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Original poster

To think this couple's attitude has no place in modern society?

618 replies

Georama · 20/01/2022 18:35

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10419543/Christian-couple-ban-gay-man-partner-buying-dream-650-000-sexuality.html

A church-going wife who banned a gay man and his ITV producer partner from buying her £650,000 Surrey home has hit back in the row and insisted they are just sticking to their beliefs.

Luke Whitehouse and Lachlan Mantell were stunned when they were told that they could not buy the three-bedroom home because the Christian owners didn't want to sell to 'two men in a partnership.'

Honestly, they should be ashamed of that text. I hope no estate agent will work with them ever again.

OP posts:
Lockheart · 21/01/2022 07:24

@Arnia

Deeply unpleasant and rather foolish if people are offering you good money but I somewhat disagree with you. I think there's a place for most unpleasant views in society even though I disagree with many. The absolutist part of me would love to shut them down but realistically I would rather their hateful views were free to be aired than everyone being policed for "wrongthink".
They're not being policed for "wrongthink". They can hold whatever beliefs they like and we don't have thoughtcrimes - and rightly so.

But they are not just thinking it, they have brought those thoughts into real life and are actively discriminating against people. This is where the problem lies.

You can hate black people or gay people or Muslims or believe that it should be legal to rape your wife as much as you like. The minute you put those thoughts into action, you're in the wrong.

SynchOrSwim · 21/01/2022 07:29

The comments section makes me think they might not have much trouble selling. There's much more focus on 'their house, their choice' than how shitty their views are.

OneTC · 21/01/2022 07:32

Please don't defend these bigots. People can have different beliefs, but they have engaged in hateful and discriminatory actions, which is not the same at all.

I'm not gay, but I think I have a pretty good understanding of prejudice, and frankly i prefer when those actions are upfront for everyone to see. I don't want to get knocked back by someone prejudiced against me without knowing that's why. As some idiot calling me a homophobe earlier said it's better when these people are out in the open, showing themselves up. It's hard to change attitudes that people don't let you know exist. The question for the thread is regarding the place of attitudes like theirs in today's world. Their attitude would exist regardless of their expression of it but can only be countered once expressed

Isaw3ships · 21/01/2022 07:36

‘ I'm not gay, but I think I have a pretty good understanding of prejudice, and frankly i prefer when those actions are upfront for everyone to see.’

Well I am gay, and have been discriminated against over the years many, many times and I’d prefer for it just not to happen at all. And when it does happen those people may be labelled homophones.
You - as a straight person- don’t get to decide what is or isn’t homophobic.
Luckily laws have changed to prevent a lot of discrimination- like being refused a hotel room with my girlfriend - which did actually happen.

OneTC · 21/01/2022 07:39

I know, I haven't made any claim to what is and isn't homophobia. Well, aside from the obvious homophobia expressed by the couple

Isaw3ships · 21/01/2022 07:46

I find it utterly depress that a quarter of the people voting here think that this bigoted couple with their offensive biblical quotes and outdated view are being perfectly reasonable.
I honestly wonder if it would be as high if the coupe in question being refused a viewing were black?

BashStreetKid · 21/01/2022 07:50

@Arnia

Deeply unpleasant and rather foolish if people are offering you good money but I somewhat disagree with you. I think there's a place for most unpleasant views in society even though I disagree with many. The absolutist part of me would love to shut them down but realistically I would rather their hateful views were free to be aired than everyone being policed for "wrongthink".
The trouble is that these people aired their views by telling a couple of people who had never done them any harm that they were shameful and depraved. Is that acceptable? Would it be acceptable if the reason for abuse was that the couple was of a different race?
user97533676 · 21/01/2022 07:52

Here we go again with the comparing it to racism.

newyear1 · 21/01/2022 07:52

It's a ridiculous attitude to take but it is their house and they can choose to sell, or indeed not sell, to whomever they please for whatever reason.

I agree with this. I don't agree with their views (I come from a Christian background) and they're very foolish to restrict their buyer pool. But they have their views and it's ultimately their choice.

Picking buyers typically entails a whole host of judgements, some of which are irrational or unfair. I think they're mad but I don't like public pile-ons and, if I were the buyers in question, I would take my money elsewhere.

