I just tell them. No reason to pretend.

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 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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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 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.

I don't tell anyone unless they ask, but if they ask I'll give them a straight answer.

If they ask I tell them the truth.

Just wait they will ask you about your belief soon or later

Since when being an atheist is alike to coming out of the closet like we are homosexual (which isn’t problematic either). We don’t even have to state it. Religious people would naturally feel uncomfortable if we discuss in detail their actual beliefs. They should be the one “coming out” and apologizing for their nonsense.

It depends. Sometimes I just say it. Other times, people want to hear a reason and so I explain.

I just say,I believe in peaceful life, So no debate over comparative study of religions and politics.

I went with "just be out". I didn't feel the need to sit anyone down and give or receive a lecture on the topic. I unlocked all my Facebook posts and let the chips fall where they may. I'm out as a gay atheist and they just get to deal with that. I've been told that any boyfriend I ever have won't be welcome around and I told them that when that happens I'll be disappearing. I'm no less gay with or without a boyfriend. If he's not welcome for who he is, then CLEARLY neither am I. And I don't need that shit in my life.

I have to say I avoid the conversation when at all possible, nothing good can come from it, especially with friends. Usually, I just claim I am anti-organized religion, due to the damage it has done over the millennia to our people all over the world That usually suffices and the subject is dropped.

i don't that can be dangerous for me ...

I live in Tennessee and don't generally have many issues.

You know how you probably hate Jehova's Witnesses knocking on your door to preach the good word to you? Well religious people respond the same way to aggressive atheism. Just be chill, and don't focus on the topic too heavily.

I live in a conservative community now (the one I grew up in, but I went away for 20 years and came back). I never deny being atheist, but I don't generally steer conversations towards religion or lack thereof, so it rarely comes up. When it does, I am honest about my atheist stance, and not defensive about it. I occasionally get the 'how can you be atheist when looking at how amazing/complex/etc. the world is' question, and I give a brief but technical and logical argument in response, probably more than they hoped to hear, but all very polite and assertive. The church I was raised in taught me well how to win religious debates, so I guess I am using those same skills now to present my athest stance in a way that is informative rather than offensive or an invitation for religious folks to try to convert me. I am not ashamed or uncertain about my atheist stance, and see no reason to pretend otherwise.

If they ask.

Just bluntly state that you don't adhere to any religious doctrine.