I know a guy with a Ph.D in biochemistry who quit the Mormons right after he graduated from high school. I, in contrast, didn't leave the LDS church until my early-30's, although I was strongly doubting the church by my mid-20's.
I have to wonder: Did my brilliant friend leave the church earlier than me because his greater intelligence allowed him to see errors in the doctrine at a younger age?
2007-10-19 07:51:54 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Then I must be some sort of genious as I knew it wasn't true in Jr. High! Ha, ha!
It doesn't take great intelligence to see the errors. I think people stay because they want it to be true. They want their world to stay the same, with nothing marring their hoped for image of a happy family picture in front of the Salt Lake Temple.
So, despite mounds of evidence they cling to a false hope, a false theology trying to acheive what they have been promised. Who wants to admit their life has been a lie?
2007-10-19 08:02:52 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
There are several Mormons with Ph.Ds in biochemistry, chemistry, physics, etc. Many devout Mormons graduate at the top of their class. There are several Mormon scientists, engineers, and doctors. Many of these are very faithful in the Church throughout their entire lives. If they are all so smart, then they should be able to see problems in their belief system faster than other Mormons of average or below-average intelligence, right? But this is not always the case. I have seen people leave the Church at a young age, and they never amount to much. Therefore, the speed with which a person abandons the LDS church is not related to that person's intelligence.
2007-10-19 21:23:41 · answer #2 · answered by all star 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm not one to brag, but I guess the anonymity of Yahoo! Answers makes it alright! I graduated from an undergraduate institution in 5 years (4.0 GPA) with a minor in Chemistry, a Bachelor's of Science in Mathematics, a Bachelor's of Art in Portuguese Language and Literature, and a Masters of Science in Physiology and Developmental Biology. I'm currently pursuing a dual MD/PhD degree in medicine and biomedical science at a prestigious university, using complex computer calculations to aid drug discovery. I certainly don't know everything, but I have read about all the supposed "errors in doctrine" that anti-Mormons and ex-Mormons so often cite. I do not find them intellectually or spiritually convincing. In my PhD program (biomedical science), 10% of the students are LDS. There are many other prominent scientists and acedemics that are also Mormon.
In fact, a demographic study recently revealed that the more education an American Mormon gets, the more likely he or she is to remain in the church. If you define "intelligence" based on the number of degress one has (a dubious measuring stick), then, statistically speaking, those who leave the church tend to be more "stupid" (i.e. fewer academic degrees). (Of course, I don't think the number of degrees one has determines intelligence, but that seems to be the measuring stick you are proposing in your question.)
Hope that helps. If you'd like to learn more about Mormons, feel free to visit my site at http://www.allaboutmormons.com .l
2007-10-19 17:51:08 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
No... it did not. A lot of people leave the Mormon church at different times. My husband left the Mormon church (thank GOD) 8 months after he started going there. LDS is a cult. It's hard to break from them. It's hard sometimes for some people to handle change. For others it is easy.
2007-10-19 15:29:51 · answer #4 · answered by Operator 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Some people that get more intelligent (that word in itself can be argued) tend to also get more arrogant and think they know it all.
Intelligence or degrees you have on your walls doesnt dictate if a person is right or wrong in their spiritual beliefs.
Mormons tend to be more highly educated then a lot of other christian faiths. Education is very very important to mormons and the religion. I cant tell you how many times I had a lesson on how important it is to continue to learn in all areas of life and to get as much education as possible.
Your premise is very faulty. Maybe you should go back and take a few logic classes.
2007-10-19 14:59:45 · answer #5 · answered by cadisneygirl 7 · 4⤊ 3⤋
My IQ is 142, my husband's is 165. We are both converts to the LDS church, and strong members, and always will be.
2007-10-19 15:59:52 · answer #6 · answered by sunnyannie 5 · 2⤊ 3⤋
In the inverse. That must be why three of the Apostles are former University Presidents,
2007-10-19 15:13:47 · answer #7 · answered by Isolde 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Sounds about right to me. Cults depend on their followers' ignorance.
2007-10-19 14:55:19 · answer #8 · answered by Acorn 7 · 3⤊ 3⤋
education without god only creates clever devils
2007-10-19 14:56:54 · answer #9 · answered by strplng warrior mom 6 · 1⤊ 4⤋