Holiday rental and religion

[Whattodowithaminute]

Have just returned from a lovely week in France, holiday rental marketed as being very child friendly and true to their word the property/gardens are. What wasn't mentioned is the clear following of religion from the owners which was evident throughout the property; psalms on the welcome book, 'power of a praying wife in the bedside drawer' children's bible in the children's room to name a few bits. I know I don't need to read any of this if it isn't to my taste (which you may have gathered it isn't) however AIBU thinking a holiday rental should be more neutral territory and that these items shouldn't be on open display?

I was genuinely interested in other perspectives apologies for sounding ridiculous. I didn't like it and it would influence my decision on staying again but I won't give it much more thought than that.

I wouldn't get worked up about it, however I prefer not to have any of the owners' personal possessions in a holiday rental. I really don't like the feeling of staying in someone else's house (and always avoid rentals when this is mentioned in reviews)

YANBU. In fact just the title of that book, never mind the blurb, is making me feel pretty irritated.

IIRC, the primary prayer of a praying wife is ”Lord, change me" I have a copy somewhere.

I rented a cottage where the wife had left a copy of her PhD thesis and the husband his MSc one.

Mostly about acoustics.

There were the usual Wilbur Smiths and Catherine Cooksons, along with local authors publications.

I used to own that book actually, and lots similar

Never did my ex any good mind

Whatto, you missed the chance to pray for your husband's spiritual walk...

France is a religious based culture

Why would you ever think that? There is no RE teaching in schools, there are no religious symbols or dress codes permitted for public officials, it is considered a huge social faux pas to ask someone their religion, etc.

I would think most French people would find the OP not at all BU and I think they would be right. It's a holiday rental and therefore proselytizing is not appropriate.

Hotel rooms still have a Gideon bible in them - we stayed at a few over the holidays that had one. I'd forgotten my kindle so it was the only book available to read (I didn't though, I'm an atheist).

I wouldn't appreciate the religion like the OP mentions but it is their home and you just have to accept it as another decor choice and ignore it. I certainly wouldn't leave negative comments on Trip Advisor about it, it's an opportunity to educate your children into different values and beliefs which all should respect.

There's been a bible in the majority of hotel rooms i've stayed in. Yab ridiculous

Bibles as so standard in every hotel, that when an international chain decided not to provide them for a new chain, it made the news in Los Angeles

It's not a Premier Inn - although even Premier Inns do have gideon bibles, often - and has no reason to be "neutral", if the owners don't want it to be so.

Just don't read it. Easy.

I don't think you're being unreasonable at all, OP. When I'm paying on the open market for a service (holiday let) I don't expect to be evangelised at. If I let out a property, I wouldn't leave National Secular Society literature by the bidet!

We stayed in a villa in Sicily that had lots of pictures and icons of the Virgin Mary. It didn't bother me but DP said he couldn't have sex with her watching!

Yanbu

I'm actually really shocked at the number of posters thinking this sort of blatant in your face pushiness is acceptable

It wouldn't be acceptable in a hotel to me and is definitely less than acceptable in a holiday let

I'd have dumped it all in a cupboard after doing a sweep of the place

I find the stuff aimed at kids the most rude but

I'm a confirmed atheist and something of a warrior against organised religion but I have been known to holiday successfully in countries where there are large buildings devoted to religious worship. Indeed, we have been into many of them. Just this week me and my six year old were discussing how odd it is in a country where people have had no housing or food that the church has so much money when all it does is talk nonsense about ghosts.
Use it as a learning opportunity!
(France? A religious country? That shows a shaky grasp on history and the current state of the Republic in which religious symbolism is banned in civil life!)

YABU-you can't expect an environment which matches your worldview in every respect everywhere you go. If you don't like the books don't read them.

Also, would you have felt the same level of discomfort had it been a different religion? And what sort of evidence of religion is a problem? Would a picture in the wall with a religious theme bother you?

(that level, in a hotel I mean. A hidden single Bible is one thing, this is another. And even a single Bible is not exactly welcoming or appropriate to the many guests who are secular/different religions)

The Gideons are still around - I was given one of their bibles (unasked for) to put in my own let by someone who distributes them.

It went straight in the kitchen bin.

Another batshit thread!

What's happening to Mumsnet?

I think it's really rude. Even passive evangelising like that is rude.

I agree. By all means have your own religious stuff in your own space. But that much in a space you're renting? No thanks. Particularly this brand of hateful, misogynist rubbish.

kailoer er,premier inn have bibles too!

Crikey MothertotheLordsofmisrule, that's an excellent idea. I could put all of mine in and advertise it as 'the best night's sleep you'll ever have'.

Exactly MrsTerry.

I don't mind other people's religion despite not having one myself, in fact I find it all really interesting, but it's just not respectful. What if a family with a strong Other Faith was there? I find it really aggressive.

(also I've said this before under another name, but: I love you name )

Just don't read them! Would a buddha statue in the garden cause such offense too??