Destiny Church leader Bishop Brian Tamaki has voiced his support for rugby star Israel Folau's opinion that gay people are going to hell, calling members of the LGBT community "cry baby gays".

Brian Tamaki poses with Israel and Maria Folau after a coffee. Source: @BishopTamaki / Twitter

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Folau wrote on social media last month gay people were destined for "Hell, unless they repent of their sins and turn to God".

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The comment sparked backlash from commentators and players alike for putting people's lives and mental health in danger.

But Tamaki has shown support for Folau, defending his right to freedom of expression while also praising Folau and his wife Maria for their devotion to Christianity.

Tamaki tweeted his support to back up a picture of him after a coffee with the couple he posted last week.

"Jesus didn't apologise for offending people when speaking Gods Word...If the Gay Community want to be accepted as a part of society then 'take it on the nose like the rest of us'," he wrote.