SQUAD v MANLY

[Eggspert]

I don't think wearing a footy jumper such as that one will have them struck down by lightening or sent to the bowels of the earth though.

If they have deeply held religious beliefs wouldn't playing on the Sabbath also be a no no - not supposed to do any work on that day and footy is their work after all.

Yeah I don't think that dissecting a person's religious beliefs is the right thing to do. It's not always a one in all in situation. You can't override a person's belief to suit your own agender.

[Easts75]

Thats not the way it works in the islands mate, spend a couple of years in PNG, Samoa or Tonga and you will come to understand that the Aussie way of doing things isn't necessarily their way of life

The way they do things in PNG shouldn't be anyones way of life for the most part

[Rocky Rhodes]

How about leaving sports as sports?!!
No need for politics or representation.
Rugby league and rugby league teams are open to everyone in the first place; regardless of sexual orientation, race, or religion.
Problems arise when one group demands support/representation/dedication or when one group forces their beliefs upon another group.
Theres no need to even represent anyone in the first place. Everyone (straight, gay, black, white, Christian, Muslim, athesist, etc., etc.) all come under the jersey of their club as FANS!!!
Fans are fans. PERIOD!!!

Now...how about a Jesus Is Lord round...all players required to wear that slogan...and all players required to kneel and pray before the game.

Or a let's all support Palestine round..

Or a let's all support Ukraine so we can all be racist against all reds round...

Inclusive is Inclusive. Do not discriminate....lol

[Eggspert]

I don't want to get too opinionated on what is a sensitive topic but given everyone else has weighed in and now our coach has weighed in, why not on the eve of the game.

I have to say I am disappointed by Robbo's approach to this. Whilst I agree with a large bulk of what he said, because unless you are a sociopath everyone should, there are a couple of faux pas he may have made. Inclusiveness is great and we must be a club and a sport for ALL. However his use of the words "disappointing" and "unacceptable" are just that. He should be focusing on devising a plan to win footy games, something he has done very well in the past but not so much at the moment.

The whole debacle has been a distraction in a crunch game as it is, he needed to fan the flames but instead used rhetoric that might alienate his own players. To me criticising gay people for the choice they make is morally wrong particularly if it doesn't impact you. In the same way, I think criticising someone with deep held cultural, familial or spiritual beliefs not wanting to do something as "unacceptable" is not good enough from someone who prides themself on being an inclusive and articulate person like Trent. Not sure how some of our Pasifika boys or any of our playing group for that matter would like hearing that who may or may not hold those same views. I trust he has a better connection with our Islander players than I do, a regular punter but seems an odd way of showing it. How do we resolve not offending or ostrasizing or marginalising groups of people in this situation... very simple. Keep sport about sport and if Robbo or anyone else wants to go and discuss their personal opinions, go on QnA or Sky News and discuss it while not wearing our club colours or polo. Don't change club colours to virtue signal, make the change at the grass roots, behind the scenes, change the culture at the bottom to be more inclusive when people get to the top. I think the game does a good job of that in general. That is where change happens, not via token gestures. That is my 2 cents anyway
most importantly, Easts to win and win well tomorrow. Nervous for the game given they have nothing to lose.

100% spot on every word you said.

[A Country Member]

An exert from a piece on smh

From a wider community perspective, we may view Pasifika cultures as being homophobic — full of fear for the queer. But this was taught to us by white, Western attitudes brought with colonisation.

Before the missionaries visited our beautiful island homes in the period of colonisation during the 1800s, sexuality among many Pacific communities was fluid. Men would have sex with men without fear and shame. Sexuality was seen as an expression of connecting socially and relationally with others.

From various written accounts by missionaries, they were appalled with how comfortable we were with our nakedness. They saw our nudity as lewd and forced us to cover up. They saw men expressing affection for other men as morally corrupt and dangerous.
Over time, we learnt to repress our natural sexual desires and regard our physical bodies as sinful. This has then carried over into our modern Pasifika cultural values, perpetuated by Western and white conservatism.

As a result, Pasifika cultures have been influenced to maintain this line of sin and shame to our detriment. We don’t discuss or express any form of sexuality, seeing sex exclusively reserved for a married straight couple for procreation.

An interesting take on the origin of their beliefs

[King Salvo]

Yeah I don't think that dissecting a person's religious beliefs is the right thing to do. It's not always a one in all in situation. You can't override a person's belief to suit your own agender.

That's what the Manly players are doing one has to say

[Jacks Fur Coat]

An exert from a piece on smh

An interesting take on the origin of their beliefs

You lost us at white Western attitudes....sounds racist. Don't trust SMH, better left unquoted.

You've lost weight too.

[King Salvo]

An exert from a piece on smh

An interesting take on the origin of their beliefs

Interesting article

All that would have also been said by clergy folk to church congregations/parishioners all over the world throughout history in fire and brimstone speeches that those people will go to hell/burn in hell/their sins will be punished etc etc etc but the times and views have changed.

If other religions have changed with the times whether it was church initiated or church congregation/parishioner initiated surely their church leader folk could review the relevance of the beliefs entrusted/forced on them by 19th century missionaries in today's modern and inclusive society.

[QWERTY]

If we don’t win this game put a line through us.

On another note if you have a dog and Jai Arrow and his dog are approaching you, avoid them like the plague.

[A Country Member]

You lost us at white Western attitudes....sounds racist. Don't trust SMH, better left unquoted.

You've lost weight too.

Not my words, hence the quote.

You remember?

[eddie]

i'm not a fool

And I'm not upset by a few colours on a jersey!

But I do apologise for calling you a fool. I just think some of the things you have written on this thread are foolish.

[Bansai Pipeline]

That's our best team I'd say.

[zac]

I don't believe you are either. You seem passionate about this issue which is your right & I respect it. You haven't resorted to insults in any of your posts. Nothing wrong with respectfully disagreeing.

all good

[zac]

An exert from a piece on smh

An interesting take on the origin of their beliefs

good piece but hard to unwind history - the pacific boys are a big part of the nrl and their present beliefs need to be taken into account. but this issue is about live and let live so surely it can be presented in a way that is acceptable to everyone

[ARD]

That's our best team I'd say.

No room for Siua?