Blood Transfusions
By Pedward
Blood Transfusions – Part 1
One of the most controversial doctrines the Watchtower has passed down to the Jehovah’s Witness is the doctrine of no blood transfusions. Not just because the adults were refusing the blood transfusions, but more over, the parents of small children that were unable to make their own decisions, were dieing because their parents were making the decision for them. The Awake magazine on the left shows the faces of kids who lost ther lives because their parents would not get a blood transfusion for them. The Watchtower has made martyrs out of these kids.
In a Watchtower book entitled “Blood, Medicine, and The Law of God” 1961 addition, Pg 54 states ” They know if they violate God’s law on blood and the child dies in the process, they have endangered the child’s opportunity for everlasting life in God’s new world”. Now I want our readers to really think about this. So Jesus didn’t die for all sins, only some, and if a parent sins, then the child will not receive eternal life for it. Can you imagine seeing your child dieing before your eyes? Then, in a moment of weakness you order the blood transfusion to save her or him. Now because of this “sin” or yours, your child will be denied eternal life? This is not Biblical or the way our Jesus works.
The passages that the Watchtower likes to cite are Genesis 9:4, Leviticus 7:26,27; 17:11,12, and Acts 15:28,29. Lets take a look at these.
The New World Translation (which is the Jehovah’s Witnesses Bible) says in Genesis 9:4, “only the flesh with its soul-its blood-you must eat.” This is one of the verses that the Watchtower says forbids transfusions. According to them having a blood transfusion is the same as eating blood because intravenous feeding is so similar.
According to the Watchtower, when a person is being “fed” intravenously it is the same as eating through the mouth because when a person can’t eat through the mouth, they are feed intravenously.
There are countless story’s of parents making the heart retching decision to allow their child to die, because they are told that it is against God’s law. And the penalty for not following God’s law is to be disfellowshipped and to be cut off from all friends and family that are Jehovah’s Witnesses.
I remember when the Pharisees tried to condemn Jesus for healing someone on the Sabbath. They see what they want to see in the law, but are blind to the truth. This is NOT what the Bible is saying about blood!
Let me ask everyone a question. Based on all the miss information about the end of the world and the false prophecies, the flip flops on organ transplants, the ban on vaccinations at one point and more, would you really let your child die based on what the Watchtower said? How can it be “Gods Organization”?
More on this subject later.
CLICK HERE for the Watchtower Documents Quoted Here.PDF.
in response to the rescent post about blood transfusion. i agree entirely. surely blood transfusions and intravenous feeding was non existant when the bible was written? how could Genesis 9:4, “only the flesh with its soul-its blood-you must eat.†possibly have any relation to the moder5n technology that is involved? i ask you this, had the future been set out already and Genesis speaks for it all?
“Blood, Medicine, and The Law of God†1961 addition, Pg 54 states †They know if they violate God’s law on blood and the child dies in the process, they have endangered the child’s opportunity for everlasting life in God’s new worldâ€.
I take your word for the authenticity of this quote and it being reproduced in proper context. I must say, however, that this was NEVER the belief or attitude of the Witnessses when I was associated (24 years an elder). Acceptance of blood may get the decision maker disfellowshipped or nowadays disassociated, but it was not thought to have any adverse affect on Gods view of the child.
These days I am like you – opposed to their teachings ,which are frankly wrong, but one thing we need is truth and accuracy . Otherwise the new ones who need sites like this will be reassured that we speak “apostate lies” and go back to their J W studies
I was approached by a Jehovahs Witness yesterday and after a discussion concerning the problems with children and their disrespectful attitudes towards their parents and societal rules/guidelines in general,he asked me a question.
He asked that if I knew of a problem and had the power to change it,would I take the necessary steps to make the change?
“Of course” was my reply which immediately targetted me as a possible future Jehovahs witness.
After a half hour of being bombarded with his very viscious attitude towards evil and that little devil that sits on the shoulder of all wrong doers,I felt offended that I now felt like I was, for my few vices and habits,been lumped into a group of fairly normal people destined to be anhialiated by Jehovah unless I joined his/their group of holier than thou members of the eternal life club.
Please set me straight….am I doomed as a member of the Masonic Lodge and what I thought was a decent Baptist attending an Anglican church because I like the attitude of the preacher?
Perplexed Dwight.
