WatchTower Society Requirement: Jehovah’s Witnesses refuse blood transfusions
Filed under: News | By: Daniel
Posted on: November 5, 2007 | 54 Comments
Following on from the post earlier today about the Jehovah Witness “Emma Gough” who died after refusing a blood transfusion, we had a comment from Georgia which was very long and informative about The WatchTower Society Requirement and why Jehovah Witnesses refuse blood transfusions.
Here is Georgia’s comment:
This WatchTower Society requirement that Jehovah’s Witnesses must refuse to accept any blood transfusions dates back only to 1945. Misinterpreting the Old Testament prohibition against eating animal blood as a routine food item, the WatchTower Society began teaching in 1945 that receiving a blood transfusion was “eating human blood”. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that receiving an infusion of human blood into their body’s circulatory system is scientifically the exact same thing as eating or ingesting blood into their body’s digestive system.
“A patient in the hospital maybe fed through the mouth, through the nose, or through the veins. When sugar solutions are given intravenously it is called intravenous feeding. So the hospital’s own terminology recognizes as feeding the process of putting nutrition into one’s system via the veins. Hence the attendant administering the transfusion is feeding the patient through the veins, and the patient receiving it is eating through his veins.” — The WATCHTOWER magazine, July 1, 1951.
Jehovah’s Witnesses refuse to acknowledge that when human blood is transfused into their body’s circulatory system that the transfused human blood remains to be human blood and continues to function as human blood. Jehovah’s Witnesses refuse to acknowledge that if blood is eaten, then the ingested blood enters the body’s digestive system, where the blood would be treated by the body exactly the same as it would treat a hotdog, a potato chip, or any other food item. Ingested blood would be completely digested and broken down into proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and waste; which are then either assimilated or excreted by the body.
The WatchTower Society uses scriptures which speak about the blood of slaughtered animals to teach Jehovah’s Witnesses that blood is “sacred” because blood is the “symbol of life”. Then, the WatchTower Society turns around and requires Jehovah’s Witnesses to sacrifice their own “life” to maintain the alleged “sacredness” of a “symbol” of the very thing they are sacrificing — their life. Jehovah’s Witnesses refuse to acknowledge that the WatchTower doctrine on blood moronically places a higher value on the SYMBOL than it does on the THING SYMBOLIZED.
In fact, the Old Testament scriptures permitted the eating of unbled animal meat, which the Bible treats exactly the same as eating animal blood itself. In isolated occasions, when humans needed to eat unbled meat in order to sustain their own human life, the Mosaic Law permitted such, but then required the eaters to fulfill the requirements of being “unclean” for a few days. Thus, the Bible recognized that the sustaining of human life was more “sacred” than maintaining the sacredness of animal blood. To do otherwise would be doing exactly what the moronic WatchTower Society does. It would make the SYMBOL more SACRED than the THING SYMBOLIZED.
In fact, the WatchTower Society is leading Jehovah’s Witnesses to disobey GOD and violate the Holy Scriptures in one of the most serious ways possible. Because humans were created in GOD’s image, GOD considers human life sacred. A Jehovah’s Witness who sacrifices their SACRED LIFE in order to maintain the sacredness of a SYMBOL of that SACRED LIFE varies little from those who profane life by committing suicide. Those Jehovah’s Witness Elders who teach and police this moronic doctrine vary little from common accessories to murder. The Bible is fairly clear in how GOD views murder, and how He deals with Murderers.
This moronic twisting of scripture would be laughable if not for the fact that it has lead to the pointless deaths of numerous Jehovah’s Witnesses in the past, and it will continue to lead to the pointless deaths of many more Jehovah’s Witnesses in the future.
SUMMARIES OF 300 JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES LAWSUITS & COURT CASES
The following website summarizes over 315 U.S. court cases and lawsuits affecting children of Jehovah’s Witness Parents, including 200+ cases where the JW Parents refused to consent to life-saving blood transfusions for their dying children:
DIVORCE, BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS, AND OTHER LEGAL ISSUES AFFECTING CHILDREN OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES
http://jwdivorces.bravehost.com
CLICK HERE to keep updated with the latest news, share a comment or problems with products and services. Follow us on twitter or read more news.
Denieca, I was a witness for 20 years. You have a lot to learn about the organisation… and you have a lot to learn about the meaning and value of life. The reason why people “won’t leave the Jehovah’s Witness Organisation alone” is because their unbiblical policies cause so much damage to human life. Bible scriptures are taken and their meaning is bent to fit in with the policy of the governing body. The authors of their books misquote well-known (and less well-known) experts and scientists. For example, the Creation book contained hundreds of misquotes and quotes out of contaxt.
The organisation hides things from their members and trains (brainwashes) them to ignore any negative comment about the organisation, eg. Child-abuse scandal, UN-NGO scandal, the 607BC lie.
