Montana’s Missoula Organization of Realtors (MOR) has reached a settlement in a four-year conflict with a realtor and pastor who claimed he was the victim of religious discrimination.
According to combined media reports, Pastor Brandon Huber withdrew his church from a local food bank program in 2021, citing the program’s distribution of LGBTQ coloring books to children receiving free lunches. Huber used his social media page to announce this decision, stating the food bank’s support of the LGBTQ community went against the church’s religious beliefs.
An unnamed third party lodged a complaint with the MOR against Huber, stating that his social media posting was “hate speech” that violated the National Association of Realtors (NAR) ethics code. MOR fined Huber $5,000 and terminated his access to their Multiple Listing Service. Huber sued the MOR, stating his religious speech protection under the state constitution was being violated.
In 2022, a Missoula County District Court ruled against Huber. However, the case took a new turn in July when Liberty Counsel, a national Christian organization focused on religious freedom and First Amendment rights, sent a letter to the MOR and NAR stating Huber’s rights were being violated due to his religious beliefs. Liberty Counsel said it would file a complaint against the realtor organizations with the US Department of Justice (DOJ) if the penalties against Huber were not rescinded.
Earlier this year, President Trump signed an executive order in support of religious freedom and created a DOJ task force to stop anti-Christian bias. Rather than face a federal investigation, MOR reversed itself and dropped its penalties against Huber while waiving his membership dues in both the local and national realtors’ groups through 2027.
In an online post, Huber said, “Today is the day that God gets all the credit. After four years of legal battle, perseverance, and unwavering faith, Pastor Brandon Huber and the Missoula Organization of Realtors have reached an agreement that affirms religious liberty and restores Pastor Huber’s standing in the real estate community.”
Photo courtesy of Brandon Huber’s Facebook page
