"Not even remotely interested on who was, or why they felt they had to cover it. That is only feeding a rationalization. We're going for ANSWERS!"

Before you can establish the significance of any higher power on their "change of heart" you have to rule out other possile influences.

That is the most basic form of scientific method.

Cultural taboo has been the most significant persuader of all consistently throughout history, so it has to be factored in.

Leave it out and your "actual answers" are meaningless.