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Champion rugby player Israel Folau has had a tumultuous 19 months. In April last year on his personal Instagram account, he posted a blunt paraphrase of two verses in the Apostle Paul’s first letter to Christians in the Greek city of Corinth.

It was a grim warning to believers in that large and prosperous city, known for its temple prostitutes, drunkenness and promiscuity –a culture that may ring a few bells today.

But there is hope, as Paul goes on in verse 11: “And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

Folau also offered hope. In his Instagram post, he said: “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.”

Folau had warned of Hell. And all hell broke loose.

Adulterers, thieves, drunks, swindlers and slanderers weren’t upset. But his mention of homosexuality – men who have sex with men – was like a red rag to a bull.

Folau was the Wallabies’ best player. But Rugby Australia sacked him – for stating his sincere religious belief, affirmed in a book treated with honour in every Australian court room.

As you probably know, Folau appealed his unfair dismissal and later won a significant out-of-court settlement. But he soon had another battle on his hands.

Sydney gay activist Garry Burns, who has made hundreds of complaints to the NSW Anti‑Discrimination Board over the years, lodged one against Israel Folau last December.

Burns claimed that Folau’s post vilified homosexuals. The Board initially accepted his complaint, but later rejected it, saying he had failed to keep the matter confidential and had sent numerous inappropriate emails to Folau’s lawyers.

NSW Anti-Discrimination Board president Annabelle Bennett said Burns’ complaint was “vexatious” and “a flagrant abuse of process such that no further actions should be taken”.

But Garry Burns did not give up. In April he appealed to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Then last week there was good news.

On 18 November, the Tribunal rejected Mr Burns’ application. It found he was only doing it to get some funds to pay a $82,000 legal bill run up in another legal fight.

Tribunal chief Anne Britton said the “egregious nature of Mr Burns’ conduct” amounted to an abuse of process. He had sent “intemperate” emails to Folau’s legal team as well as disrespectful, intemperate and threatening emails to members of the Anti-Discrimination Board.

Israel Folau and others – including Bernard Gaynor, another victim of many Burns’ complaints – are praising God for this win.

We also give thanks for Mark Latham, whose campaign to reform the anti-discrimination complaint system has alerted other NSW MPs to the great injustices many people have suffered.

We pray that the Board and the Tribunal will continue to act with the wisdom they showed Mr Burns.

Peter Downie - National Director

FamilyVoice Australia