Be Aware of The National Association of Realtors (NAR): Another Attack on Free Speech!

By Amie Mitchell

"This is a cancer that's spread, and people are watching what we're doing here in Montana. It's ground zero in the start of anti-Christian bigotry."— Montana attorney Matthew Monforton

According to Montana attorney Matthew Monforton, "The NAR has proven themselves to have one of the most religiously bigoted policies of any professional organization in the country."

The "hate speech" policy enacted by the NAR subjects Realtors to discipline for merely reading Bible verses and posting on their social media regarding their faith. To the NAR, the "Bible" constitutes hate speech.

A portion of the NAR Code of Ethics states:

“Realtors must not use harassing speech, hate speech, epithets, or slurs based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.”

The code’s appendix defines “hate speech” as that:

“intended to insult, offend or intimidate a person because of some trait (as race, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, or disability).”

They note that it applies to all Realtor speech, not just work-related speech.The NAR is using Article 10:5 of the Code Of Ethics as a tool to further conservative Christian persecution.

Case 1: Pastor Brandon Huber

Pastor Brandon Huber and Wilson Fauber know firsthand about anti-Christian bigotry, as they have walked through persecution from the NAR.

Huber, a Pastor and a Real Estate Agent out of Missoula, Montana, being represented by attorney Matthew Monforton, held a rally at his church. A flyer was shared on his social media regarding the event. The flyer, made by JD Hall, stated that he would expose the LGBTQ agenda that tries to control and kill our religious liberty.

A complaint was made that Huber was in violation of hate speech due to his post. After many hearings and much hardship on him and his family, the NAR made a decision.

They decided that for Huber to be able to keep his license active he would need to:

• Pay a $5000 fine

• Enroll in a diversity training course

  
  

Unless he agreed, he would no longer have access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and his Realtor license would be inactive. (MLS is an essential communication and listing tool for those in the real estate industry.)

Huber made a stand and chose not to pay the fine nor enroll in the woke anti-Christian diversity training program. His real estate license is now inactive, which has caused hardship for his family.

Huber has been very active in helping his community and bringing the truth of God. He did nothing wrong. This attack from the NAR has violated the Right of Free Speech, Religious Liberty, and Protected Religious Activities.

Case 2: Wilson Fauber

Fauber, President of Arise Ministries and a Real Estate Agent out of Staunton, Virginia, being represented by Michael Sylvester, came under attack from the NAR as well.

Fauber ran for city council in 2023. After the election, a hate speech complaint was made regarding a post that he made on his social media from 2015!

The post, shared from Franklin Graham, included Leviticus 18:22. The post was in line with his faith and came directly from the Word of God.

Fauber could be:

• Fined

• Lose his membership to the NAR, VAR, and his local association of Realtors

Expulsion from the NAR means that Fauber loses access to the Multiple Listing Service as well.

Fauber has served his community well, standing in his faith and has also walked through much hardship due to this attack from the NAR. He did nothing wrong.

A National Pattern

Religious Realtors are being punished for expressing their faith-based opinions on important moral issues. Hate is being directed toward them because they are Bible-believing Christians.

In both of these cases, they were found guilty of violating the "Code of Ethics." The reality is the NAR has violated the Rights of Free Speech, Religious Liberty, and Protected Religious Activities.

There are many more Realtors out there fighting this same cancer that is spreading. Pray for them and stand with them! As we know, it can happen to anyone in any profession.

"We must stand together or fall alone."

Ephesians 6:10-13

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the worldly governors, against the princes of darkness of this world, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.