I think he was kidding himself.
Several of his songs dealt with his mother’s ongoing suffering agony and in my opinion, that is where his “atheism” laid.
Not true atheism, frustration over not being able to help her.
The most poignant song would be “It’s Never Enough”.
Not gonna post a link here as it really a man screaming at God for not easing his mom’s pain.
And he was a total momma’s boy.
Read the lyrics to “Nettie”.
I never bought into his oh-so-rebellious atheist drivel.
I don’t believe he did, either.
He was just mad at God.
You can think what you want, but that’s not how he came off to anyone I know. Yes, I agree that Life Is Killing Me could be the unspoken turning point, but there were 5 or 6 albums before that, and all his interviews. Come on. He was a Angry Neurotic Catholic who tossed it all over his shoulder, like the Carnivore song. Then, just like you say, after his Mom he came around.
Freegards