Israel Folau defends his homophobic Instagram comments
The Australian rugby player called gay people sinners
By Steve Brown
Israel Folau has stood by his comments that gay men will go to hell and dubbed them “sinners”.
The highest paid Australian rugby player caused uproar after replying to “God’s plan for gay people?” on the photosharing app with “HELL… Unless they repent of their sins and turn to God”.
And despite meeting with rugby bosses, no action was taken against the devout Christian and Rugby Australia’s chief executive Raelene Castle said the two party’s had open and honest talks.
However, the devout Christian has stood by his beliefs and said he answered “honestly and from the heart”.
He told reporters at a press conference: “I was asked a question by somebody about what God’s plan is for gay people.
“My response to the question is what I believe God’s plan is for all sinners, according to my understanding of my Bible teachings, specifically 1 Corinthians 6: 9-10, ‘Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor the drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God’.
“I do not know the person who asked the question, but that didn’t matter. I believed he was looking for guidance and I answered him honestly and from the heart.
“I know a lot of people will find that difficult to understand, but I believe the Bible is the truth and sometimes the truth can be difficult to hear.”