Syda Productions / Canva / Amyziza from Amyziza
A report published in March detailed how the National Association of Realtors (NAR) is “facing legal pushback for allegedly censoring conservative Christian real estate agents” over their faith, according to the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Article 10-5 of the NAR ethics code is being called out as a “weaponization tool” used to perpetuate Christian “persecution,” the outlet reported. The code reads: “[Realtors] must not use harassing speech, hate speech, epithets, or slurs based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, family status, national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity.” The measure was adopted in November 2020 and amended in January 2023.
Screenshot/NAR/ethicscode
NAR Thinks Bible Verses Are “Hate Speech”?
At least three lawsuits have been filed and/or threatened against NAR in relation to Article 10-5. One such suit involves Virginia-based realtor Wilson Faber, who was found guilty of “hate speech” by NAR and Virginia Association of Realtors (VAR), after he posted a Bible verse and commentary on social media a decade ago, well before the NAR rule-change, DCNF continued. “This originated in 2015 when I reposted and restructured one of Franklin Graham’s posts,” Fauber told DCNF.
“The sum of this is: a religious realtor is being punished for expressing his faith-based opinions on an important moral issue,” Fauber’s attorney Michael Sylvester told the outlet.
NAR is the largest trade organization in the U.S., with more than 1.5 million realtors under it. The organization and its leadership has the potential to fine any of its members who share similar views. Leaving the organization is also not an option as it has full control and access over the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), a communication and listing tool deemed essential for anyone working within the real estate industry, DCNF noted.
All The Way To The Supreme Court?
“I’m being told by my trade organization what I can and cannot talk about. That’s wrong. And I’m fighting,” Fauber added. “I’m fighting, and I’m going to continue to fight.” He’s willing to take the case all the way to the Supreme Court
“They found me guilty of hate speech, that is wrong. I didn’t discriminate against anyone, and I’m not guilty of hate speech,” he continued. “I’ve not directed my remarks or scriptures towards any individual.”
Other reports suggest that the only reason Fauber was “sanctioned” by NAR is because he ran for political office, according to Restoration News. “While NAR labels Christians as haters, they show their love for drag queens. In November 2024, a drag queen show in Charlottesville, Virginia was funded by the NARs’ fair housing grant,” the outlet’s Victoria Manning reported, citing her sources.
Visit Million Voices for more stories like this.
