Conversation so far:
Did Baldwin come from a religious family?
During his teenage years, Baldwin followed his stepfather's shadow into the religious life.
Was he happy with his feelings on religion?
However, he became dissatisfied with ministry, considering it hypocritical and racist, and ultimately left the church.
What steps did he take after leaving the church?
At the age of 14 he attended meetings of the Pentecostal Church and, during a euphoric prayer meeting.
Did he like that church?
he converted and became a junior minister.
Before long, at the Fireside Pentecostal Assembly, he was drawing larger crowds than his stepfather had done in his day.
Was he happy with Christianity now?
At 17, however, Baldwin came to view Christianity as based on false premises and later regarded his time in the pulpit as a way of overcoming his personal crises.
Did going to church influence what he wrote about?
Baldwin accused Christianity of reinforcing the system of American slavery by palliating the pangs of oppression and delaying salvation until a promised afterlife.
What other things did Baldwin say about religion?
Baldwin accused Christianity of reinforcing the system of American slavery by palliating the pangs of oppression and delaying salvation until a promised afterlife.
Is there anything else interesting?
He answered, "I left the church 20 years ago and haven't joined anything since..

Question: Why didn't he want to go back to church?
Self-contained rewrite: Why didn't James Baldwin want to go back to church?