I get along with just about all religious people. I try to treat everyone with love and compassion. I figured I'd we try to treat everyone like human beings. There are some butt holes out there, I love those people too, lol. Sometimes it's just best to agree to disagree and walk away. No reason to lose your peace, on account of some close minded person ☺

I tried being a polite atheist, but people won't listen. It sucks being so disadvantaged, especially with this twisted administration emphasizing religion whenever possible.

Start by being polite to believers and non-believers alike. Don't seek to challenge the convictions of others in this regard, but remain firm in your convictions. Don't rise when baited by the religious because doing so will always provide fodder for their misconceptions of all atheists/agnostics as angry and tada! - you've just become Malfoy in every Harry Potter story

Really depends on the person I am debating. I once encountered a very honest and bright theist at the YMCA (my gym/(theist hunting) ground). He was actually a great deal of fun to talk to. We asked each other a series of questions and answers and we actually agreed with more points then we disagreed. He was exceptionally well read and informed on the history of religion and open to open and honest debate. I positively recognized every one of his valid points and recognized "Thank you. I did not know that. I will research (insert topic here) data." and " I was not aware of (insert topic). Thank you I'll research this." Then introduce a counter-argument with, "But what about - - -" . As he was bright and honest, his response was very much like my response (I am not saying I am bright and honest but in this context, he mirrored my level of respect and our topics were beyond what most people would talk about (A person waked by and after a few moments listening to our discussion noted, "That's to deep for me) He often expounded on his point or (when appropriate) recognize his point had less merit then my counter-argument. We both gave each other time to respond. We began the talk around 22:00, the Y closes at 23:00 so we chatted in the parking lot till after 01:30 and left on good terms and both enjoyed the conversation. Sadly, of the many dozens of theist I have encountered there, as a theist, this guy was an anomaly. For the rest of the theists I debate, depends on what outcome I desire. Some (those that assert nonsense without understanding how pathetic they were) I am not nice, I will smile and point out in detail how their assertions are "Nonsensical" then dissect their assertion and choke them with their own stupidity. The lower the IQ the person presents, the less civil I am. On one account a not so sharp theist (science/climate change denier) replied. He sounded like the guy from "OFFICE SPACE saying "I I Believe you have my stapler"" - - "I do not like what you are telling me." While smiling, my response was, "I really do not care if you like what I am telling you. What you are saying is nonsense and does not represent reality. I am using facts to show you how wrong you are." - - -

i don't talk religion with people like that. i don't talk MUCH to people like that. i don't have close friends who believe that way. i have one friend, neither close nor distant, at whom i am currently angry because she prayed jesusly (hands-on, yet!) over my fiancé at his birthday bash, which was populated mostly with jews (and at least one atheist: me; he is not an atheist). her conversations tend to be punctuated with "praise the lord" and stuff like that. she was his friend, and became mine when he and i got together, but this is the first time she's actually pulled this stunt, and the next time we communicate i will tell her that it had better be the last time, too. i've never interfered with her beliefs, though i consider them coo coo for coco puffs. i do not appreciate her interfering with his.

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Very simple. Just be a polite A-theist as you would a polite anything else. Do you find it difficult to be polite to those who believe in astrology?

Don't ask. Don't tell. Polite until someone starts to god me and I say, i think we philosophically disagree. I will talk another subject except that one. My oldest sister, who is somewhat open minded for her religious beliefs and yet, still probably prays for me, doesn't allow me or her husband, who became ordained an evangelical minister after retiring from business to talk religion. Usually she tells her husband to shut-up I've heard it all before, it is family time.

Mlst of the answers so far are basically keep quiet and say nothing, or be as brief on the subject as possible for fear we won't fall into a stereotype of being that "angry atheist." Well I would rather have that then being thought of being a nonbeliever because I'm ignorant or uneducated on the subject. Who cares if they think youre being offensive. As a nonbeleiver, not being able to go a minute without hearing about god during conversation, a song, a commercial, a movie, an advertisement....its offensive. Speak up and let people understand that you know more about this topic than they do. Ive been told the anger fades out over time. I've been an atheist for 11 years and it hasnt faded a bit. I'm tired of adults speaking like children and getting away with it and having it being normalized.

the same as being a polite person

I don't think there really is a polite way to tell someone you think their mythical beliefs are foolishness, plus I don't like it when people preach to me so I don't preach to them. Now if they bring it up, then I start asking questions similar to the way Street Epistemology does, telling them that I am curious about their beliefs. It usually doesn't take long for them to start stumbling over their own beliefs and admit that it is all very personal and subjective.

