They ask what church I go to and I say "I don't".. Done

The incredible thing is that they think it all means you know nothing about god. It was my studies that made me a non-believer.

I never volunteer.... if they really push the envelope and want to know then usually all I have to do is to say "you don't want to know". That throw them off and cannot tell if I am joking or what.

The last couple I had at the door, I told them I was 100% atheist. They said “oh” looked somewhat scared and walked away.

I just tell them, I'm not terribly worried about what they think, and if they can't accept it that's on them.

I'm not saying it to people I don't know already, generally only been under certain circumstances,
or unless they ask me directly.

If they are strongly religious and I don't want to frighten them, I will refer to myself as a non-beliver rather than an atheist. For some reason it seems to be a more acceptable term.

If and when the topic comes up I find that I am most interested in revealing the fact that I am not Christian so that is what I say. That seems to draw less of a reaction than saying I am agnostic.

“I am an atheist”?

**I don't bother to .

Say what ever you want.... I am an Atheist. I am not religious. I am a secularist. I am not a violent believer. What the world needs now is science, not alleged gawds that are worthless, doing absolutely nothing to prevent harm or cure disease.... It is up to us Atheists to make a better world the religious fanatics have fucked up so badly the last 10 thousand years of shamanism, patriarchy, crusades, pogroms and priestly rape of children....not to mention the scientists who have been arrested, censored and murdered for proving religion wrong on everything

We're all surrounded by Christians !

But, unless there is a specific conversation about religion going on, or someone questions me directly, or I'm privy to a remarkably dumb situation based on their beliefs, I really don't see the need to bring it up.

The only times I miss the church are Christmas eve and Easter Sunday. I loved the music, the mellow feeling, the GIFT (plant or glow in the dark plastic cross) finally realized the 'mellow feeling' was mostly alcohol. I could not understand why un-baptised babies couldn't go to heaven, went to limbo? even if they had never seen a Christian who could baptised them. God loves all the little children? Too many rules, coveting is as bad as murder. My head spins. I agree with the golden rule many members subscribe to, but reserve the right to loudly disagree with hypocrites.

I do not feel the need to tell anyone what I believe. If I chose to, then I am truthful.

Depends on the interaction. If they are pushing beliefs on me, then yea, I step up. If they make some offhand comment about "God made such a beautiful day today", I will agree it's a nice day, but won't cause drama over it. Depends on how pushy they are with their delusion.

I don't have one way of saying it. there are occasions on which the subject may come up. i might say "i'm an atheist" or i might say "i hold no gods" or, when appropriate, "i'm not christian" (which may then be followed by clarification -- but it DOES tend to be christians who bring such things up). if asked, i certainly am open. if not asked, i might mention it myself, depending on the context, or not. i don't introduce myself "hi, i'm an atheist" but i tend to let people know if i have a continuing relationship of any kind. there are no circumstances under which i lie about it.

g

Sometimes i say "i am an atheist," sometimes i say "i hold no gods" and sometimes i say "i'm jewish," depending on the context (i am a jewish atheist but that's hard for some people to understand, and i would hate for folks to think judaism was itself an atheistic religion -- too many christians already hate jews!) i don't hide who i am.

g

If i am asked by a religious person if i believe i tell them i am Agnostic and that i behave the way God would want a person 2 treat other people and Animals! And that i have nothing against you in believing.

It depends on how polite the tone of the conversation. Normally I just say I'm not a believer, and politely answer any questions that follow that disclosure. I have many theist friends who are okay with my atheism.

I say "I'm not religious" at work. Where I live it could get in the way of my career but I don't want to hide or lie. So I say that and let them figure it out.

Away from work I freely tell people "I am an athiest" or "I don't believe in God" if it comes up. It rarely comes up but if it does I don't hold back. But I'm not going to go out of my way to bring it up. To me that's too much like proselytizing.

I consider myself an agnostic, but still...

I live in Mormon Central — and at work, it’s even worse. But I am also a science teacher. Not exactly a place where I can talk about religion, anyway. For the most part, when I hear the religious stuff, I just nod my head and say nothing (yes, with colleagues, as well) — I am vastly outnumbered and don’t care to get into a religious discussion, especially since I could become very unpopular very quickly if I were to tell Mormons why their church is full of bull. If someone were to ask directly, I’d just go with something like “I’m not LDS” and that would likely be sufficient. If they push, I’d tell them I used to be, so no, they needn’t convert me.

With the students, I DEFINITELY can’t state my religious beliefs (or nonbeliefs). I talk very generally about religion — for instance, I told them there are plenty of scientists who are also religious, including a lot at BYU (just around the corner), so no one had to feel that it was an either/or situation. That’s about it. I’ve been warned about saying anything, including correcting a student who has an actual misconception about something in the Mormon church. Doesn’t matter if that’s a factual bit of knowledge as opposed to a belief one — it’s off limits.

I guess I’ve had people say “I’m Mormon” and I’ve said “I’m not”. But again, that’s really as far as anyone asks, and unlike those in the prominant religion in my area, I’m not out to convert anyone.

how i tell religious people i'm an atheist: i say "i'm an atheist." i don't hang out with religious people, but you never know -- you could get a religious cabbie or be in a social situation with strangers. it can happen. so if someone asks, and it's not inappropriate to ask, i answer directly and honestly. if someone does NOT ask but just assumes, i respond similarly but perhaps with slightly less patience.

g

Just say it don't be scared

If you're not comfortable just stating it categorically, approach it euphamistically. Rather than say "I'm an atheist, beotch!" say something like "I've returned my faith in God for a reality refund."

I would not tell you to go out of the closet before feeling safe.
If the community is toxic to atheism, just don't be religious and tell if asked.
If you feel safe, just act as one, the question will come naturally.

Sorry, that just isn’t my jam.