Atheist Roommate!!!!
By Rozie37
@Rozie37 (15499)
Turkmenistan
June 5, 2008 1:11am CST
Well my old roommate moved out on Saturday and tomorrow I am getting an Atheist roommate. She is 20 years old and we are already good friends, I just hope that we remain friends. Right now, she lives on the thrid floor of my building, but hast to move out because she can not afford to pay private rate and they need the room now.
We respect each other's beliefs and I hope it continues that way. My last roommate was Jewish and complained that she did not like my gospel music. I did not get upset, because I understood, but it did make me feel uncomfortable. She would listen to her favorite radio station all the time and I did not care much for hearing that either. But I understood that this was as much her place as it was mine.
Anyway, this 20 year old is surprisingly very intelligent and knowledgeable for her age. I am hoping that we can continue to get along. She is gone a lot, so that is a plus. Have you ever had to live with someone that you didn't really want to live with?
7 people like this
20 responses
@CinderInMySoul (4717)
• United States
5 Jun 08
only once and he was a boyfriend lol! some of the dumbest things he would NOT do, would drive me nuts! like putting dishes in the sink with food still in them! oh man i just cant stand that! oh and leaving dirty clothes strewn throughout the house.
fortunatly that relationship didnt last very long, considering that we realized pretty quick that we would drive each other nuts if we had to spend too much time together lol!
personaly, i'm agnostic, but i do love gospel music. during highschool i was a member of the choir and we used to listen to some of the local church choirs to learn how to do harmonies and work together. it was always beaututiful, and depending on the church, lively too!
2 people like this
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
5 Jun 08
I so know how you feel about the food left on the dishes in the sink. I love to wash dishes, but if I have to go through and clean all the plates and bowls before I can even fill up the sink to do the dishes, I am not a happy camper. I understnad agnostics, but the whole thing about God is that he hast to be believed in by faith.
It is like a catch 22. I will not believe until I know, but I will not know until I believe. Faith is a very, very powerful thing. I tell people that rather than wonder about it, just do exactly what the Bible tells you to do. If it does not work, you have lost nothing, if it does(which it will) you have gained eternal life. God is just waiting to prove himself real to us. But first you have to be willing to be curious enough to seek out the truth.
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
5 Jun 08
Hmm maybe this is a good thing. She might see how God works in your life and be blessed by it.
1 person likes this
@Pirate_Arg (472)
• South Africa
5 Jun 08
No. Just no.
Or perhaps I should use your exact argument and state that maybe the author will see how a perfectly good life can be lived without God and renounce her faith.
@Pirate_Arg (472)
• South Africa
5 Jun 08
Who are you to say that the atheist does not also have strong faith? The only difference is that instead of believing in a deity, an atheist will believe in the lack of deity and being a bit more self reliant.
@Pirate_Arg (472)
• South Africa
5 Jun 08
It shouldn't be a problem as long as you can respect each other's beliefs. I don't see why listening to gospel music would be a problem to anyone of a different religion on a religious level unless they are very insecure in their faith but if it is a problem consider that they might just not like the genre of music or might want quiet to concentrate. Of course you just need to find solutions to these sort of problems, like in the music example an easy compromise is headphones.
Religion might have a bigger impact if it is very much part of who you are but if you can keep it out of the friendship or at least stay light hearted about it then it should be no problem at all.
1 person likes this
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
5 Jun 08
That is just it, I can be light-hearted about it in passing, but when I am in my home, I am me. My old roommate did not like the gospel music because she is Jewish and everybody knows that they normally don't believe in Jesus, although some do.
I tried the headphone thing with her. But when I put my headphones on to listen to my music, she would turn on her music and sing loud, I could not hear my music still. I remember one time, I said out loud that I felt like hearing some music and she rushed and turned on her radio, before I could turn on mine. I simply turned mine on and drowned hers out, until she had no choice but to turn hers off.
I know this stuff sounds pretty petty, but I like for my home to be peaceful. I live in a board and care and there is always drama going on. So I like to escape to my place for the quiet. But if the tension is also on the other side of the door, then there is no place of escape.
