I'll be honest I tell people god bless you when they help me out.

Just because this is a highly Christian state, and I learned the people here are more likely to keep helping or encourage others to if you use their religion to kinda puff them up a little. It's manipulation but when you're desperate you do what you have to

When ever I make a charitable contribution or do something for a stranger and they bring up god/religion I just quietly demur, "I'm an Atheist." No argument, no criticism, just letting them know that some people don't need a god to do good things.

I think they are panhandling to the belief that religious people are going to be more kind and generous in their assistance. They would be wrong. We have all seen the behaviour in our current political situation of the religious doing exactly the opposite. I try to turn it around, but I still don't know what to say except "hope it helps you a little".

"god bless you" never been annoying to me.

Agreed. A once-homeless friend over 20 years ago passed on this suggestion: When you come upon a homeless person, look them in the eye and say hello. The worst part of the experience of homelessness is the denial of your humanity by others.

I've done so ever since.

For me, people can say what they want as long as they don't mean any harm by it.

I was also homeless for a few months as a teenager. You've gotta do what you've gotta do.

They're just playing tbe odds. Most people believe in god and may be more inclined to help if they believe the person they're helping shares tbeir delusion.

No reason to criticize. They're just thanking you. Peace.

When they tell me "god bless", I tell them I don't believe in a god or gods. They need to know that we are here, part of society and that we are decent people...

I like to allow them the honor of honoring me in the manner that is appropriate for them. I say, Thank You" as way of permitting them to help me with the only thing they may have to offer as their "Thank You" for helping them.

I believe they would be better off as atheists in the long run, but you don't want to be like, "here's a dollar, by the way, God's dead". Leaving it alone is probably the right call...