Don't like saying "I'm an atheist"? Try this instead.

[CapnAwesome]

Freethinker is stupid. It could literally mean anything. I think its funny that the "freethinker" reddit page, basically everyone has the same set of ideas. Atheist is accurate, number one, and it's a good word that riles up the religious. A freethinker isn't necessarily an Atheist by definition.  I am an Atheist and I want to let people  know that.

If Mormons show up to your door and you tell them you are a freethinker, they aren't going to know what you mean at all. If you say you are an Atheist, they get the idea right away.

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That is what I say. That or I'm an Atheist. I think there is something about left wing people that makes them want to relabel themselves in unclear ways all the time. Same way liberal, which is a fine word with good connotations got relabeled progressive,  which is a stupid meaningless word. Something about the left likes to change labels all the time.

Atheist is fine. There is nothing wrong with the word.

Sorry to say this but labels are important.

People have gone for 'progressive' because 'liberal' (in the classical, John Stuart Mill sense) has been tainted by what is often now called Neo-Liberal (which is neither Liberal nor Neo and is akin to Reaganism/Thatcherism).

But more seriously, regarding 'freethinker'... this is a term that won't get you killed. It hardly raises an eyebrow in Muslim countries and even commands a modicum of respect (quite possibly because, as you inferred, one could still be delusional on the god question but in an unaffiliated kinda way).

Do you think I would have been allowed into Pakistan had I put Atheist or Jew on my visa application?

I live in a country where a Minister in the Prime Minister's office has official declared that atheists should be hunted down.

I'll still happily identify as an atheist if/when asked but trust me, it's nice to have the option.

In the case I end up in Pakistan, I won't say I'm an Atheist. Probably would avoid the topic or lie. Definitely wouldn't go with freethinker either.

Freethinker is also extremely insulting to the religious. It implies that they don't think freely. Might be true but some will not react well to that.

[emjay]

Well, if you like Latin prefixes, why not...

Above ... Supra-religious
Without ... Sine-religious
Beyond ... Ultra...

"Are you religious?"

"No, I'm beyond all that nonsense, I'm Ultra-religious."

What about "meta-religious" as another example of beyond? I quite like that because meta means to look at the thing itself, from the outside as it were, rather than from within.

[Joods]

People know I'm an atheist. I realize not everyone has the luxury of being able to declare their atheism but for me, personally, it's such a non-issue. I don't hide it and never will.

[Catholic_Lady]

Why not just say "I don't believe in God" if and when someone asks?

Why not just say what we prefer to say?

You can say whatever the hell you wanna say, buddy, but I was under the impression that this thread was about avoiding the word atheist? You suggested hyporeligious and people didn't like it. Don't know why everyone can offer their own suggestion but when I do it you give me shit. Oh wait, yes I do.

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Why not just say what we prefer to say?

Damned catholic agenda rears its ugly head again.

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Lol yeah basically.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Why not just say what we prefer to say?

You can say whatever the hell you wanna say, buddy, but I was under the impression that this thread was about avoiding the word atheist? You suggested hyporeligious and people didn't like it. Don't know why everyone can offer their own suggestion but when I do it you give me shit. Oh wait, yes I do.

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I'm sorry you're offended by every fucking thing.

[Catholic_Lady]

You can say whatever the hell you wanna say, buddy, but I was under the impression that this thread was about avoiding the word atheist? You suggested hyporeligious and people didn't like it. Don't know why everyone can offer their own suggestion but when I do it you give me shit. Oh wait, yes I do.

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I'm sorry you're offended by every fucking thing.

Aww don't worry, I'm not offended.

[LadyForCamus]

Why not just say what we prefer to say?

You can say whatever the hell you wanna say, buddy, but I was under the impression that this thread was about avoiding the word atheist? You suggested hyporeligious and people didn't like it. Don't know why everyone can offer their own suggestion but when I do it you give me shit. Oh wait, yes I do.

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Damned catholic agenda rears its ugly head again.

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Lol yeah basically.

Imagine...you’re an actual person with legitimate thoughts and ideas!  Crazy, right?!  😛

[KevinM1]

I'm a Goditarian.

EDIT: Yeah, that doesn't make any sense now that I actually think about it....

[Cinjin]

One can always respond with:
"I think religion and spirituality is personal and I just don't discuss it."

...of course that leads to really boring conversations.

One can quickly admit it:
"I'm an atheist."

...and a lot of people will automatically dislike you.

One can call themselves something less negative like:
"I'm more of an Agnostic."

...But being less than truthful sometimes feels wrong and often weighs on the heart over time.

Or One could try this:
"I don't believe in the existence of god."
 {  "You're an atheist?"  }
"I don't believe in labels either."

[Catholic_Lady]

Honestly if someone is going to "not like you" just because of your views regarding religion, they're not the type of person you should wanna be friends with anyway. It says much more about them than you. I know this is all super cliche advice, but seems like it still needed to be said in this thread.