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

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?

Bingogwak 6 Sep 10
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807 comments (751 - 775)

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1

You could say "I am not a church goer," or " I am not a believer."

1

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.

1

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.

1

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.

1

I say I’m agnostic, it softens it a bit.

1

When appropriate I will simply say that I do not believe in the supernatural. If asked to explain I say that when confronted with the unknown I do not automatically attribute it to some supernatural being.

1

i don't bring it up unless im asked or it needs to be brought up, in my experience most of the time it doesn't really matter

1

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?

Allan Level 5 Oct 8, 2017
1

step by step. they will know over time when we discuss religious stuff together 😉

1

I usually never bring it up unless the conversation calls for it; if I’m asked or if it’s germane to the subject.

For me it’s like what kind of cars I like, or my favorite sports teams. Why divulge information unless it adds to the conversion?

1

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).

1

I usually find it quite easy because I’m very confident with it, but only mention it if asked or if the topic of religion is brought up.

1

I have noticed that if you say you're not religious people tend to react better.

In people's minds 'atheist' is against something, while 'non religious' lack of something.

Ozzie Level 2 Oct 8, 2017
1

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.

1

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.

1

I normally keep it to myself, it doesn't define me. If asked, I usually say I'm an equal opportunity non-believer.

1

I explain that all faiths can fit into 1 of 4 groups, have them self-identify which one they fit into, point out our similarities, then move on.

If I don't like them I just don't bother.

1

Simply say, "I'm and unbeliever." Then watch the look on their faces. Don't stick around for their questions.

1

GOD gave me free will so I exercise my free will not believe in a God

1

I just say that I'm an atheist. Most people in my area don't really care

1

If someone asks me about my beliefs I tell them exactly what I believe because I am not worried about what other people think. I never bring it up as a topic of conversation unless I'm with people I know because those discussions don't end well with people who believe in god. There are lots of other things to talk about and I steer clear of religion as a topic.

1

Personally, I say that I am a skeptic and that I cannot believe in things just because other people say it's true. Since there is no factual reason to believe in the existence of deities, I simply don't.

MarcO Level 5 Oct 6, 2017
1

Depends. Do not ever put it down on hospital forms, I've had very bad experiences there. I normally just say I'm not religious.

1

I believe that if say a Christian does bring up a religious topic a quick mention of, "oh, i'm an atheist so..." is a good way of making it known. That's the appropriate moment in my opinion. Of course the quick question of "oh, so you don't believe in God?" comes up as a quick quip. But you just have to hold your ground. There's plenty of Christians in the country who will actually be okay with you being an atheist. They don't care usually. Just keeping a calm demeanor if they ask questions is important.

1

I don't their faith is none of my business and my lack of faith is none of theirs. I appriciate their good will, no matter how they say it. I'm a person just like them and picking fights does no one any favors.

Jay1L Level 2 Oct 4, 2017
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