Hang in there. This site will help you get in touch with people. Marietta

As a New York Yankee Atheist I can only say join the club. I am "friendly" with many here, but not close to anyone I am still close to my friends in WNY State. Thank goodness for the internet. Back I made friends through social activities, but here in Georgia their only activities are church and kid sports, neither of which I could tolerate.

I have a good mixed set of friends covering religious, pagan and non-believers. I have met most of them from a defunct group now, Border Pagans. Luckily we stay in touch and see each other often. I am always open if you need someone to vent to though.

I'm in Atlanta and always open to making new friends. I don't care what people believe as long as we aren't in a battle to impose what we believe on one another. I also enjoy being with people who aren't always offering to pray for me or blame God for all of my hard work. You're invited for coffee/tea with me anytime

I live in Georgia too. We should be friends. Don't know any other atheists here, but I never shy away from the conversation with anyone. And, no one has ever been a complete dick to me about it.

I live in Chattanooga, TN, also directly in the Bible Belt. One must learn to bite one's tongue and to limit one's self from certain conversations. I relate to your position very well.

Check out the Atlanta Freethought Society as a place to meet like-minded people in the metro Atlanta area.
[meetup.com]

Arkansas here, so I'm with you!

If you don't mind your friends being long distance ones then you should end up with as many friends as you would like here. I have sent you a message in case you are interested. Looking forward to joining your list of friends.

Elizabeth, hi. Poor you in the so called "Bible belt". I believe that 'this', being on Agnostic.com, is one of your better choices- but feel enlightened about yourself- and forget about people who believe in slow-learning, children's fairy tales. I've forgotten how Jonah ended up, in the belly of the whale- not that it matters. I think he was electrocuted while trying to install lighting. But why? Lighting wouldn't have helped him much; a whale's stomach acids would have taken his eyes and skin in nanoseconds. And the feeding of the thousands! Was that done when the magic wand was waved over the can of sardines and the stale bagel and that turned into grand meals with candle light- the works. All too foolish to even be funny!

I've visited Charleston and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina multiple times but I've never gotten any legitimate, long-term exposure to life in the Bible Belt. What's it like having to call it your home?

Hello from Georgia. You're not alone. I was just thinking that we should have something for non-believers where I live. I know how difficult it can be dealing with agnosticism in a sea of Christians. I can't imagine trying to raise a kid in this environment.

When I'm confronted by religious nuts trying to push their kool-aid, I politely let them know that I find religion to be a personal and private matter, and that I'd prefer not to discuss it with those outside my family and friends. If they persist, then I lose the politeness and let them know their opinion was neither asked for, nor welcomed...and maybe they should focus some of that energy on their own life.

What was it like growing up in the bible belt being an atheist? I was kinda lucky cuz its pretty normal to be atheist where i grew up