JEDIMASTER- It is so nice to have you here on the board my friend ! I was born and raised in the witnesses and in for 44 years- I stopped going over 6 years ago , inactive like yourself , had been DFed too once and reinstated . But like you made my escape after injustices with elders.
I really didn't understand what had happened to me until after exiting 3 years later in early 2007 once I had access to information explaining about " mind control". You mentioned you are open minded and independent in your thinking mind. THAT is a good thing - NOT a bad thing. We were always taught as JW's that we should bury our minds and let the WT society do ALL our thinking. What helped me was researching books like Ray Franz's " Crisis of Conscience " & Steve Hassan's " Combatting Cult Mind Control " & " Releasing the Bonds - Empowering People to Think for Themselves " . I highly recommend if you get a chance to read those books. It will assist you to understand WHAT was happening to you inside the Jehovah's Witnesses .
I look forward to hearing your great thoughts and how you are enjoying your freedom of speech and feedom of mind. Please take care, you are among friends here