Lockheart · 21/01/2022 07:52

@Isaw3ships

I find it utterly depress that a quarter of the people voting here think that this bigoted couple with their offensive biblical quotes and outdated view are being perfectly reasonable. I honestly wonder if it would be as high if the coupe in question being refused a viewing were black?
Or if the potential buyer was a single mother. Or just an unmarried woman.
OneTC · 21/01/2022 07:55

Here we go again with the comparing it to racism

I always wonder people's motives for being apparently upset by this

BashStreetKid · 21/01/2022 07:56

@MummyWoodentop

I think people should be more realistic and accept that there are many people in the UK with different religious beliefs to them. As far as I know the Muslim religion doesn't acknowledge homosexuality either. We are not clones. This is very sad but just because you believe something doesn't mean everyone else does the same - we're a big world. Abortion is another difficult issue but you cannot deny other's choice of beliefs.
People are entitled to those beliefs if they must. What they are not entitled to is to put those beliefs into practice in a manner that breaks the law. It's not difficult, really.
BashStreetKid · 21/01/2022 07:58

@Omicrone

So you believe that the radical Jihadi Islam that ISIS practice should be tolerated and that we should allow those who wish to follow it here in the UK to do so freely? An extreme example I grant you but what about those who wish to follow Salafism or Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh ideologies? Is it OK for them or is freedom of religous expression only ok for Christians?

Erm, I don't know the ins and outs but don't ISIS types think that gay people should be stoned to death etc? It's hardly comparable? This couple did not incite hatred or violence, they just did not want a gay couple in their home. Totally weird and messed up, but not really comparable to ISIS.

They kind of did incite hate when they texted them with bible quotes which effectively accused them of being depraved and shameful.
Alonelonelylonersbadidea · 21/01/2022 07:58

They need to ask themselves, 'what would Jesus do?'

As Jesus was never out to make a profit one judge people. Or generally be an ass to others.
He'd have dropped the price to cover necessaries only and hand the keys over to the buyers.

Job done.

Alonelonelylonersbadidea · 21/01/2022 08:00

Posted too soon...

But they are entitled to their bonkers beliefs about gay people. I don't agree with them, but who am I to judge.

BashStreetKid · 21/01/2022 08:00

@user97533676

Here we go again with the comparing it to racism.
Explain? Is homophobia somehow different in terms of its discriminatory effect?
NightmareSlashDelightful · 21/01/2022 08:02

Gay couple here. Sadly this kind of thing is not uncommon. It tends to be a bit subtler and more insidious than this example though. Things like restaurants suddenly being full when we turn up, despite having booked a table. Or a landlord suddenly realising that he doesn’t want to rent us his flat after all.

And don’t get me started on what happened when we went to an open evening to find out about adoption.

You can’t change it through force, but you can call it out when it happens. Because ultimately it’s unequal, illiberal and discriminatory.

Innocenta · 21/01/2022 08:02

@OneTC Well, I am a lesbian, and I'd prefer to see a lot less support for these people - whether or not it's cloaked in various iterations of Not Really Agreeing But Still Respecting Their Opinions, etc.

3peassuit · 21/01/2022 08:03

I suppose they are entitled to their beliefs however batshit they may be. I’m surprised that the woman, with her science background, would have such backwards, bigoted views. I wouldn’t want to give them my money.

lollipoprainbow · 21/01/2022 08:03

Naming and photographing the Christian couple is awful. Everyone is entitled to their views and beliefs.

Innocenta · 21/01/2022 08:04

@Alonelonelylonersbadidea

Posted too soon...

But they are entitled to their bonkers beliefs about gay people. I don't agree with them, but who am I to judge.

@Alonelonelylonersbadidea A member of society? Someone with a moral compass?
Innocenta · 21/01/2022 08:04

@lollipoprainbow Very telling that you're more troubled by this than bigotry and discrimination. You need to re-think your values.

lollipoprainbow · 21/01/2022 08:05

@Innocenta I'm not troubled by it, I just don't think it's on.

user97533676 · 21/01/2022 08:06

Great book

To think this couple's attitude has no place in modern society?
Innocenta · 21/01/2022 08:07

@lollipoprainbow Okay, keep defending homophobic bigots. Wink

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