@Pirate_Arg (472)
• South Africa
5 Jun 08
Wow, that doesn't sound like it was working out well. I don't like the idea of having to share a room at all. I think I could do it if I had to but if the person that I was bunking with was annoying it would not be a pleasant experience. Come to think of it, with my preferred sleeping pattern of staying up into the early hours of the morning and then sleeping until noon, I think that I might be the annoying one. If I ever have a room mate we're going to have to have some sort of separate rooms.
1 person likes this
@summerrain (355)
• China
6 Jun 08
I used to be a studuent who is a little shy,and didn't like talking too much.During the time in my university,I had two roommates who were very active,they liked speaking loudly in the room,and they often laughed for little things not very funny,I thought.I enjoyed silence and quiet in my room,so in my opinion,we had so much differences.Frankly speaking,I didn't really want to live with them.But I had no choice,it was the real life that I must face to.After all, there are all kinds of people in the world who have the difference character with me.I must adapt the environment gradually.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
5 Jun 08
not really... i used to have roommates in the past... but we do not disturb one another and we go along quite well... so we never have any problem... we respect each other's privacy and we do our own stuffs... it is a pretty good exprience for me... good luck for your new roommate... hope you can get along with her... take care and have a nice day...
1 person likes this
@desertdarlene (8910)
• United States
5 Jun 08
I haven't lived with anyone since I've moved out of my mom's place a long time ago. But, when I was a child, I sure didn't want to live with my brother. Now, I don't have to. I have problems living with anyone as I'm very sensitive to noises and scents. Most people would be pretty unhappy living with me, I think.
It sounds like you get along fine with your roommate despite the difference in beliefs. I wouldn't worry about her being an atheist. I've found that people's beliefs change throughout their lives and she may change her mind in the future about God. If it were me, I wouldn't push her about it (not that you are doing that).
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
6 Jun 08
Oh no, I certainly do not want to nag at her about it. That would certainly push her further away from God. I just feel like her moving in with me means more change for both of us than meets the eye. I never under estimate what all God can accomplish with one simple change.
I do not feel that it is my job to drag anyone to Jesus. You are right, she is young and will probably change her mind later on. The only thing that I constantly keep before me is that long life is not promised to every one. I want all my friends to accept Christ as their Savior.
I like you, am also sensitive to noises and smells. Especially, sudden unexpected noises. I have Asthma and allergies, so my nose picks up more than the average nose does. I like the challenge of being able to live peacefully with others. As long as both parties are willing to be considerate of the other.
@mac1946 (1602)
• Calgary, Alberta
5 Jun 08
Ok,first,I started out with upbringing in Catholic and Protistsant religions,during the war ( Viet Nam ),I became agnostic and stayed that way for many years,about two years ago,I found my present beliefs and have stronge feelings for them,but will not ever try to conform others to my beliefs.
While you appear to be able to live with others of differant beliefs than you,you also appear to be very insistant on pushing your beliefs on anyone you share the room with.
because of my past,every time religious music is played on the radio or tv,I shut them off or at least mute the sound.
This may be your belief,and it is your home as well as hers,please work together,keep the sound down so both of you can hear your own brand of music,and knock off the trying to convert her,and you should both be able to live in harmoney.
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
6 Jun 08
I do not believe that it is my job to drag anyone to Jesus. I can let my light shine without ever saying a word. But there are many times that she will come to me about problems and for me there is only one solution. I will tell her that I will pray for this or that and she appreciates that. The last thing that I would want to do is push her further away from God by nagging. But I also do not want to feel uncomfortable being myself in my own home.
As I told her yesterday, in and of myself, I could care less what happens to her. Without the love of God in my heart, I would be this self-centered, greedy person who could care less about anyone but me. I know the person that I was before God got ahold of me. This is why I know that it is God speaking through me.
@Springlady (3986)
• United States
5 Jun 08
Hi Rozie,
I don't know if you know the Lord personally, but if you do, I pray that you will share the Good News of Jesus Christ to your new roommate. God may have put her with you for a reason.
Show her kindness and love her with the love of Christ.
I pray all works out! God is good!
God bless you!
