Why does Fly distance himself from the church during his time at Georgia State University in the novel, Monster in the Middle?

When Fly first arrives at Georgia State, he feels a sense of freedom and agency for the first time in his life. His experience, however, soon proves to be as isolating as his former life in Ellenwood. Though he tries to establish friendships and community through Arthur, Suzie, and their church group he is unable to do so, and in response, he distances himself from the church and becomes more involved in his studies and in literature.