The world reacts to Israel Folau's anti-gay rant

Publish Date: Thursday, 11 April 2019, 9:37AM

Photo / Instagram - @izzyfolau & Getty Images

Israel Folau tweeted and the rugby world responded.

The Wallabies star faces possible sanction from Rugby Australia after he took to Twitter to tell people to "turn away" from their evil ways after Tasmania became the first Australian jurisdiction to make gender an option on birth certificates.

"The devil has blinded so many people in this world, REPENT and turn away from your evil ways. Turn to Jesus Christ who will set you free," Folau posted.

The devil has blinded so many people in this world, REPENT and turn away from your evil ways. Turn to Jesus Christ who will set you free. pic.twitter.com/BWSWTMye98
— Israel Folau (@IzzyFolau) April 10, 2019

The 30-year-old Australian rugby star, who is married to Kiwi netball player Maria Folau, also took to Instagram to voice his unpopular opinions. He posted an image with a similar message to that posted on his Twitter page and also included a verse from the Bible.

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

Former Welsh captain Gareth Thomas, who was the victim of a homophobic attack last November in Cardiff, responded to Folau's comments with a post to his Twitter account.

I don’t write this with hate or anger after Israel Folau’s comments.I write with sympathy. To everyone who reads it, don’t be influenced by his words. Be the better person and be YOU. Whoever YOU is..Hell doesn’t await YOU.Happiness awaits YOU.🌈❤️
— Gareth Thomas (@gareththomas14) April 10, 2019

The tweet has been widely shared and commented on, with most people responding having a negative view of his comments.

"Why would Jesus have wanted more detail in birth records? How is that possibly connected to his faith, or the religion of his followers?" one user asked.

"Folau needs a social media team to do all his posts for him, you're extremely religious we get that but might be best to stay out of subjects that could easily offend in today's world," said another.

However, others have come out in Folau's defence.

"Load of nonsense isn't it? They are confusing kids so much these days with all these gender nonsense," one man wrote.

Last night Rugby Australia released a statement shortly after Folau's initial post saying it was 'unacceptable'.

"Rugby Australia is aware of a post made by Israel Folau on his Instagram account this afternoon," Rugby Australia said in a statement.

"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."

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