Especially when I'm in the US I do feel like I'm being provocative when I describe myself as atheist. Its really too bad because in France, where I'm from, it's really not a big deal, as it shouldn't be. Still, despite the fact that the word here may have a negative connotation to a lot of people, I still use that one because other designations appear to me as sugar coating.

If there is no scientific proof............. it doesn't exist. Period.

Perfectly. When people hate me for it, I wear their hate as a badge I mean what could be better than getting thrown out of a club fulla nuts worshiping nonsense?

I don't mind the term at all, it gives people an idea of where you're at even if it lacks specifics about you. But as a term it seems consistent with, for example, typical versus atypical

When I was younger I liked the tag #atheist. It worked for me. As I've grown older it feels like it carries a lot of weight with it that I just don't want to carry around. Do I believe in any gods? No. I don't. But I'm not as dogmatic in my unbelief as I used to be. I leave the door open, a la possibilianism for whatever else might be out there. That works for me, anyway.

I don't mind it. But I see it as a statement of absolute knowlede there is no God of any sort. I don't think we know enough to say 100% we know that. We may believe that but no one knows that 100%.
So I use agnostic. But I would not say anything about it if someone uses it. I might use it myself in some situations where it seems aporopriate to make a stronger statement to avoid any confusion.

Atheist is my second name. Totally cool and PROUD of it

More comfortable than the Christian Bigots who so piously refer to themselves as Christians.

I am totally comfortable with it. I also am fine with making sure people understand that belief in or the indoctrination of children with Santa or the tooth fairy is just as absurd as indoctrination of belief in God before they can even reason on their own.

I used to be atheist but now or "graduated" to agnostic because the more i live the more i learn and my views have changed slightly. I feel we are all animals with large problem solving brains and imposable thumbs!

I don't have a problem with being called an atheist or describing myself as such but I'm much more of a humanist.

You did not learn classical Greek , right? I recommend Wikipedia.

As an agnostic, I’m not willing to wear the label “atheist,” though I have no problem with those who do.

Personally I prefer Humanist or Secular Humanist. Sam Harris often speaks about Atheism/Atheist as being a word we do not need, just as you have mentioned. His words: we don't need to be identified as Anti-Astrologers if we don't believe in astrology or labeled Non-Racist if we do not believe in slavery. look for some of his videos on Youtube.

I like the word, and I'd say it describes my (lack of) belief well, however, I don't always use it. I'm a professor, and one of my classes specifically covers arguments for/against gods' existence. Since (as mentioned by others in above posts) I'm not 100% certain of gods' (grammar nerds: I'm intentionally referring to plural "gods" so please lay off the apostrophe comments!) non-existence, so I call myself an agnostic. I've been teaching this class for over 25 yrs, and I've found that a large portion of my students will close themselve off to anything I say if I label myself as atheist, but very few will if I label myself agnostic. As a good case can be made that either term could apply to me, I go with what will allow me to reach and teach the greater number.

I am Ok with the A- word because those other-s you mentioned santa and tooth fairy arent quite so all powerful and all consuming as god and angels which appear in conversations very often - A child losing a tooth is a pretty family sort of affair not involving a god and santa is usually seen off by the age of seven or eight with no hard feelings because most kids actually know it is mum and dad- But god is actually very present for many many people we are exposed to and so while I agree with you about that state being the norm it is constantly under pressure no one really proseletyses about santa or tooth fairies its in the hands of the parent s but people go on and on and on about god its on the radio every day etc. I like 'atheist' as it shuts people up and you only need to use it once (where I come from). My friend always says - 'Dont let them start!'

Not concerned with labels

I have identified publicly as an athiest for years. (I'm 78.) I'd be more embarrassed to say I believe in fairies or imaginary (white) men in robes controlling us! Is a god possible? Perhaps. But every mainstrean religion is based on a pagan religion from centuries ago - long before there was any scientific study. So, not probable.

I have no problem with using athiest. Being an atheist is quite liberating. I'm no longer tied to bs religion views on the world, sexulity,etc.

It's just a label.

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'.

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.

Amazingly comfortable....

Very.

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.