"The Dark Road to Apostasy"

[_Doctor Steuss]

The more important statistic perhaps is the education level of the apostates. Is it true that those with higher educations are more likely to leave - is there a corrolation there?

Every one knows that with education comes pride. ;-)

[_truth dancer]

I would be interested in seeing stats for educational levels of new converts, and percentage of new converts with internet access.

My observation is that in countries with higher education and more tech, the conversion rates are quite low.

~dancer~

[_cacheman]

For those interested, here's another interesting paper that looks at religious affiliation and educational attainment among women.
ftp://repec.iza.org/RePEc/Discussionpaper/dp1725.pdf

cacheman

[_BishopRic]

The more important statistic perhaps is the education level of the apostates. Is it true that those with higher educations are more likely to leave - is there a corrolation there?

Every one knows that with education comes pride. ;-)

Shade's link earlier on this thread yesterday is applicable here: "The Believer and the Apostate? "

http://2think.org/hundredsheep/Bible/apostasy.shtml

I think it is telling that for centuries (probably particularly before the invention of the printing press) there was an intentional effort to suppress the education of the masses to control them. The clergy could read, but there was (and perhaps is today?) a risk in opening "the books" for all to read. I mean, look at what happened when the vaults were opened in the early 90s...all that information, all that apostasy...

Yup, that's pride (or maybe just common sense!).

[_Doctor Steuss]

Shade's link earlier on this thread yesterday is applicable here: "The Believer and the Apostate? "

http://2think.org/hundredsheep/Bible/apostasy.shtml

I think it is telling that for centuries (probably particularly before the invention of the printing press) there was an intentional effort to suppress the education of the masses to control them. The clergy could read, but there was (and perhaps is today?) a risk in opening "the books" for all to read. I mean, look at what happened when the vaults were opened in the early 90s...all that information, all that apostasy...

Yup, that's pride (or maybe just common sense!).

*Putting on crappy apologist hat*

It is most certainly pride. The Pharisees were highly educated, and it cost them their souls.

[_silentkid]

I think that the apostate MUST exist. To have those that have rejected the system, provides the doctrine of "opposition in all things" an opportunity to take hold within the world of Mormonism.

The "doctrine" of opposition in all things never made a whole lot of sense to me. Could be I'm senseless. What is in opposition to hot dogs, blue, DNA, skiing, the number 23, teeth, the movie Hot Rod, keyboards, etc.? Is there really opposition in all things?

[_BishopRic]

Shade's link earlier on this thread yesterday is applicable here: "The Believer and the Apostate? "

http://2think.org/hundredsheep/Bible/apostasy.shtml

I think it is telling that for centuries (probably particularly before the invention of the printing press) there was an intentional effort to suppress the education of the masses to control them. The clergy could read, but there was (and perhaps is today?) a risk in opening "the books" for all to read. I mean, look at what happened when the vaults were opened in the early 90s...all that information, all that apostasy...

Yup, that's pride (or maybe just common sense!).

*Putting on crappy apologist hat*

It is most certainly pride. The Pharisees were highly educated, and it cost them their souls.

So the story says. I haven't seen any of their souls down here in hell with me, so maybe they're okay?!

[_charity]

LDS know that the first example of apostasy was in Heaven. Satan and his angels did not rebel because of greater enlightenment. They went apostate because of pride.

Did you write this to insinuate that, although this is the reason for Satan and his angels, it also applies to apostates of today? I'll assume you did - apologies if I"m wrong.

Apologies are in order. I was writing specifically of Satan and his angels. The scriptures tell us that they were prideful, which is why they rebelled. As for mortals who leave, there are a number of reasons. Pride is one. But there are many others as well.

That pushes a "hot" button for me. Simiply put, Charity, you don't know what you're talking about until you've experienced it. You have not had a strong, powerful rock-solid testimony and then found yourself in a postion to where you can not possible believe it's true anymore. Until you've gone through that, you're only guessing at what we go through and why we leave. The gamot of emotions is unreal. The heart break is nearly uncomparable. The courage to take action according to what you know in your heart is right - even knowing all the loved ones who will be hurt is unsermountable. But you wouldn't know . You can only speculate. Pride has absoulutely nothing to do with it. Nothing.

I accept your description of your own experience. And I am sure it happens for others as well.

[_moksha]

I would be interested in seeing stats for educational levels of new converts, and percentage of new converts with internet access.

My observation is that in countries with higher education and more tech, the conversion rates are quite low.

~dancer~

Does the conversion rate for dial-up customers diminish when they get broadband? ;-)

[_guy sajer]

He and the others shall have their reward. Whether that reward is from above or from beneath remains to be seen.

Regards,
MG

Yes, I already received my reward--10% of my income.