Thousands maybe millions of people like me have been cut off from their families, not because of any arrogance on our part, but simply because we don’t believe what we used to believe, and try to rationally and logically put forth our queries. The JW Organisation is as whitewashed grave. It appears perfect when you are in it, because you are not able to see. When you lift the veil, the full sinisterness of the organisation is revealed.
I heard of a case of witness parents kidknapping their baby from the hospital to protect it from a blood transfusion. Of course, the baby died away from proper medical care. Do you not see how the organisation can twist your thinking and make evil look righteous?
I am proud to say that I am one among millions of Jehovah’s witnesses that mourn the loss of our sister. Let us remember the source of death. If you truly believe God’s word you will recognize that it resulted from the first man and woman’s disobedience to God’s law and the desire to be independent of God’s law. So, I say to all you apostates who jump on the “ambulance chasing” when these types of tragedies befall Jehovah’s witness families, damn you. You are from your father, the despoiler, the rebel. Crawl back into your snake dens and leave us alone so that we can mourn the loss of our dear loved ones in peace. Has your heart been hardened so that it has no fellow feeling? All life is sacred to God. He even notices the death of a sparrow. So how do you think he feels about the purposeful taking of millions of lives in abortions each year? Millions compared to 200 to 300 cases of so-called child protection cases. How do you reconcile this in the legal and medical community?
How many children are sacrificed to the “god of war” of each year? How emotionally charged is that patriotic issue? Yet there are those of you who stand ready to condemn Jehovah’s witnesses for their Bible based neutral stand, and willingly sacrifice your own children’s lives? Then when something like this happens you hypocritically jump on the condemnation bandwagon. I could say that your son, your daughter has died for nothing, needlessly, and scripturally that is true since this system of things is passing away. However, I know that you sincerely believe that the cause for which their life was sacrificed was a worthwhile cause. I respect that. Why do you find it so difficult then to respect our belief? Do you seriously think that the loss of the life of any of my family, father, mother, brother, sister, son, or daughter, for any reason, whether it be due to blood loss, or from murder, or tragic accident is any less heart wrenching than what you feel? The comments I have read in these posts thus far betray a sorrowful lack of fellow feeling for the human condition. I don’t know the “rest of the story” on the loss of Emma’s life, but I suspect that based on the one post from a friend that knew her there is more to it then what any of the rest of you are willing to readily acknowledge. Jehovah’s witnesses, like the rest of the population, want the best medical care possible for their family. It is suspect whether Emma received the best medical care possible. Personally, I have lost a number of friends to incompetent local surgeons who have simply just let their patients bleed to death. It was and is criminal negligence, and the local medical community knows the facts. Recently, one of these same quack doctors (a.k.a. by the local nursing staff as “Lucky Larson”) let a non-witness nearly bleed to death resulting in gangrene, the loss of most of my friends bowels and both of his legs. What has been done to this butcher so far? Nothing. He’s still “practicing” surgery today. So, get off your unstable soap box before you fall flat on your ass.
What a fantastic article about the mind freezing “doctrines” of the Jehovah’s Witnesses (WatchTower Bible and Tract Society).
The Sooner these people are listed as a highly dangerous cult and a brainwashing device of Satan the better. Until then we will never be safe.
Don’t speak to them without researching all avenues of their “doctrine” including their history and their very own Bible Translation.
I should know I had 7 years of being one. They are forbidden to speak to me. Either in public or secret. I remeber when they said 6 years ago :
“We are in the Last Days of The Last Days”
Yeah right, I’ll see you in Hell.
Hello MJ,
I read your comments regarding the death of Emma Gough. I understand that you are very dedicated and sincere in your belief in the Watchtower Society. The next question begs to be asked…What authority does the Watchtower have that decides the life or death of its followers? If their doctrine dictates a no blood policy, then why are some parts of blood accepted and others are not? Why is this doctrine so inconsistant? Every idividual has a right to believe as they wish but shouldn’t that right be based on truth and not a man made organization that is responsible for the deaths of thousands of men, women and children over the years.
I am not a member of the Watchtower Society and never have been. I do however have a special interest in the blood issue as I perform the procedure commonly known as cell saving. I would like to engage in further conversation with you and get more of your opinions.
I am sorry for the loss of Emma, a loss that could very well have been prevented.
Here is what the “inspired” leaders of the WTB&TS said about aluminum cookware:
Aluminum cookware BAD:
“If the organs [of your body] are diseased, heal them by correcting your diet. Avoid the use of aluminum cooking utensils and alum baking powders as they are injurious to your health, poisoning your blood stream.” - The Golden Age, Nov. 12, 1929, p. 107
“As a result of the publication of wholesome truth on the subject, there are fewer people now purchasing aluminum cooking utensils than heretofore. There is also a pronounced drop in the cancer death rate. Much aluminum used: many cancers. Less aluminum used: fewer cancers.” - The Golden Age, 1930 p.650
Aluminum cookware GOOD:
“What about the aluminum cooking utensils?…At present the great majority of authorities in medical and scientific fields gave aluminum a rather clean bill of health.” - Awake! June 22, 1962 pages 8-10 ‘What About Aluminum Cooking Utensils?’
