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 tell then I'm a True Non-believer.
Andy, that's exactly what I do also!
I generally don't bring it up unless it's germane to the conversation. When I do, I usually say I am "non-religious" or "not a believer." I don't hide my unbelief or pretend to agree with them, but I live in the American South and the "A" word is sometimes taken as a personal challenge. I don't care to challenge or confront people who are not challenging me. But it's different if someone is intrusively trying to proselytize.
So glad I live in a place where it's really not an issue and I'm not having this garbage shoved down my throat daily. On the occasional visit from Jehovah's witnesses, I tell them to beat it.
I say, "I am an unabashed atheist!" If christians are standing at my front door preaching I literally chase them off the property all the way to the curb and tell them to take their filth with them referring to their bibles and tracts. Two women once showed up at my door with a couple of young children in tow. I loudly accused them of child abuse, ordered them off the property an had one woman in tears on the sidewalk. I hope it was a revelation.
If it comes up in conversation, I'll come right out with it. I'm not afraid to step on some toes and hurt some feelings. But I don't go around telling people that I am.
I rarely have to discuss it, except for people trying to convert me.
Those I enjoy talking to, because I have lots of questions.
Like - If God wants us to read his Holy text, why doesn't it appear in your hand, in your own language, whenever you ask? No questions about which is the right book, or the right version, or anything. Religious people can spend time providing food and blankets, instead of books.
Or - If there is One God, why didn't explorers reaching China, America and Australia find that people there had already heard of the same God the explorers worshipped?
Or - If the people were sinful, why did God kill all the animals in the Noah flood? Why not take them up to heaven, and let them all breath water? And did he drown the animals in Australia, when there were no people there?
To me, I don't care what a person believes as long as they are a good human.
I usually don't hold back the fact that I don't believe in a God unless I'll loose a job because of the truth (which is my current situation).
Sadly, that's a big deal here. I try to avoid telling them. If they bring it up, I just go along with it if I can. Like if they ask me to attend their church, I politely decline and thank them. If they ask directly, I don't lie. I tell them straight out that I'm atheist and if they care to ask why, I tell them my reasons. That I have never seen any real evidence for a god. And I let them decide where it goes from there.
I can not think of any instance in my life thus far that called for me to make such a proclamation. It is just not anybodies business, I just simply state I respect your right to believe in what you will, I just see it differently. If they want to know more, I have to look for motive. I am yet to see motive on their part that makes me want to have an open discussion.
I just tell them I don't believe. Then I ask them if they can provide any proof for the things they believe. Always comes back to faith which is the suspension of logical thinking. If it's not logical or based on sound evidence I can't believe. It's that simple.
I normally keep it to myself, it doesn't define me. If asked, I usually say I'm an equal opportunity non-believer.
Simply say, "I'm and unbeliever." Then watch the look on their faces. Don't stick around for their questions.
GOD gave me free will so I exercise my free will not believe in a God
I just say that I'm an atheist. Most people in my area don't really care