(Christian News Network) – A Virginia realtor has sued her state real estate board for accusing her of violating Virginia’s Fair Housing Act for posting a Bible verse and other Christian messages on her website, as well as in her email signature. Hadassah Carter says that in 2017, after she sought to help a client that was a victim of discrimination, the Virginia Real Estate Board (VREB) filed a complaint against her, citing her “words or statements associated with Christianity, indicating a preference or limitation based on religion, in violation of the Virginia Fair Housing Law.” Among the issues cited were her email signature, which read, “For faith and freedom, Jesus loves you, and with God all things are possible …” and a quotation from John 3:16 on her website.
Carter’s biography and statement of beliefs also outlined that she lives by the Golden Rule and that she views her profession as a ministry. Carter consequently obtained legal counsel, but the VREB insisted that she not post any religious material on her website or in email communication. She ended up resigning from her job at Midlothian Partners due to a conciliation agreement that would require her employer to prohibit agents from posting religious statements on any work-related material. Midlothian “told Ms. Carter that the VREB warned them that they were going to track Ms. Carter’s license, and will file another complaint against her if she re-adds her previous religious statements to her communications and website,” the complaint states. READ MORE
