((( H2H ))) - at least it wasn't 9 years and 1 day.
and....they say the average time to come out of a cult (if at all) is 10 years!
and... your family is still in tact.
When I started to search for truth in the truth, I refused to follow the "system". I read publications out of order, on my own, no highlighting, no rules, no elders and the big thing - with a regular bible, the library, the internet and lots of cigarettes.
Now I don't need to smoke anymore and I know there is no truth in the troof. I thank my catholic upbringing actually, it taught me critical thinking, and the concept of love, but most of all NOT TO BE AFRAID of a good question, in fact the better the question, the better the study !!!
When I see grown adults supposedly the most bible trained and experienced - spiritually rehearsed - literally running from a thought provoking question - I know where I do NOT want to be.