I rarely get into a situation where this is an issue. I think that in the UK being an atheist is considered by most to be a valid choice. I don't know so many people who are devoutly religious I suppose. 30 years ago I went out with a girl who was "born again" and whose family were churchgoers. That didn't go well. Since then I've avoided similar situations. But if anyone asks I would just say I'm an atheist or that I don't believe in any god, and if they want to discuss it further my attitude is pretty much, "live with it".

I don't worry about it. If our acquaintance is short, they don't need to know. If we become friends it will come out naturally in due time.

It isn't a bomb to drop on a first date... Or is it? Why not be up front? "Here is who I am. Take it or leave it. Love it or shove it."

That way, nobody feels like they wasted their time, and nobody gets their heart broken.

Simple is best but I think if they are that relisious you need to say it whilst walking or jumping on to a moving bus because the lecture will surely follow you all teh days and ways of your life.

I say I am secular and agnostic.

How do you tell religious people that you're an atheist?

Hi, I'm Robert. I'm an atheist.

When people tell me their religion, I just say I am not that or I am not religious. I am not looking for a discussion, an argument.

It seems a lot of people are inclined to not mention their being atheist to people until they get to know them well. I feel this is too cautious and it puts everyone else's belief on a pedastol. I think that's detrimental to oneself and the careful rise of atheism in the world. I, by no means, immediately volunteer that information, but I like to be somewhat open and 21st century about it. If you can't share something that important with a potential friend or significant other, then it's not a relationship you need in your life. Lol You can only be you. You know?

I don't know. I'm Australian and I live in Australia. As far as I can tell, it's a lot harder to be a non-believer in the US than here. Religion is not mainstream here, so in most social settings I am comfortable to fly my agnostic freak flag.

I live in Georgia so it's not something I lead with but I am not shy about speaking my mind. On top of that my mother is a methodist church choir director and dad was a minister. I was in my 30's before I told them. I have learned to stand my ground and stay civil as I use logic and reason to explain my position which totally pisses most of them off. I cannot go to our yearly high school reunion because I get practically attaked by bible thumpers and with alcohol involved they tend to get aggressive.

I don't usually have the subject brought up. So I don't really get into any conversations in which I tell them that I am an agnostic.

The word 'atheist' is often misunderstood. Some religious people think it is synonymous with 'evil'. So I usually tell people I'm 'not religious'. I may tell them that I do appreciate ethics, and I like parts of the Bible, like the Sermon on the Mount, and loving our neighbors as ourselves. If the conversation continues to the point where "God" is mentioned, I tell them I don't believe in gods.

I make no bones about it. I tell them I am an evangelical atheist. However, I should note that I live in British Columbia, Canada, and the level of religious tolerance here is likely far higher than where you're from.

Sometimes I say it if they're hell-bent on trying to get me to agree on some religious point they're trying to make.

I'll tell them I grew up as a devout Mormon and then sometimes they'll ask what I believe now, and I'll tell them I don't believe in any deity or religion. I'm pretty upfront about it in a religious discussion. I'm calm about it and just honest.

I will say something like "I see no reason to assume all the things you'd have to assume to believe a supernatural being created and rules the universe." Yes, I know this goes right over the heads of non-rational, faith-based people. I don't care. In a sane world, the burden of proof should be on those making extraordinary claims, not on those of us who don't buy those claims without actual evidence. I'm not going to be hanging around such people looking for their acceptance anyway.

When I was experimenting with Islam when I was younger a Christian woman called me an atheist because I didn't believe exactly in what she believes in. Christian folks ultimately believe in whatever the hell they like so it doesn't really serve any purpose to go back and worth with some who's mind is already mad up and won't accept any evidence.

Simply put, I tell my Christian neighbors, and living in the Bible belt means lots of Christian neighbors; allows me to affirm I am a FREE THINKER. I allow them to express their views first, and then I say; “now that you have communicated your principles, here are my opinions on Christianity.” Thus, this is what I believe.

Wait to be asked and then just make it as a passing comment, "I'm an atheist and you are?... oh how's that working out for you? mmmmm? Yes atheist, but lets not alk about me, I'm much more interested in you...."

“Here there comes a practical question which has often troubled me. Whenever I go into a foreign country or a prison or any similar place they always ask me what is my religion.

I never know whether I should say "Agnostic" or whether I should say "Atheist". It is a very difficult question and I daresay that some of you have been troubled by it. As a philosopher, if I were speaking to a purely philosophic audience I should say that I ought to describe myself as an Agnostic, because I do not think that there is a conclusive argument by which one prove that there is not a God.

On the other hand, if I am to convey the right impression to the ordinary man in the street I think I ought to say that I am an Atheist, because when I say that I cannot prove that there is not a God, I ought to add equally that I cannot prove that there are not the Homeric gods.

None of us would seriously consider the possibility that all the gods of homer really exist, and yet if you were to set to work to give a logical demonstration that Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, and the rest of them did not exist you would find it an awful job. You could not get such proof.

Therefore, in regard to the Olympic gods, speaking to a purely philosophical audience, I would say that I am an Agnostic. But speaking popularly, I think that all of us would say in regard to those gods that we were Atheists. In regard to the Christian God, I should, I think, take exactly the same line. ”

Bertrand Russell

Most of the religious will try to avoid you because they believe you can switch to a bad person any time since no god to watch you and no hill to scare you. Just keep it to yourself and they will figure it out from your discussions and opinions which will help them to see that you can be good for the sake of goodness and yourself .

I typically say I do not believe in magic, any invisible father or mother in the sky or anything supernatural.

Good topic. In personal relationships I think it is best to be upfront. Let them know know how you feel and show them it makes little difference in your life. It is also best to find out if it will be an issue in the future. In business it is not their business. If asked tell them you will forgive them asking if they will forgive you for not answering.

People ask me if I believe in God, and I respond, "God who?"

I never have to it isnt anyone elses business - I have a friend and in Northern Ireland there is a big Protestant Catholic divide - people when I first came here used to ask my partner 3 questions - whats your father name,? what school did you go to ?,where are you living?, if you answered they would know which side you were on - he is atheist - but always said "Sure and if I told you that, you'd know everything about me wouldnt you?