...this can be a volitial subject;
when asked by co workers
about church attendance, I replied
I outgrew it(giving examples of
others who did the same)--_--
adding how I do respect others
choices and [https:///] this seemed to bring on a
sense of civility to the conversation..

Not my job, either way

I am loving all the comments - thank you! A great reminder that life is not so black and white aka there is no yes or no answer.

When appropriate I’m happy to have the discussion, preferably over beers. Just because we don’t believe the same things doesn’t mean we can’t have a few laughs, a few drinks and discuss our beliefs...In fact that describes my very best friends that I grew up with and have known for 50 years or more.

I am not about to go door to door trying to get people to be atheists, but if the religious person approaches me and tries to proselytize, or even if a prson is just annoying by always talking about their belieffs, then it is time to pint out just how annoying they are.

I respect whatever people choose to believe and can't stand it when people pepper their conversation with "praise Jesus" or other Christian nuggets. I will indicate I am not a Christian if that comes up but usually don't preach unless someone pursues the topic. My late mother used to say she absolutely did not accept Jesus Christ as her savior but she absolutely was a Christian...? She was, of course, not a Christian but to openly say that was, to her, was an admission of being an evil person. The notion that everyone falls into only one of two categories: a Christian or an evil person is deliberately designed to attempt to force people into the Christian camp. It's stupid but it is also an effort to force people to identify as a Christian or shut up.

Depend, you can force to go into the issue, that is preaching, but if the issue comes on the conversation in a serious way (public policies, someone using emotions to incept a religion etc) I will stand up.
So depends on the situation, place, community around etc.

If I advertised my atheism people in my area would either act like I have the plague or make a project of trying to convert me, Therefore, I don't volunteer the information or wear a sandwich sign. If someone persists in trying to recruit me into their belief system, or just won't let the topic of religion die after seeing my lack of interest in it, then I will talk about being an atheist. If there was a group of atheists who did volunteer or charity work, I'd happily sign up, though. People in rural areas like mine tend to stay pretty low key about their atheism, though. It can be a matter of actual safety.

I have emailed family and posted about my being agnostic on Facebook, but otherwise I avoid white evangelicals.

I tend to put it out there just to avoid assumptions that I'm a Christian.

If the subject doesn't come up, then I don't see a need to bring up my nonbelief. However, if someone assumes that I'm a Christian by mentioning Jesus or suggesting that I "have a blessed day," I don't have a problem correcting their assumption.

If you saw someone doing something stupid and dangerous on the street would you just walk on by because it's not your problem or would you try to help them? Religion is stupid and dangerous, people need help and if they refuse that help then you leave them to their own devices but they deserve to be thrown a lifeline.

I feel that everyone gets to choose how they should live their lives. There is not just one way to live, therefore both approaches you mention are fine, depending on who you are and what you want to do.

I’ve never liked it, organized religion ..or been impressed with personal religious beliefs ..and would be fine leaving each to their own -- but when religion entered politics - and began forcing it’s beliefs on everyone, that’s where I’ve felt compelled to step up, speak out & get active. That remains the core of my political motivation.

PS, I didn’t vote … I find no ‘word’ to be spread; and leaving it up to others to fight for ‘our rights’ feels chickenshit, to me.

I voted wrong and hav n’t been able to figure out how to undo it.