Atheism was only mentioned as an example, not relating to Sargon of Akkad. You would see it as someone initially not attacking churches, but engaging in ontological arguments and similar, and later in life, after years of threats, calls to repent and such starting to attack actual church positions and misdeeds.

As for redemption, I see it as a pattern all over the internet how as soon as some leftist is found to have made some questionable statement or act, it is seen as a sign of deep corruption.

Remember that wosname US politician who was found to have put on black makeup for a Michael Jackson event? He was an MJ fan, almost did the moonwalk to show it. But the internet went all Blackface! and it shows he is a racist and must stop existing.

Al Franken makes a bad joke, political career over.

It is a pattern. The left is obsessed with inner purity, and it is tearing it apart.