Religion. Baldwin entered the religious life throughout his adolescence, following in the footsteps of his stepfather. Baldwin sought solace in religion as a result of his life's problems, especially his stepfather's violence. He quit the church despite his stepfather's desire for him to become a preacher. Baldwin stopped writing books because he felt that they were of no value to society. He believed that the only way literature could be effective was if it had a political message. Baldwin died of cancer on April 15, 1987 at the age of 62.