In my opinion, a research-oriented academic career is very demanding. Many of the folks that work in quantum physics, math, economics, etc. simply do not have time to read up on scriptures. Their tenure clock is ticking and within a period of 6-9 years, they need to show a decent amount of publications - else they are out on the streets. But good publications (more precisely, publications that appear in "top tier" journals) have a strenuously long review period before being published/rejected. Thus, many of the folks in academia do not tend to be very well read when it comes to scriptural issues. That may be the reason why they call themselves atheists because they simply are not that well versed in scripture OR in the little time they may devote to scripture, the scripture does not make any impact on them.
Additionally, the committee that takes tenure decisions is usually a small circle or network of individuals. In many cases, the tenure committee asks the faculty member provide a list of faculty members in other universities who may be asked to provide reference. So, you are hoping your referee gives you an objective reference. But if your referee does not like your views AND you make your beliefs/lack of beliefs in God too loudly known (academia is a small network, after all), it MAY happen that the reference report is not good.
So, not many people in academic make their views on God known. After all, years of research and a lifetime opportunity of employment without chance of being fired, are pretty high stakes!
That said,
here is an earlier post of mine talking about religious beliefs of mathematicians.
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