I'm a big old 3.
I have to live and interact with the believers every day. If they don't bring it up neither will I. IRL I can go days without belief becoming a topic of discussion. Quite frankly we have better things to discuss. If they do bring it up I usually tell them that I'm an atheist and that is enough to change the subject. If they continue then it's game on, but done so with respect. I typically take the "man made fantasy" angle. It's seems to cause them less mental trauma.
Where I live the xtians think everyone is an xtian and don't understand that they may be offensive without even knowing it. If I don't say something they will continue the behavior. It happens at least once a week. Happened while pumping gas two days ago. Some woman pushing credit card applications. When I told her no she told me "Thanks and have a blessed day". I just responded "can't, atheist". I don't think she understood. We have some xtians here that just go blank. They can't fathom a life without belief. I might as well be speaking an unknown language.
I do have open discussions with the xtians that know I'm an atheist. Maybe "discussions" is to formal. It's more like verbal jabs and teasing. We know we'll never change each other and are fine with that.
I have to live and interact with the believers every day. If they don't bring it up neither will I. IRL I can go days without belief becoming a topic of discussion. Quite frankly we have better things to discuss. If they do bring it up I usually tell them that I'm an atheist and that is enough to change the subject. If they continue then it's game on, but done so with respect. I typically take the "man made fantasy" angle. It's seems to cause them less mental trauma.
Where I live the xtians think everyone is an xtian and don't understand that they may be offensive without even knowing it. If I don't say something they will continue the behavior. It happens at least once a week. Happened while pumping gas two days ago. Some woman pushing credit card applications. When I told her no she told me "Thanks and have a blessed day". I just responded "can't, atheist". I don't think she understood. We have some xtians here that just go blank. They can't fathom a life without belief. I might as well be speaking an unknown language.
I do have open discussions with the xtians that know I'm an atheist. Maybe "discussions" is to formal. It's more like verbal jabs and teasing. We know we'll never change each other and are fine with that.
Being told you're delusional does not necessarily mean you're mental.
