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?
Depends on the tone of the conversation and whether I am asked or not. I have no problem telling people what I believe but I have a slightly more tactful way to put it if I feel it may be offensive to come right out and say I don't believe in God or religion. I mean I will tell some I am atheist or agnostic but if I don't feel like it is a theological discussion or sharing of ideas and beliefs I prefer to say something like below.
I generally say something like God has not yet graced me with his presence but I don't feel like I am lost
If they ask, yes, tho where I live that isn't a common question. If I'm discussing religious issues it isn't hard to tell I'm a non-believer even if I don't say so.
I am direct because I have no doubt. I don't believe in god or religion.
When I was working for a company where most of the officers and managers were Jewish we had a department luncheon. One of the Christian employees for some reason started talking about Jesus being god. Silence fell at the table . He was sitting next me and turned to be and something to the effect of "Don't you believe that?" I answered "No, I do not believe that Jesus was God." My boss, a Jews, got a look on his face that was priceless to me. My response was just a natural one. I was asked a question and answered it.
Being an atheist is only a part of what one is so I see no reason to be confrontational about it but if asked just be yourself.
I generally don't unless I am specifically asked. Just a few days ago I was at my father's funeral. My father was very catholic and was a VIP in both the church and in the Knights of Columbus. The funeral was at the church that I used to attend when I was still a minor and church attendance was not my choice. The KofC was very helpful with the funeral arrangements and even paid for some of it, so I am very grateful to them for the respect and love that they gave to him and his family. But when some suggested that I join the Knights, my response was simply, "I don't do Catholic anymore." Fortunately I was not pressed beyond that. I think a lot of the people there would be very disappointed to know just how not catholic I am.
I usually say I am a heathen. I like the reaction to that!
I don’t unless asked and the I proudly say I’m atheist.
It largely depends on context. If I'm at work or around strangers, I try to avoid politics and religion. But sometimes that doesn't work and I have to go through this gross line of question and answer about how no, just because I'm not Christian doesn't mean I'm a Devil worshipper OR a Satanist and yes there's a difference. Yes, I am open to the idea of some controlling force of the universe, but I am not so narcissistic as to try to name it, categorize it, and certainly not to assume to know its form or if it even has a gender. No my lack of religion does not mean I'm not a moral or ethical person. If pressed, I'll extend as far as calling myself an agnostic deist. I generally refer to it simply as 'the Universe.'
I say 'I'm atheist'. As long as they understand English, it works well.
Dude look what they've done to the world. Do they deserve your respect. Have they once ever made sure to not offend your opinion? I already know the answer to that I have dealt with these wackos all my life and it is coming to a truly crucial moment in our society.
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. Will we continue with the ways of old or lay down the bondage that religion has put on us and by doing so rid the world of the Perpetual proletariat or the caste system or whatever you want to call it but this will bring about Global Communications and Global power distribution and Global Food Distribution and only at that point can we judge ourselves a successful species. As of now any scientists would look at the assemble data concerning our speeches and deem it a failure. We are simply running out of time to be polite. You should show Christians the same respect that you would show any form of life and that is your duty. And you should never be violent even when they turn to violence. But modify your speech to protect their feeble completely unsought about opinion? Hell no and pardon my odd adjectives
I tend to use the short "I'm not a believer" and leave it at that. If they press the issue beyond that, I follow the maxim of "if you don't want to deal with the answer, don't ask the question" and expose them to some reality.
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
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
I live in an area where I frequently hear, "Have a blessed day!" to which I reply, "Thanks, but I'd rather just have a great one!". I figure if they can tell me their BS, I should be able to throw it back at them!
R. Allan Worrell
I hear that crap daily. I also say, "Happy Holidays," to which they angrily yell "Merry Christmas!" I respond with, "I am a member of the Church of the Poisoned Mind and we don't do christmas." They are stunned into sweet, beautiful SILENCE.
I've been responding "No, thank you", but I've been considering moving on to "May the Force be with you" and "Praise be to Satan".
I personally use the term secular humanist, because there's more substance than just saying you're an atheist. Unfortunately I got utterly rejected just this Wednesday. Nothing tells me I'm back in America like being rejected over religious ideals (I lived in Japan for 3½ years and had no problem with me being an atheist)
"God made me an Atheist, who are you to question his decision."
Hear, hear!
No. Say, "who are you to question HER decision?" That should get them!