Ex-Elder, Thank you for letting us know that! I guess it’s still disheartening to see it in writing since you have to wonder how many may have read this and taken it word for word and lost a child for it. It has always puzzled me why the Watchtower would write things and then try and back pedal and explain what they “really meantâ€. It breaks my heart to think about the consequences of such an obvious twisting of Gods Word. Again, thank you for letting us know that this idea about children was really not pushed by the Watchtower.
Hi Perplexed, I wouldn’t let the Jehovah’s Witnesses make you feel one way or another. They are very good at the fear and guilt tactic. Your salvation only requires the acceptance of Jesus Christ and repentance. If you feel something may be going against what the Lord teaches, then searh the Bible and pray that it is revealed to you. For me personally, I would not be involved in the Masonic lodge.
http://www.Watchman.org had this to say about the Freemasons;
Freemasonry: A fraternal order revived in the early 18th century in England, loosely based on associations or guilds of stone cutters (“operative” masons). Freemasonry (“speculative” masons) sought to give philosophical, moral, or spiritual meaning to the lodge, tools, and oaths of the stone cutters. Branches of Freemasonry include the Blue Lodge, York Rite, Scottish Rite, and Shriners. Affiliated organizations include the Order of the Eastern Star (for women), the Order of DeMolay (for boys), and the Order of Rainbow (for girls). Most modern adherents maintain that the organization is not a religion but a club or fraternity promoting high moral values and good works. They believe, therefore, that Freemasonry is compatible with and supplements Christianity and other religions. Critics counter that Freemasonry involves secret blood oaths or curses, and that the writings of respected early leaders (Albert Mackey, Albert Pike, etc.) are replete with occult philosophy and religious doctrine contrary to Christianity. Despite Freemasonry’s promotion and funding of a number of worthwhile, philanthropic endeavors (free Shriner children hospitals, nursing homes, etc.), many Christian individuals and churches have condemned Freemasonry or warned of elements that they believe are contrary to Christianity. These churches include the Presbyterian Church of America, Southern Baptist Convention, Episcopal Church, Christian Reformed Church, Church of the Nazarene, and Lutheran Church (Missouri and Wisconsin Synods).
If you need anything, let us know.
I was raised Baptist and have 3 children. 2 of which are by my ex-husband. We have split custody. He married a lady about 3 years ago. When they got married I had no idea that she was a JW. she did not even act like she went to church, if you know what I mean. My ex is her 4th marriage. Make a long story short. They started taking my children to the kingdom hall againt my better judgement. I fussed the whole time. My children do not like it, they are very confused. They have grown up Baptist their whole life. They went to church with me or their grand-mother (his mother). I have a lawyer and have sued for fulled custody for this reason and several other reasons. I am affraid for my children. You say you are an ex-elder what can I do?
HELP
Savemykids, I did edit your post a bit to take out the personal things, but I know you’re upset. Listen, the first thing you need to address is the blood transfusions. Forget about the litigation on the custody because that will take a while. I would tell your lawyer that you want an emergent motion drawn up NOW to address the issue of blood transfusions should your children need one while in his custody. That should be a pretty easy win if the children are small because usually the court will find favor for “what is in the best interest of the childâ€.
SMK, do me a favor and post this question in the forum for others to give and opinion on also. You may have others out there that have already been through this and can help.
WOW!! Is the first thing that comes to mind? I would like to start by saying the transfer of blood has and ALWAYS will be a BAD idea. I once studied JW and yes, I was taught receiving blood was a BIG no no, but I am glad I was taught that. The thought of transferring blood came along with the modern day technology and many have lawsuits for the BAD BLOOD they received. Back when transferring blood came about, the scanning was weak and many humans were infected with ILLNESS and diseases by the blood they received. I completely agree with…DO NOT GIVE ME ANYONE ELSE’S BLOOD. Think about it, your blood is your COMPLETE and utter life-LINE. You never know what you will be getting from someone else’s blood. The other person may have been a very evil spirited person. Do I want someone else’s LIFE-LINE passing through me or my child? NEGATIVE….???? From dust to dust…if it is my time to go, so BE it. I do not want to reap the aftermath of receiving anyone’s ill-spirited BLOOD. IT’S just NOT worth it. GO JW teachings.
Wow is right! Thinking you will get an “ill spirit” from someone’s blood is bordering on mysticism. A person’s personality can’t be transferred in blood. I think we all agree that a blood transfusion is not something we would be excited about doing, but there are times when it’s either life or death and if my child or loved one needed one in order to save their life, you bet I would give it to them.
