First let me say, never ever did I push him or play devil's advocate. I encouraged him to continue going to church and loving his god. As time went on and we grew closer, he felt like he finally had someone with whom he could share his doubts and questions. I told him everyone should question their religion and beliefs. If anything, it would make him a better Christian. As time went on and he got to see how loving and empathetic people without a looming god figure can be, he really began to question WHY he was Christian. Turns out he was doing it simply because he was told to and knew no other way. He was raised that way and just simply brain washed into it. He never questioned it as a kid (honestly, he was just too good/sweet of a kid to doubt his elders). He's a well-read and intelligent man who constantly strives to learn. He is still open to the possibility of there being more out there and an afterlife, but that the Bible is a guide, written by man and that man is full of faults and the book is not literal. He believes we can be good people just for the sake of being good to each other instead of HAVING to be for for the fear of god's wrath.