Need Advice, A Virgin at 28

Hey to all the men out there. This is my
first post, and I am really looking
forward to sucking up as much
information from this place as I can.

I grew up in a religious, ultra-
conservative background. I took
abstinence seriously until my mid-
twenties. A few years have gone by and
I have not made any headway, mostly
because it took me that long to re-wire
my brain from a quarter of a century of Christian brainwashing.

Now I'm trying to get back into the
dating scene. I live in a liberal,
promiscuous city, so you would think
that it would come easy. Well it doesn't.
But it has brought me here.

In the context of my religious
background (Mormon) I was a dating
machine, but things are different
outside that culture. Very much so.
I feel like a fish out of water. Men my
age have spent their whole lives
immersed in "modern" dating culture
where I've been left behind and just
now trying to make sense of it.

As a 27, soon to be 28-year-old virgin
with social anxiety disorder, I feel that
my mountain is a large one, but I still
have inner confidence that I can get
better. I've been actively going to the
gym and paying for training sessions,
and I see myself getting more muscular,
which helps in confidence. I've also
been going to some online meetup
groups in different categories in hopes
of making some new friends (I really
don't have any friends ATM)

What sort of over-all advice would you
give to me? At 27, should I be looking
for a relationship or trying to score in
bed?

I, for many years, have been the "shy
nice guy" who can be friends with girls. I
don't want to be a jerk, but I definitely
want to improve myself as a man. I'd
love to hear your advice.