This decision is based on fear and will only lead to fear throughout the club.

The Essendon Football Club has forced Andrew Thorburn out of his CEO position because of his personal Christian beliefs, citing that they are “at odds” with the club’s views.

My question is, will the club apply this new rule on religious discrimination across the board? Will they audit all of their staff and players for supposedly “unacceptable” beliefs?

What will they do for the staff and players of Islamic faith if they are found to believe in practices like forced marriage, deception or even violence against infidels, domestic violence against wives and the punishment of homosexual acts by death.

Will anyone who believes in this fundamental version of Islam receive the same treatment as Andrew Thorburn? Or is religious discrimination only accepted against those of Christian faith?

14 replies
  1. Louise Knight
    Louise Knight says:

    I’m not interested in footy, but I did barrack for Essendon. It’s a shame the management has changed my mind.
    Religion has nothing to do with employment. The whole board should be dismissed. Evil has taken over the club.

  2. Louise Knight
    Louise Knight says:

    I’m not interested in footy, but I did barrack for Essendon. It’s a shame the management has changed my mind.
    Religion has nothing to do with employment. The whole board should be dismissed. Evil has taken over the club. It will not let me post my comment.

  3. Peter Martin
    Peter Martin says:

    Yes, rightful questions but it also means that the Essendon Football Club board shredded our Constitution in the process by deleting Section 116 which gives all Australians a guarantee of the Freedom of Religion.

  4. Monika Evers
    Monika Evers says:

    Threatening employees based on their religious beliefs is against the Essendon Football Club’s Code of Conduct. The Code applies to the whole organisation, including the Board.
    Code of Conduct excerpt:
    “when dealing with any club employees, players or officials to refrain from: Engaging in or endorsing any form of threatening conduct, or vilification … on the basis of …religion,”
    The Chairman, Dave Barham really needs to stand down. He has created an unsafe workplace as Essendon Football Club for all people of faith plus he has done enormous damage to the club’s inclusive brand by this religious vilification.

  5. Monika Evers
    Monika Evers says:

    Threatening employees based on their religious beliefs is against the Essendon Football Club’s Code of Conduct. The Code applies to the whole organisation, including the Board.

    “when dealing with any club employees, players or officials to refrain from: Engaging in or endorsing any form of threatening conduct, or vilification … on the basis of …religion,”
    The Chairman, Dave Barham really needs to stand down. He has created an unsafe workplace as Essendon Football Club for all people of faith plus he has done enormous damage to the club’s inclusive brand by this religious vilification.

  6. Donna Crummer
    Donna Crummer says:

    So if you don’t agree with Essendon football club on their choice of religion you are not welcome.What a joke! Would the decision be the same if it was Islam?No way because it would be discrimination.

  7. Gray
    Gray says:

    Well said Senator Roberts. Christianity is officially the most persecuted faith on the planet. However Jesus our Lord said as recorded in Johns Gospel “If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. John 15:20 ” I pray that the sayings in Jesus will become more precious to you as this world moves further away from the Creator Who made it.

  8. Don Michel
    Don Michel says:

    i always though AFL was a bit weird now i know.
    I dont like the sport but it is a sport not a religion soon as religion becomes involved its no longer a sport they are all Brain dead as you said Malcolm where does it start and end Religion is for the individual and their own beliefs not a pathetic sports club Make you wonder have they all been jabbed or is there something in the water DO DO DO DO.

  9. Greg
    Greg says:

    Clearly a case of religious discrimination. Essenden management and the board have a case to answer.

    Also how does this sit with the Australian constitution sec 116? It’s clear that the section is aimed at ensuring people are free to exercise their religion. By implication anyone in Australia trying to prevent this would be in contradiction of the intent of sec 116.

    116. The Commonwealth shall not make any law for establishing any religion, or for imposing any religious observance, or for prohibiting the free exercise of any religion, and no religious test shall be required as a qualification for any office or public trust under the Commonwealth.

  10. Kay Christensen
    Kay Christensen says:

    Good question! It would be interesting to see how the board would react to some of the dictums of the Muslim faith!

  11. Glenn Millhouse
    Glenn Millhouse says:

    I was under the impression that EFC wanted him to dedicate his time to the club..! and give the CEO job at the church away …And he chose his church..and besides it’s nobody business but there’s ..Why is federal politics involved??

  12. Geoff Ballantyne
    Geoff Ballantyne says:

    They don’t even seem to be able to see that the discrimination is from them, not the Christians.
    It is a pity they can’t understand the Christian position that we can love a person, but not their lifestyle. The Christian view is actually the most loving position, and I for one will embrace it.

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