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AIBU?

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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:
Cultish · 20/01/2022 21:03

It's not acceptable to talk about religious people in that way either

I don't think people care that much when they direct their hatred to Christianity for daring to have a faith that doesn't fit in with other people's beliefs.

RampantIvy · 20/01/2022 21:03

@FitAt50

Shocked that 21% of mumsnetter's agree with the homophobic couple.
Same. I'm horrified.
Omicrone · 20/01/2022 21:03

[quote onlychildhamster]@Omicrone there are a few sects of born again Christianity where they don't believe interracial marriage is wrong. Is it ok to refuse to sell properties to interracial couples or even people of mixed heritage? Where do we draw the line.[/quote]
Well, this is one of the problems of the Eqaulity Act, where two protected characteristics clash. Where we draw the line is a very important question, and actually not one that the EA answers in many cases.

I think the gay couple were right to go public with the general story, to show how alive and kicking homophobia still is in the UK. I just don't think we needed the very specific personal details, including photos and employment history, of the people involved. What exactly will that achieve?

Elsiebear90 · 20/01/2022 21:05

“Fair enough. But you can't expect everyone to keep changing their opinion according to what's "deemed acceptable to modern society " . Regardless as to what year it is people always live in modern society. People who lived in 1865 also lived in modern society. Who decides what's acceptable?”

Yes you can, it’s called progress, or do you also think there’s nothing wrong with a man thinking his wife is his property that he can rape and beat when he likes? After all, this was morally acceptable not so long ago, and is still morally acceptable in many parts of the world. Should we not expect him to change his opinion? Would you defend him too?

Cultish · 20/01/2022 21:06

What exactly will that achieve?

A targeted public attack and possibly a physical one. Incitement to religious hatred.

Original poster
Georama · 20/01/2022 21:06

Religious belief is also a protected characteristic in the EA🤷‍♀️

And if someone refused a house viewing to someone because of their religious beliefs and sent them texts quoting bible verses calling them depraved, they would also be horrible.

OP posts:
Bluebluemoon39 · 20/01/2022 21:07

I don't agree with their decision, I think it's silly and shortsighted and a nasty thing to do to the gay couple however:

I think they're entitled to sell their house to whomever they like - just like everybody else. I don't think it's right to vilify them for their beliefs. In their mind they are acting in accordance with the bible.

They are obviously a bit tapped in the head to be thinking like this in this day and age. So I feel pity for them rather than anger. I'm not comfortable with this "name and shame" culture though, as far as I'm aware no law has been broken.

Cultish · 20/01/2022 21:08

Yes you can, it’s called progress

But only your definition of progress. Not of those Christians who believe in the principles of marriage being between a man and a woman. It doesn't sound very tolerant of you.

YoBeaches · 20/01/2022 21:08

I can't believe she even asked them. It's not her business in the slightest.

And nowhere in the bible does it tell you to not sell stuff to gay folk.

Homophobic pricks.

Cultish · 20/01/2022 21:10

And if someone refused a house viewing to someone because of their religious beliefs and sent them texts quoting bible verses calling them depraved, they would also be horrible.

It would also be horrible to take it to the papers and the easy to identify address.

Just like this case.

Elsiebear90 · 20/01/2022 21:11

“But only your definition of progress. Not of those Christians who believe in the principles of marriage being between a man and a woman. It doesn't sound very tolerant of you.”

Where does it say in the bible “you shall not sell your house to homosexuals”? I must have missed that part during bible class, and no I’m tolerant of bigots, religious or otherwise. Are you going to defend misogynists as well as long as their religious book tells them it’s acceptable? Or is it just homophobes you ask people to be tolerant of?

BoredZelda · 20/01/2022 21:13

Shock horror, people have different views. They are entitled to them and can sell to whomever they like.

I wish people didn’t have these views, but I’d rather they were allowed to make these choices than have a world where people with different views are censored somehow.

Unsure33 · 20/01/2022 21:16

But have others not used the protected beliefs laws when discussing gender/ sex and or other cases regarding religion.

I don’t agree with them but you can’t just pick and chose protected beliefs when it suits you ?

AgathaMystery · 20/01/2022 21:18

It’s a weird one.

In my opinion they ANBU in the act of wanting to decide who to sell their house to. But I feel they ABU in the reason behind their refusal.

Interesting times when 2 protected characteristics of the EA clash as well.

Unsure33 · 20/01/2022 21:19

@FitAt50

Shocked that 21% of mumsnetter's agree with the homophobic couple.
They may not ?

They may just believe in protected beliefs .

Lockheart · 20/01/2022 21:19

I think people are getting freedom of thought confused with discrimination.

You can hold whatever beliefs you like. You can believe that Jews are evil and gays are sinful and that anyone who isn't white is dirty and that disabled people should be euthanised. You can think and believe whatever horrible atrocious things you wish.

What you can't do is treat people differently because of it.

And this is where they've crossed the line.

They can think this gay couple is sinful as much as they want. They can pray for their souls and say whatever hateful things they like between themselves. But they've crossed the line by refusing a house viewing because this couple is gay.

emberplum · 20/01/2022 21:19

They sound completely unhinged. This kind of behaviour isn't really going to attract new followers to the church.

5128gap · 20/01/2022 21:22

@DoubleYouOhEmAyEn

5128 that would be abusive, and clearly not acceptable. I was suggesting that publicly denouncing people for holding views that are are differnt to your own is a slippery slope.
The couple were abusive to the men wanting to buy their house.
Innocenta · 20/01/2022 21:22

@Artichokeleaves @DoubleYouOhEmAyEn This potentially was an actual hate crime, though. I agree that varying views should be tolerated, but not active discrimination against protected characteristics.

(DOI: am a lesbian.)

woodhill · 20/01/2022 21:23

@BIWI

21%, so 84 people, voted that YABU. Who are these bigots? None of whom have come on to the thread to say why they voted that way.
Isn't the term bigot subjective
Cultish · 20/01/2022 21:23

But they've crossed the line by refusing a house viewing because this couple is gay.

Not really, because they are under no obligation to sell their house to anyone for any reason that they want. Even if other people don't like that reason.

Fatarseflanagan09 · 20/01/2022 21:24

I hope they can’t sell it and it falls down around their nasty homophobic ears.

Omicrone · 20/01/2022 21:25

@Lockheart

I think people are getting freedom of thought confused with discrimination.

You can hold whatever beliefs you like. You can believe that Jews are evil and gays are sinful and that anyone who isn't white is dirty and that disabled people should be euthanised. You can think and believe whatever horrible atrocious things you wish.

What you can't do is treat people differently because of it.

And this is where they've crossed the line.

They can think this gay couple is sinful as much as they want. They can pray for their souls and say whatever hateful things they like between themselves. But they've crossed the line by refusing a house viewing because this couple is gay.

Technically, according to the law, I think they can do this.

For starters it's (currently) their house and therefore they are allowed to choose who they do and do not allow inside for a viewing, and presumably are allowed to tell those people why.

Lockheart · 20/01/2022 21:25

@Cultish

But they've crossed the line by refusing a house viewing because this couple is gay.

Not really, because they are under no obligation to sell their house to anyone for any reason that they want. Even if other people don't like that reason.

But it is discrimination, because they're refusing to treat this couple like anyone else. It's not just the Christian couple holding the private belief that homosexuality is a sin anymore. They're actively discriminating.
lightnesspixie · 20/01/2022 21:25

Organised religion is just another cover for bigots to hide behind. I've always found ironically that so-called 'religious' ppl (often of any denomination) are the nastiest ppl around. They can just fuck off.