For background, he is a conservative that used to go to church. He left because he had questions that nobody seemed to have a good answer for.
Such as "why would God allow death/bad things?" The common answer usually is that its part of Gods will or its Satans fault. Neither answers the question and opens up more. This is why many people are turning to new age things and cults. God isnt working out for the common person anymore, for the sole reason that the common Christian and even preacher cant answer a single question even believers might have.
Why is this so? I personally think that religion got in the way of faith so long ago that faith has little meaning now. Telling people im a former Baptist raises questions like "so you're a Mormon now?" Because Christians have become a joke. Even to other Christians. If we want to WIN, we have to unite under faith.
Also, another question he asked was, "why do Christians bicker so much over trivial things?"
The answer, unfortunately, stems from religion. Which is such a mainstream part of culture now that it has lost meaning and relevance.
How do we, as Christians, not as truthers, become able to answer these difficult questions that turn away unbelievers and believers alike?
My coworker thinks that all religion is made up bs (which is true to a great extent) yet also hates existing for the sake of existing. Its a conundrum i cant help him with. Maybe someone here could?
Because we have free will.
Ask the question another way: why would God allow me to get my clothes dirty when I jump into a mud puddle?
And if I bring my kids into the mud puddle with me, why would God allow them to get dirty, too?
I could have avoided the mud puddle.
But I chose not to.
Therefore, I have to deal with the consequences.
Now scale that up.
Very good explanation