I think the Reddit poster got what she deserved. Being an atheist, she was angry about the “God thing” so she posted to her online pals proof of how rotten Christians are (and expose a customer to abuse in the process), and she rode the lightning for it. Applebee’s statement is right on the money.
It was a “lighthearted” joke? That’s how seriously she took her job.
How do you know she’s an atheist?
Maybe. But not all atheists are angry about the “God thing”. Some are merely indifferent to that, but still despise fake Christians.