I like "non-believer". The label "atheist" does seem to come with baggage and people view it as it being "stronger" than what it actually means. Non-believer simply states that my position is contrary to theirs. It's not such a dogmatic label, I feel, more "here is my position".

Unindoctrinated ? Wise ? Intelligent ? Untainted ? Was being admitted to a hospital for surgery , and was answering questions before they got started - Do you smoke ? Drink ? Use drugs ? Believe in God ? Have someone to rely on , in case of emergency ? To all of which , I answered no . She then looked at me and asked , well , what do you do when you need help ? What is your crutch ? Told her , I just stand on my own two feet .

I use godless.

Very comfortable.

If asked, I describe myself as an agnostic atheist, which does help to define my position for some but totally confuses "others".

I agree with Sam Harris, we don't have a term for people who don't believe in sasquatch, why do we need a word for people who don't believe in Set?

Unfortunately, I've found many who say they're atheist are really anti-theists and not fun to chill with.

In the UK we still find it odd that one should fear be 'outed' as an atheist - I wear it like a badge. or does religion have a stranglehold on the US?

Who cares about labels? Why does anyone worry about how others define them? If I were to label myself I say that I am a non-theist - separates me from the a@@hats at the various atheist groups that exist. That being said I'm not aware of ever being labeled because I don't talk about it - becoming a "non-believer" wasn't the most important decision that I ever had to make. It doesn't define me and so I see no reason to discuss it or worry about how others feel about it.

Perfectly content being an atheist. I have failed to believe in so many different gods so far. The next one invented will be just as unbelievable as the previous lot. Of course, many people think that Baal is not being given a fair chance.

Perfectly OK with the term.

I love it. The religous have a problem with the word not me.

Use it only as an adjective and avoid the budding orthodoxies.

It's just a descriptor, though it does have certain negative connotations in certain circles. I just don't care; I'm very comfortable being known as an atheist. If anyone takes it the wrong way, I know it's only because they're ignorant, and it doesn't really bother me. Maybe if I had personal acquaintances who would take offense, I'd care more.

Very

Completely

Fine.

It's because we put a lot of weight, culturally, into religion. As well, most people are to some degree religious, so we're the minority.

In the same way, most people have sex, so we have a word for virgins.

Very

I like your entire premise....it is just that "they"( believers) were here first.

As far as I am concerned it does the job most people i know know what it means and I am not one for tinkering about with language - as long as I am understood to a certain level -fine! I hate reading posts about hte nitty gritty of a word Atheist is a pretty well known word it works for me. end of.

Since I live in a pretty Christian area, I'm still not comfortable actually coming out and calling myself an atheist. If religion comes up in conversation, I just say I was raised Catholic, but am now non religious. Though, since I'm on Facebook, and follow and share things from Atheist pages, those close to me have to be aware.

Unfortunately, just with the act of communicating we have to have a word or phrase when the majority would otherwise think we're with them. If it comes to the place where we're majority, then they'll start identifying as theist.

A label tells you what to expect, a way of making sure your in the right place. I don’t like that we need a label but since we do I’m glad we have it.

In a world where people do believe in gods its good for me to have a word than explains myself as not being one of their club- Atheist is a good word for me it explains myself and has the added advantage of scaring people off the subject with me - If it were a natural state for everyone fine! till then I'll use any words that work to get people out of my face with their 'god bless you's'.

An atheist is in a position of faith that there is no god. Just like a theist they have no proof that reality is not intentional