if he thinks god will help ... not the time to dispute beliefs -- just put a few non religious words of condolence

so basically you're being a dick then. Are you so fucking insecure to let a bunch of words hurt you so much (ie the biblical statement) or did you not really like that coworker?

Death isn't about you, it is about comforting the bereaved...if this coworker was religious and/or his family is, this would be an appropriate thing to send. By signing it, you are not in any way endorsing religion. It is not a petition.

Write your own card?

I would sign it, because it's all about comforting your coworker. A simple "thinking of you", or something along that line would be appropriate.

Nothing wrong with a personal one of your own. Even if it's an email or single card. I've put about that I like doing my own thing.

Do as you please. I would.

I'd send my own card.

Yep. Using someone else’s grief to make a point is a dick move. It’s about them not you and doesn’t cost any karma points.

Buy your own card.

If it is part of a group effort you can take solace that you did not choose it, and do not share the sentiment. You could probably simply sign your name with an "I am sorry for your loss", and call it good. Unless you were a close friend with the co-worker, then you might prefer to get your own card.

I'm a non-theist. But I respect that most humans NEED a religion. It is a harmless well-wishing card to the family. As to the Bible verse, if it has no meaning to you, that's fine. Isn't it for family and friends -- how may Jews or other religious people signed? Let it be.

I would. My message would be entirely godless.

Be true to yourself. Get your own card and send it.

Sure I would if I cared about him and his family. I think that would be no different than going to the funeral and listening to a preacher babble on about how he's in a better place. Compromises sometime has to be made for people you care about.

I'd go out & get a different card, one that was bereft of any sentiment I didn't fully support.

Yeah. Who cares? The goal is to render comfort through a united sentiment. Everything else is just semantics.

Late 90's:
There was a crash near our business. The woman and boy were unconscious. The girl was able to tell me her home phone number. I borrowed a phone. No answer.
I asked her her address.
They were just three miles from home. I found father doing yard work. Obviously enjoying his day off.
I got him in my car, and told him to call anyone using my car phone. (It was the 90's.)
He called his pastor.
We arrived at the hospital before the ambos.
The pastor arrived just after us.
The three of us were placed in a small room, with six chairs that barely fit.
I told the pastor what i knew.
We sat close. With barely space between the chairs, the pastor, holding the father's hand, went to his knees.
They reached for my hands. I responded.
I held tight. I was NOT going to give this man anything but support.
The words were what we all expect.

Just after the first ambo arrived I took my leave.

I do not know what happened to any of them.

And: to the OP:::: This is a great question. Something we all are confronted with. Thank you for getting us to think about our behavior.