Just tell them that you've evolved. You are now fact-based rather than faith-based.

I would have to come up with a real smart ass answer to that one . . . . like "Which god? There are thousands! How can you be so arrogant as to choose one out of thousands, then think you are right about it, and that everyone else is wrong!".

Why not just answer the question by saying "we were developing completely different world views and thought it best to separate so that we could still remain friends"?

"Why do I need a reason?"

You don't need to justify your position to anyone else, but if the reason you don't like that question is that you aren't sure of the answer, then it might be good for you to answer that question in the privacy of your own mind, or try writing it in a diary. I've found I sometimes don't know exactly what 
I think until I try writing it down.
FWIW My answer is that I've seen no evidence to support the existence of a literal god, and I've seen lots of evidence to explain why people believe anyway, even in the absence of evidence.

People are inquisitive by nature. Perhaps your logical explanation will be more of a conformation for the doubts that they possess. Be honest without proselytizing.

You are quite correct.
The world would be a better place if the default position was critical skepticism rather than having the licence to believe in whatever shit takes your fancy.

I think it’s a sad yet thorough way of sifting your friends… To me, criteria for the deepest friendship remains that person’s lack of religious beliefs. At least those are the friends I share my deepest feelings and experiences.

Those who’d as quickly betray me due to their god beliefs, contrary to what they’d like to think, are not trusted as far..

Weed em out

Interesting. I might say I had my doubts as I read the bible in second grade . I just went along for awhile and at the age of reason I spoke up.

Absolutely! And why this particular god when they have so many to choose from?

People that can’t deal with your lack of faith have the problem, you don’t...

@LisaL81 You just provided the right answer !!... "Why do I need a reason?". ....... Just tell them that and let them spin their wheels.

I'm sorry that happened to you. I've questioned the existence of the supernatural for a long time but it's only recently that I admitted to myself that I'm an atheist. Most of my friends are open minded but I have two dear friends that I've known a long time who feel it's their duty to "save" me. I'm getting ready to come clean about my lack of faith and I'm worried that it's going to damage if not end these two friendships. It's sad to me that religious indoctrination brain washes people to the point that they become willing to end friendships, relationships, or even disown family members. I hope I don't lose my friends but like you I can't go around faking it anymore, I've gotten honest with myself and now I feel it's time to be honest with everyone else.

Just say god doesnt exist--they will leave you alone

i tell people that once upon a time everyone wanted to go to valhalla. now no one even talks about it. its like that. no thor, loki etc.

He was thinking in a stereotype way.

I don't mind that question at all. It's a simple answer... zero evidence for, and mountains of evidence against.
Then how'd we get here? We evolved like the rest of the universe, galaxy, solar system, and life on this planet. All verified with evidence.
Then how'd the universe get here? I don't know yet. We're still looking. But there is zero evidence for a god. And previous unknowns which claimed gods were debunked. Let's seek this answer together.

I ask the question when was the last time you saw a burning bush? Or the last time the sky opened and a loud voice said anything to the people huddled on the banks of the Jordan? If there was a God, he or she or it has blown us off a long time ago? There are a ton of God characters. I think I like Loki and Thor the best.

Why you and your ex split is really none of their business. If you need to engage and offer an answer you can sum it simply as a "profound differences", and call it good. You do not owe anyone an answer!

You could say because their is no evidence that god exists, perhaps even say that I believe god is man made. Maybe they could watch some David Attenborough shows, a basic introduction to basic religious minds that might trigger some kind of curiosity about our world and the fact that is is 4.5 billion years old not 10,000. It astounds me that people dedicate their whole lives to one book! one made up story when their is so much more to learn!

Its a persons actions that defines them.

That's what I was thinking. My answer would ve: "The question isn't why I don't believe, but why you continue to believe in something that has no proof it is anything more than a compilation of fantasies and lies?"

Say, "I got hungry."

More so, say, "I never believed. I got over fairy tales when i was 10. I'm hungry?"

I simply say that I finally read the book skeptically and feel that their God is not nice. If he exists I would rather go to hell than spend eternity with that sociopath.

Tell them it doesn’t need to be their concern. They’re probably just looking for something to talk about. You could tell them something genuine just so they end up making whatever they like out of thin air anyway.

That is precisely what happened/is happening to me. I place the reason (see what I did there?) on the adverse affects of religion and the inability of its fundamental adherents to think outside of the box or simply question anything.

It's maddening.

I'm in the grueling process of pruning frienships and making new ones. Famiily I'll keep, it's just going to be a different dynamic. I'm goning to have to learn to curb my sarcasm.