2tadpoles

Thanks for all the replies! I guess what y'all said makes sense; keep it brief and repetitive. I suppose I have trouble doing that because it makes me feel awkward, but that's my problem.

I also like Darth Dane's idea, and may use it for the especially pushy people.

And yes, Jagged, I am a woman. I do tend to have trouble being demanding or sticking up for myself, which is something I'm working on. I don't necessarily think that being female has much to do with it. I attribute it to my horrible school years, which led to a horrible self-image. People who feel unworthy aren't likely to demand anything. But I have come a long way.

Tangie

CX

Tell them you're Jewish.

Clarice

Why not just say (nicely and matter-of-fact-ly), "No thanks, I'm an atheist." Just the same as you'd say, "No thanks, I'm Jewish," except with the advantage of being truthful.

As time passes, I become less and less worried that someone will consider a bare statement of my own atheism as some kind of attack on their religion. People need to learn that we exist, and that our disbelief deserves every bit as much respect as other religions.

If someone tried to proselytize me upon hearing I'm an atheist, I'd cut them off and say, "Actually, I've done a lot of research on religion, including Christianity, and I'm very comfortable with my atheism."

If they really push after that, do you honestly care to maintain a relationship with them?

However, the work thing I view differently. No one's ever given me a tract, but I have had people discuss God working in their lives, or wish me a happy (insert Xian holiday). I just don't really address it, as my company hired me to be nice to people and encourage them to buy things, not debate religion. I'll say, "Thanks" to well-wishes, and leave it at that.

Shadowy Man

Well, if you want no followup saying that you're Jewish (which, CX, I had already recommended doing) will accomplish this. When confronted by another religion, especially Judaism, most of these people will instantly stop trying to proselytize. It has worked for me in the past (but for me it was truthful).

If you say you are an atheist, they will see you as fertile soil for planting their inanity and will continue to talk to you.

Of course this depends on whether or not you mind telling the lie.

athee

the best one I heard was one from a co-worker who was asked in the middle of a meeting what he was, (baptist, catholic??) . He replied "Mesopotamian"

That shut up the guy that asked reeaaal quickly.

I've added that to my "quip book" along with this one: "I don't discuss religion. And since I won't all you can do is speculate what I do. The moment I open my mouth it is confirmed."

Buddrow_Wilson

When someone hands me a piece of paper that I suspect is religious propaganda, I take it and look at it. It gives me a measure of judgement on the person and I often then crumple it and throw it out with the person watching. No conversation has ever ensued.

Buddrow_Wilson

Also, when someone asks me what church I go to I say "uh..none" if they ask why, I say "because religion is a bunch of crap" or something similar. Normally just saying "none" ends the conversation though. Perhaps because I use a very condescending tone, and they don't like me so they don't want me at their church

Shake

Hmmm... customers ... work for tips ... do you either wait tables or tend bar, perhaps? Waiting tables, particularly on Sundays, you would see lots of these things. Some actually are printed to look like money from a distance so that you think they've left you a tip that you can actually use, when in reality it's someone trying to "save" you. Hmmph! Those usually just found their way to the bottom of the buspan and then were unceremoniously dumped in the trash. If I recognized anyone who had done this before, and I had to wait on them again, I'd still be polite and congenial, but I wouldn't break my back to help them if I was even mildly busy.

After only about a year of waiting tables, I requested to be put back to doing anything else, even dishwashing (which I rather enjoyed, actually)!

Jewel

I waited tables for 10 years and for a few of them I was Pagan and wore a pentagram. No one seemed to bat an eye and I NEVER got bable tracts or even got asked about religion.

And as a customer I would never put someone on the spot like that -- it's just rude.

2tadpoles

Yes, I wait tables. I don't mind doing it but it's just something temporary to help pay the bills until hubby gets out of the Navy. I make pretty good money and it wouldn't be worthwhile for me to work as a dishwasher or hostess. They just don't make enough, from what I can see.

I've had customers ask if there is anyone I'd like them to pray for. I've had them invite me to their church, leave tracts and other church bulletins on the table, and one guy who was a missionary really pestered me. It was at the end of my shift and it was kind of slow that night, so I had time to talk to him and we discussed religion for about 1/2 an hour. Although he and I didn't change each others' minds, I think he enjoyed the debate and left me a great tip.

Jewel..... I see you live in Northern Virginia. I live in SE Virginia. Only three hours away and it's like a totally different world; seriously. I lived in DC for about 1.5 years, and the difference is astronomical.

Shake...... my son found one of those "fake money" tracts last year on the floor of a supermarket. We joked around, saying that he thought he found some good shit and it was just God shit. My husband asked if "God shit" was the same thing as "Holy crap." You probably had to be there, but it was pretty funny. I felt bad seeing the face drop on a ten-year-old who thought he'd found $20.