Whatever you do, don't tell them "I'm an atheist". Religious people often give significant importance to labels. They probably don't care as much about your beliefs as they care about what you "are".
If you tell them "I'm a rationalist, which means I have decided to only believe in things I can understand, for which I see evidence and which I can explain rationally" they will probably be a bit confused and concerned, but they won't think you are evil because, in their minds, religion fits all that criteria. But from then on whenever you say something that contradicts religious beliefs, they'll know where you are coming from.
After a while, they will one day say "hey, you are an atheist then!". You can then either say Yes, or just keep the "Rationalist" label. But whatever you do, it will not be a shock for them and they will most likely accept you as you are.
If you go the "I'm an atheist" road, you'll create a shock and a barrier to communication which will be very difficult to break.
If you tell them "I'm a rationalist, which means I have decided to only believe in things I can understand, for which I see evidence and which I can explain rationally" they will probably be a bit confused and concerned, but they won't think you are evil because, in their minds, religion fits all that criteria. But from then on whenever you say something that contradicts religious beliefs, they'll know where you are coming from.
After a while, they will one day say "hey, you are an atheist then!". You can then either say Yes, or just keep the "Rationalist" label. But whatever you do, it will not be a shock for them and they will most likely accept you as you are.
If you go the "I'm an atheist" road, you'll create a shock and a barrier to communication which will be very difficult to break.
