Check to see if there is a Humanist Association in your area. I found my local group through Meetup.com. And sweetie, I don't want to sound condescending, I have kids older than you. You've got so much time ahead of you to find someone. It's too early to panic. Work on being the best you that you can be, and you'll find someone. And if you don't you'll be a great guy who is single. There are worse things to be, trust me.

We rational-minded people do seem to be pariahs. What a disgrace! We need a new Englightenment which will include communities for us to belong. For now, it seems that we have to make do with the online community, but it's not the same as face to face.

Adrielbass, my experience is that the 20s are tough, and each decade following becomes a little easier. Now at 53, I am content, alone often and rarely lonely. Your curiosity and skepticism are not the problem. The world is a crazy place. It's very hard for sensitive people to find footing. I found my connectivity by hiking. Walking into the woods daily became my release: crying to the wind on my wretched days and eventually really finding spirituality in being out in Mother Nature. I began to realize how connected I really am, how deeply rooted we can all be when we dismiss the trappings of whatever narrow culture we're living in and reach for thoughts and feelings that are universal. Don't be afraid of who you are. Instead I hope you embrace yourself as you are and remind yourself every day of all the things you are about that you are proud of, keep your chin up and maybe try new things so you can caste a wider net. I agree with the others, you are still youthful.

I have felt that "separateness?" for several decades now

Everyone here is amazing. Thank you all for your sweet words. Online is different than face to face, but I feel I've found my people, despite the difference in distance. Happy I found this place a few days ago.

Saaaame it sucks. I like to think if I could just escape this god forsaken state (hah get it?) I'd be much better off.

I feel the same most of the time. Unable to express yourself in a red area basically.

Yes. But being faithless is like being sober.

You are not going to die alone, unless you want it that way!! I looked at your profile and you are young and handsome...there is a good start! I cannot stress enough how important having friends are in this life, is. Not just because you are lonely, but because you will never know your whole self, without your reflection back to you from your friends. Now that can be both fun and hard. So find some friends that you have something in common with, too! Join a group that does something that you really enjoy, and that you feel is worth while! And, believe that you will be connected to a gal, that will be just right for you and for her as well! Best of luck!!!

i have had times i envied that ability to believe

I can feel some of the things you are feeling regarding the isolation experienced due to our skepticism and curiosity. It seems every one here in lower Alabama either go to church or have a belief in God. They might not show it in their daily lives, but when you ask them they are adamant that they believe in God.
I don't know what to tell you regarding the dating aspect and finding that someone to share life with. I guess you can do the same thing you do with regard to religion. Just keep searching.
Me personally, I don't think I would let it get me down and dwell on the thought that you are going to die alone.
Live life to the fullest and who knows, when you least suspect it someone might come along and pull your heart strings.
Hang in there!

Yeah, I'm sorry. There are no Humanists groups in your area. Doesn't mean there aren't other atheists/agnostics/humanists. Just aren't under the umbrella of the American Humanists Association.

I totally hear you ! Not easy being a minority.

I always feel alone it's who I am I do have friends but I like being alone with my thoughts.

I wonder if you'd feel better if you weren't living a lie?
There is remarkable freedom in living your own truth.
There may be others who actually share your lack of belief, and
might make themselves known to you, if they were aware.

Move and make new friends ?

Don't go looking for something thats not you. Too many phony relationships out there and then it worse once they figure it out. I think you did something right by being upfront and honest. Keep it reel. I tried too hard and when I realized it just enjoyed myself and was able to do what I wanted to.

We all die alone. That aside, did you not sign on here because your were hoping to find a community of like-minded people? Well, you did. Now, read people's profiles, their posts and put yourself out there. Use he little letter icon on the top bar and send a note to someone with whom you agree or not. I found someone who has my birth date. How cool is that.

You have climbed to the top of the mountain. Few do.

This may sound harsh at first blush, but think about it for a while. If you have determined that rational, critical thinking is the more productive path for you to follow, then by applying that sort of thinking will automatically point out that there will be problems with relationships as a result. An extension of that thinking will quickly reveal that there is only one way that you can be happy with your decision.

Yep, that's right. You suck up the bad elements or mitigate them or better yet, eliminate them. Meanwhile, you build up the positive elements. I'll leave it to you to figure out what that means.

For me, life didn't truly begin until after 30, so hang in ther. The best is yet to come.

My best friends tend to be people who believe in God. I met them through other avenues. I'm very up front about my beliefs if it comes up but I also respect others right to believe what they want to. I don't feel the need to talk about being atheist. It's personal to me and I don't really care about what someone else believes. I don't have a lot of friends but I have some really good ones. Being atheist doesn't make someone a good friend or good person any more than being Christian makes someone a bad person or friend. Just my opinion. It's like saying I'm the only straight person or gay person. One of my best friends is lesbian and believes in God. You can find commonalities without letting your differences confine you. Try being more accepting to others and they will be more accepting of you.

Living in Oklahoma is like being trapped in a Christian prison.

I hope you don't die alone. After, I became an atheist my life didn't change that much. Not doing the religious bs has a time saver and I find more pennies heads down are only changes in my life for the moment. I wish had a girlfriend or partner right now.

This is the information age. The world and its people lay before you. Seek and you shall find.