Mystical Angels

Can an Adventist hospital legally not hire me because I am an atheist? Can they ask me about my beliefs?

Just curious. I want to apply for a job at the local Adventist hospital, but the job application is asking fairly personal questions about my views on their religious practices. I don't know how to answer them without revealing my own lack of faith in a God. I am respectful of their beliefs. I would have no problem working in such an environment, but I'm not going to pretend I'm religious when I am not. Will this hurt my chances at a position with this company? Can they legally refuse me a position because I do not share their religious beliefs? Examples: "Our healthcare mission is to share God's love by providing physical, mental and spiritual healing. Please give two examples of how you would help accomplish our mission if you are selected to work here." "Some of our employees choose to have prayer with patients or other employees. This is a practice that is supported by our company. How do you feel about employees having prayer with patients and fellow employees?" "Many meetings begin with a spiritual thought or prayer. How do you feel about attending meetings where that would occur?" For the record, I grew up in a Christian household. My father passed away in 2006 due to cancer, but while he was alive, I saw how much his religious beliefs helped him get through it all. I'm not at uncomfortable with the idea of others using prayer for "spiritual healing" and the like. I strongly believe that for many individuals it provides great comfort, strength, and unity. I'm not uncomfortable with their questions. I'm wondering if there's much of a point of me applying, or if it's common for people to apply (and be hired) at religious institutions when they themselves are not religious. I'm also thinking ahead to an interview. Could they ask me in a straight-forward manner about my religious beliefs? Somewhere in the application it said that they were looking forward to discussing their mission statement with me during the interview. It just seems... off.

Public Comments

1. I don't know where you are but if you are anywhere in the US those questions are very illegal. My understanding is that a company may ask you what your religion, race, or age is but that it is an optional question only for tracking purposes (making sure they hire enough minoritys) and they cannot refuse you employment bases and what you say or don't say. Problem is you can hire a lawyer to look it over but that costs money. I would go ahead and apply and either leave the questions blank, write in that it is illegal to ask you such questions or answer how you feel and note if you get an interview or the job. If not I would bring it to someones attention because that is just wrong.
2. An Adventist hospital can generally legally favor Adventists in the hiring process. (Religious institutes are allowed to favor members of the religion in their hiring practices, because part of the institute's job is to promote the religion.) Those are fairly personal questions, but the thing you need to think about is how you are going to feel working there in those conditions. They are essentially giving you advance warning on what the company culture is like. If you are feeling uncomfortable answering those questions, how are you going to feel actually living with those situations on a daily basis? Because they aren't going to change their policies, and if you get hired and then start complaining about starting meetings with prayers, you are going to be asked to leave.