Why Former Adventists Left (Survey Framework)

Executive summary

Research on why former Adventists leave consistently identifies relational and interpersonal factors — not doctrinal disagreement — as the primary drivers of departure. The Sahlin/Richardson 2013 survey of 925 former and inactive Adventists across four continents found the top six reasons were: perceived hypocrisy in members, marital difficulties, lack of friends, family conflicts, high congregational conflict, and personal conflict with a member. Only 9% of former members reported receiving a p...