Pretending

[Dotard]

Has anyone ever found themselves needing to pretend they are a theist?

I have been unemployed for a bit now and while searching the want ads I came across an open position for what I do at a church.

I called and submitted a resume and will have an interview tommorrow.

In order to be considered for this position and, if selected, to retain this employment, it cannot be found out that I am an Atheist. I will have to say things on a daily basis like "God bless you", "Praise Jesus", and the like. I'm sure I'm going to have to 'fake pray' when they start such nonsense.

They may even require church membership and attendance.

Unemployment desperation has set in and I need to take whatever employment I can find. Gonna suk to get this job and have to play this game so I can eat and keep a roof over my head.

Churches are exempt from any religious discrimination laws. They are not required to be EOE. They can legally deny you employment based on religion. I tried it once, applied for a position at a STATE RUN church (at a state mental hospital), was denied based on religious lack of affiliation and they held no bones about informing me as much. (("You were not chosen due to your atheism, we just can't have an Atheist working here.))

Was informed about the churches exemption from the religious discrimination act by every lawyer in the phone book that I contacted, including state run churches.

Sux, I know but meh... whaddacanIdo? If selected, suck it up, play christian and collect my paycheck.

This makes me a sad panda.