Considering that the Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that a persons “spirit†is only its life force and does not have personality, your logic of passing an ill spirit to another doesn’t even fit into their doctrine.
Borderline mysticism come on now, as stated PRIOR, your blood is your LIFE-LINE intertwining a life-line with someone else’s is thought to be a bad idea. It goes without saying that no one would jump at the opportunity to be in the position, to have to receive a transfusion.
Good for you, that you would give your child or loved one blood (hopefully not against their well), in a life or death situation. Are you willing to be accountable for any negative aftermath of the transfusion, which you thought so much would save a life? Be mindful that receiving the transfusion could very well be the cause of a fatal incident. Whatever happened to allowing nature to take its course, honoring other’s wishes? Allowing people to live in the way they feel is correct and comfortable for them, as they will go to judgment for themselves.
Further, allow me to add, I know what JW beliefs of “spirits” or but again it’s written “did study JW” as my heading. Hence, my logic of ill-spirit was not intended to fit into their doctrine!
i applaud DidStudyw/JW and everything he says. i strongly oppose giving my precious blood to anyone with or without knowing the consequences. it is common sense.
Go for blood transfusion or not is not the real issue here, I believe. If this matter should be understood, the only better way to do so is to understand the Bible first. By trying to understand the Holy Scripture, and if we believe that this is inspired by God, we can figure out (only if we approach this discovery with the right attitude of heart)that God, in His words, speaks what He instructed “ALL” human being when it comes to blood matter. If you have eyes, open it, believe in God’s words on this matter, not on what people says about this issue. For doing so, you would only confuse your mind or please your mind. You decide for yourself based on what you believe. Thank you.
I HAVE HAD CHILDREN DIE ON ME IN THE NAME OF THIS NEW “CULT”. THESE PARENTS SHOULD BE PUT IN JAIL FOR HARMING THIER KIDS. IN FACT I’M SITTING 10 FEET AWAY FROM A JW RIGHT NOW WHO WILL NOT TAKEN BLOOD. FAMILY MEMBER AND SPITITUAL HEALER AFTER SPIRITUAL HEALER ARE COMING TO SEE HER IN ORDER TO BRAIN WASH HER. WHAT MAKES ME EVEN MORE UPSET IS THAT ONE OF THEM TOOK THE CROSS OFF THE WALL IN THE HOSPITAL ROOM (CATHLIC HOSPITAL)W/O ASKING. CAN YOU IMAGINE ONE OF THEM WALKING INTO YOUR OFFICE AND DOING THAT. MY POINT IS, IS THAT IT IS BRAIN WASHING.
ICU Nurse, thank you for writing. If anyone who reads this can pray for this person right now, right where you stand or sit. Also pray for his or her family. Lord, we know that they think that they are doing your will, but we know different. We ask that you intervene on this persons behalf and heal them, so that her testimony will be a light to us all or to give them more time to hear the truth about you. Father, you said that anything we should ask in your name that you would give it and we know that only means that if it is in your will. We ask right now Lord that you heal this person. You have said in your word that the prayer of righteous men avails much. I can stand before you and say, I don’t think I’m him, but I know that you are bigger than me. You died for me and for this person who doesn’t know the truth about you and I pray that this life not be snuffed out by her well meaning family. Lord, let those who are without sin, cast the first stone at this family. Forgive them Lord for what they are about to do in your name. They are so lost Lord, forgive them and restore them. Help them to see that this is not your will. This is not how you work. This is not your mercy and grace, this is the fact that we live in a fallen word, a world that rejects you for who you really are Lord. Lord, if it is your will, please heal this person as we pray, but even so Lord, you will be done.
Oh my Lord we pray,
Pedward
My goodness ICU, I don’t know if I can sleep tonight. Please let us know how they do.
I am a 16yr old who is the best friend of a JW. I would be very angry at anyone who wud let them die becasue of this cult. It is not a religion. Religion helps life and preserves it. The JW religion does neither. Their beliefs are the cause of more deaths then it actually saves. It brainwashes people and they believe these lies that are told. I am not any religion but if i was going to be one it would not be JW.
Thank You
Aren’t the JWs guilty of ignoring what Jesus said? i.e. That it’s not what goes into a man that makes him unclean, but what comes out of his mouth, that makes him unclean.
