Paul,
All I gotta say is I didn't se this crap on the Jewish or black site YOU provided...

... and oh, by the way, I am a Christian .. I just don't go around saying stupid things LOL.. If my perceptions don't agree with yours or anyone's, at this point I really don't care anymore..

Hallelujah ! Brother! We are going to make an offer on the property! By the Brace of God, Let us pray the seller will reduce the price..

LOL...

There is a new designation coming out, "CRS". Certified Religious Specialist

Straight Shooter,
You failed to answer my question. If the site removed that single "offensive" to you line would you be ok with the site? Also the jury is out at this point over saying stupid things. So what crap were you speaking of?

Pikes,
Perhaps you should give up real estate and become a comic.

In answer, I thought I made it clear, the way I wrote my post.. If that line were removed, of course I wouldn't have a problem with it.. I don't see that line anywhere else, do you?

Paul, I basically won't go to my church that I was born into because I have read and actually heard the priest say things like "We are the true, original church".. Every other church is a lie, and because they don't follow the Original teachings of the early church everything else is denounced. The problem I have is that same exact kind of attitude. That kind of stuff was printed. It angered me sufficiently to never go back. This is the place my parents, relatives, everyone I know in my immediate sphere goes.. It just didn't sit right. Only God can decide who's better in terms of religious beliefs. I despise that line in question because to me it sounds all inclusive.

Thanks
Jim

"Wouldn't you rather have a Christian agent that is more interested in YOU than in a commission???"

"Does God want you to be in debt? does God want you to have good credit? well we believe God does"


Can you still get in Heaven even if you Pimp out the "Almighty"?

"Jerry,
As we said before, I'm sorry about your situation. We did everything we could to help you.

I'm going to be brutally honest here... Why do you seem to have a general dislike for Christians? You yourself claiming to be a Christian. All I hear is whining and complaining about your situation, and just wanting to blame everyone else... especially the "wealthy Christians" who you seem to think owe you something, or have some kind of conspiracy against you." -From Message Board
-Very, very Christian like attitude.

Hello to all!

I found this forum because I had a couple of questions about broker/agent issues, but became interested in this thread. I'll get to my questions later-- and I'm happy I found this forum.

The reason I wanted to read these threads is that I'd seen a couple of agents at our office sending out farming materials with Christian symbols, some references to being Christians, and a Christian-symbol stamp. They also have symbols on their autos as do one or two other agents. I wondered if that was a good idea in re Fair Housing. It turns out that it's not only a bad idea, but a very bad idea.

Apparently Realtors are not permitted to use any religious symbols or religious references in any marketing/advertising media whatsoever. Neither can an office display any frank religious symbols during holidays other than, say Christmas trees, Santas, Easter bunnies, etc. The Christian "fish" symbol on an auto can also have a discriminatory effect as it implies a preference for like-mindedness and can discourage the un-likeminded.

I honestly don't believe it's a "stretch" to think the topic'd referral network may be in violation of those constraints.

According to the Guidance Regarding Advertisements Under 804(c) of the Fair Housing Act, Section 804(c) of the Act "prohibits the making, printing and publishing of advertisements which state a preference, limitation or discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin."

In the main, any religious symbol or reference to a religious affliation as preferred, or business-related claims or implications that the followers of one religion are somehow superior to the followers of another or none can have the effect of repelling individuals of other religions or no religion to do business with them. It may not overtly discriminate, but it can have the effect of discrimination.

Exactly, DueDiligence (welcome to the board, btw,) it's playing with Fair Housing fire.

For that reason alone is enough for me not to join the network. That and the fact I fear the network tends towards the rabid "Jesus Camp" Fundies and the like. Those people scare me.

I live in New York. A lot of the buyer's I know are turned off by overtly Christian sign offs and stuff in the realtor's communcations. I think this is something that goes over big in the Bible belt.

I guess everyone does it differently.I have known nice people that were white,black,spanish,etc..I have also known bad people from different races.I just see a person in a r.e. transaction not all of the mumbo jumbo.

I guess the networks have there place.I just don't choose to do business that way.

DueDiligence,

Here is an addition to your Fair Housing references.

e) Religious Groups.
A limited exception allows religious groups or organizations to advertise:

• Housing they operate on a noncommercial basis,
• Can state a preference for or limitation to members of their religion
• If the religious group does not discriminate on the basis of race, color or national originHowever, such an advertisement may not state any preference other than a preference for members of the religion (e.g., one based on race, gender, or other protected class).


As most agents will work with anyone with money there is nothing about joining a referral network that would violate fair housing. The agent is not refusing to work with anyone.

The referral network is also not violating fair housing as they are not advertising property at all. They are simply target marketing to find buyers and sellers and refer them to an agent in their area.

I think Christian Realtor is buzz word for conservative. Most Americans would consider themselves Christian--but they do not put it in their by line. I'm Christian but I am also a democrat, pro-choice etc. I've always thought it was rather unprofessional of realtors to advertise themselves as anything but their credentials. No one cares if I love dogs, have kids, make cakes, am a Christian, ride harleys or whatever. As an observation, everytime someone makes a point of telling me they are a Christian, I think o my god are they going to pay me? I told another Realtor (who sings faithfully in her Methodist Church) and she said I know exactly what you mean. I have had more problems with so called, "Christian", than any other group of people.

Leave it to a Democrat who is against Life to bring politics into this thread or should we say Liberal as you have identified yourself without actually saying the word. Funny how you were the only one to make this leap. This referral network to which I do not belong simply target markets to Christian organizations, newspapers and other publications and offers to refer them to their member agents. So should you and your Methodist friend be lumped into the "So Called Christians" as you put it? The network does not appear to care what brand of Christianity you practice.

So please tell us how it is unprofessional to market yourself toward groups of people with whom you share a common interest? If you belong to a motorcycle club then target other Harley enthusiasts. I ride a bike and had may times shown property to other bike riders by turning it into a Saturday afternoon ride. I have a friend that likes to sail. He marketed himself at a sailing club and got several transactions by doing this.

Judging by your angry outburst, you're a hardcore christian nut yourself, so perhaps you shouldn't be on here accusing others of being biased. I think we all agreed that bringing faith into business is a bad idea, so WHY DO IT? If you're going to create animosity, alienate potential clients, etc...with your religious zealotry, why do it? Wouldn't it be easier to just advertise yourself on your skills as a realtor alone?

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There's a difference between common interest and common religious beliefs. That difference has to do with the fact that riding harleys is just a fun pastime, while religious beliefs are deeply personal and very irrational. They motivate people to make judgments which may not be in everyone's best interest. Example: abortion. Everyone has their beliefs about it, but it's not the job of the government or any particular religious group to impose on others their opinion. Similarly with the teaching of evolution and other sciences.

That's was the reason why so many people have negative feelings associated with hardcore christians. They meddle too much in other people's lives and impose their will.


I propose we end this discussion here. The christians will never "get it" as to what the bickering is all about anyway. Suffice it to say, bringing religion into business is UNPROFESSIONAL. End of story.

Amen

Leave it to a Democrat who is against Life to bring politics into this thread or should we say Liberal as you have identified yourself without actually saying the word. Funny how you were the only one to make this leap.

Paul, I'm sorry, but in my opinion the first to bring politics in was you, when you used the term Culture Warrior. Nothing makes me cringe faster, nor know that the person I'm speaking with has ideals very different from mine.