Ill attempt #1 John P. The link with atrocity is greed or desires of the flesh.

Exactly. No need for atheism in the equation.

On point 2, while it proves nothing or makes any music (my own fave when able being in an Irish session) better How did Forster write this or Fanny Crosby write anything at all?

Maybe they were just good at writing music and happened to write on religious themes? Is there any indication that their music would have been less good had they not been writing about religion? Or that religious music in general is "better" than non-religious music because it is inspired by the religious beliefs of the composer?