An Australian football team’s CEO was forced out of his job after it became public he is a member of an evangelical church.
Andrew Thorburn was named the CEO of Essendon Football Club, one of the Australian Football League’s most prominent sports teams, on Oct. 3. But just one day later, Thorburn stepped down, claiming the club forced him to make a choice between his career and his association with City on a Hill, a local evangelical church where he serves as a chairman and member.
The church holds a conservative view on gender and sexuality and defines marriages as the union of one man and one woman. The congregation’s stance on LGBT issues and its pro-life stance on abortion were a source of disagreement for the club. Dave Barham, president of the Essendon Football Club, said the focus of the controversy came from a 2013 sermon about “homosexuality as a sin.”
Thorburn released a statement following his resignation.
Today, it became clear to me that my personal Christian faith is not tolerated or permitted in the public square, at least by some and perhaps by many. I was being required to compromise beyond a level that my conscience allowed. People should be able to hold different views on complex personal and moral matters and be able to live and work together, even with those differences, and always with respect. Behaviour is the key. This is all an important part of a tolerant and diverse society.
Let me be clear — I love all people, and have always promoted and lived an inclusive, diverse, respectful and supportive workplace — where people are welcomed regardless of their culture, religious beliefs, and sexual orientation. I believe my record over a long period of time testifies to this.
This grieves me greatly — though not just for myself, but for our society overall. I believe we are poorer for the loss of our great freedoms of thought, conscience and belief that made for a truly diverse, just and respectful community.
My faith is central to who I am. Since coming to faith in Jesus 20 years ago, I have seen profound change in my life, and I believe God has made me a better husband, father, and friend. It has also helped me become a better leader. That is because at the centre of my faith is the belief that you should create a community and care for people because they are created by and loved by God and have a deep intrinsic value.
