I wish it were illegal to teach religion until after a person receives a good education in the fundamentals of science and philosophy, and has sufficiently studied the history of his or her civilization and society. Of course, such a mandate would render the idea of deities, and therefore religions, utterly ridiculous, relegating them to the realm of pure fantasy.

Not entirely sure

You're right, should just be a normal thing.

I do not call myself Atheist, I do not call myself believer, it is hard to believe what I cannot see, yet I HOPE some day to see people that have gone before me

A friend and I were just talking about this. A new neighbor mentioned she was Episcopalian. I did not respond with "I am Agnostic" why the fear of admitting that was something I thought about. I guess I feel judged, like "oh she must be a BAD person" Or even being shunned by my neighbors. It should not be this way, they are not ashamed to tell me they believe in a fairy tale.

I like it. It’s clear and concise. Used correctly, it can save a lot of time having useless conversations, or open the door to some really interesting ones.

I agree for the reasons you stated. Stating what you believe is enough without having to state what you don't believe in.

I have no problem being called an atheist but I don’t talk about my lack of religous beliefs around my religous friends.

Extremely, I have no qualms with what I am.

I am very proud Atheist and have no problem rubbing it on religious nuts faces

Mostly apathetic.

I don't consider myself an 'atheist' but if there were no theists, there would be no atheists.

Remember that the term "atheist" was coined by believers to label those who did not believe in their god(s).

It’s not a club; it’s just a descriptive label.

Yes I get where you are coming from - atheist is the Not-A part of the dichotomy in the same way as all other Not-As are subordinate to the A. Plenty of good academic articles on this one e.g. Nancy Jay etc..

Most non-belief in God terms are constructed by the same dominant cultural as has existed for several 1000s of years . Up to us to change it . I sometimes go for anti-theist as I believe religion and more specifically it's institutional, political and cultural powerbase - the church - is damaging to society as a whole. Have to be careful who you say this to of course - i.e.not your very religious boss

An agnostic is not an athiest. Two different animals. Called myself agnostic till I looked it up . Turns out I'm a misotheist. (look that up). I dont' even attempt to explain it to my deeply religious relatives. I love them, but not "the great I am".

I dislike the term "atheist" because it is not coupled with the term "theist" Non-atheists usually get to go around being termed "normal" At least that is how I see it. Most of the time it does not come up in my conversations.

Is there a better word on offer?

As much as I like and respect Richard Dawkins' works, I don't like the term "Brights". It's just too damn smug and self-congratulatory. I've known bright Christians and Muslims and idiotic Atheists.

Let's just stick with "atheist" for now.

I prefer describing myself in terms of what I am, rather than something I’m not. Humanist is preferred, secularist is fine. An ideal I’m moving towards not away from. I just don’t like anchoring my identity on a negation, relative to something I don’t think is real.

Are you an atheist?

I'm fine with it as a word. Defined in Webster's.
Words cannot hurt you.

I'm comfortable. Just like the word "Christian" or "Buddhist" or "Musliam"

That is an excellent point; certain 2 b totally lost on dupes of the ancient mythology. But. I dunno. The people who imagineered all of the great religions engineered coercive memes like hell and eternal damnation, n2 them. To go against them is blasphemy, an unforgivable sin. They fear you / us. Thinking is verboten.

And the world goes around and around, and the doomsday clock ticks ever closer 2 midnight.

I’m comfortable with the word “atheist” but in my bible thumping part of the country it often equates to lacking morality or even devil worship. Henceforth the softer form of atheism, agnosticism seems to go over much better. The big drawback here is it keeps the religious thinking there is hope for you yet! Choose your path wisely padawan.

Instead of just using the word you can use the definition.

Not happy with the term atheist as it is too reactive, hard and dogmatic. I think God is at the root of everyone and is the principle of their purpose and true fulfilment. But i don't pretend to know God as some exhaustive all encompassing formula. God is the great Mystery and so the term agnostic--i don't know--fits with my sense of God's presence.

I also don't like the word atheist.
I prefer non-believer or unbeliever.