Dear Urban Diplomat: should I stop my atheist roommate from joining a Christian talent agency?
Dear Urban Diplomat, I’m sure you’ve seen the billboards around town for the Christian talent agency AMTC (Actors, Models and Talent for Christ). My roommate, a struggling theatre grad and devout atheist, auditioned because he’s desperate for work. He even prepared a speech about being a “follower of the Lord all his life.” I’m appalled and think he’ll get outed. What do you recommend I do?
—Jesus Would Freak, Corktown
Nothing. Your friend won’t be the first job-seeker to exaggerate on his resumé, nor the first human being to conjure religiosity to make a buck (see Hubbard, L. Ron). Lucky for your friend, AMTC, whose success stories include Megan Fox and Mena Suvari, doesn’t require its auditioners to be Christian, let alone Bible-thumpers. Successful auditioners, however, are invited to a six-day “conference” for “unique faith-based educational programming” with admission fees starting at $3,895. Think of it as an incredibly expensive Bible camp that dangles an infinitesimal chance of stardom at the end. If your roomie does get a callback, given the exorbitant price and hard-sell proselytizing, he’ll likely back out without your intervention.
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