Renting to homosexuals

[docrock]

What are the implications if a practicing Catholic who owns some rental properties is petitioned to rent by a known homosexual living with a lover,and who has otherwise passed a criminal background check and a credit check. Is it a sin to rent to these individuals?

 

[Pere_i_Pau]

Personally I wouldn’t. Any landlord has the right to morally discriminate against potential tenents. This has little to do with whether they are homosexuals or not. I had the opportunity to rent my home in Spain to the girlfriend of a buddy of mine and I declined. I thought long term. What if they break up and she doesn’t want to leave? What am I encouraging? A sex home, where he can have her there to have sex with? I wouldn’t desecrate my property with that type of behaviour, and certainly not to a homosexual couple. I would not encourage it.

 

[Defensor_Fidei]

docrock:

What are the implications if a practicing Catholic who owns some rental properties is petitioned to rent by a known homosexual living with a lover,and who has otherwise passed a criminal background check and a credit check. Is it a sin to rent to these individuals?

Is that your only applicant?

-Ted

 

[Shibboleth]

You have to realize that the Ancient Greek did not have a word for homosexual because they didn’t differentiate between men and men. In all instances in the bible it is the coital practices of homosexuality that is condemned not homosexuals in particular, just as premarital relations are condemned in the bible not heterosexuals.

If you rent to heterosexual couples that are not married and you have suspicion that they are intimate, then it is somewhat hypocritical to not rent to homosexuals. Beyond that you could be getting yourself into a long and expensive lawsuit. Hate the sin not the sinner.

 

[Defensor_Fidei]

The only way you are going to get sued is if you outright say to the homosexual’s face that you refuse to rent to them based on the fact that he is homosexual. If you have many applications then you have the right to pick any of the applications you receive.

Also remember when you look at credit, what may think is bad creadit, I can probably get that same person financed with no money down on a condo or small house for the same payment as rent.

-Ted

 

[beng]

Shibboleth:

You have to realize that the Ancient Greek did not have a word for homosexual because they didn’t differentiate between men and men. In all instances in the bible it is the coital practices of homosexuality that is condemned not homosexuals in particular, just as premarital relations are condemned in the bible not heterosexuals.

If you rent to heterosexual couples that are not married and you have suspicion that they are intimate, then it is somewhat hypocritical to not rent to homosexuals. Beyond that you could be getting yourself into a long and expensive lawsuit. Hate the sin not the sinner.

The answer is not to give intimate homosexuals the place just because intimate heterosexuals can get the place.

The answer is to deny both couples. (That is if the heterosexuals were living out of wedlock)

 

[Wolseley]

Sell the property and get out of the landlord business. There is no way you can still engage in business and maintain your moral standards in accordance with the teachings of the Church in the new, post 5-17-04 politically-correct America. We’re headed back for the catacombs, folks.

Tragic, but true nonetheless.

 

[Shibboleth]

Since rental is regulated by the laws of state I would say that it is immoral to deceptively deny someone a place to rent based on race, creed, practices, or beliefs. You must abide by the civil laws established for renting, if you disagree with those laws, do not combat them by breaking them, combat them by not being a landlord and fighting the laws with petitions and votes.

I say rent to them and teach them the gospel through your actions, if you drive them away they may miss this chance to learn. Would you deny an atheist, Hindu, or agnostic? These are equally condemned in the Bible.

Preach the gospel always and if necessary, use words. -Francis of Assisi

 

[garysibio]

Shibboleth:

You have to realize that the Ancient Greek did not have a word for homosexual because they didn’t differentiate between men and men. In all instances in the bible it is the coital practices of homosexuality that is condemned not homosexuals in particular, just as premarital relations are condemned in the bible not heterosexuals.

It may be the case that there is no one single word but any linguist will tell you that a concept that can be expressed in one language can be expressed in any other language even though it might reequire a word in one and a paragraph in the other.

If you rent to heterosexual couples that are not married and you have suspicion that they are intimate, then it is somewhat hypocritical to not rent to homosexuals. Beyond that you could be getting yourself into a long and expensive lawsuit. Hate the sin not the sinner.

First, even without a Greek word, St. Paul makes it quite clear that sexual acts between people of the same gender are not only sins, they are unnatural (Rom 1:26ff). However, I would also have the same problem renting to an unmarried heterosexual couple that I would renting to a gay couple.

You are falsely assuming that hate is the only reason why someone would not rent to a gay couple. That is simply not true. I feel that I have the right, perhaps even the duty, to see that I am not somehow contributing to their sin by providing a place to do it. BTW, a gay man, who was living celibately, lived with me and my family for over 10 years.

You do have a valid point about the legal issues. In fact there was a case about 10 years ago where a Christian man refused to rent to an unmarried heterosexual couple. They took him to court and won. However, sometimes there is a difference between doing what is right and doing what is legal. God’s law always trumps man’s law.

 

[socalscout]

It is not your place to govern the morality of others by discrimination. At what degree to you measure sin? I commit sin daily should you not rent to me. Who knows what I might be doing in the privacy of my rental unit. Would you rent to heterosexual young men? I guarantee there would be more immoral acts going on than the homosexuals. Would you deny rent to an athiest, Jehovah Witness or Hindu? Granted I would not want a porn producer living at my unit and I definitely would not want a registered sex offender living there either but where do you draw the line?

Homosexual acts are immoral but homosexuals are as immoral as you and I. Do not second guess the hearts of men or cast stones. If you are concerned about their salvation then approach it different.

What would I do? I really do not know. This is a great test of Faith set before you and the above statements are just opinion. You must pray on this and I am sure the Holy Spirit will show you the way.

Take care.

 

[Shibboleth]

garysibio:

It may be the case that there is no one single word but any linguist will tell you that a concept that can be expressed in one language can be expressed in any other language even though it might reequire a word in one and a paragraph in the other.

