The Rules

1. Don’t Denigrate Other’s Beliefs. If somebody feels happy believing in an imaginary friend, that’s their choice. Say something like “I’m glad that you find comfort in your beliefs” or something similar.

2. Don’t Be Afraid. You are correct, they are not. Do not be afraid to tell them that they are wrong. However, you should do so politely. “You’re a total idiot if you believe that crap” is less acceptable than “I think that you are wrong for the following reasons.”

3. Don’t Get Personal. Address the other person’s arguments and statements, not the other person. My current favorite is the prejudice that black people are inherently spiritual and thus more likely to believe in a god. Neil Degrasse Tyson. ‘Nuff said.

4. Admit When You are Wrong. Even *I* am wrong once in a while, believe it or not. In most cases I am happy about being wrong because that means that I can learn something. Don’t be afraid to be wrong. And don’t be afraid to admit when you are wrong. Religionists believe fervently that their dogma is true. Scientists are looking for somebody to call into question (based on the evidence) their theories.

5. Don’t Forget the Love. Whether it’s your Mom, your Dad, your sister, your friend, whoever it may be. They don’t hate you, you don’t hate them, so don’t start now. If you disagree on this issue then you disagree on this issue but don’t let that overrule the relationship that you have with them. Sometimes they may not feel the same way. Don’t let that control your feelings.

Why do believers dislike atheist so much?

You making atheism sound like it's a religion?

Do you really need to do that?

you dont need to tell people, it's non of their business.

dalaman:
Why do believers dislike atheist so much?

It's actually the other way around.

And BTW, from you people's write-ups, it's obvious that Atheism is a religion.

dalaman:
Why do believers dislike atheist so much?

well, i think they believe we are pissing on their ego!

Yungwizzzy:
You making atheism sound like it's a religion?

No am not. Atheism has always been a mindset, and will always be!

investigate

MrPresident:
you dont need to tell people, it's non of their business.

Well for me, as much as i try to avoid anything that will lead to me expressing my atheism, there always comes a time when i just have to say it. and doing that the right way is the key!

Atheistan:

Well for me, as much as i try to avoid anything that will lead to me expressing my atheism, there always comes a time when i just have to say it. and doing that the right way is the key!

I concur

Jeromejnr:


It's actually the other way around.

And BTW, from you people's write-ups, it's obvious that Atheism is a religion.

Oh, dont be misguided Atheism is not a religion. Unlike religion there is no indoctrination, we worship no one! we are freethinkers!

Jeromejnr:


It's actually the other way around.

And BTW, from you people's write-ups, it's obvious that Atheism is a religion.

Call atheism a religion all you want but that doesn't prevent us from fighting back the discriminations and prejudice meted on anti-theists on daily basis throughout the world via identifying ourselves and if possible forming a group to wield more force.

Personally I noticed am been respected amongst those who know I'm atheist and even try to seek my opinion on current life issues,my lectures even tryna be friends with me right here in UNIBEN because they say I think way different from the regular student.

As for being openly the first time to people who don't know me is really amazing because I love the look I keep on their faces,some would get surprise at me saying am atheist,some won't even believe until I show them my phone wall paper which reads,I'm proud atheist.

What I detected was, I get loved and respected for one thing which is taking them through a mental adventure of what they never knew like when I say I'm atheist and they see me as been hell bound then I begin to explain religion and how fake the society we living in is,then they start to perceive me as being Intelligent and most times begging to get my contact.

It has not been difficult for me telling people I am atheist because people who know me already know that I think in ways that are not typical. It's almost like they expect me not to be religious. And in addition I tend to attract people who are ok with unusual thought processes; people with very conventional thinking would be put off by what I say long before they know I'm atheist. At my job this is also not a problem because I work in an academic setting with some other free-thinkers.

And sometimes you meet people by chance who are kind of like you. This past week I was talking with some people at the beach (in West Africa but not Nigeria) and one of them asked me my religion. I said none and that I don't believe in god. One of them asked me what I believe in. I said 'myself'. One of them gave me the thumbs-up and said, 'that's a good response.'

The OP gives good advice. Don't belittle people or put them on the defensive. Sometimes this is difficult because by declaring yourself an atheist, you are indirectly saying that the time they spend in church or praying or fasting is all useless and that they have wasted a lot of time, which can be difficult to accept given how much religion can be a part of someone's identity.