I hate to say it Steve, but that sounds like fuzzy electrical theory to me. If the ground and neutral are bonded together (as they should be) why would it react any differently to a short to ground than current applied to the neutral under normal operating conditions?
Is it possible there was a loose neutral splice in the fixture that was jostled as the bulb was changed?
Or is it possible you're coming from some sort of a corner grounded system, whether intentionally or inadvertently?
