Why People Leave Survey Results

[_why me]

Looking at the poll, it seems that the internet is doing its work. Most of the first three of the two surveys show an internet influence when it comes to things LDS. All are hot buttons on the internet with critics blasting away at these issues.

For the statement about church history, it should be obvious that the history that was read by the disaffected members came from the internet with critic interpretations. The same for polyandry and polygamy. And blacks and the priesthood, well, the old timers remember that. But the new members find out about it from the internet and are disappointed. Again, the critics put a twist to their interpretation about this issue.

So, what this study does show is that former members are not very critical readers. They accept the critic slant, and reread other critic interpretations without realizing the critic bias.

[_Buffalo]

Admitting to the TBMs that there are problems is A Bad Thing, given many TBMs' penchant for leaving the church once they find out. So, the TBMs need a "rescue" plan that doesn't involve them actually knowing that there is a real, legitimate problem.

Most TBM's in my experience are familiar with the objections. This is probably why, as Marlin K Jensen stated in a recent SLTrib article, there is no tidal wave of apostasy. The reality remains that most if not all who leave the Church claiming doctrinal or historical objections are merely using such as a rationalization or justification for some other problem.

As long as people like bcspace remain in the church spouting this kind of thing, the greatest apostasy since Kirtland will continue to swell. :)

[_why me]

Most TBM's in my experience are familiar with the objections. This is probably why, as Marlin K Jensen stated in a recent SLTrib article, there is no tidal wave of apostasy. The reality remains that most if not all who leave the Church claiming doctrinal or historical objections are merely using such as a rationalization or justification for some other problem.

If you look closely at the survey you will see an internet connection with the top three of both surveys conveying topics that the critics hammer away on in the internet. It is not difficult to see the connection between these former members and their internet readings. What is unfortunate is that they allow the internet to influence them to such an extent without critical looking at the strong bias and the intent of the writer.

[Guest]

When I was a member the Priesthood Ban was never discussed. I heard about it in Sunday School for the first time when I was nearly 16.

Another mention was made vaguely of a white Salamander but was never elaborated upon by the teacher, some of the adults in the room giggled out loud and that was the end of it. I did my own research 10 years later and found the facts.

Modern Affairs like Hoffman and the Priesthood Ban aren't even discussed in the LDS meeting houses, and when people discover the truth on their own they get pissed because they were lied to or weren't given disclosure. Now 20 somethings are finding out about this stuff on their own and they're pissed, some are leaving.

[_LDSToronto]

I'm not sure we can assume that LDST's "Rescue" plan is the one Elder Jensen was talking about. It doesn't seem to do what Jensen was talking about needing to do. I guess it's one thing to think pie-in-the-sky, but when it comes to putting words down on paper, and giving them to TBMs to carry out, it will be incredibly difficult for the church to come clean.

Hi Seth,

Certainly, I wouldn't make any assumptions - Elder Jensen may have something else in mind. This plan was called, "The Rescue" and it came from SLC. Complete with materials and pictures.

H.

[_Sethbag]

What is unfortunate is that they allow the internet to influence them to such an extent without critical looking at the strong bias and the intent of the writer.

You write as if it were bias and intent of writers on the internet, rather than the non-factual nature of LDS theology and worldview, that's at fault here. Might I suggest that there is some bias and intent on your part?

I will readily admit that I am now biased against Joseph Smith. He claimed to speak for, and on behalf of the Creator of the Universe, and give commands back up by this Creator's own authority. The facts don't support his claims. Thus, I am biased against him on the grounds of fraudulent claims and self-aggrandizement and usurpation of power over those he was able to persuade to believe in him.

Please explain to me why I ought not to be biased against a guy who is demonstrably a liar and self-aggrandizing religious charlatan.

[_MrStakhanovite]

I'd like to be on your resuce list LDST

[_LDSToronto]

I'd like to be on your resuce list LDST

I'm on my way.

H.

[_Sethbag]

I'm not sure we can assume that LDST's "Rescue" plan is the one Elder Jensen was talking about. It doesn't seem to do what Jensen was talking about needing to do. I guess it's one thing to think pie-in-the-sky, but when it comes to putting words down on paper, and giving them to TBMs to carry out, it will be incredibly difficult for the church to come clean.

Hi Seth,

Certainly, I wouldn't make any assumptions - Elder Jensen may have something else in mind. This plan was called, "The Rescue" and it came from Salt Lake City. Complete with materials and pictures.

H.

Ah, ok. Well then, it's worse than I thought. ;-) You're right, this grand rescue plan, intended to counteract members' learning all of the negative stuff that's tucked away in LDS history, is really nothing more than just another attempt to "re-activate" people by the same means as they've ever used. The TBMs are given nothing new here, just expected to go suck people back in without actually addressing their concerns.

[_Darth J]

I'm not sure we can assume that LDST's "Rescue" plan is the one Elder Jensen was talking about. It doesn't seem to do what Jensen was talking about needing to do. I guess it's one thing to think pie-in-the-sky, but when it comes to putting words down on paper, and giving them to TBMs to carry out, it will be incredibly difficult for the church to come clean.

Hi Seth,

Certainly, I wouldn't make any assumptions - Elder Jensen may have something else in mind. This plan was called, "The Rescue" and it came from Salt Lake City. Complete with materials and pictures.

H.

I hope they didn't have any updated drawings of the translation of the Book of Mormon. You wouldn't know whose head was in the hat.

Also, I think this is a good thread. I have often wondered why people leave survey results.




(Sorry, I had to say that.)

P.S. Now that Why Me is the first person I have ever put on ignore, I can understand the appeal of that feature. When a thread says that a post has been made by Why Me but doesn't show it, it is evocative of the muffled yells of a person in your trunk who is tied up and has duct tape over his mouth.