Religion Scholar and Single Girl - oxymoronic?

I have been a horrible blogger recently, but forgive me Olivia for my sins...
See what I did right there? Religion joke. Problem #1 for single and ready to mingle me.
I've noticed that being a religion scholar has a few drawbacks. (I did not choose to call myself a "religion scholar," but once your friend starts calling you a colleague, you are no longer allowed to deny it). I'm not referring to qualifying exams, comps, intense thinking/arguing sessions in classes, head-hurting philosophical and theoretical readings, trying to write an acceptable thesis, etc...
I'm talking about meeting people, romantically-speaking.
Take, for example, my experience last Friday at Starbucks. While working on my ethnographic research on an evangelical Christian theme park in Orlando, FL, I tend to live at Starbucks. I love my friends' apartment, but she doesn't have a desk for me to spread out my notebooks, camera, and recording devices. So Friday, an hour into an excruciatingly long transcription of an interview with a Roman Centurion (I kid you not), a cute guy comes and asks if he can share my table close to the electrical outlet. I say sure and continue with my work. I make a phone call to a consultant and leave a message. Apparently, my phone etiquette prompted this question from my table-mate: "are you in sales?"
No, I am not in sales.
"What do you do?"
I'm getting my masters in religion. I'm doing research here in Orlando.
"Oh"
Shocked silent and absolutely perplexed, he went back to his own work for a couple of minutes.
Then, the next, in a long line of questions: "So, are you like, really religious?"
No, I study religion, specifically American religious culture.
"Oh, so like history?"
Yes, but I focus on religion in history.
"So, do you have like a real job?"
Well, I'm a TA (teaching assistant) during the school year, but I'm here doing research.
"Oh, so do you party?"

And y'all thought he was confused... I understand the question needs to be asked because not everyone understands the study of religion as a humanities subject. And many people think I study theology (which I don't). But really?

Of course I party, I jokingly inform him that religion scholars need to drink more than others to be able to study it.
Small laugh.

So why does this happen? Why does my work effect conversation partners more than other jobs? Is it because we are told to never discuss religion, politics, or money and asking questions about my job breaks a cardinal conversation rule? Then why don't politicians or accountants have this problem?

Why do people assume that I am either horribly pious and thus live like a nun (any nun-like comparisons are not intentional on the part of the author)?
Why are men so perplexed by my career/field that they assume I'm going to become a clergy member?

These are just a few of the MANY questions I have concerning romantic/conversational stylings of the opposite sex. Someday, I hope to find answers.

Maybe next time, I'll tell him I'm in sales.