I don't mention it unless someone asks. Then I simply say I'm an atheist. One time at a funeral for a family friend in a church, someone asked my mom what denomination she is and she lied and said Presbyterian. I asked why she wouldn't just say the truth and she said she didn't want a conflict. I don't think it's right to hide non beliefs just as much as it's not right to push it down anyone's throat.

I've been an atheist for a long time and I'm still figuring this one out. I'll get back to you. ?

Growing up I was taught to 'hate the sin, not the sinner.' Today I strive to 'hate the belief, not the believer.' Almost all engagements on religion appear pointless, as they bear little fruit--at least, not at first. But it is possible to plant seeds, as the believer will always remember with fondness, that nice nonbeliever who treated them as a person, and didn't behave at all like they were expecting.

I live in the Bible Belt and rarely have I had any run-ins with people. there's a certain amount of religion that I could tolerate. I don't bring up the subject. If someone says something absolutely ridiculous, as long as it's not hurting anyone else, I just ignore them. I have run into more religious opposition as an agnostic on this site from rather radical atheists than I have from the Christians in the real world. to reiterate ,just don't bring the topic up and cause an argument.

Be polite... Be atheist...
Seriously though, I don't bring it up in the vast majority of interactions because I don't find it necessary, but if I feel safe enough with someone to have that conversation, it's because I think they're mature enough to disagree without being combative. My beliefs are my own and I have no need to force you into them. If you extend me the same level of courtesy, there is simply no problem.

I don't try to convice anyone anymore . If possible , I smile and walk away . If situation such That i can't walk away AND after I state that gods and devils not my problem in life , then I say as less as possible and let them talk and preach . Eventually they zip mouths . U know . Nothing to feed the fire...

"There is no polite way to suggest to someone that they have devoted their life to a folly." ~Daniel C. Dennett.

Same tactic as ever.... Tell them what they want to hear. I am not confrontational about it, ever...... Everybody wins

I have had Morman friends that we would get together and eat, they would want bless the food, and I would just quietly bow head just out of respect for their personal beliefs. They knew I was agnostic, they never tried to convert me, and had many intellectual conversations. They always invited me to their neighborhood picnics they had every year, and always treated me with respect. I look at it as different strokes for different folks Live and let live

The same as leading with a different culture, you don't need to cite atheism or complain for any bless yu that you hear, those are in most of times meaningless and just linguistical expressions.
I just use the atheist card when directly questioned or when I see some action/decision/judgement that was made on religious bases and can harm someone, then I just invite the person to think if he/she is allowed to force their world view on another person. And as most people I deal with are christians, in the christianism itself is said to talk about Jesus and if the other people don't want, go away, don't force. So Even in religion it is stated that you can't force, why are you doing this?

Don’t brooch the subject. I wouldn’t dream of attempting to push my lack of belief on people, any more than I would welcome them trying push their beliefs onto me. I’m all for intelligent discussion if someone raises the subject but not for preaching, not from either point of view.

I just let them know that it's quite possible to be a good person without a belief in a god, and that I'm a living example, as are many others.

I compliment them on being a good person, but remind them it is within their own power CHOOSE to adhere to what they know is right (not necessarily from the bible - maybe from kindergarten or Mister Rogers) and that I admire the beauty in their own personality that keeps them on this beautiful humanistic or humanitarian path they are on.

Politely listen, nod head, say:
I see how much that means to you” (Touching yet wrong)
That’s so interesting” (from a psychological standpoint)
*which book in the Bible does that come from?”(I don’t care, but I can feign interest$
“Yes, I I understand” (but don’t agree)
“Do you take a lot of comfort in (fill gap)? (See, I sound like I care)
I do it daily with a kindly smile on my face and really listen. Takes 10 mins, and it makes people feel good about themselves.

Always try to be polite - but don't hold back in telling religious people what you think - you have the right to do so - and they have the duty to bear with your different views - don't cave to their bigotry and 'be nice' and let them get away with controlling and limiting you

Don't ask don't tell