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against the realtor organizations with the US Department of Justice (DOJ) if the penalties against Huber were not rescinded.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
So you CAN discriminate now? The COE means nothing? Interesting….
Depends on which side you’re on.
NO, you can’t! You can’t Discriminate Christians and Our religious belief’s any Longer.! That is why NAR and MOR reinscinded their Decision.
President trump should also Sign an executive order that established Sexual preferences are NOT a Protected group for Real Estate Deals.
Yes Luis you’re right! Because the Pastor was against LGBTQ coloring books for minors says nothing about whether he would be prejudicial in dealing with adult LGBTQ adults in buying/selling/renting properties or any parent with a LGBTQ child under the age of 18.
His religious beliefs and how he runs his church is utterly separate from how he does real estate. I’m sorry, but the church was right to cut ties with the group spreading LGBT material. The person calling such a logical and theological decision hate speech is wrong.
Praise the Lord, another Win for God our Father
So the pastor withdrew from the food bank as a pastor. How did his comments affect his real estate work. Did he post this to his real estate website. Totally confused why the local real estate organization was involved ? Yes, a member made a complaint, – the board should have turned down ?
It is most difficult to keep everyone happy. We should do our best to allow full Religious Freedoms and be supportive to all the groups we feel need support. I understand this because not only have I experienced problems with dues that went to causes I do not support with NRA and teacher organizations and Unions. We just need to be very
Just another example of NAR and its ‘wokeness’ bias. Why do we continue to support them with our hard earned dollars. We just keep feeding the beast who’s main focus is self preservation and its progressive agenda.
Amen Jim. It’s disheartening unless we can continuously elect leaders like President Trump for long periods of time. Then their powers will be diminished but not extinguished. The woke-DEI agenda is firmly ingrained in the minds of many Americans. We can not and should not violate any state or federal housing laws for any group. But we also shouldn’t be targeting our youngsters with literature, movies and TV programs that try to mainstream LGBTQ lifestyles. To me its disgusting morally and religiously. We all are sinners and all sinners are welcomed into church but certain acts are not off the table as acceptable. At least for me.
Thanks to President Donald J Trump, Pastor Brandon Huber Liberty Counsel attorneys, helping personnel and donors.