News

Rugby Star Who Avoided Punishment For Saying Gays Are Going To Hell Shares Anti-Gay Video

Israel Folau broke league inclusion policy with his previous statements, and has said he will quit playing if he is forced to stop spreading homophobic rhetoric.
by 5/8/2018

Australian rugby player Israel Folau, who drew criticism last month for saying gay people who don’t repent will go to hell, leading to a meeting with rugby officials in Sydney, is doubling down on his homophobic rhetoric.

Despite the Wallabies and the New South Wales Waratahs star breaking league inclusion policy, which states, “there is no place for homophobia or any form of discrimination in our game and our actions and words both on and off the field must reflect this,” he has not been punished.

Folau, 29, went on to write an article for Player’s Voice, saying he was prepared to walk away from the game if he is forced to choose between playing and voicing his anti-gay worldview, which he says is informed by his Christian beliefs.

Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

In case there was any doubt he was serious, yesterday the athlete shared a sermon by the late evangelist and author David Wilkerson, titled, “It’s Time to Get Right With God,” which includes references to homosexuality and calls for repentance over the “tolerance” of issues like marriage equality. Australia legalized same-sex marriage late last year, after a postal survey where most citizens voted in favor of it.

At one point in the sermon, Wilkerson recalls facing protesters at Yale, who were upset at his anti-gay preaching.

“I said, ’Lord what do I preach?’ The Lord said, ’Preach your message on hell. Hell—what’s it like and who’s going there?'” Wilkerson says.

Folau shared the video along with a message claiming “Jesus is coming back soon and he wants us to turn to him through repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ.”

His contract with Rugby Australia expires at the end of this year.

Journalist, editor, and artist.