I'm in Missouri and it can be as bad here sometimes. I work, come home and lock my door, only go out in public when I have to and avoid the nonsense I hear even then. I do not want of expect company outside of my own fantasies, and I ran off 2 Baptist door to door people this summer without letting them inside. I'm inside naked doing my own things and watching TV. I'm in my world and come Monday morning I will be clothed and in my right mind to go out and tackle the world for another 5 days.

Moving somewhere else will not change this. I will still be me and would just be around more ignorant people, nosy, and making up things about an invisible man.

It really depends where you are. I live in the most diverse county in the country in the burbs of Houston. There’s a meet up humanist/ atheist group in Houston. When I first moved from Canada, I landed in West Texas. As soon as my contract was done.. I was OUT!!

I’ve lived in Arkansas all my life. Not everyone from the south is an obnoxious, bible thumping idiot. I have many close friends who are religious. They know where I stand on the matter, they also know I won’t change my mind or try to change theirs. Surround yourself with people who have respect for other humans. I know, easier said than done. Good luck!

Not all of the South is the same. Live in Raleigh. Plenty of churches here but I rarely hear people even mention religion. I think all the diversity here causes people to respect each other to the point of rarely bringing up the subject.

I lived in Alabama for a couple of years prior to moving to California. The SouthEast was definitely not for me either - the hypocrisy, racism, and all around fake "southern charm" that I experienced was all I could handle for a lifetime. I bolted as soon as I could, lol. In the meantime while I was stuck there...I drank - Ha! While I don't really recommend you handle your situation that way - I also buried myself in books and took as many weekend getaways as I could. Good luck out there!!

Hi, Ben, and welcome to the website!

I dunno..I suppose just do as I do; nod and murmur, "Um-hum..that's nice," then walk away whenever anyone brings up religion.

Only look at people and pay attention to them when they are speaking on neutral subjects; this quickly trains them to avoid religion when talking to you.

If they invite you to church, just nod and smile, then walk away. Don't argue.

By the way, this website has a bit of a learning curve, so here's some info, in case you need it.

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Points are now being given to level 3+ members who chat. You can see chat rooms on the group main page or at [agnostic.com].

You may find that it is more about living in a rural area, as opposed to a city here in Texas, or most of the lower 48.

Avoid any red (republican)/Trump state and you will likely be better off.

Rather than running away from unpleasant or uncomfortable situation, try and swim against the current

Avoiding religious folks is impossible out here without becoming a hermit, but in some situations you can avoid most of the religious talk. It’s been pretty easy at work. “Let’s keep conversation professional, please. Not everyone holds the same beliefs.” It worked for the most part at my current job, but I happen to have enough pull to enforce it. As for clients, “We actually have a policy restricting religious or political talk, due to the fact that you tend to tense up even when agreeing with each other.” That’s how that works as a massage therapist, and I’m not going to fret over blocking a particularly persistent zealot from my schedule. Outside of work, I just walk away when talk turns religious. Eventually people start to get the hint.

Frankly, I get culture shock just visiting the south. I feel for you for sure.

Ugh I know what you mean! I cope by just keeping to myself and talk mostly to people who aren’t infected with this disgusting disease of the mind!

I live in ND. No better then the South. There are almost two dozen churches within a two mile radius of my house. Most here are vocal theists.

I feel you I'd like to move away from the south and its Bible belt

I grew up in the southern Bible belt of north Florida and south Gergia. I could not live there today and have no desire to do so. If it is at all possible, get the hell out to preserve your own sanity.

I've found like minded people. Not a lot of them, but then I don't need a lot.