I get that with New Age people all the time as well. But I respond, "Children's Hospitals!" That's why I don't believe in God.

It usually convinces them that I'm not going to buy into their silliness.

I only work with one coworker at night; he is christian and goes to church every Sunday. He knows I am an atheist but we don't treat each other any different. We just don't really talk about religion too much other than some light jokes that skim the surface of the topic. That's how look at it though, as long as they don't try to push their religion on them I won't point out the fallacies of their religion.

My standard answer is "I am glad you have something to give you peace." What I really mean is something to feed your delusion, but hey, it gives them peace then that's good.

Well, as long as it stays light-hearted, it's all good. When someone discovers your position, there's no need to explain. Just agree.

If you aren't upset by it then keep getting in on the joke. If you are upset by it ask them to exercise their Christianity and show you some compassion.

Direct quote from [humanreligions.info]
"The rhetoric that Christians have used against the celebration of Christmas pre-dates Christianity and originated with Jewish mores against the celebration of birthdays plus their wish to avoid pagan practices. In the book of Jeremiah, 7th century BCE14, it warns Jews and Christians not to "learn the ways" of pagans who bring trees into their homes and decorate them with silver and gold:"
Seriously celebrating birthdays at all isn't pro Christian in the biblical sense. Or historically either Christmas has been touted as antichristian. Ironic now with happy holidays right?
Thing is religious belief never had much to do with the celebration.

@damonca -- I reserved my ticket on that bus over 60 years ago and am now sitting at the bus stop, ticket in hand.

As for how to handle it, just go about your business because those jabs and pokes whether in fun or hostile are merely them reacting to the fact that you may know something they don't and they're afraid to find out.

Also, truth brought to the fore, they really aren't worth your time nor the energy required to respond -- well, unless it gets nasty, then all bets are off and you may feel free to figuratively rip their faces off.

Lolz! I don't hide the fact that I'm an atheist and most of my co-workers know better than to challenge that in any hostile way, lest their willing to have an actual debate about them in which I gladly thoroughly debunk their claims.

In fact the past co-worker who made a habit of challenging my position on god(im not sure I'd say with hostility so much as being open to debate and discuss the issue) has told me that she has left her church and now considers herself an agnostic. I'd further describe her as an agnostic deist as she still believes that there's some sort of God that exists, she has simply lost faith in the Christian God to which she previously subscribed. Baby steps.

Of course this is by no means a common occurance and required considerable knowledge of Christianity and the particular claims made by it as well as the reasoning behind those claims. All of which I only know because of my time as a Christian minister and the years of study I did to become one, as well as all the research and study I've done since then that debunks those claims. It also requires a lot of patience and willingness to have those discussions with people which I have, though I understand not everyone does.

However having all that doesn't garuntee you'll convince anyone that their beliefs are wrong. Ultimately my willingness to speak to her only provided her with information on why I personally am an atheist. It was her who was willing to actually listen and use her own critical thinking skills and do her own research to decide if the information I presented her with was valid.

I will repeat that this is not a common occurance. In fact it's the only time that it's happened to me with someone I know personally. I've had similar reactions from people I've frequently debated with online, but that too is rare and I have no way of varifing if it's legitimate.

The most common reaction I get is once co-workers and social peers for that matter realize that I'm more than willing to talk about my atheism and completely able to defend my position they tend to not bring it up with me. Which is fine with me too. If they aren't willing to have the discussion then I don't feel like wasting my breath.

This is also how I personally handle the situation and in no way is what anyone should feel they have to do. I love to study history, religion and politics as well as discuss them with others. I am however fully aware of the fact that not everyone feels that way so you should do what you are most comfortable with doing.

Since Trump was elected, I've gone back into the atheist closet. I work with blue-collar types, not college-educated, Bible Belt Christian types. If they ask me my religion (which they shouldn't), I tell them I'm Jewish. These people love Jews because they feel sorry for us. Same with atheists, but atheism frightens them. Besides, xmas ceased being a religious holiday many years ago.

Don’t know that I’ve ever been ‘labeled,’ but the guys would always send the untouched weekly science section my way … as they fought over the sports section..

I wouldn't say it, but I'd be thinking, "Wonderful! The prayers of starving children in Ethiopia were answered when you found another chocolate in your drawer. All praise be unto God, through whom all things are possible!"

That's one of the reason why it is so hard to freely say that i'm a non believer (in Philippine settings) most of the people I encounter (almost everywhere and everyone) are deist and they are not open-minded as I am to them.

I feel you. Been there. I think the best way to handle it is with humor, which you appear to be doing. Anything else is pretty much a waste of your time and guaranteed to create hard feelings. No one needs that much extra aggravation at work. It's not right, not by any stretch, but complaining, or losing your temper, won't change anything. You'll be seen as the one in the wrong.

I'm glad I don't work in an office anymore. With religitards. The only place I have to deal with them is on Facebook. There, I can construct well crafted arguments that give them just enough rope to hang themselves. It's quite entertaining.

At least your not a robot.