I have a 12 yr old esteemed elder who is a converted heathen. How does this happen? Is this a bug in the program?

Did you use one of the powers on this villager?

No I didn't.

island event?

No island event either.

Do you have the nursery up? Concievably through generations, the inherited skill builds up (this happened in previous VVs, if I remember right) and along with schooling, it would be possible to get that by 14.

In fact, isn't this how you get the golden child from a previous VV?

No, it's not, Smjjames Good thought though (on the golden child)

Nancy, did you notice the esteemed elder status immediately after conversion, or was it substantially after?

Xay, I can't say when I noticed it in relation to conversion. I should go back to that game (I haven't deleted it yet) and see if I can discover anything else.

It may have been that you received an extremely talented heathen

Semi-Island Event if Heathen-kid (Rascal is only Heathen-kid besides Heathen Mommy's/Dad's kid) turns to be Esteemed Elder.