bowden

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Peter Bowden
Article Tools
Comment 55 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy