Realtor Faces Fines, Loss Of License For Sharing Franklin Graham Post
By PNW Staff December 23, 2024
Share this article:
A Virginia realtor and pastor, Wilson Fauber, faces steep fines and potential loss of his license after the Virginia Association of Realtors ruled that he violated the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) ethics code. The controversy stems from a 2015 Facebook post where Fauber shared a Bible verse condemning homosexual behavior.
The case highlights the tension between personal religious beliefs and professional standards. Fauber, 70, who has been a realtor and broker for more than four decades, reposted a verse from Leviticus 18:22 shared by evangelist Franklin Graham. The post stated that homosexual sex is a sin—a sentiment Fauber claims reflects his religious convictions.
In December 2023, two Staunton realtors, including an openly gay man, filed a complaint accusing Fauber of hate speech. Their complaint cited the NAR’s Standard of Practice 10-5, adopted in 2020, which prohibits realtors from using hate speech or epithets against protected classes, including sexual orientation and gender identity. Although the rule was implemented five years after Fauber’s post, the Virginia Association of Realtors' Hearing Committee found him guilty on December 11, 2024.
Legal and Professional Implications
Fauber now faces fines ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 and could lose his license, jeopardizing his ability to access the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)—a critical tool for real estate professionals. Without MLS access, Fauber says, “You’re out of business.”
Michael Sylvester, Fauber’s attorney with the Founding Freedoms Law Center, argues that the retroactive application of the 2020 rule undermines free speech. “Wilson simply expressed his religious views in 2015, years before the rule existed,” Sylvester said. “Applying it to him now sets a troubling precedent.”
Fauber echoed his attorney’s concerns, stating, “If I’m guilty because I post my religious beliefs in a meme or a scripture on my social media accounts, then there are millions of Christians in the same boat. This ruling endangers religious expression across the board.”
Broader Cultural Implications
Fauber has also accused the NAR of adopting policies that align with progressive social agendas, pointing to the organization’s recent involvement in LGBTQ+ advocacy. He highlighted a November 2024 drag show hosted by the Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors during a Fair Housing Symposium.
The symposium included discussions on pronouns and creating inclusive environments. Fauber and his supporters argue that this activism contrasts sharply with his punishment for expressing religious beliefs.
"The NAR is woke," Fauber said. "They fund drag shows in the name of fair housing but label a Bible verse as hate speech. This is a double standard.”
The NAR has also partnered with the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance to promote equitable policies and LGBTQ+ leadership in the industry.
A Precedent for Religious Freedom?
Fauber’s case raises broader concerns about free speech and religious liberty. He claims the ruling could embolden similar actions against others in various professions. “This isn’t just about me,” Fauber said. “This sets a precedent that Christians have no voice.”
For now, Fauber intends to appeal the ruling, which allows him to keep his license temporarily. However, the outcome could resonate beyond real estate, shaping debates about the limits of personal expression in professional spaces.
Watch the CBN interview with Wilson here:
