I don't bring the subject up unless they do or straight up ask me. Although Im an atheist, I'm quick to point out that it doesnt mean Im an "anti-christ", I simply tell them that I respect everyones religious beliefs as long as they respect mine...or the lack of.

When the topic comes up I just tell them that I do not believe. When people ask for prayers(like on Facebook) I send them positive vibrations. I still support the members of my family that believe. I attended the baptism of my 16 year old grandson.

I just say.
I do not believe in any god.
Muak!
Oh people go nuts with the kiss

Very carefully, if you want to keep their friendship. I find there's just no good way to tell some people, "I don't believe any of the claims of religion are true" without registering an insult in their minds. After all, if I think it's made up, but you think it's the truth of the universe, it doesn't take much of a spark to explode.

If asked, I will say I am an atheist. I am content to leave it there, but I will discuss the subject without compunction if questioned further.

I am just as proud not to believe as they are to do so. I feel no difference in me expressing my lack of belief to them if they express their belief to me first.

Most people of my country ( Czech rep.) are non religious, so I do not talk to them about atheism.

I try not tell religious people tha I am an atheist. Because I live in country that most of people are religious, and with some of them you can't feel comfortable if they know that you don't believe in God. But I always end up telling them haha

living in middle east learned me one important rule # i don't tell

I usually say I am a secular humanist. If they don't know what that means, I explain that I don't believe in a god but I do believe in humanity.

Recently in a group discussion, one of our group who is a former minister turned atheist and author of several pro-atheist books, said that he believes that we should say we are atheists. The contention is that some people may not know what the other names or euphemisms we might use, mean. That makes sense to me but my experience has been that when I say I'm an atheist, people are automatically turned off and stop listening or walk away. That's OK with me but it also means that I've missed an opportunity to engage with them and leave them with a good impression of what an atheist might be like!

I don't. Especially down here in Shi'ite Catholic Country (southeast Louisiana), many people think you have AIDS, Ebola or something if you're outed as "atheist."

However, I am quite vociferous about being "anti-religion." Even when I was still technically a Christian, I was VERY anti-religion, and since the 9/11 attacks, most •reasonable• folks can understand my seething disdain for that type of superstition.

Say you are an atheist but when you are asked if you believe. People will judge a lot quicker if you tell them without they asking. It's like telling people you are not a fireman or a cook when you are describing yourself. So unless you are asked if you believe in god then just tell them No. There's no need to add a label for everything we are not.

I just tell them. No reason to pretend.

If I think the situation calls for it most people I meet it doesn't need to come up. But if someone preaching at me then I tell them or if I think I truly need to be honest with this person I tell them.

I just say it

I live in Kentucky, 'atheist' is a dirty word. I don't tell people here that I am an atheist, or even that I am non-religious.

I tend to not have this conversation. But if pushed I have found that the direct route is the best " I am an agnostic, Agnosticism is the view that, the truth values of certain claims – especially metaphysical and religious claims such as whether God, the divine or the supernatural exist – are unknown and perhaps unknowable."

I have no want or need for your jealous powerless God.

I don't bring it up but if it comes up I certainly don't shy away from it. I once had a woman tell me how terrible she thought Atheists were. So I said, "Really? I'm an atheist." I try to always challenge their misconceptions about what a non-believer is before I let the truth bomb hit, though.

I have no problem telling anyone that I am not a believer but only if it comes up. Some people want to convert me and think if they keep talking I will come to their way of thinking and see how wrong I am. In reality, it just puts me off. It does bother me that my mom worries about my soul. I know she is a true believer and I don't want her to worry but I also have told her since I was a little kid that I didn't believe so she knows. Now that she is in her 70's, I hate that it adds stress to her.

I think it depends upon how well you know them, but I have no problem telling people I am an atheist.

I just tell them, I do not believe god exist.

Depends on your comfort level. "Sorry, I'm not religious" is what I say if I know they'll be extremely offended by "atheist". Going by my experience, you have to think about your safety. Not religious is a softer blow. Easy to accept. Mainly because they know there are people who believe in a god, but don't participate in religious activities. There's no shame in being atheist, but we're a minority up against many people who would harm us if they got the chance. I'm sure you've seen some of what they've said they'd do. Not all are friendly enough to leave it at "I'll l pray for you" lol.
When I came out to my mother, her words were "you'll know God when you're burning in hell and by then it'll be too late". After that, she started mistreating my kids and trying to indoctrinate them.
I have to ease my way into saying I'm atheist. They think we're beyond demonic and can never be good people. Have to show them different before they judge off what we say we are.

The best way is what works for you. It doesn't have to be a secret, or the main topic. It depends on the environment and circumstances. If someone brings it up, or imposes their views, I may share mine. I'm not embarrassed, ashamed, or scared because believers are the majority. The deciding factors for me are whether I'm inclined at the time, and whether I believe my words will resonate.

Sure, if it comes up. It depends on the person.