"I have been an atheist since age 13," I reply firmly.

It is important to normalize the word "atheist" with Christians. I call myself an atheist with strength and pride.

I just say “ I don’t” or “ I’m not religious”. I’m growing in my confidence as an atheist though and that probably needs to reflect with how I address that question.

That's a common question to get in my part of the Bible Belt, too. People here just automatically assume that everyone is a Christian of some flavor. I answer depending on my mood:

1. The one in my basement.
2. The one across the street from yours. (You can't swing a dead cat in this town without hitting a church, so that response is always plausible.)
3. What's a church?
4. Why do you ask?
5. Every time I enter a church lightning strikes the steeple and I always get asked to leave.

I just say, "I don't believe in that stuff," and change the subject. If they try to argue I look bored and leave the room.

I tell them I go everyday....Agnostic. com

"I don't go to church."

Depending on whether I'm in the mood for a discussion, it could be, "I don't go to church - I'm atheist."

I say "I don't believe in organized religion" and people generally say "oh' and go away.

Put this in any order:
St. Francis – well he appeals to everyone, but especially to Catholics
National – that appeals to established Church types
Evangelical – obviously appeals to…
Spiritual – maybe the charismatics?
Baptist – of course…
Tabernacle - why not?

“I go to the National, Spiritual, Evangelical, Baptist Church of St. Francis Tabenacle”

That’ll shut their pie holes up!

I tell them I'm not a churchgoer.

Haven't gotten the question in decades, an then only once or twice, from a fellow believer (back when I was one). This must be a Southern cultural thing. It's considered nosy everywhere else, as far as I can tell, except maybe within the Christian subculture. And in most places it's also considered irrelevant, just like it would be if I asked you what laxative you use or whether you're an innie or an outie.

But if I were asked the question I would generally reply with a minimally revealing statement such as "I'm not religious".

I typically say "I don't". If I was in a bad mood I might take mock offense at them believing that I'd be stupid enough to believe in god.

I just say that I don't attend, but I know what you mean about people in the South asking that. If they persist I tell them that I follow my Granny's rule of never discussing religion in public.

None.... Next question?

I just tell them that church and religion are not my thing. My experience has been that most people accept that, while others proceed to try and convert me.

I might say something like this: I'm a happy atheist. I spend my Sunday mornings pondering philosophical questions in quiet peace and natural beauty, all by myself or with like-minded others. (In other words, I go to the beach!) My learning about how best to serve humanity isn't limited to Sunday mornings, but is a daily effort toward inspiring faith in humanity to solve the world's problems with knowledge, wisdom, love, respect and compassion. I have more faith in humanity, than a deity in the sky to deliver us out of the troubles we find oursleves in.

It's not a question I've ever been asked. I don't think it's as important in the North as in the South. Plenty of people assume you go to church, but don't really worry about which one.

Do they have a ranking system of different denominations?

No one has ever ask me that.

I usually just say I don't...if anyone asks further questions, I simply tell them that I am on my own path and will get there eventually on my own, so thank you very much, but no thanks....

i've never been asked! maybe it's my jewish surname. i suppose i should think of an answer in case i ever AM asked. "i am an atheist" would be the most convenient answer, i suppose. it would depend on who was asking. i might instead ask "why?" (it depends on whether the person was being friendly or snoopy!) the assumption that i went to any place of worship would be competing for my attention with the assumption that if i went to one it would be a church. i probably wouldn't feel that i owed a long explanation to someone who knew me little enough to ask the question to begin with and yet felt it was okay to ask it. i guess i would stick with "i am an atheist."

g

None.