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?
I don't feel any less less inclined to share the fact I am an atheist than religionists who choose to share their theism do.
It can depend on the circumstances, but generally with people I don't know, I don't tell them unless they ask. (Spiritual-I believe in a Supreme Being/Creator, but not comfortable with Religion.) I am out about my beliefs to most of my family and friends, no problems there because the majority of them are spiritual/agnostic/atheist.
I bring it up with friends and answer fairly if they ask why. I think it’s important they have a good example of an out atheist to counteract the strawman and lies.
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.
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 only bring it up if I am asked or if their is an activity I am being asked to join in that involves religion. When I do need to tell someone, I am straight up to them and try very hard to be positive and not show my self righteous indignation towards their beliefs.
I am sometimes asked to pray for someone. I tell them to pray for themselves. Sometimes, I see a look of frustration, sometimes confusion. I try not to get into the discussion. I'm not going to change anyone's mind.
I tend to tell people that if there is a God, we will find out soon enough. Might also point out that there are over 3000 Gods worshiped on the planet, so in point of fact, they only believe in one more God than I do. A bit of humour thrown in doesn't hurt either.
I don't generally engage with religious people about my beliefs unless they become provocative or smug, then I have a 'both barrels' approach. I think for the most part that religious people are just struggling along like the rest of us and don't seek to be confrontative. For those that do, well, it's open season all year round and I have a figurative 12 gauge science repeating automatic rimfire... 8)
I usually don't unless they start to get really preachy. Then I tell them and if they push it explain to them why I am. Surprisingly I have had some great philosophical conversations with a few of the more open minded types and have gotten them to look more closely at the hypocrisy of many believers. The ones who are shocked and can't accept it are another story. Had some woman throwing holy water on me and turned around and asked her if she saw it boiling? She ran off in a huff. Family members are the hardest. I avoid discussing it as much as possible and have had a pretty successful time telling them that if they bring it up I am leaving. Got up and left in the middle of Thanksgiving dinner once and have never had a problem since.
Living in a mostly red state (evangelicals up the wazoo), it's pretty much not brought up unless you like being attacked by 20 or more nonthinkers at a time.
My exwife and former church are about the only ones aware at this point, and I don't have to deal with the nonsense of either one of those now.
MANY people online know (Twitter) but it's in my profile.
I say that I'm not religious. If they seem open minded I'll say that I'm Atheist. I prefer for people to get to know me before I throw a label on myself.
Yes I say it but have never had an adverse reaction but hereabout with a Protestant /Catholic divide - no one is really interested in Atheists we are of no account whatsoever though i have heard some people say back to me "ah thats a shame!" I usually just laugh no none has come accross as heavy just mystified.