PoppaGator like myself Leo Strauss (Intellectual father of the U.S. Neocons)was an Atheist but he advocated a pretence of religion amongst his students because this had political advantage.
This was not a new idea it goes back at least as far as Machievelli but I believe it shows you are right to speak of the "Cynical & dishonest type of opportunists." in their midst.
BTW You might like to read a post by Paul Burke on a recent thread about belief in god for a view of spirituality which might impress you.