When you say he was brought up i n a church and knocked on doors to spread The Word... do you mean JW's?
I was brought up as a JW, and there was something to do with people all the time. There was a whole community of people that basically believed the same thing and were working to a common goal. It is different to every day life. I lost my faith, and after much time and adjustment I have found enough to fill my life to overflowing with busyness. but not friends really. What I am trying to say in my ramblings is that I can understand how being very involved in a religion while growing up, then moving away from it can leave a huge hole in your life.. a feeling of loneliness.