I live in America and am surrounded by Christians.
Whenever I talk about myself to religous people, I want to say ,"I am an atheist". Do you say that? Is there a better way?
When I was working for a company where most of the officers and managers were Jewish we had a department luncheon. One of the Christian employees for some reason started talking about Jesus being god. Silence fell at the table . He was sitting next me and turned to be and something to the effect of "Don't you believe that?" I answered "No, I do not believe that Jesus was God." My boss, a Jews, got a look on his face that was priceless to me. My response was just a natural one. I was asked a question and answered it.
Being an atheist is only a part of what one is so I see no reason to be confrontational about it but if asked just be yourself.
I say 'I'm atheist'. As long as they understand English, it works well.
Around here, if you are antitheist, never let them know where you live. You'll have a flaming cross on your lawn!
Yes I was attacked by the KKK in Iowa when my DIAL AN Atheist 2 minutes msg went out and I took both live and recorded incoming calls 515 266 6133 the FBI refused to do a voice print analysis letting the perp xians run free across Amerikkka
Say it. You will find out who your friends are.
Even though the word doesn't attract the same degree of prejudice over here in England, I still describe myself as 'non-religious' if the subject comes up. Don't know why... I think I've been following the American atheist scene for so long that I'm almost expecting the same grief as you folks get.
But although my atheism defines me, I never really feel any need to let people know. I think that comes from not feeling hemmed in. The majority of people that I know are atheists or agnostic theists; I think I've only met half a dozen proclaiming Christians in my entire life. Over there it must be very different.
My (non)beliefs are personal. I'll share them if asked or if someone's trying to force their beliefs on me. And I refer to myself as a non-theist, not an atheist. Purely a personal preference. I'm a deeply spiritual seeker ... I just don't believe in a being god.
When chatting with a theist, I often refer to myself as a seeker of truth who is on a journey, that every person is on a journey.
I tend to only say that I am an atheist if I am asked or if a religious person has started insulting atheists.
Good job pick your battles and don't let ILLIGITIMATI CARBORUNDUM fucking xians need to back off Atheists. ...we are neither "fools" nor "reprobates" as branded insulted in their King James bibles. ...they can go back to Bethlehem where they belong
I just say I'm not religious. Saves the confrontational judgment. In this culture, you're still judged as immoral if you don't believe in their myths. But, it is getting better. The younger generation seems to be more objective.
I've spoken with a lot of fervent believers in a God, who say they believe in god but are not "religious". To them, belief is belief and religion is all the trappings...I tend to agree with that, though I don't actively believe in anything myself,
I don’t. Well’ not right off the bat. I just talk and get along with people by not bringing up religion or politics til they do.
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 talk about aspects of religion like can god learn, 50ft angel/human hybrids, but without certainty, I don't state personal religious beliefs (even if none) without reason. My parents are religious for example and they don't know. They'll know sometime before I'm married but I'm not taking the risk quite yet.
I tend to allow conversation to be the light in the tunnel. At some point I will mention I'm a raging atheist.
Side note: I also tend to inform an individual that the only thing that separates them and me is the belief in a single deity. Otherwise, we believe the other 99.9% don't exist together.
In the first place, I don't bring it up, but as you said, we are surrounded by christians and they all seem to want to convert you to their type of christian. When they ask me about my church, I tell them that I am a spiritualist and that I get more comfort from looking at the clouds, a river, or any other random pattern than being told that no matter what I do, I will burn for eternity because I won't follow my shepherd to the slaughter house.