I'm new here, but have been 'out' for many years. and just spotted your post. Although I can't comment on your wondering how many have joined recently in light of rebranding as I simply don't know the answer to that, I'm really responding to your last comment where you state that joining this cult was the worst mistake of your life.
When I first discovered the truth about the 'truth', I too felt much the same, but as the years have gone by I have turned my former 'enslavement' into something really positive by researching into fields that I had never previously considered looking at and probably never would have done if I hadn't felt 'cheated' as you appear to suggest by being 'hooked' by this organisation; everything from astronomy through to philosophy, geology, theology etc., and in the process gained such a deep insight into many things.
I've read everything from The History of The Jews by Paul Johnson through The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins (well worth a read!) to Biblical nonsense by Jason Long and so many books and publications that I know now that the real 'babes' are in fact JW's with their WT controlled minds and extremely limited knowledge of the real world.
At first, i wanted to share this new-found knowledge with every jdub I came across but quickly realised that when people are hooked, it is in fact very difficult to remove the hook. I count myself extremely lucky that I had the doubts I had which led me on the most wonderful discovery into the real world. To be as you are now, with the realisation that you have found out the real truth about the WT, is a matter for great celebration on your part, not sorrow, nor regret. You are entering the real world now, one of discovery and enlightenment; embrace that and enjoy your new-found freedom!
