Feeling pretty lonely as I couldn’t find atheist people near me.
My country is full of religious people and people who follow religions just to have company and benefits which religious organizations provide. I hate these fake religious people even more because they simply take the side from where they’ll get maximum benefits. There are no real atheist in my country who’ll openly declare themselves as atheists.
And as per demographics of my country, having (or faking) religion is beneficial. But I hate doing either.
So how and where to find real atheist locally?
I also grew up atheist in a country where it’s not OK to be secular.
My only advice to you is this: Don’t talk about religion at all. Don’t try to find other atheists; look for people you get along with and enjoy being around; don’t talk to them about religion.
I don’t love quoting NDT as he can be polarizing, but he said that non-golfers/skiers don’t gather and talk about not playing golf/not skiing (paraphrasing). https://youtu.be/CzSMC5rWvos
The last atheist I met and hung out with at college had his whole identity wrapped up in atheism; it was uncomfortable; he also had some undesirable qualities that he used his atheism to excuse. I’m not looking for an anti-religion club, I’m just not religious; maybe you are looking for a “club” though, but I wouldn’t recommend it.
Just live your life and surround yourself with supportive, good people whether they are atheist or not.
Bingo. This is the right answer. People who have their whole identity wrapped around their religion or lack thereof won’t be pleasant to be around for long. Life is short so enjoy the company of people who are religious if it doesn’t get in the way of your friendship or relationship. I have no issues with religious people as long as it remains a personal tool they use to find their way through life and be a good person. There are great people out there, religious and secular, but the opposite also holds true. Don’t let it be a variable that completely clouds your judgment of people.