Hi @vhhorne!
This is a lot of scattered thoughts as your OP about ‘how to ensure a good fit’ came across to me as a bit arrogant (6 weeks and you know all the answers?) and that question irritated me and I’ve been mulling it over in my mind ever since. And I’m a Christian - so since you asked - here it goes…
It is totally appropriate to mention your faith in your listing. It is YOUR listing. Hosts do it ALL the time. I’m about to go stay with a shaman healer who said a lot of other new-age stuff. I’m not into that. I don’t care. She’s a nice person and I’m staying in her RV in the woods. If she asks me to join her in worshiping whatever she worships I will appreciate the invite but decline. I don’t have an agenda to discuss my faith, but if it comes up, it comes up.
Is it true that there are valid reasons for the word ‘christian’ to be equated with ‘hate’. Sad, but true.
I am a Christian and my faith is a huge influence on my life - or at least I intend for it to …One of my reasons to have an airbnb is to meet people from around the world and, hopefully, have a loving influence on their life, as an expression of my faith.
I think when you label anything ‘Christian’ certain people automatically equate that with a large variety of things based on their prior experiences. For some that’s going to mean “I hate everyone not like me” or “no liquor or tobacco” or "no playing cards, music, photographs’ or “I’m going to ask us to all pray together at check-in” or “no unmarried couples allowed” it also might provoke an expectation of a super nice loving person who will do anything you ask. etc. etc. etc.
So personally, I wouldn’t like that question ‘are you comfortable in a Christian home’ because I wouldn’t know what that meant. Would you kick me out if I yelled at my kid? Played cards? Had a drink of wine? Made out with my husband at the breakfast table? That question would make me anxious. The first time I showed up at a particular church I had a SUPER short hair cut (almost a buzz) and was wearing a pencil skirt and a tank top with a flashy scarf. The family in front of me with a dozen kids had all the girls in matching dressed and the men/boys had ties of the same fabric. I thought ‘whoaaah, I’m not gonna fit in here…’ (but I did). That was my image (at the time) of that church. So if you ask me that question, I’d have to wonder “will I be comfortable?”
I’m comfortable in homes where the host is hospitable and kind. I’ve been invited to a Christian’s home for pie, at a time that I was within a week of my due date. We showed up on time then sat on their couch having very bland conversation for 2 hours without an offer of even water, not to mention pie (which I could see sitting on the counter in the kitchen the whole boring time). So was I comfortable in that Christian home? No, I was mis-er-a-ble.
See what I mean? I do mention my faith in my profile. There is a large variety of books in my guest area, some are Christian, and I mention my faith in my welcome page in the room. Frankly it’s my hope that, by showing all my guests great hospitality that they see that not all Christians=haters.
I’ve had over 80 groups of people from around the world with an average of 3.5 guests at a time and had very few issues. I haven’t had to ask that question. Personally, I feel like the people that choose to stay in a home with a family are going to have a certain expectation of behavior. You can help that expectation by being clear in your rules.
Phew, sorry to those that felt like that was to long - as I said, it’s been rattling in my brain for a few days, and @vhhorne I hope it’s helpful to you.
cheers, and happy hosting