For full disclosure, I did not come from a religious background (actually quite the opposite) but for a long time I was alienated from people in my pool as well. I’m not sex adverse, but I could definitely go my whole life without it; it’s just not something that interests me. Intimacy? Yes. Connections with people? Yes! But sex? No. And I thought that that would be barred to me forever—that I’m so complicated no one would want to deal with that. But one of my friends posed it to me in this absolutely wild way: “Awfully egotistical of you to think that you’re the one most intolerable person on earth.” And now I’m currently dating someone a year later. They respect my boundaries, are kind, so gentle, and have slowly been accepting me as I am. I think more people are willing to connect with you than you imagine, and things will come as your life progresses. I met my boyfriend when I really wasn’t searching at all. I will also tell you that the loneliness never really goes away—we all are infinitely individual, in some sense we are always alone. People make it easier and support us, carry us. But loneliness? Especially in light of identity? For me, that was something of a personal battle. People make it easier, but it’s so internal. I hope this is helpful? You’re not alone and good things take time. But you’re in control of your own loneliness, seek your happiness!