The most freakiest place ever, is this Creston BC, a rocky mountain border town I lived in for 3 years. I called Twin Peaks. Most churches/bars per capita anywhere. The bars are where they go to wash their sins away.

The cows live in difference time zones and the people too. Some People go out to restaurants in their pajamas. Also some polygamies Mormon families take their dozen kids out to these places. That really turns me off -group sex. Mormon's came knocking on our door about every 3 weeks.

I dated a black woman, only one in town, luckily the KKK smokes pot, so they wouldn't kill us, just talk a lot of shit about us.

My best friend is a Seventh Adventist. We would watch the Sons of God films together, that reminded of the movie 300. Many films were about the end of world.

Had three Christians girlfriends in a row,they all dumped me because I could not be saved. I would be dragged into church to listen to some special guy talk about loving your enemies. I don't have any enemies, so I can't join this church. It's funny, I can accept religious people, but they can't accept me for who I am, non religious and free thinking.

I've been living in Virginia Beach,VA since June 2009. It's pretty religious here. I've seen it both ways with the religious people in this area. Some are pretty spiritual and peaceful. Others who are hardcore bible thumpers that want to convert everyone and reject science such as evolution. Because of the prosperity preaching gospel churches in this area such as Wave church and Grace bible church, people get even more drunk off of it. That is primarily due to them believing that you can buy your way into an afterlife by becoming a major donor, due to the belief of if you spread the gospel, you will be rewarded for it. Hence why its difficult for a person who is very agnostic or atheist to find people who have a similar thought process that matches their own in this area.

Richard Dawkins has described religion as a virus. To be honest, he has a very valid point. Once a child is drowned in religion, especially from religious to a fault parents, that virus or a better analogy a computer virus latches to the child. Even the best anti-virus program cannot get rid of it. When one thinks about it, its pretty depressing.

The two most intellectually honest positions is agnosticism and atheism. Simply because no evidence has been produced to date that suggests a God or an afterlife exists. Its truly a shame that many very religious people are not fully honest with themselves. As the old saying goes, "If you believe a lie long enough, you will eventually believe the lie to be the truth."

Here's two youtube videos where Richard Dawkins describes how religion is a virus.

Richard Dawkins - Religion a Virus

Richard Dawkins | Religion a Computer Virus | Oxford Union

The hardest part of life is realizing you can’t change someone else. While they believe there is something wrong with you because you can’t see the way they do. It’s taken me a long time, but, I’ve found when I just let people be people and not focus on the religion, we get along better. Now, if they try to force their beliefs on me, I just shake my head and let them know they are wasting their breath and we can agree to disagree.

I can say I felt the very same way, when I lived back in Georgia, and I grew up there! It only got worse, as time passed! So I made my mind up and started figuring out a path to someplace that I could breathe and it has worked out! I miss my family and few friends, but it is much better for me here in the West!

This is family reunion weekend and the annual gathering of the tribe means lots of church talk and questions about where I attend... I haven't gone to the party for many years now because I just don't want to be a target. They will never change and nothing I say or do is going to make them open their eyes. I am just grateful for the friends I have who like living in the real world.

I ask myself this same question quite often. I believe there are many factors, but I believe the strongest factor is lifelong brainwashing/indoctrination.

It always boggles my mind how Xtians think. I am so fortunate to have a circle of friends who are not religious.

Ignorance and bigotry are sad, but don’t allow them to drag YOU down. People are free to hold on to their delusions. It’s sad because their are the majority and they are holding all mankind back. Europe is very different in that almost in every country there is either a very high percentage of atheists or religion doesn’t try to deny scientific truth.

Despite all that most new ideas and trends still come from the US. America, thanks to its diversity and openness to new ideas leads innovation. I too dream of a world free of fake doctrines, but humans are kind of designed to accept absurd ideas that make them comfortable.

I’m done suffering for others’ delusions

With Anything in life, wasting your time wishing things were different doesn't cut it.
Find things in common....kayaking, crotchet, whatever, and build on that and let religion fade to the background, , or move.

This type of environment simply does not exist here in the UK, do people randomly start talking to you and trying to convert you? I’m genuinely curious, I have a few friends who are religious but they keep it to themselves and their church friends.

I moved away from that existence at 18 years old. I still visit the hometown/family, and not much has changed. Don't wait for the town to become enlightened; they like their bubble.

Move. Whatever it costs, it will pay you back. I live in an artsey, wealthy little Beach Resort town that is very sophisticated and open minded. Even when I run into the occasional Witness or Mormon it's possible to have a conversation. The freedom to speak my mind without fear of reprisal is priceless. I refuse to converse with Baptists, those peeps are nuts.

If they are of the same religious belief and if there is only one church or place of Worship within the City Limits you have to improvise like they do.

Wear different hats.

I know what you mean. It’s very frustrating. I have that in my family. As I get older, it’s getting harder and harder for me to smile and nod. So I find myself arguing at the end of my visiting them or them visiting me.

Eventually you are going to hsve to make peace with it and accept they have made up their mind. It's about the same were I live. I just tell them what they want to hear and move on with my life. It's easier for everyone this way....

I'll be honest I'd move

Ever heard of relocation? Possible they are expecting you to leave and leave them alone but instead you...

Find common ground or you will create misery for yourself. Connect with people as best you can and help them find their humanity and their rationality. Concern yourself with that and your oppressive loneliness can subside.

It was this teaching by the catholics that made me see the light and become an atheist in third grade.

Why do you stay? You're not a tree... People like their delusions. Thinking is challenging for them.