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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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806 comments (101 - 125)

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2

I was born Jewish but I call myself a Free-thinker or an Agnostic. In other words a Don't Know!

But you have your suspicions...always a lovely way to end your two cents worth...

1

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

1

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.

1

I say "I'm and Atheist"

BTW - I am Canadian, lots of us here!

0

I just say I'm a follower of Odin of the Norse beliefs, the beliefs of my ancestors.

i love your humor.

2

I prefer to tell them as soon as it's brought up. I tell them that I am not here to tell anyone they are wrong and I expect the same. I try to be open minded and thoughtful. I feel that being honest about my beliefs and my views saves headaches later on.

I heard a good quote today from Lawrence Krauss. He quoted someone in the WSJ who said, "I try and keep an open mind, but not so open that my brain falls out!" I think that's fun!

R. Allan Worrell

2

The first thing to ask yourself is would you have a problem if they told you they are Christian? Obviously, I assume not. As they have no problem stating they are Christian; you should have no problem stating you are an atheist. There is no right way to say something, If they have an issue of just a simple difference, then that's on them, and not you.

Your reasoning is near perfect only quit mis-labeling Atheists as adjectives. ...we are upper case Nouns. ...we Atheists free of the disease of theism. ...I, like you NEVER assume a stranger is a believer or an Atheist. ...an xian often wear crosses shaped like an x. ...I often wear my American Atheists "orbit" carbon atom symbol

1

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

1

I may actually have enough points to comment! This question really resonated with me because I have recently become immeshed in a complicated situation with a friend who has just re-discovered God. She is giving all her power to Him, claiming no power or responsibility for anything she says or does. It's all in God's hands and if He wants me to . . . iI's a long story that I don't want to get into if my comment isn't actually accepted. I'll pull a Great Orange One by ending this part of my comment with . . .

Madge Level 2 Dec 2, 2017

I feel your pain. I once had to work with a die hard (god hates gays, god wants rape babies, no such thing as global warming, Republicans are Christians so they will make things better for us, Catholic. When she retired from work she wanted to join my Facebook circle. I told her that was be a very bad idea but she insisted. Didn't take long before she left (in tears) as I am brutal to theists.

2

At work, I don't have to tell anyone. I've told a few people. Now they talk about it when I'm not around. Here in Kansas, Christianity is the extreme default. So anything else is to be pitied. But I did have some ladies come to my home once with flyers. I told them I don't believe. They both said "ohhh" like my dog died.

????????

4

I just say it or that I do not believe in a supernatural magical being in the sky that I have to have blind faith in BEFORE it will help me out here on earth. All the religions I have practiced, including a sect of buddhaism, insist I have blind faith & belief before the "god" or "universe" shows benefit in my life. Bunch of hooey.

I will parrot it back to them by asking, "So, what You're saying is, If I 'just believe it',....then, I'll 'believe it'-?"

4

I am up front and let them know my position early in conversations... I work with staff and clients who come from many religious positions ... so my approach to remain authentic to my self is to say "I am a person of no faith... but respect your choice to choose what you believe in. I have thought about using the word "Atheist" but find 'a person with no "faith" softer and less confrontational as I work in a health context.. ?

I am a bit more confrontational. If asked on the street - so to speak- and not in the mood for a long discussion, I begin by clarifying what (faith) (belief without evidence) is and continue that because faith is a dishonest path to determine truth, (The things Christens claim faith can reveal), and that I actually value truth and dislike dishonesty, I place no value on faith. . . etc. .

1

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.

2

I live in a very rural fundamentalist Baptist area and I live alone on a farm so the one thing I do not do here is tell people my true beliefs because I can about guarantee my place will be vandalized if I do.

1

I am not an atheist I'm not agnostic I'm an Orthodox Jew

3

I wait til they ask me or make some comment - I told my right wing religious mother that I will never go into a nursing home, that I will hasten my death if I can't take care of myself. She said "If you do that you will not be allowed into heaven." I replied "I don't believe in heaven or hell. I am atheist." She was very surprised but did not cry or get angry. At 87 years old, she has become a bit more mellow.

SKH78 Level 8 Dec 20, 2017

I think you are being a bit hard on your mother. Cut her some slack.She wasn't responsible for how she was brought up and she seems to have had a modicum of intelligence.

1

I have a problem with the word "Atheist". It is negative and too many religionist feel it is an 'in your face' term (like many of theirs). Languages change and often bring about a change in attitude. Look at the change in how people view the gays.

There are positive ways of expressing oneself. Instead of godless how about godfree? (same for childless - free). Not many people know of the "Brights" movement. It is an international, on-line group (my late partner - wife has too many possessive connotations - once did a Farsi (Iranian) review for them). A Bright (noun) is one who has a naturalistic world view; a 'super' has a supernatural world view. Look them up, there is a big following.

I often use the (don't remember who I stole this from) asuperstitionalist as I don't believe in baseless superstitions that can not be demonstrated with facts

6

When asked about my religion, I smile and very calmly say, "I don't believe in it."
Then, if they persist (in horror), "You don't believe in God?!?"
"No, I don't believe in any of it."
"What? Don't you believe the Bible was written by God?"
"No, I don't believe in it."
"Well then, what DO you believe?"
"I believe I'll have another beer. What about you?"

Love it!

4

I am at that point in my life that I don't care how believers view me. I am thus quite open with a bit of my sarcasm included. I tell them that I have matured past the point of believing in imaginary characters. 😛

If they hang around long enough (I usually start by addressing the offences of religions in the name of god and how horrible the god of the bible has been recorded then how faith (belief without evidence) is a terrible way to find the truth) then I'll eventually talk about the number of adults that still believe in their invisible sky daddy without evidence.

3

I don't go for shock factor but there is a certain satisfaction in waiting until a person knows you before you tell them. The first response I usually get is, "You seem like such a nice lady!" and I reply, "I AM a nice lady." Most of my family and friends know I'm atheist. Many of my co-workers do also. I don't like to lie about who I am.

I kind of agree. I have reached a point in my life where I have very little tolerance for those whose minds have been corrupted to believe (faith) (belief without evidence) has superior or equal footing with things that can be demonstrated to be correct (scientific method). I have gotten into the habit of in the beginning of any social relationship - land-blasting potential social encounters with such arguments to assert my position as one that does not depend of superstition to dictate my understanding of the word.

2

Well, I'm agnostic and I just tell them that I'm not religious. Even if I live in the Bible belt, until now it never gave any problems. Just an understanding okay, or something like that.

Gert Level 7 Jan 27, 2018

After that I told Jehova Witnesses that today on a parking lot, the ladies urged me that I really had to think things over again.

2

There is little reason for wearing your religious belief on your sleeve. Atheism doesn't require you to go out in the world and create converts. If the subject should come up, just say, "I am an atheist." If they try to persuade you to change. Let them know that you expect them to respect your coice, as well as you respect their choice. If they persist, fart a few times and leave.

Religion = flatulence. ...I direct believers to the toilets to flush and wash ....that's how I became an American Atheist

2

What I say sometimes depends on the audience I am speaking to. Try saying, "I'm non theistic". If they enquiry further, say, "I believe in science, ethics and the immutable laws of physics". If they still enquire, say "I think of magic as entertainment".

Good job hinting at all the things Atheists are and believers fail @

2

I do not discuss religion or other choioces with people. They should not ask. If they have the balls, then I just say happily I go to my church, mother nature, and bless her everyday.

2

Everyone I know is already aware that I am an atheist. I've had many conversations though, while having a drink at the bar with people who inevitably, bring up their religion in one way or another and at that point I let them know that I'm an atheist. Probably why I can't find a date.

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