Most job applications won't ask for your religious orientation and so forth-besides jobs related TO religion, like being a pastor or a priest or whatever, what are some exceptions, and why do they ask?

In the US the information must be relevant to the job you are applying for, so I doubt there are ANY applications that ask religion outside of the ones that are for a job with a religion. My store is a prime example. Out of eleven of us there is one Wiccan, two other pagans, two atheists (including myself), and one that claims agnostic (though I think he's a closest Christian). That's more than half of us that are not some form of Christian which is far and away predominant in America. I don't ask, but eventually it comes up if you work with people long enough.

LOL Well I can`t imagine anyone other than a Roman Catholic applying to be a priest. And the process is very long and vigorous anyways, I believe it takes up to seven years. Can't see many muslims, atheists or jews going through all that. Besides, a priest isn`t an occupation it`s more a vocation, something you are called to do. In Scotand they ask your religion so that if you're a Catholic they can refuse you, straight out, but then they usually know way before what religion you are anyways.

I have applied for secretarial positions at churches. They're not legally allowed to ask your religion, but they do anyway. I also applied for a job working for a chaplain in a large hospital ... HR couldn't ask, but the Pastors asked. I was offered both jobs, but after giving it more thought, was uncomfortable working with them. Someone else would be much more appropriate.