I also live in the south. they call it" the bible belt"I just told a few of my friends n relatives. one of them a religious fanatic but sweet as can be, we are still talking we agree to disagree.

You say “there is no god” and look at the horror/revulsion on their faces.

Usually, I just get told “merry Xmas” and I say “I don’t celebrate Xmas”. They usually assume I’m Jewish or Muslim. Which, here, is probably worse than being atheist.

I don't. I lean more towards agnostic than atheist. But why bother? It isn't anyone else's business. If someone invites me to church I will tell them I am not a churchy. Few ask me why but if I'm asked I tell them I'm just not. I don't like being in groups of more than a handful and I really don't like being told what and how to believe. I have never been pushed any further than that.

Unless I already know I'll assume that somebody I'm talking to is religious. of course I'd never tell anybody that I'm atheist, at least a strong atheist, as that would put me in a category alongside a theist in that neither could prove himself correct and the other wrong. being a humanist I don't bother to bring it up unless I'm asked in which case I'll explain hunmanism.

I wear an Atheist button I wear American Atheist shirts hats pendant tie pins the incomplete carbon orbit and pensee PANSY flower as our symbols. . If they ask anything I always say I am not religious ....if they start any religious shit I say your bigotry belongs in Bethlehem go there not spoiling our godless CONSTITUTION here

I just say “I’m an atheist..” then wait for the shocked looks , eye rolls, lectures,and “well I’ll pray for you” to happen. As a general rule I find those reactions amusing, on occasion though, I have had folks lose their damn minds. It’s actually funny when I don’t bring it up , and the ever so annoying “well you know I’m CHRISTIAN..soooo.....” and my response? Oh, well I’m NOT. Either way , I don’t hide it , or hold back , however I don’t bring it up unless the subject of someone’s “religion “ comes up in conversation.

I wouldnt say anything if they are interested in the reason you don't go to church you could tell them then. Christians arent stupid they just believe in something without proof. Some might even become athiests themselves.

I usually just say I’m not religious. If they get pushy I say I’m atheist, living in California it’s rare that people get pushy.

I am at that point in my life that I don't care how believers view me. I am thus quite open with a bit of my sarcasm included. I tell them that I have matured past the point of believing in imaginary characters.

Sometimes it is easy to drop into conversation, sometimes not.

Sometimes I wear a T-shirt or jewelry that out me before I open my mouth.

Just say something like "I don't believe it" and let it go at that.

My response is just simple and nonchalant. If they ask me about my faith I just tell them I have none, I'm atheist. Tell them I'm humanist in terms of world view, but only if they mistake atheism as a world view. Canada isn't as crazy as other parts of the world, I still get the odd funny look, but most don't care that much.

I don't mention it, if they mention religion I just tell them they are talking shit. I'm pretty direct, really. But it's certainly not enough for two people to not get along, certainly not in England!

I have found it very uncomfortable and haven't even tried to tell a few devout christian and muslim friends. I think they would be horrified and feel I had tricked them But I cannot stand listening to them spout their prayers for me and other blathering comments, I go into a coma and grind my teeth. I wish I could say something, but I'm SO uncomfortable. Any realistic suggestions ?

When asked about my religion, I smile and very calmly say, "I don't believe in it."
Then, if they persist (in horror), "You don't believe in God?!?"
"No, I don't believe in any of it."
"What? Don't you believe the Bible was written by God?"
"No, I don't believe in it."
"Well then, what DO you believe?"
"I believe I'll have another beer. What about you?"

Have they asked you if you are atheist? If so, just say, yes. Otherwise, unless it comes up or is relevant, why would you just volunteer? Then If they respond, you can carry on with your end of the conversation. Even when I was a Christian many moons ago, I didn't just volunteer my religious views, unprompted.

If someone asks me I simply say, "I am atheist." If I'm not asked, I have better things to do with my time than to bring it up and invite a possibly heated debate (yes, it makes some people angry.) However, if someone specifically asks me, I just put it out there: "I am atheist."

I just wait for them to make some religious pronouncement at which point I tell them I don't believe in that deluded nonsense, Magical Easter Bunny In the Sky or bullshit depending on how inappropriate I find their pronouncement.

"I'm an athiest" ......." I only eat babies on the weekend when I have time to slow roast them"

I don't bring it up. I even try avoid talking about it. I silently retreat to the background. They would not understand and it would screw their head up.

I shoot straight. tell them I am atheist in fact I bring it up with out them asking if conversation leads to religion. it is up to them how they take it. won't hide my opinion as if I am living in the 15th century.

I do not

My truck is covered with Atheist and Science bumper stickers so meeting new people wherever I drive is a done Atheism deal. ...if queried I reply EVERYONE IS BORN Atheist and should not learn violent religions anywhere on earth

I am not an atheist, I am an agnostic (or a believer in my own set of believes). I explain that to them, treat them with respect and expect the same. If they try preaching on me I start playing the game and while listening to what they have to say, start preaching my believes to them myself. Some listen, some quickly give up. (And one made three cross-gestures against me and ran away screaming something incomprehensible).

I live in the South where religious people are the norm. I generally just say I'm not religious, because "atheist" is too much of a dirty word here. In really extreme cases I can get away with "non-denominational", that's the one I have to use with my family.