# I pit my over zealous roommate **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 15, 2013, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-over-zealous-roommate/671357 "2013-10-15T23:34:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Glazer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a88e57/32.png) [@Glazer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glazer)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2013, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-over-zealous-roommate/671357/41 "2013-10-16T06:12:46Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > Why? I mean, I understand the principle of the thing, but why would it bother you to have this guy as an enemy? He’s clearly a bigoted douchebag with no understanding of tolerance or respect for beliefs that aren’t his own. Trying to accommodate him really seems like an exercise in pointlessness, and I don’t see why you should try to not make him your enemy when it’s clear that he’s not worth having as a friend or acquaintance. Bigoted little shits like him need a dose of the real world, badly. Because he is still very young. He may very well learn the error of his ways. And you never know where life will take you. They may cross paths again someday. I applaud **Almace** for his maturity. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2013, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-over-zealous-roommate/671357/42 "2013-10-16T07:22:15Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > Why? I mean, I understand the principle of the thing, but why would it bother you to have this guy as an enemy? He’s clearly a bigoted douchebag with no understanding of tolerance or respect for beliefs that aren’t his own. Trying to accommodate him really seems like an exercise in pointlessness, and I don’t see why you should try to not make him your enemy when it’s clear that he’s not worth having as a friend or acquaintance. Bigoted little shits like him need a dose of the real world, badly. > > HERETIC! He’s stuck living with the guy right now, so making an enemy would be an extremely stupid thing to do. ---
**Author:** ![Almace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e47774/32.png) [@Almace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Almace)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2013, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-over-zealous-roommate/671357/43 "2013-10-16T08:37:22Z")
Thanks everyone for your thoughts, this has helped a lot. Getting a chance to get it off my chest without creating more drama is much appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2013, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-over-zealous-roommate/671357/44 "2013-10-16T11:28:37Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > Why? I mean, I understand the principle of the thing, but why would it bother you to have this guy as an enemy? Given your past history, you shouldn’t have to ask this question. ---
**Author:** ![BrickaBracka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c5a1d2/32.png) [@BrickaBracka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrickaBracka)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2013, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-over-zealous-roommate/671357/45 "2013-10-16T12:14:24Z")
So a new college aged kid is more zealous than he needs to be about his beliefs. Naw, never heard of that one before… I would suggest telling him to shut his god-damned face about his unwelcome beliefs whenever in the room. If he doesn’t, you’ll start playing Black Sabbath and holding Ouija Board seances while masturbating to horse-dong porn. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2013, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-over-zealous-roommate/671357/46 "2013-10-16T13:01:16Z")
> [@Almace](#): > > Honestly I am just trying to get through this semester without too much conflict… I’ve got a coworker that’s driving me crazy, but I’m now welcoming her intrusions into my life by taking a deep breath and thinking “Ok, I’m going to stay friendly and listen… and get some awesome material for The Pit”. It really has changed my life. I now look at her as a subject I’m researching, and her close-minded, homophobic, job-hating, coworkers’ brains-poisoning comments are just grist for my literary mill. Probably the way David Sedaris thinks when his family says crazy stuff: “Ooh, where’s my notebook?” So I guess what I’m saying is, don’t fear the Crazy Talk, encourage it, so you’ll have more stories to tell us. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2013, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-over-zealous-roommate/671357/47 "2013-10-16T13:30:58Z")
I think you’re doing alright, being mature, and avoiding drama. December isn’t that far away, I’m sure you can do this. Just keep doing what you’re doing, and avoid conflict. Smartest course of action by far, in my opinion. I would kinda warn my visiting gay friends ahead of time, about him, his opinions, but mostly about the course you’ve chosen, to avoid the drama and conflict, and just ignore his histrionics. You were smart to come here to let it all out, don’t hesitate to do so again, should you feel the need. Better here than elsewhere, I believe. Wishing you the best of luck with this trying fellow. (If he gets entirely out of hand, or becomes entirely impossible to manage, try contacting an on campus Christian pastor, or whatever is available, to come in and have a word with the boy. Y’know, about being less hateful, more tolerant, etc.) ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2013, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-over-zealous-roommate/671357/48 "2013-10-16T13:59:25Z")
> [@FloatyGimpy](#): > > I bet if you told him you’re gay, he’d move out. > [@Almace](#): > > Unfortunately he met my girlfriend when I was moving in. ☹ Hey, don’t those guys believe straight people can be turned gay? Tell him you read the Agenda and got turned. To make it really credible, buy a new toaster and hide the receipt. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2013, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-over-zealous-roommate/671357/49 "2013-10-16T14:39:54Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > I would kinda warn my visiting gay friends ahead of time, about him, his opinions, but mostly about the course you’ve chosen, to avoid the drama and conflict, and just ignore his histrionics. Well, I would tell the roommate that I’ve put up with his crap for half a semester and he had damn well better put on a pleasant face for the weekend and save his theologotry for someone who gives a rip. ---
