What tools does a DUPED person have? Intellectual damage is done once you are indoctrinated.
Your emotional ties to your "spiritual family" form a bias to free thinking.
WHY should you make your life better by first making it worse?
That's the dilemma for the person who will automatically be labeled APOSTATE when they shift loyalty.
Once freed from the authority of the cult, it is a strenuous self-rehabiliation which comes next--as mentioned--with damaged thinking mechanism still in place.
The same mind you had (which got you into Jehovah's Witnesses) is still in place!
You aren't really smarter once you see how you've been duped!
The frying pan-into-the fire scenario must be avoided.
On the rebound, a "believer personality" often bounces into yet another form of bondage.
The abused talks about their own vulnerability aloud. It is like a wounded animal in the forest. The predator smells the meal!
Let's face the facts.
If you are an alcoholic, for example, you cannot drink. Period.
All you can do is take it one day at a time--WITHOUT resorting to alcohol to solve the real internal problems.
Now, apply that same principle to RELIGIOUS ADDICTION.
If you are a GOD-a-HOLIC, you cannot have religious affiliation. Why? because you'll be addicted to HAVING SOMEBODY TELL YOU WHAT TO DO, HOW TO THINK and DEMAND LOYALTY and SERVITUDE from you again.
The Post Traumatic Apostate Syndrome can be described this way.
Whatever mindset you are running away from you adopt again, but in another form.
WHERE IS THE HEALING PERIOD?
How do you suddenly get your rational mind back?
Well, you don't.
People don't become addicts if they are thinking clearly.
People who are healthy don't resort to mind-altering "solutions" because these choices aren't answers.
What is the worst mistake you can make?
FAILURE TO EXAMINE YOUR PREMISES!
Why not set aside a full year completely away from any organization connected with religion?
Investigate slowly. Gain confidence. Get your mind back. Don't talk to people (other than therapists) about your vulnerability.
BEGIN TO QUESTION EVERYTHING.
(What? Why would I question everything?)
You see? Now you're getting it!
Don't take anything for face value. NOTHING.
Test, question, research, and investigate every single premise you hold to be true.
IS THERE AN ABSOLUTE in your life?
Be assured it is your demon!
The one thing you will never question is the thing that is destroying you from inside.
God?
The Bible?
Truth?
Those things can tear you apart. (They probably already did and you won't admit it).
Avoid remaining in that one little box of madness: the Post Traumatic Apostate Syndrome is real.