I'm going to be honest here. I've not read your essay yet, but intend to after breakfast. I really just wanted you to know that I feel fortunate that I left my parents Church during my rebellious adolescence. So, I got that our of my system early, having plenty of time to recover, and yet, about 7 or 8 years later, I came to the saving knowledge of Jesus . My point is that I think it might be much more difficult for someone older to recover and thereafter, find the path to redemption in a personal relationship with God.