I usually tell them I am a Unitarian, and they don't know what it is . If they ask I say Unitarians believe in seeking truth, wherever they might find it.

I am retired but have a low-paying hourly job. If it comes up, I tell them I'm Jewish. I know enough to get away with it. I live in the Bible Belt; fundamentalists like Jews because they think they are superior to Jews (haha - we have jesus and you don't. We're gonna go to Heaven). but they respect me; if I told them I'm an atheist, I believe it would be a different story. But not openly - there is the ADA.

The funniest comment I ever got was" then you are going to hell". I actually laughed. While I don't boast about my atheism, I don't shy away from the subject either. Only you can make the decision to be made uncomfortable or not.

I would urge you not to limit yourself to what others find pleasing. You shouldn't have to censor yourself because of them. If they don't like it, they can get over it.

For some people, yes they have very ugly reactions.

For me, my intention is to live out loud. To be myself, no matter what. That doesn't mean I scream it from the rooftops, but I will never ever ever deny WHO I AM for anybody -- even those who are delusional. I'm okay with people choosing to not be in my life because of it. So far, it has never happened -- that I am aware of. Which is NOT at all to say that it doesn't happen to many people. I know it does.

a common problem it seems