I don't understand it: Why am I not confietable with the label "Atheist"

[downbeatplumb]

Background: I've mentioned where it is I work before. We get a lot of applications in the post. And one day there was one sent it from a man called Noah. A colleague mentioned Noah's Ark and I said the story is silly like how could fit all of the billions of types of animal (the story makes no reference to plants, viruses, fungi, bacteria etc and only mentions animals.) into a single boat and the person says something to the effect of "I'll just believe what the Bible says."

It's hard for me to understand how anybody can be in the same office as me and be religious given that we grapple with the problem of evil every single day. So they said they go to Church and they asked me what my religion was and I said I'm nothing. I didn't want to get into a discussion about this with somebody whom I think is a nice person that I want to get along with  and I honestly didn't feel comfortable telling them what I sincerely am. Should I be more open with people? I know I probably won't offend anyone by doing so but it's hard and I'm not sure that I like labels because these days everyone wants a label it seems.

Atheist is a fancy way of saying no religion, it is good enough for rock and roll. Its how I am registered at work, (atheist wasn't an option on the drop down box, unless I chose "other")

[Whateverist]

We probably shouldn't give it a name. Leads to the idea it is an alternative within the religious genre. Lets face it isn't that hard to confuse these people.

[Simon Moon]

There is no reason that you have to label yourself. If you don't like the word, don't use it.


But just be clear, if you answer anything except "yes" to the question, "do you currently accept the premise, that at least one god exists, to be true?", by definition, you are an atheist.

The position of disbelief exists, no matter if the label does, or does not.

[maestroanth]

"I'll just believe what the Bible says."

Some people would rather not think at all.  They should be pitied.

I agree may the Lord have pity on them.

[Time Traveler]

"I'm not religious," works for me, too. If someone wants to pursue the topic further, depending upon the person and setting, I'm usually more than happy to engage. But I think many Christians don't necessarily equate "not religious" with "atheism," judging the former to be somehow naïve or on-the-fence, whereas the latter seems to connote more of a firm anti-theistic conviction. But pick your battles wisely!

[Athene]

When the matter's brought up at work, I simply say "I have no religious beliefs".  
Most people understand that this typically means that you're an atheist. Refraining from using a weighty word like atheist, simply conveys the message that you wish to be left alone and aren't interested in starting shit at work, is all. 

If directly asked if I'm an atheist, which I have been, I will respond yes, however. I'm willing to ignore religious gobbledygook at work, but I refuse to pretend to believe any of it.
It would take much more of a financial incentive for me to even begin to consider doing such a thing.

There have been a few a of outspoken atheists  at my job, two of whom were very confrontational; They had no problem ranting about the absurdity of religion and telling co-workers that their beliefs were stupid. I personally found them as rude and unpleasant as the Bible-thumpers, but they did provide balance. Nothing like a bit of a taste of their own medicine, to get the fundies to tone it down a bit.

BTW, they didn't get fired in case anyone's wondering; One was a military spouse, and her husband got transfer orders. The other had to take a leave of absence, due to a high-risk pregnancy.