All this stuff about blood ~ it’s just a quirk to help define themselves against other groups. Or is there another Christian group who has this odd belief?
Pedward
At my birth (in 1947) I was receiving a full blood transfusion due to my Epilepsy, Polio and Meningitis disabilities in a hospital bed, surrounded by Nurses and Doctors, in England. Although I have had a shaky childhood with these illnesses my current medical condition is stable due to the correct prescribed tablets by my Medical Doctor
I WOULD HAD DIED AT BIRTH if my father had been a Jehovah Witness, due to their sick belief of not allowing blood transfusions to children (or anyone else, come to that). The Jehovah Witness like to live in the Old Testament times where Law (Moses) outdid the New Testament(God’s Grace)and place no importance on sustaining the life in man that Jesus Christ tells us to do
In the New Testament Jesus Christ commands us to sustain the life of his creation. That does not take a person of much intelligence to understand that if you have to give blood in an emergency you DO NOT DENY THAT PERSON IN NEED whatever you can do for him or her We are commanded of Jesus Christ to look after His people. NOWHERE IN THE BIBLE DOES IT STATE THAT WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO HELP OTHERS WITH A BLOOD TRANSFUSION, but the Jehovah Witness seems to take exception to that fact
If I had not had a blood transfusion (in 1947) at birth, I am confident that I would had died and I would not be alive today, 59 years later to be able to spread the Word of God the way He wants us to, not the way of an Organization
I have many “occasional visits” from the Jehovah Witness, but they do not like me due to my belief of my willingness to give blood to those in need. Although it has not been vocally stated I am sure they do not like me for my own belief of God, they try to keep me away from the New King James Version of the Bible and ONLY TRY TO PUSH ME INTO BELIEVING IN THEIR TRANSLATION OF THE New World Translation of the Holy Bible: Their translation!!
I used to be in a wheelchair, have a lot of major Epileptic Seizures and peer pressure in Society which stressed me out during my childhood and adolescence. I generally had 2 to 3 major Epileptic Seizures each fortnight (or 52 to 78 Epileptic Seizures each year)
Now as an adult of 59 years of age I, due to Jesus Christ healing me and the tablets and medical assistance, I have not had any problems with Epileptic Seizures for over 3 years!! Even my own Medical Specialist will not agree with me that Jesus Christ healed me of my Epileptic Condition, yet he will not give me an answer as to why I no longer have any Seizures
Before I gave my life to the Lord, repented and was borne again, at my Baptism 3 years ago, I knew that the Lord had healed me of my Epileptic Condition at that same second I was fully immersed into the water at Baptism
I thank Him every day for His healing me. When I was 8 years of age, Jesus healed me of my Polio and Menengitis.
JESUS CHRIST HEALED ME OF MY POLIO AND MENENGTIS EVEN BEFORE I KNEW THERE WAS A GOD!! How good is that!! NOW HE HAS HEALED ME OF MY EPILEPSY after 56 years of suffering!! These events are so breathtaking to me that I cannot help crying
I have only one medical problem left and that is Tinnitus, or ringing of the ears. I pray to Jesus Christ daily for this healing that one day will come to me
So, to thoes who like the idea of a sick society dictating to them about refusal of blood donations to God’s Creation: DO NOT REFUSE GOD’S CREATION THE CHANCE OF LIFE, do you want to be judged of our Lord for refusing to look after His creation??
KENNETH
Kenneth Says:
I am very distressed at what I have been told by a Jehovah Witness visitor about Blood Transfusions
I told him that I would never be a Jehovah Witness because I believe that we are to save God’s creation from any form of death if it is possible in doing so, whilst they are on this earth
I asked him: “If you saw a person in a car accident who needed blood to heal him, would you give it, if it were possible?
He answered “No,I would not because Jehovah commands me not to do so” Then he adds insult to injury by showing me a card stating that he is not allowed to give blood to anyone and signed by a Watchtower representative or Elder to that fact
He told me that he would leave this matter to the Ambulance Crew who took the injured person to hospital, and would have nothing to do with the matter. He even seemed proud of the fact that when I told him about the probability of the person dying in front of him whilst he stood there looking on he was allowing a person to die!!
