I, too, live in a small rural town. So small that when I was elected village clerk, I carried ALL SEVEN votes. I got active with the Lions, the Marine Corps League, and the Village and I do not talk religion with the locals, and we get on just fine. When they see that you do good works, they assume your values and theirs mesh. You Don't need religion to look after the poor and the infirm, just a sense of responsibility.

Don't go to the trouble of moving....that will not solve the problem. We live in the plateau in Tennessee and it's exactly the same way up here. Politically conservative, more churches than you can shake a stick at. People here are "friendly" but in a superficial sort of way - everyone tends to keep to themselves. That can be either good or bad - depending on how much privacy and/or interaction you personally enjoy.

In the words of Rodney King, "Can't we all just get along?"

This is tough. Could you set up a Texas group on here?

I don't know what the answer is. I'm sorry you have this situation.

Least you’ve someone to experience it with.. Try finding a compatible mate in a similar situation

Don’t know what your politics is, but at least my rural village has some active Democrats to pal around with.. Found one Atheist, but he’s a he ..we hike, and laugh.. I’d suggest finding a fun way to get to a larger town from time to time, I’m considering a motorcycle ..as I’ve no longer a wife to forbid it.

Work’s worked well, it regularly gets me out of the hills, and with a progressive boss & crew.. some decent comradery… Actually, it might be more difficult with a wife.. I forget

I too live in a small town where life revolves around the high school football team and church.
Not sure how comfortable you are with yourself but I say be your self. When someone asks you what church you attend tell them you don't and why. Its a good time to have some fun. After awhile word will spread and no one will bother asking you.
Good luck.

Join some meetups. I've found one here in college station and they were nice people.

Be decent people so they will be exposed to good people that are not like them. People should interact with people outside their tribe more often. Sorry for your situation though it is frustrating and isolating. Same boat here although I'm not retired so I have to work with them and have kids in the school system.

I'm in the exact same situation, my friend.Except I'm in the panhandle.

Former Beltonian here. May I suggest you head toward Austin? You’ll find more likeminded people there.

I am similarly situated. Rural and it's conservative Baptists.
Is there irony in the notion of leave the Sprawl to escape the masses and then be concerned over the lack of social interactions? The ideal middle ground can be hard to find sometimes.

Sounds like you have a small slice of heaven my friend. When our kids are grown and out of the house, my wife and I will be SEARCHING for that very thing! lol

I am in a similar situation, small city full of churches and prisons. People are friendly enough but I really do not socialize in the community. Most social interaction is grocery shopping. I greet everyone and a few wish me a blessed day, I just smile and say thanks. Store also sometimes drops flyers for church events in the bag at checkout which goes right in recycle bin at home. I have been here 15 years and have adjusted to living quietly on my own.

You might consider looking at Meetup.com. For instance, in the Oklahoma City area there are groups for Atheists, Skeptics, Freethinkers, and Naturalists.

Hopefully you could find a group to hangout with, like hiking or even volunteer at state park, if one near by? Even volunteer with library group! Surely, you can use this site, but you need to be with at least a few other people!

You have my condolences as I live in the home of the most conservative university in Texas (A&M). Here is one suggestion. IF (big if) there is an institute of higher education around you could find some like thinking people among the faculty. While that might sound like a contradiction to my first sentence, it is the students and administration that tend to be conservative, not all the profs. Of course the other option is 1) don't discuss either religion or politics and 2) don't discuss politics or religion.

I think it is just something you will have to live with and adjust your lives accordingly. I wish I could be more optimistic but you can not change those around you.

Open up a free thought church there on your property!