Christian influencer causes massive scene at gym trying to preach his religion
Perhaps he should've read the room
A Christian influencer who spends his time preaching his religious beliefs in public places caused a bit of a scene at a gym recently.
Ryan Foley has earned a sizeable 182,700 followers on TikTok and 7,866 on Instagram for his various escapades, which have seen him conducting unexpected sermons in the likes of a cafeteria, a shop and even a Subway.
But his latest trip caused quite a stir after it was shared on Twitter by the delightfully named account Fifty Shades of Whey.
In the footage, which has been viewed more than 3.3 million times, Ryan can be seen stood in front of a busy fitness centre.
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Amid a group of perplexed gym-goers, he asks: "Will you all deny christ on this day? You under the father of deception flies in the sea or under the father of god.
"On the day of judgment will you inherit the kingdom of heaven? Who are you living in sin? Sin will drag you to hell.
"Repent from the kingdom of heaven you steal."
At this point, a man in the crowd can be heard shouting for security as others laugh at the bizarre situation they're faced with.
But Ryan continues, repeating: "Turn to god today," before saying: "You laugh, you mock, but god said in the last days many will laugh and mock. They don't want to hear the word of god."
Clearly not reading the room, the influencer then urges anyone who wants to 'stand for Jesus' to let themselves be known, promising that the Biblical figure would 'have their back on judgement day' if they do.
But it looks like most people don't want to think about the day of reckoning when they're trying to run 5k on their lunch break.
He ends his message by telling everyone that they're 'all cowards' – if there's one thing you can't deny about Ryan, it's that he's not afraid of public speaking. My social anxiety could never.
Hundreds of people have shared their thoughts on the impromptu sermon, with one writing: "Doesn't quite understand that one must 'read the room'.
"Alienating people with annoying screechy preaching doesn't convert folks.
"Share your joy some other way, lead by example, not by trying to shove 'your epiphany, your PERSONAL relationship with your god' down throats."
Another said: "Doing this in a place where someone can throw a weight at your head because you won’t shut up is wild."
Fellow Christians were even against this guy's actions, including this person who wrote: "I believe in God/Jesus and I’ll never deny it.
"This guy is the Christians that Christ doesn’t like. Spreading the word? Fine. Using fear to force people into your beliefs? Not fine.
"The flip side, I think he’s mocking people doing things for click bait."
And one person who felt sympathetic towards Ryan said: "In a way I feel bad for him. That's no way to live life, torturing yourself and going around harassing other people.
"I wonder if deep down he is hurting and conflicted and is lashing out or just wants people to feel as badly as he does. He can't be all that happy of a person."
UNILAD has contacted Ryan Foley for comment.
Daisy Phillipson