I told him that God and Jesus Christ would not permit any of his creation to die due to the lack of needing medical attention: in this case a blood transfusion. We are to sustain the lives of His creation and it even states in the Bible we are commanded to die for them if need arises
The Jehovah Witness belief cause the deaths of many people due to their belief of Blood Transfusions which cover acts of “diet” (eating blood). There are 12 Scriptures in the Old Testament books about “blood diet”
I was borne needing a full blood transfusion as a baby whilst still in hospital, surrounded by many doctors and nurses. If I had a father that believed in Jehovah Witness beliefs at my birth I would not be writing this to you today. To take the life of a child or adult is to not allow them the opportunity in giving them a chance in being with God and Jesus Christ and as I see it: a form of killing!!
We do not have the right to kill and put to death God’s creation because of a person’s sick misguided, twisted satanic belief!!
i was saved two weeks ago and am trying to unbrainwash myself from 27 years of jw brainwashing and a molest by their members. i understand all the old testament is refering to eating or drinking blood and that animals are to be properly drained. if i was to choose today i would take the transfusion but only because thats what my gutt tells me is right. my head wants to know two things.
1.What did paul mean when he said to “abstain from blood”? can anybody look up the actual greek or aramaic word abstain and tell me the definition?
2. This is a qoute from jw literature that i cannot argue with. please provide valid logical arguements why this is wrong thinking so i can be firm in my understanding of the intent of this rule.
“In a hospital, when a patient cannot eat through his mouth, he is fed intravenously. Now, would a person who never put blood into his mouth but who accepted blood by transfusion really be obeying the command to “keep abstaining from . . . bloodâ€? (Acts 15:29) To use a comparison, consider a man who is told by the doctor that he must abstain from alcohol. Would he be obedient if he quit drinking alcohol but had it put directly into his veins?”
Thank you and may peace be with you
PS I am looking for a christian with lots of patience and lots of knowledge to study with me on the web and help me get there ideas out so i can put the pure word of God in. If you feel called to help me please contact mindymariebrown on yahoo messanger.
Mindy, Jehovah’s Witnesses use this verse, along with Old Testament dietary regulations and, to support their organizations ban on blood transfusion.
They see the above passage as a law from God, extending the Jewish dietary prohibition on blood to the Christian congregation for all time to come. But did the early church treat this apostolic letter as a permanent injunction? Obviously, fornication is permanently forbidden, but what about the other things mentioned in the letter?
What about meats offer to idols? Paul discussed the subject at greater length in his first letter to the Corinthians, pointing out that “an idle is nothing†and that “neither, if we eat, are we better; no other, if we eat not, are we the worse.†He urged against being such a meet in cases where it might become a stumbling block to new believers who had only race and lay-up and ideologist worship.
You ( See 1 Cor. 8:1-13, kvj) but, in general, Christians were free to eat whatever is sold in the pagan meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience and to eat whatever is set before you buy a pagan neighbor’s home. (1Cor. 10:25,27)
Therefore, the part of the letter of Acts 15 that refers to Meat’s offered to idols must not have been viewed as a permanent injunction for the church. There is no basis, then, for claiming that the statement about blood has forced to date either.
But, Even if it did, the scripture is still talking about diet, not blood transfusions. To take a dietary regulation and stretch it to the point of denying lifesaving medical procedure to a dying man is reminiscent of the Jewish Pharisees who were furious when Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath.
A letter published in the December 8, 1984, issue of the Concord monitor tells of Jehovah’s Witness Elders interrogating a terminal cancer patient in a hospital and then disfellowshiping him on his death bed because he accepted a blood transfusion. We could easily picture the Pharisees doing the same thing, but would Jesus act like that?
I have some close incounters with the witness’ in the subject of exchanging of blood products. It is my hope and prayer our lord Jesus Christ recieve full glory for my existance as well as any studies I do in his name amen.
I have a very interesting point I would like to make about blood transfusions. Is it not true that the HIV virus is a blood dis-order? And the only way (besides needles)to transfer this disorder is through intercourse? Well I have a suggestion for all witness’. Stop having intercourse with your spouses today. If they are so convinced their teaching is so true then why do they continue to co-mingle blood with one another through intercourse? I am no phD,but from my understanding does this make any sence to the average Joe?
In all instances where blood was prohibited the taking of a life was involved either literally or–in the case of David– symbolically. Blood transfusions do not take life; on the contrary, they usually help save it. Scripture states that life is in the blood. Jesus said, “no greater love has a man than this, that he lay down his life for a friend.