you could say that, yes. it was the popular thing to do. any high school kid wanted to be popular once in their high school life. being an altar boy with your crush in front of you was an enjoyable experience.

kidding aside, may i ask why you don't buy into that notion? it's really not a surprise. i personally know some people who've become overnight atheists, and some who were very religious then decided they ain't deal nothing of those religious crap anymore.
but really, it doesn't necessarily follow that you have to have a significant "INCIDENT" in your life to be able to make that important transition in your life. the main ingredient is knowledge, logic, and reason. humans have all three. but once in your life, you'd come to a point where you have to open your eyes and use those three.