I don't know if Bates is an atheist, but I doubt if "faith" is high on his list of attributes.
You could put it another way - Grayson took them out of what looked like a certain playoff spot last season, even an auto chance at one time.
I know circumstances are somewhat different, but DJ paid the price for "failure" at his 6th attempt with us - I very much doubt that Bates would have given him more than a second chance, let alone 6.
I can see Grayson actually going back to Blackpool at some point.