1 person likes this
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
5 Jun 08
well just think of this as a challenge that God can help you with!
when i was in Bible school, i had a roommate that no one really liked, she was loud, obnoxious and well not the best person to live with, but i did survive the year!
best of luck! :-)
1 person likes this
@teapotmommommerced (10359)
• United States
6 Jun 08
Lots of times. It started out when I had to continue to live with my parents who did not want me and I did not know how to get out.
At times I did not want to live with my husband and children. I know that is harsh but it is true. I cannot say how things changed when I decided I wanted to run away but at times I did. I had to stay for the chidren but boy did I wish I could leave.
Now we are fine our children are grown and we love each other a lot. He does get on my nevers. He is off of work and needs to go back soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He is moving things, touching things in the form of "helping" me and guess what it only makes things worse for me. If he would ask first then it would be OK.
I have talked to him about it but he does not listen.
Enough on my soap box.
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
6 Jun 08
Aside from the things that happened when you were a child at home and when your children were growing up, this discussion sounds so cute. You sound like a normal married couple. He just wants to feel useful at home. Hopefully, he can go back to work and get out of your hair soon.
1 person likes this
@SangsTurks (1444)
• India
6 Jun 08
Well,i had this roommate - a boy who always left the toilet seat dirty. It was very annoying, everytime you need to use the toilet you had to clean the tilet seat first. It was a very disgusting feeling! After being told, like a zillion times he did not understand. Finally, i was sooooooo disgusted that i moved out from that house. there was nothing that i could do, there was nothing as understanding between two individuals which is very inportant.
You seem like an understanding person, so i dont think there would be any problem. Let her be her, and you be you, you dont have to interfere in each others belief about religion. You believe in God and she dosnt, That is it.
My husband is an atheist, but i never had a problem with him. He dosnt question me why i believe in Christ and i dont question him why he dosnt!!!
It is as simple, let sleeping dogs lie!!!!!
1 person likes this
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
6 Jun 08
Can we yuck here. There is nothing worst than rushing to use the restroom and finding the toilet dirty and you have to clean it before you can sit down. You seem like a very patient person. When I lived with my sister and her six children, it was often that way.
Now that my friend has moved in, I will not be giving her a hard time about religion. It was all in light-hearted fun before. But now that we are under the same roof, we have different boundaries.
@XxXfireyXxX7 (13)
• United States
6 Jun 08
hmm right now I wish I didn't have to live with my mom lol.
1 person likes this
@CinderInMySoul (4717)
• United States
5 Jun 08
only once and he was a boyfriend lol! some of the dumbest things he would NOT do, would drive me nuts! like putting dishes in the sink with food still in them! oh man i just cant stand that! oh and leaving dirty clothes strewn throughout the house.
fortunatly that relationship didnt last very long, considering that we realized pretty quick that we would drive each other nuts if we had to spend too much time together lol!
personaly, i'm agnostic, but i do love gospel music. during highschool i was a member of the choir and we used to listen to some of the local church choirs to learn how to do harmonies and work together. it was always beaututiful, and depending on the church, lively too!
@Linda4ualways (2282)
• United States
6 Jun 08
Yes, hopefully you two can remain friends because Religion is a touchy subject and she is an Atheist too! Yes I have lived with someone I didn't want to and that was my ex-fiance. That is a terrible feeling, not being comfortable where you live. God bless!
@fifileigh (3615)
• United States
7 Jun 08
as long as both parties respect one another and their cultures and beliefs, it should matter what each one is.
i have had many roommates i didnt get along with and they eventually moved out because i just ignored them...they were just plain stupid b****es who wanted their way. i didnt let them have their way and they moved out...it had nothing to do with race or religion...i am more tolerant with that.
@lanyoublue2008 (882)
• China
5 Jun 08
Sometimes maybe,however, I think the time will change the course of making friends!
You could talk with your roomate that his habits have effect you so much !
Besides,you could give him some little gift to thank for his friendship!
When I alway in the unerversity,a girl is so hard to get together!
At last ,I have to be silence with her, aftet a short time ,she recognize her fault in before time!
Therefor,I think when you meet some so hard trouble,the best way is keeping silence!
