Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Brett Arthur on March 8, 2012 at 10:50am

I usually tell people with words, for the most part...

But really, there's no context where stating your atheism is wrong. If people are so ignorant as such they choose not to accept you as a person for the sole purpose of your atheism, they aren't worth it.

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Permalink Reply by Arcus on March 8, 2012 at 12:35pm

"I'm atheist" generally does it for me.

It helps living in mostly atheist countries and not really giving a damn if people like me or not.

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Permalink Reply by Chris M on March 8, 2012 at 2:02pm

If asked, I tell them straight. No matter who it is.

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Permalink Reply by Dylan Martin on March 8, 2012 at 3:33pm

I haven't hidden my atheism from anyone.

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Permalink Reply by Scott Howard on March 8, 2012 at 3:52pm

If asked, which isn't often since I live in the middle of the bible belt where everyone just assumes that everyone else is a baptist, uh, I mean Christian, I answer truthfully. When I first left Christianity a few years ago, I told some close Christian friends who I thought would at least try to understand my reasons. I was wrong. 

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Permalink Reply by Philip Jackson Armstrong on March 8, 2012 at 4:19pm

I say "I'm atheist... not AN atheist".  Seems to disarm their knee-jerk reaction so you actually get their attention momentarily and sometimes longer.

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Permalink Reply by Tom Sarbeck on March 10, 2012 at 1:03am

Yeah, Philip, saying what people don't expect gets their attention.

Being 81, I reply to a "How are you doing?" with "Slowly" or "I'm still vertical." Chuckles usually follow.

When the occasion arises, I reply in context.

To non-aggressive xians I reply "If I hadn't gone to Catholic schools, I might still believe there's a god."

To aggressive xians I say I'm an atheist, or maybe "Religion is the biggest fraud that's ever been perpetrated on humankind."

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Permalink Reply by Doug Reardon on March 8, 2012 at 5:11pm

In English, it's the only language I'm fluent in.

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Permalink Reply by matt.clerke on March 8, 2012 at 5:19pm

Living in Australia, I just assume everyone I meet is educated (and therefore, probably an Atheist). This extends as far as cracking jokes about religious extremists, the majority of religious people in Australia are moderates, so they generally joke along with me.

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Permalink Reply by james d on March 8, 2012 at 6:59pm

i am usually asked "what do you believe about the bible" or some other question like that or whether i think jesus is cool or something like that, and i respond, "i am an atheist, i don't believe that any god that any religion puts forth as true actually exists"

most people say " i will pray for you " and walk away as they have no idea how to respond... it is pretty simpe as i see it.. be honest! lying serves no purpose on this point

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Permalink Reply by Mike Williams on March 8, 2012 at 7:00pm

If they ask I just spill it. What bugs me is when they don't believe me!

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Permalink Reply by Citizen Atheist on March 8, 2012 at 9:57pm

I wish I had your problem.  Everyone else knows except most of my immediate family.  I get nods and grim looks, but from the public - no problem.

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