Former rugby union player Israel Folau has claimed the bushfires plaguing New South Wales and Queensland are a message from God.
The one-time Wallaby, sacked by Rugby Australia earlier this year over homophobic comments made on Instagram, has told followers at his Sydney church that the Lord above is punishing Australians for legalising same sex marriage and abortion.
Four people have died, hundreds of homes have been destroyed and hundreds more animals have perished as a result of the bushfires.
Folau's sermon, delivered to followers yesterday, alleged that that it can't be a coincidence that the raging infernos have occurred just after the public and political vote on same sex marriage and abortion.
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He said: "The message that I want to speak about today is mainly for the people that are outside (the church) within the world.
"I've been looking around at the events that's been happening in Australia this past couple of weeks with all the natural disasters, the bushfires, the droughts and all these things that are currently happening.
"I'm doing this out of love for people to be able to hear this message and receive it with open hearts.
"I am speaking to Australia - they have changed this law and changed the ordinance.
"They have changed that law and legalised same-sex marriage and now those things are okay in society, going against the laws of what God says.
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"Abortion - it's okay now to murder and kill infants, unborn children, and they deem that to be okay.
"This scripture is speaking to Australia. You have changed the law and changed the ordinance. Look how rapid these bushfires, these droughts, all these things that came in a short period time.
"You think it's a coincidence or not? God is speaking to you guys, Australia, you need to repent and you need to take these laws and turn it back to following what is right by God, what God says in his word."
Folau is still in dispute with Rugby Australia, after the body terminated his contract following a controversial social media post.
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The former star is seeking millions of dollars from RA because he believes it was unfair for his career to be ended over an Instagram post.
The post addressed 'homosexuals', 'drunks' and 'idolaters', among others, and stated: "Those that are living in Sin will end up in Hell unless you repent."
Featured Image Credit: Channel 7