For years my brother has put up the label of being disfellowshipped /excommunicated ( same difference ) but then they have to make them selves different from the rest of religions and use their own label that still means shunning. Its a disgraceful way to control and yet in the teaching of the cult this person is meant to be treated as a 'man of the nations' but there arrogance cannot even let them do this.
The difference of being 'bought' up with the cult is the indoctrination gets into your very cells vs the brainwashing that affects newcomers. Same thing but worse when your informative years of your brain growth are filled with the promises of illusion.
Its sad but in reality we did not have the mental strength to know better. Yes it takes time to believe we are 'enough' but the truth is we are. ( Not their version of the brilliant marketing campaign the 'truth')!! Its 20 years since I stepped into their church, totally at ease within that but my family still feels like I'm missing out, very sad really but we are sooo Enough. Just keep on believing in your own goodness Raven