Strange Thrift Store Application Asks About Beliefs on Bible, Homosexuality

A job application has gone viral for requesting beliefs about the Trinity, homosexuality and gender identity—all for the position of "Thrift Store Associate."

A screenshot of the questionnaire appeared on Reddit's "Antiwork" forum on Tuesday, posted anonymously by user u/onlyinyaks. "Questions on an Indeed application for a Thrift Shop," said their title. "Wasn't sure what to put, so I exited the application."

Newsweek confirmed that the Thrift Store Associate listing was still active on Indeed.com. The job was advertised by the Yakima Union Gospel Mission in Yakima, Washington, a Christian homelessness aid group with the professed mission to "follow Christ in helping people move from homelessness to wholeness," according to its website. The organization runs three thrift stores in Yakima.

The Indeed application started out standard enough, requesting a resume and contact information before it turned to the more mystifying inquiries.

One question asked, "What do you believe about the Trinity as it relates to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit?"

The next question asked what the applicant believed about the Bible, providing examples such as, "It's the unchanging truth for all people."

Then the organization asked, "What do you believe the Bible says about homosexuality and how the Bible defines/views gender identity?"

This was followed by, "Do you agree or disagree with what the Bible says about homosexuality and gender identity?"

According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), an employer whose "purpose and character is primarily religious" is permitted to lean toward hiring people of the same religion. However, religious organizations are not exempt from employment discrimination based on a person's gender, sexual orientation, national origin or disability.

Yakima Union Gospel Mission CEO Mike Johnson told Newsweek, "Our Thrift Stores are an integral part of living out Christian community," adding that store employees "regularly pray with each other, as well as donors and customers."

"Religious non-profits like YUGM are authorized by law to enact ministerial hiring standards as we staff our ministry," said Johnson.

Many Reddit users were baffled by the former job applicant's post, while others jumped in with comedic suggestions.

"Paste the Brokeback Mountain script," one reader commented.

"I'd have the Church of Satan help me answer them," said another.

The majority of Americans believe there is widespread discrimination against various racial, ethnic and religious groups in the United States.

A 2019 survey of 1,500 American adults by Pew Research Center found that Muslims were seen as facing more discrimination than other social groups, with 82 percent of U.S. adults saying that Muslims face at least some discrimination. Meanwhile, 64 percent of Americans said that Jews face some discrimination.

Republicans are more than twice as likely as Democrats to say that evangelical Christians are subject to some discrimination (70 percent versus 32 percent), according to the study. They are also more likely to say the same about white people (58 percent versus 25 percent) and men (48 percent versus 27 percent).

Newsweek reached out to u/onlyinyaks for comment.