Here is what the “inspired” leaders of the WTB&TS have said about the medical profession in general:
“We do well to bear in mind that among the drugs, serums, vaccines, surgical operations, etc., of the medical profession, there is nothing of value save an occasional surgical procedure. . . . Readers of The Golden Age know the unpleasant truth about the clergy; they should also know the truth about the medical profession, which sprang from the same demon worshipping shamans (doctor priests) as did the ‘doctors of divinity.’” (Golden Age, August 5, 1931 pages 727-728)
Here is what the WTB&TS leaders taught about vaccinations:
forbidden in 1931 —
“Vaccination is a direct violation of the everlasting covenant that God made with Noah after the flood.” - The Golden Age, January 4, 1931, page 293.
OK in 1952 —
“The matter of vaccination is one for the individual that has to face it to decide for himself….And our Society cannot afford to be drawn into the affair legally or take the responsibility for the way the case turns out…” After consideration of the matter, it does not appear to us to be in violation of the everlasting covenant made with Noah, as set down in Genesis 9:4, nor contrary to God’s related commandment at Leviticus 17:10-14. Most certainly it cannot reasonably or Scripturally be argued and proved that, by being vaccinated, the inoculated person is either eating or drinking blood and consuming it as food or receiving a blood transfusion.” - The Watchtower, December 15, 1952, page 764
In 1945 the leadership of the WTB&TS began equating blood transfusions with “eating blood.”
By the year 2000 the same leadership was hedging their bet, saying that blood FRACTIONS could be a matter of conscience. Presently, nearly all blood components are permitted as long as they are not in the form of whole blood.
In the not too distant future, the WTB&TS leadership will once again throw one of their “doctrines of men” — thier idolatrous blood policy — on the scrap-heap, and they’ll call it “New Light,” just as they did when the teachings on aluminium cookware, vaccinations and organ transplants (1967-1980) were reversed.
MJ, please, just do a little bit of research about some of the issues before coming here with such vitriol and CURSING us for jumping on the bandwagon and coming from our “father the devil”.
Just because a person does not accept the Watchtower’s blood policy, it does not mean that they support war, or that they uphold the abortion of foetuses.
When the death of an innocent person happens, the community has a right to decry it, and defend civil society against beliefs which it does not hold. For example, many innocent Muslims are killed by Jews and vice-versa in Israel. Should we just stand back and let it happen, saying “well, it’s their religion, they have a right to practice terrorism so we’ll respect their freedom of religion. We won’t say anything bad about them because we might offend them”? Of course not, and the Watchtower certainly doesn’t hold back from criticising other religions as the “Scarlet Whore of Babylon”. However it cannot take any criticism; it is a whitewashed grave.
The fact is, MOST of the deaths associated with blood transfusions stem from NOT having them administered. There is a small number who die of negligence, a small percentage of people who die *IN SPITE* of blood transfusions, and only a very, very small percentage of people who actually die *BECAUSE* of them. I’m very sorry for your loss, but the existence of “quack doctors” has no bearing on whether a blood transfusion saves lives or not.
I have a lot of fellow-feeling, which is the reason I criticise the Watchtower policy. If I had no fellow-feeling I would not care about it. The problem, is not just that people have chosen not to have a blood transfusion and chosen to die, the problem is that she has died leaving two young children. This is what I care about, it is not a “soap box” it is a genuine statement from someone who has spent 20 years in the organisation, and also lost many friends to complications involving blood.
Many people are afraid of coming out of the Organisation because they know their family will stop talking to them if they reveal their true feelings. They will be ostracised as “bad association”, and if they even dare to whisper a word that doesn’t agree with the society, they are labelled “apostates”, and told they are “of their father the devil”. I know of 5 such frightened people in just one congregation… and they don’t know about each other. They try to believe, but they are too intelligent to just swallow what the society says. They are scared because the Watchtower society is like the Orwellian Big Brother, always keeping an eye out for the slightest non-conformity; not handing in a report on time, missing 1 of the 5 meetings each WEEK etc. They are scared because they can’t force themselves to have faith, because they have an analytical mind, and the whole belief system of Jehovah’s Witnesses doesn’t stand up to questioning; that’s why its forbidden to question things directly in meetings as opposed to the open discussions in the early Christian congregations. When the Watchtower society stops being fundamentalist, intolerant of other views and dogmatic that it alone is right, then most so-called “apostates” will leave the organisation alone, because they will have got back their children and brothers and sisters and fathers and mothers which they lost simply because they couldn’t ignore their conscience and make themselves believe.
My advise to any Jehovah’s Witness is: Think, use your power of reason, and don’t be afraid of analysing and taking apart your whole system of beliefs to see if they hold water.
Where in the Bible does it say that eating blood is permitted in special, desperate circumstances and mandatorily followed by a period of ceremonial uncleanness? Does such a scripture exist?