Israel Folau claims gay people are destined for hell again, gets blasted

Israel Folau posted the homophobic meme to his 313,000 Instagram followers.
Israel Folau posted the homophobic meme to his 313,000 Instagram followers. Photo credit: Instagram/@izzyfolau / Getty

Warning: This article features comments that may upset some people.

Israel Folau has controversially reiterated that gay people are destined for hell in a new Instagram post.

The Australian rugby star is infamous for making homophobic remarks both online and off. On Wednesday (local time) he posted a dramatic image to social media that was designed to resemble a warning sign with a list of undesirable identities.

"Warning: Drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists, idolaters," it read. "Hell awaits you - repent! Only Jesus saves."

It's unclear whether Folau designed the image himself or whether it was a repost.

In the accompanying description, he advised his 313,000 Instagram followers that if they're "living in Sin" they will go to hell unless they repent.

He goes on to name more "works of the flesh" that he believes will earn you a one-way ticket to the underworld, including lasciviousness, witchcraft, "variance", hatred and "revelings and such like".

"They which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God," he concludes.

The post has been met with a mixed response, with some commenters praising Folau for being open about his beliefs while others called him "ignorant".

One person pointed out that the Bible forbids tattoos, of which Folau has plenty.

Folau's a big fan of memes emblazoned with scripture, and he's not shy about using his considerable Instagram fanbase - 313,000 followers - to communicate his faith.

The athlete's Instagram bio confirms that he is "living for Jesus Christ" and is a member of #Team Jesus.

His latest post comes almost exactly a year after he said in a comment that gay people are going to hell unless they repent of their sins. That remark caused widespread outrage among fans and media in both Australia and New Zealand.

Months before, he revealed he would vote against marriage equality in Australia's postal vote.

Newshub.