I am not arguing that homosexual practices are not sins. The Greek did not have a word for homosexual because categorizing people as such would be asinine. Bisexuality in Ancient Greece was profound, almost every single man in Sparta engaged in homosexual acts. Men were men women were women. They did define the relationships between male couples - research the word “erastai.” But be careful in its use because documents show that Saint Sergious and Saint Baccus had an “erastai” “eromenos” relationship

garysibio:

First, even without a Greek word, St. Paul makes it quite clear that sexual acts between people of the same gender are not only sins, they are unnatural (Rom 1:26ff). However, I would also have the same problem renting to an unmarried heterosexual couple that I would renting to a gay couple.

You are falsely assuming that hate is the only reason why someone would not rent to a gay couple.

Be careful when using the words of Paul to condemn. Reading Romans is kind of like reading this message board with only one person’s comments. As a whole you could probably understand what is being said but alone much would be misinterpreted and missed. Read 2 Peter 3:16 – 18 he hits on this fact.

St. Augustine said you should memorize the whole book of Romans in order to understand it.

Read all of Romans 1:18 – 2:4 for the context of the verse, it is a denunciation of idolatrous religious worship and rituals.

And I am sorry if I applied that hate was the reason, I did not mean that and do not think it.

 

[pittsburghjeff]

Wolseley:

Sell the property and get out of the landlord business. There is no way you can still engage in business and maintain your moral standards in accordance with the teachings of the Church in the new, post 5-17-04 politically-correct America. We’re headed back for the catacombs, folks.

Tragic, but true nonetheless.

Interesting thought. Sometimes I wonder what profession we can engage in in our culture without having a conflict with our moral standards. There are times I have wanted to cast my law license to the bottom of the sea, but I think I am doing well and using my position to evangelize and proclaim the truth.
Can anyone think of a morally safe job? Even a priest could have a moral conflict, if say, his bishop orders him to do something that requires moral compromise. Our culture is rotten from the core, but I guess that is all the reason why we need strong Catholics to go out and proclaim the truth, without fear of lawsuits or getting fired and with trust that Jesus will take care of our material needs.

On the specific legal question of a landlord getting sued, it’s my understanding that in most areas there are no laws that prevent you from denying homosexuals the ability to rent. Some of the more liberal cities have adopted ordinances to prohibit discrimination against homosexuals in such cases, but thankfully, as a general rule, most areas don’t have such laws.
Even though our Supreme Court says there is a constitutional right to sodomy, constitutional rights generally only apply to infringement by the government.

 

[cmom]

I don’t think you are required to give a reason turn down any application.

 

[wet-rat]

Maybe Karl K. could give some legal advice?

 

[Elizabeth]

Yep! There are many sinners out there, oh yes indeed. We pray to Mary for ‘us sinners’ daily. As far as renting goes though, there certainly is reason enough not to rent to people that you absolutely know are living a blatantly sinful lifestyle. You would not want to rent to someone you knew was performing abortions on the premises - and that’s legal! Loving the sinner does *not * require of you one thing or the other here - i.e to rent or not to rent! You have no obligation to them in this sense. I like the idea of praying about it and asking the Holy Spirit to lead you - as there is no governing precept in this case and you are the Landlord. I will pray for you - and them.

 

[STJOMO]

You also wouldn’t want to rent to a heterosexual couple who are not married.

 

[Edwin1961]

You cannot assume that the couple is going to do anything immoral. Yet in our human nature, it would lead us to speculate what homosexuals do in private, just as much as the loose sexual morals among the pagan population at large.

I agree with one of the past messages here: As Christian Catholics we need to be charitable to those who are not necessarily living a life ‘that is centered on Christ and His teachings’ by the Church .

Who did this couple put down as references? Did these persons (the references) seem crediable? Yet we must not judge another person by assuming anything.

We shouldn’t assume the worst, but in the teaching ot our Church, two persons, (regardless of morale standards), who are living together and not married, (in the defination of the CCC), should live like brother and sister, in this case, brother and brother, or boarders.

Just follow the Holy Spirit’s calling for you in this instance. We ALL need to to the same

Live the Gospel, and if necessary use words!

 

[eaManwe]

CCC #2358: “[sic] Every sign of unjust discrimination in their [homosexual persons] regard should be avoided. [sic]”

Is it unjust to discriminate against two individuals if they are known to have a homosexual relationship?

Think of it this way: Who would you rather have two homosexuals living in? In a tenancy that either doesn’t care about them or says everything they do is “okay” or your tenancy? You should present and loving and charitable attitude towards them at all times. 9 times out of 10, homosexual persons are rather angry towards Christianity and, by extension, Christians. Be charitable and kind and let them live in your tenancy.

“What are the implications if a practicing Catholic who owns some rental properties is petitioned to rent by a known homosexual living with a lover,and who has otherwise passed a criminal background check and a credit check. Is it a sin to rent to these individuals?”

 

[atsheeran]

OK, here’s my chance to put my expertise as a law student to work.

Laws vary by state, so unless these posters know the specific laws of your state, most of their legal advice is pretty useless. I don’t know the laws of your state either.

However, I can help you out as to whether you can be sued in a federal court. The federal legislation governing the sale and rental of real property is the Fair Housing Act. Sexual orientation is not a protected category under the FHA. Besides, if your property is small enough, or if you are only renting that one property, you may not be subject to the FHA.

Either way though, you must follow your properly-formed conscience.

 

[Tmaque]

What would Jesus do? You’re not condoning or promoting homosexuality because you rent an apartment to a gay person. Jesus didn’t promote or condone the sins of the sinners he associated with, but that didn’t prevent him from associating with them. How can we reach out to people if we exclude them?