[wrigh430]

Hello-- I'm new here. My biggest problem is that I am overwhelmingly lonely; that is owing to the fact that I am "the wrong religion" for the community I live in.

I am not allowed in some stores/buildings and even when I am allowed inside the business often times no one will wait on me. I know this is sort of illegal, but when I contacted the local prosecuting attorney's office, he said it was a civil matter not a criminal one, so I would have to hire an attorney and file a civil suit if I wanted to be able to use those stores. I don't have that kind of money, so I end up doing my shopping out of state where no one knows me.

At work no matter what I say, it will be turned against me. If I tell a co-worker their new hair-cut looks good they will get mad and say, "So you're saying my hair looked like ***** before!!!" The only reason I have been able to keep my job is because the company is based is liberal California and the big boss doesn't care what religion I am, only that I do my work and do it well.

It's the same with interpersonal relationships too. My mother just hang's up on me when I call her and I an not invited to any of the family social gatherings. I haven't been on a date since 2006 because I am "the wrong religion" as well. Also people pretend not to see me when I say "hi" on the street.

I am tired of always being alone, but can't afford to move. I put my house on the market last year and got half of all showings in my town; two!!! Until the local economy changes, I'm stuck.

I don't go around advertising my religion, I just don't attend worship services along with my neighbors. All of them have invited me to attend back in 2002 when I first moved in and I declined stating that I was a member of a different religion. After that word got around and now no one will give me the time of day.

I was able to cope alright until about 2010, but since then it's got increasingly harder. I like it when I get sent to California for work because no one cares what religion I am; in fact no one has even asked, so I doubt they know. But, I hate California; I need rain and snow.

I used to talk to my cat, but he died in January. Since then I haven't spoken a word that isn't related to commerce or work. I am so alone, please help.

[ChipperMonkey]

I'm guessing you're in the USA.... You're not Christian.... But you do live in a very Christian town. Am I right?

I'm a bit confused as to how not waiting on you when you go into a business ISN'T illegal? Well, given that its a hot-button topic right now where businesses want to refuse service to anyone who isn't straight.... (Same effect, different cause.) My guess is that the prosecuting attorney is on THEIR side.

I've been to places where being of the wrong religion is....CRAZY! I never thought places like that existed in the USA. I was so glad when I was able to return to the east coast. I may live in a rural area with its share of closed minds, but I do know there are indeed parts of the USA which are stuck back in the 1950's in terms of their tolerances and such.

Have you tried forming online relationships? Ok, so its NOT a substitute for having face to face relationships, but it can indeed help in the loneliness department. I belong to a pen-pal site and have connected with people that way. There are sorts of sites out there where you can connect with people.

[healingme4me]

I'm a lot culture shocked, right now. ((New England))my jaw is dropping...if as chipper monkey implies and they are Christian, shame on them...

It is civil not criminal because it's civil rights, would require someone with federal type experience...

Sent from my LGMS323 using Tapatalk

[Puglife]

My guess is that you live in Utah and aren't Mormon. I know people that live there that have similar issues. No matter where you live, I have to think that there has to be others that aren't of the religion/culture of most people. Have you looked at Meetup.com or other similar groups to see what's near you? Is renting out your house a possibility?

[A Red Panda]

Ouch.... I'm so sorry you ended up there.

Is there any chance you can contact your employer and see about getting a transfer? Sometimes if they transfer or hire employees where they would have to move, they'll buy out the house or stuff. I don't really know the details, but it's worth looking into at least?

[wrigh430]

Originally Posted by ChipperMonkey

I'm guessing you're in the USA.... Yes
You're not Christian.... Nope
But you do live in a very Christian town. Am I right? Spot on!

I'm a bit confused as to how not waiting on you when you go into a business ISN'T illegal? It is illegal, but not criminal; it's civil. That means I would have to hire a private attorney if I want to buy groceries in the town where I live.

Have you tried forming online relationships? That's what I'm attempting to do here!

Thanks for the Reply!

[wrigh430]

Originally Posted by Puglife

My guess is that you live in Utah and aren't Mormon. Nope on both counts.

Have you looked at Meetup.com or other similar groups to see what's near you? I was connected to two other people in the county via the pluralism project. Unfortunately, because they were public about their beliefs both lost their jobs and had their homes and cars vandalized. One of them couldn't take it anymore and moved away in 2010. The other said it wasn't safe to talk to her publicly because she feared they would start targeting me they same way she was targeted prior to being fired. In 2009 we tried meeting with a group of similar minded people from some of the surrounding counties, but someone got word of it and we had to sneak away under cover of darkness to avoid the crazies with guns. Thankfully we had been advised to take precautions and not park within .25 miles of where we were meeting.

Is renting out your house a possibility? No, I tried that already. There are less than 1,000 people in the town (and that's bigger than the surrounding towns, which have under 500) so there isn't a lot of demand.

I hope I answered all your questions clearly.

[wrigh430]

Originally Posted by A Red Panda

Is there any chance you can contact your employer and see about getting a transfer? I was offered a position in New York, but was not interested. They is a 5 year waiting list for transfers to Colorado; I'M ON THAT LIST!

My employer does not pay moving expenses, but I still keep hoping for a spot to open in Denver. Apparently, it's more welcoming of diverse beliefs there AND they have snow!

[wrigh430]

I received another death threat last night and ended up crying myself to sleep. This one was my 3rd in the last 12 months; that's drastically up from the "1 a year" my fellow co-workers and I usually get. I had nightmares all night, so I didn't sleep well. Now I'm just exhausted physically and emotionally.

Now I have to file a bunch of paperwork to document the incident, not that anything will happen. We are Federal Employees so we are sworn for life. That means the sheriff will never be notified and the jerk can continue being a jerk.

Just when you think life can't get any worse, it does.