Patterns of Apostasy

My experience leaving the LDS Church reminds me of another time I "abandoned ship."

The Foreshadowing
As an undergraduate, I majored in Dietetics. I hoped that through my studies I would gain the skills needed to help women feel beautiful. By the time I'd reached my senior year, I realized that nutrition was not the solution for which I had hoped. I also viewed the American Dietetics Assocation as a flawed organization motivated by a political agenda. I saw a disconnect between principles of science/psychology and supposed best practices established by the ADA. I did not see how I could maintain my integrity and support the ADA's positions. I chose not to become a Registered Dietitian, and I jokingly referred to myself as a "Dietetics Apostate" to my friends and classmates.

It wasn't that I no longer cared about nutrition. I just didn't believe in certain practices and principles promoted by the mainstream professional organization. I didn't want to be associated with the organization, or forced to conform to its agenda.

Leaving the Church
After 28 years of being very, very active in the LDS Church, I began to see positions and practices (whether officially or unofficially promoted by the Church or its mainstream members) that to me did not connect with core principles. I began to despise the people, their ideals, their words and actions. And finally, I left.

It's not that I no longer care about living a good, principled life. I just don't believe in certain practices and ideas embraced by what I now consider to be a very human organization. I no longer want to live a life that conforms to its precepts.