I live in the RDU area of NC. My doctors office ( run by Duke) said that they have new software installed and wanted to update my profile. The first question they asked was my religous preferences. I asked what options there were. She said christian, catholic, Muslim, Jewish Hindu. Are there any more choices I inquired. No she said. So I said perhaps you can put a note in the file that says godless heathen. You should have seen the blank expression.

Glad I grew up in "Darkest Africa" and now live in Europe. Both lands are far more accepting.

You’ve one to your north ..in SW VA, amid the same thing. It’d be all downhill to NC, though

These people are very pushy. One needs to be aggressive to stop them.

What works well is to say, "Why do you ask?" then immediately change the subject.

If they persist, nod patronizingly and murmur, "Um, hum..that's nice," then act like you remembered something and walk away.

If someone corners you and starts demanding you attend some religious event, get "born again, or obey some church rule, just nod, and remark, "That's you, not me, " and change the subject.

Refuse to give them any attention unless they are speaking on neutral subjects..this quickly trains even the most religious relatives to avoid the subject.

Saved from what you have to ask them, and then ask if they every have red the bible and do they know what an angry creature God is. Much in need of anger management course.

For some reason, people no longer ask me that. If I am, I answer honestly: agnostic. I sometimes get "Ah... so you don't believe in anything" in response. You'd think they'd take that as an opportunity to convert me, but oddly it seems to shut them down.

I’m in the Charlotte area, more south/central.
I know what you deal with. I’m very comfortable saying I’m agnostic and that if they mind THEIR business, I’ll mind mine. That’s not usually my first response, but it’s happened.
Also don’t mind leaving an office that won’t switch the tv from Fox etc. I’ve made reviews on Google saying just WHY I left, too, plus reporting to the office manager.

You can always just say ‘I’m not religious’...but that often just leads them on further.

I’m thinking rudeness/bluntness might be the best bet. Say nothing, just stare them down til they look away. Or: ‘That question affects my care HOW?’ at the doctors office. I’d find another doctor, and report to their office manager about the nurse. That’s WAY inappropriate professional behavior. I’m an RN and maybe I’m just too blunt, but sometimes, you got to shut their shit down, and instruct! IMHO.