I grew up JW in what looked like the ideal setup: elder dad, loving mom, whole family “in the truth.” Life was exactly what I was told it should be.
I’ve been POMO (not DA/DF) for a little over a year, and it’s been way more liberating than I expected. This forum has helped me a lot. I like to write and thought I would share my thoughts on various topics & help others who are struggling.
This isn’t an attack; it’s an examination. Inside the Borg, you’re only ever allowed to read certain verses in one direction. But once you’re out—like stepping out of The Truman Show—you start noticing what those same verses say when you turn them around.
Bi-Verses = same scriptures, two directions.
Same verses. Different questions.
Discussion welcome.
Here is the first:
“Do not be misled. Bad associations spoil useful habits.” – 1 Corinthians 15:33
We were taught this is all about “worldly people,” school friends, neighbor kids, workmates, spiritually weak families, or the worst of them all - ex-JWs. Avoid them at all cost or you’ll lose your good “spiritual habits.”
Reverse: What if the “bad associations” are inside the Kingdom Hall or the Borg? For a lot of us raised JW, the association that actually spoiled useful habits—like learning boundaries, building self‑confidence, understanding our emotions and mental health, feeling safe, growing a career, and practicing unconditional love—was the organization itself, especially shunning and loyalty tests.
The result? A whole group of people who lost time and opportunity to explore, learn, and love who they really are. Many of us ended up in jobs instead of careers, without basic life skills for being self‑sufficient, problem‑solving, or even knowing what makes us genuinely happy.
The verse itself is solid advice: don’t keep close company with people who drag you down and are not good for you.