I was indoctrinated very young by a fundamental Pentecostal mother. In her defense she was doing what she thought she must to keep me from hell. Everything revolved directly around Christianity and god. Even as far as praying for a flat tire on a vehicle, that obviously never worked. I read the Bible attempting to get closer to god in my 20s. As Asimov said, reading the Bible was the fastest and possibly the only way I was able to become an atheist. It was the late 90s or so. My conversion was difficult, saddening and scary. Since then I've read it a couple more times and have studied the history of Christianity, the different Bible origins, council of nicea etc.
Long story to say I was nervous in the beginning about claiming to be an atheist. I was literally taught from birth that "there are none that do good". 20 years and a mountain of knowledge later and I'm very proud I was able to free myself from such deep indoctrination, and I did it alone, surrounded by Christiana trying to keep me in the fold. Today I can honestly say I've never met a Christian that knows the Bible as well as I. You really can't and maintain belief.Many of my friends and family tried years ago to proselytize to me. Now they barely utter a bless you after a sneeze around me. Nobody wants to pull my string and get me started.?.

I usually match their wording. If they are discreet about how they say it, I will do the same such as, I do not have a religion. If they are in my face, then I can be too all the way to saying I am antitheist.

If you're interested in explaining to christians why you believe what you believe, say something. If, after a couple of go-rounds, you find it easier just to let it slide, then just let it slide. Personally, I dislike face-to-face confrontation (it's almost certain to head in that direction) & when someone tells me they're christian, I just nod & smile, then change the subject as quickly as possible. If they persist, I excuse myself.

Sometimes, if I want to avoid offense, I will say,
"I have my own beliefs about spiritual matters. I like to be free to pick my own beliefs rather than have to stick to what some organized religion preaches."

If confronted, I would personally use the term 'non-believer'. It hasn't happened very often in my life. I think of it as a private quality about myself that most people don't know unless they know me well. For example, at work, I doubt it will ever come up. Anyway, I don't have the energy to battle it out with Christians to explain my values and my lack of belief. But if it comes up in conversation, I will identify as an atheist. There have been instances where people are quite surprised to find out my identity and it has been met with curiosity and a bit of awkwardness. I am not a spiritual person but I have some empathy for the people who do still use religious belief to cope with their lives. Members of my family and extended family range from moderately to 'severely' (ha ha) Christian. It is something to navigate on a case by case basis, I think.

I say I am of no faith I am an atheist.

I wear t-shirts with Athiest logo, science fiction etc. Then you start seeing true colors from people. I also wear t-shirt which says 'Science doesn't give a shit in what you believe in' and few other t-shirts like those. If someone comes to me asking me if I am an atheist, my job becomes simple and I just have to say 'Yes'. But theists mostly won't ask you if you are 'atheist' normally. It's for me normally an atheist or agnostic person who will easily find that I am an atheist. ?

I'm a religiously unaffiliated secular humanist free thinking skeptic.....by the time they unpack all that.....I'm already gone.

I usually let the conversation lead there in a somewhat natural way. Like if they say some religious expression or thought, I question it and point out fallacies until they think I either really, really love asking questions, or realize I must not believe in what they are saying.

No, you are doing it right, tell them you are an Atheist with pride and humility at same time: they tell us that nonsense all the time!

No I don’t. There is no reason for me to label myself. It’s like politics, you can’t change people from who they are and there is no reason to convince them to change. I know who I am. That’s all that’s important.

Personally I like to beat around the bush a little bit. I tell them that I'm a theist and don't believe in any deity.and if they know the definition of those two words I'll come out and say I'm an atheist. Remember they're the ones being dishonest they're asserting something to be true which is evidently not true, they're the ones being dishonest, I'm proud of the fact that I'm not ignorant and gullible enough to swallow all this supernatural nonsense.

I just don't bring it up. If I do, I simply say that I am secular or I say that I am unaffiliated. Then I leave it at that.

If the question comes up or when approached by <choose religion> door knockers.

When religious try to talk it to me...I ask, " How are things in the world of fantasy ?" Sorry, to me life is either reality or religion, absolutely cannot be both...

I'm a spiritual person

I believe spiritualy that there is something out there. Some form us energy that guides us in this life. To me death meens freedom.

I don't tell anyone, just keep it to myself.don't see any point letting everyone know. I am more if a closet atheist.

I generally keep my mouth shut as I have a lot of religous friends.

I don't. If it comes up, then I tell them. I usually say that I don't believe in god. This time of year, I say, I don't celebrate the holidays.

Speak your mind and try variations. ..I THINK I don't believe. ...matters not the religionist query put 2 u .....I am a CAPITAL Atheist a noun not an adjective like xian

Depending on what community you live in (rural, Bible Belt) you could lose your job by "coming out". I would advise caution. Americans view atheists with suspicion. If your job is secure, and you are in an urban area, then you can probably just say you are atheist, or secular with fewer problems.

I live in the Philippines and as we know, this is a very devout catholic country because of the huge influenced by the Spaniards during their colonization here from 1565-1898. I am an agnostic, previously atheist well, if there is a better way to tell the religious people, I think we must explain to them clearly about our personal beliefs using the majesty of science. In other words, a very passionate rationalistic views.

It is a .......well.........cross.........we have to bear. In my many years of being antitheist I have had to tell many people I am atheist. Usually, I just say I am atheist. What are you afraid of? You do not have the burden of defense. If you are lucky they will ask you questions and you will answer them cordially. If telling them has no benefit to you or it irrelevant then don't bother.

“Yo! I’m an atheist! Any questions?”