'Quiet Australians' donating to Israel Folau's legal costs include GAY people and Muslims - as footy star prepares to take his case to the Federal Court

  • Christian legal think tank Freedom for Faith seen broad support for Israel Folau
  • Muslims, atheists and homosexuals among 20,000 who donated to legal fight
  • Michael Kellahan says people supported Folau due to silencing concerns
  • Folau's stoush with Rugby Australia is now headed towards the Federal Court 

By Kylie Stevens For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 02:42 EDT, 2 July 2019 | Updated: 04:14 EDT, 2 July 2019

A wide range of 'quiet Australians' ranging from Muslims and atheists to homosexuals have contributed towards Israel Folau's legal fight with Rugby Australia, according to Christian advocates. 

A crowdfunding appeal set by the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) raised more than $2.2 million from the public within two days last week after GoFundMe shut down a fundraising campaign set up by the axed Australian Wallabies rugby union star due to public backlash. 

Funds raised will fund Folau's legal battle against Rugby Australia after the devout Christian's $4 million contract was torn up in May after he shared a homophobic social media post in April.

Freedom for Faith executive director Michael Kellahan (pictured) says Muslims, atheists, and even gay people  were among the 20,000 who donated to the ACL appeal for Israel Folau.

Freedom for Faith executive director Michael Kellahan (pictured) says Muslims, atheists, and even gay people  were among the 20,000 who donated to the ACL appeal for Israel Folau.

The legal fight is headed towards the Federal Court after Folau and Rugby Australia failed to reach a settlement at a Fair Work Commission hearing last week.

The ACL publicly hailed the 20,000 donors as 'quiet Australians'.

Michael Kellahan, executive director of Christian legal think tank Freedom for Faith  described the support for Folau as broad, not because they agree with him 'but because they're more concerned about the silencing'.

He told the ABC he has been contacted by Muslims, atheists, and even gay people to say they were among the 20,000 who donated to the ACL appeal.

Israel Folau, pictured with his wife Maria had his Rugby Australia contract torn up in May

Israel Folau, pictured with his wife Maria had his Rugby Australia contract torn up in May

'The thing that's been surprising to me has been the breadth of support, the way it's picked up people who have been more traditionally left, and other faith groups,' Mr Kellehan told the ABC.

'People are saying 'we are concerned, we think there's been an injustice here, and we want that to be remedied'.

'This is not just about him but about freedom for all of us, and therefore they just want to chip in.' 

Some believe the stoush between Folau and Rugby Australia will be the first major test case that addresses the tension between gay rights and religious freedom.

Freedom for Faith executive director Michael Kellahan claims there's broad support for Folau

Freedom for Faith executive director Michael Kellahan claims there's broad support for Folau

'What do you do now when the law on marriage changes, but people's beliefs don't?' Mr Kellahan said.

A former rugby union, AFL and NRL star, Folau argues he was unfairly dismissed on religious grounds and is seeking up to $10 million in damages.

He believes he will spend years fighting his legal battle with Rugby Australia.  

'Sadly, Rugby Australia have said that they will devote significant resources to fight me in court,' Folau recently posted on Instagram. 

'This shows I have a long and hard battle on my hands, which is why I am asking for your support. The money that is donated will be used to fund my legal battle, which could take years.'

Folau's case continues to drag on, two months after he made an Instagram post saying homosexuals, drunks and adulterers would go to hell if they don't repent. Pictured with his wife Maria Folau

Folau's case continues to drag on, two months after he made an Instagram post saying homosexuals, drunks and adulterers would go to hell if they don't repent. Pictured with his wife Maria Folau 

The 30-year-old was sacked after he took to Instagram in April to paraphrase a Bible passage saying 'drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters' would go to hell unless they repented.

Representatives from both parties met at the Fair Work Commission on Friday for a mediation hearing as part of Folau's unfair dismissal case.

'We are disappointed that we were unable to reach settlement with Rugby Australia today,' Folau's lawyer George Haros told reporters in Sydney.

'It appears as though that unless things change, we'll be heading to court.'

The former Wallabies star is seeking $10 million in damages. Pictured with his wife Maria Folau

The former Wallabies star is seeking $10 million in damages. Pictured with his wife Maria Folau

 

 

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'Quiet Australians' donating to Israel Folau's legal costs includes gay people and Muslims

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