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Rugby Player Found Guilty of ‘High Level’ Breach of Conduct for Posting Bible Verse

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Israel Folau, the Australian national rugby player who was suspended for posting a Bible verse calling people to “repent,” has been found guilty of a “high-level breach” of professional conduct.

Folau’s Rugby Australia contract was terminated in April, but he requested a hearing in light of the disciplinary action.

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A three-person panel will not decide what punishment Israel is to face, according to the BBC. The stripping away of his right to play the game comes at a terrible time for the world-famous center, who was hoping to play for his country in the 2019 Rugby World Cup, due to take place later this year.

What Does The Instagram Post Actually Say?

The post, which is still live on Folau’s page, declares “WARNING,” before listing a number of sins which must be repented of, pending eternal judgment.

Referencing , the graphic lists “Drunks, homosexuals, drunks, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists, idolaters,” before imploring “HELL AWAITS YOU,” and “REPENT! ONLY JESUS SAVES.”

The actual post, which has been liked over 55,000 times, can be seen below:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ‭-‬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. KJV _______________ And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: KJV _______________

A post shared by Israel Folau (@izzyfolau) on

Sponsorships Slashed

Following Rugby Australia’s controversial decision, one of Folau’s main sportswear sponsors, Asics, dumped his contract.

“We champion inclusivity and diversity,” the company wrote in a statement. "While Israel Folau is entitled to his personal views, some of those expressed in recent social media posts are not aligned with those of Asics. As such, our partnership with Israel has become untenable and he will no longer represent Asics as a brand ambassador."

Car company Land Rover also ditched their sponsorship agreement with Folau.

Old Coach Jumps to Folau’s Defense

Former Australia coach Alan Jones launched into an impassioned defense of Folau following news of the verdict, noting that the decision “prompts you to wonder what kind of society we’re living in.”

“The Australian people won’t accept this,” he added, according to MSN. “This is not the Australia our veterans fought for and we’re going to have to take our country back by argument and by the democratic and peaceful process — not by hate and revenge or vilification and intimidation.”

Jones noted that “if we’re not free to articulate our religious beliefs and quote from the Bible, and if we’re not free to speak for fear that someone affects a hurt or is part of the offense industry, if that’s where we’ve reached in this country, we’ve reached a dark place and we are all at risk.”

The former coach and broadcaster did note, however, that Folau appears to be in good form following the brutal decision.

“I’ve just had a note from Israel, he won’t mind if I’m sharing it with you because I said to him, ‘Hold your head up,’” Jones said. “He said, ‘Alan, I’m at peace, mate. My head is held high.'”

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About The Author

Will
Maule

Will Maule writes for Faithwire.com. You can find more of his stories HERE.