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?

Worst of all was an almost life size statue of Jesus in our room

Oh, I'd have just used it as clothes stand.

My great aunt had crucifixes in the bedrooms too.

I think they got the psalms visitors book 70% off in a stationery sale and thought, yay saved a few bob there. The kids' bible was a gift from MIL that their child has grown out of, so happily donated to holiday let bookshelf. And the praying wife was discovered left by previous occupants under the bed so cleaner shoved it on a drawer and owners will only discover it when they visit the let themselves on the Easter hols.

And there you go deciding they are PA 'evangelising'.

Ido I would suggest that being extremely religious and a vehement atheist are two sides of the same coin, and as such, are both intolerant.

I'm on the fence and cba to get offended by religious writings and artifacts.

LoniceraJaponica who's a vehement atheist?

No such thing as a vehement atheist. You are either an atheist or not. You can have degrees of religious belief, but not degrees of atheism.

I'm on the fence and cba to get offended by religious writings and artifacts. it's not a big deal for you then. But as I said earlier I'm one of the people who have had negative experiences with religion who would be upset to find it waiting for me in my holiday let. So many people posting that they wouldn't mind but not many have said they could understand if some people would be upset or offended. Just as intolerant expecting everyone to not be bothered. Surely it's respectful to everyone for there to be no religious or spiritual stuff present unless specifically advertised beforehand so the person then has a choice whether to book there on that basis.

My BIL Ido . Very vociferous then.

You are right Bertrand.

It's fascinating that the word "offended" is being bandied about when I don't think anyone has suggested being a but exasperated.......

Can you really not see the difference between one Gideon Bible and this? And can't you understand why many of us wouldn't feel very happy paying to stay there?

To be honest, no, I can't. It's just three religious books instead of one. It doesn't offend me in any way. I'm not religious, I'd say I'm agnostic, but I don't understand why some people find another persons religion to be so personally threatening.

LoniceraJaponica that's a shame. A lot of us just quietly think what we think and don't require anyone else to believe it...

Bertrand I'd be offended. I have no problem owning that.

Would you suffer the little children to come onto Baphomet whilst on holiday?

France is a religious (mostly Catholic) culture, even if not a religious state. As such, it's completely reasonable that a French holiday cottage reflects that.

Im sure there was a bible in the hospital drawer when I had a baby 3 years ago!

I bet the house belongs to Anglosaxons. We ( French people) aren't religious in the same way as British or especially Americans, we don't have praying wife etc etc stuff in France, even very very religious people will just have a couple of crucifixes on walls and possibly access to a copy of the new testament (the old testament is for protestants and jews). Even in our religious schools there is less religion than in your state ones. We are a secular republic, separation of church and state happened in 1905 and is strictly adhered to, and religion plays a very small part in life. Church weddings are not valid in law, for example.

Spot on with exasperated Bertrand. There are far too many professionally offended people around. They need to get a grip.

I totally agree with you Budgiegirl

Spot on with exasperated Bertrand. There are far too many professionally offended people around. They need to get a grip. do people who have had very negative personal experiences with religion fall into the 'get a grip' category?

But I really don't like creeping evangelization and the "oh, it's only a little bit of Christianity, what harm can it do?" You see it being said about religion in schools all the time.

Ido I'm with you - I've been there too. But I think it's difficult to understand if you don't have personal experience of being mistreated by representatives of the church.

How many young people believe in God these days Bertrand?

Clearly, religion in schools isn't increasing the congregation size in churches. Is it?

To much religion in the water and we could end up with someone like Trump leading us. Now think about that and go take a cold shower.

Outwith it may be hard to understand but when people are telling you yes me, I'm one of those people we do exist it's ignorant to ignore that and continue to suggest it 'shouldn't bother' anyone. Have some empathy... We are the real life example of why these things do matter and do negatively affect some people.

Can you say why it bothers you? Obviously I have missed something here.

I just got back from a holiday rental that had bears everywhere. Literally in every room staring at you.

Would have taken the evangelism any day.