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'Hell awaits you': Israel Folau unleashes in another controversial Instagram post

Yahoo Sport Australia

The Australian Rugby Integrity Unit is looking at Wallaby superstar Israel Folau after another anti-homosexual message on social media on Wednesday.

Folau posted a message on Instagram claiming that “hell awaits” “drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists, idolaters,” unless they repent.

View this post on Instagram

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. _______________ Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these , adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19‭-‬21 KJV _______________ Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 2:38 KJV _______________ And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Acts 17:30 KJV _______________

A post shared by Israel Folau (@izzyfolau) on Apr 10, 2019 at 1:18am PDT

After initially opting not to comment on Folau’s latest attack, Rugby Australia released a statement late on Wednesday night condemning the Wallabies superstar.

“Rugby Australia is aware of a post made by Israel Folau on his Instagram account this afternoon,” the governing body said.

“The content within the post is unacceptable. It does not represent the values of the sport and is disrespectful to members of the rugby community.

“The Rugby Australia Integrity Unit has been engaged on the matter tonight.”

On Twitter, Folau also posted an article about the topic of gender optional birth certificates becoming legal in Tasmania.

He accompanied the photo with the caption: “The devil has blinded so many people in this world, REPENT and turn away from your evil ways.”

Many on social media were again outraged, while others questioned whether his views would get him in trouble ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

The messages follow meetings with Australian Rugby Union boss Raelene Castle last year after Folau posted anti-homosexual messages or imagery.

But the ARU boss chose not to sanction the Wallaby star despite claiming he was “walking the line” after backlash from fans and concerns from sponsor Qantas.

“It’s not just about the player but it’s about inclusion that includes everybody in our sport,” she said at the time.

Israel Folau for the NSW Waratahs. (Getty Images)
Israel Folau for the NSW Waratahs. (Getty Images)

“There’s the gay community, of which we’re very respectful and want to make sure we’ve got a very inclusive environment that people feel comfortable and want to be part of rugby.

“But at the same time, we’ve got a large group of people that may share Israel’s views. So we need to think of not being seen to exclude those people.”

It is barely two months ago that Folau signed a new contract extension to remain with the NSW Waratahs until the end of 2022.

It is not known if the deal with the Waratahs and Rugby Australia, which promotes inclusion, has a clause restricting Folau from making provocative social media posts.

Either way, the latest episode in the saga is the last thing Wallabies coach Michael Cheika needs from his premier back in a World Cup year.

When AAP sought a response from Rugby Australia, an RA spokesman said the governing body would not be commenting on Folau on Wednesday night.

With AAP