**Author:** ![AnaMen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@AnaMen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnaMen)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2013, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-over-zealous-roommate/671357/50 "2013-10-16T15:13:58Z")
There’s no need to be aggressive, but don’t pretend you agree with the guy. If he starts spouting hateful opinions, tell him you disagree and don’t want to hear about it. You don’t have to hang out with him just because he sleeps near you. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2013, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-over-zealous-roommate/671357/51 "2013-10-16T15:27:58Z")
The guy could be a fun class project for your Intro to Psychology 101. Abstract: How indoctrination, bigotry and cognitive dissonance persevere in an individual when confronted with a tolerant heterogeneous population. Either he figures out you’re studying him and stops giving you material or you get some great quotes for your paper and can show it to him on your last day of the year. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2013, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-over-zealous-roommate/671357/52 "2013-10-16T15:28:38Z")
> [@MEBuckner](#): > > Or are we talking death by stoning here or something like that? > [@Oakminster](#): > > Death by bongo-bongo! What happened to ooga booga? I always thought it was ooga booga. I want my ooga booga back!! ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2013, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-over-zealous-roommate/671357/53 "2013-10-16T15:34:06Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Wishing you the best of luck with this trying fellow. (If he gets entirely out of hand, or becomes entirely impossible to manage, try contacting an on campus Christian pastor, or whatever is available, to come in and have a word with the boy. Y’know, about being less hateful, more tolerant, etc.) Good thinking. ---
**Author:** ![Lunar\_Eclipse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/858c86/32.png) [@Lunar\_Eclipse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lunar_Eclipse)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2013, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-over-zealous-roommate/671357/54 "2013-10-16T15:42:50Z")
ahhhh college. Good times. I got myself into a bad living situation one year and took the same approach - to just wait out the semester. I spent as much time as I could outside of the room, either studying or hanging out in friend’s dorm rooms. If I wasn’t there, then there couldn’t be conflict. It was miserable, but I made it, and you will too. The next year was much, much better. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![BeeGee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5a626/32.png) [@BeeGee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeeGee)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2013, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-over-zealous-roommate/671357/55 "2013-10-16T17:24:39Z")
Same here. My freshman roommate had a terminal stick up the butt. She informed me at Thanksgiving that she was keeping a log on my comings and goings and when I flunked out, she was going to mail it to my parents and tell them I never studied and spent all my time out, never coming home before curfew\*. I moved out after one semester. Over Christmas, I was notified that I’d been invited to join Alpha Lambda Delta: national freshman honor society. So in January, I show up for the photo session. Guess who I was standing next to. Oh, the look on her face. \*it was a private christian university with an 11pm weeknight curfew. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2013, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-over-zealous-roommate/671357/56 "2013-10-16T18:21:10Z")
> [@Kimballkid](#): > > What happened to ooga booga? I always thought it was ooga booga. I want my ooga booga back!! I remember a few frat parties where it was almost death by[Oingo-Boingo](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iypUpv9xelg) … 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2013, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-over-zealous-roommate/671357/57 "2013-10-16T18:35:21Z")
Pretty cool first post. Welcome! If you can get through this living situation, you can live with anybody. That’s a valuable skill to have in your twenties. Sounds like you’re doing everything right so far. Just vent in safe spaces and let your gay friends know ahead of time that your roomie is an unconscionable homophobe. You can leave it up to them whether or not to pay a visit to your dorm room. ---
**Author:** ![Almace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e47774/32.png) [@Almace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Almace)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2013, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-over-zealous-roommate/671357/58 "2013-10-16T19:27:25Z")
So far I’ve been able to stay busy enough that I don’t really have to be around him much, huzzah for the library. I’ve told my friends about him and we’re working on arrangements for their visit, though naturally one of my more flamboyant friends wants to antagonize him :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2013, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-over-zealous-roommate/671357/59 "2013-10-16T20:37:48Z")
Show him some stuff from here: [http://notalllikethat.org/](http://notalllikethat.org/) John and Catherine Shore have some great arguments against the hate > **[Taking God at His Word: The Bible and Homosexuality](http://www.notalllikethat.org/taking-god-at-his-word-the-bible-and-homosexuality/)** > >   (The text below an excerpt from UNFAIR: Christians and the LGBT Question.) God does not ask us to choose between compassion and faith in the Bible. Christians are increasingly divided over t… ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2013, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-over-zealous-roommate/671357/60 "2013-10-16T20:39:37Z")
You have a greater obligation to keep your friends happy than to keep a temporary roommate happy. Let them come over and be flamboyant on him. It wouldn’t hurt to be armed\*, though. \*with statistics on the relationship between homophobia and suicide rates [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-over-zealous-roommate/671357.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-over-zealous-roommate/671357.md?page=4)