Ask a Question
or
Create a Poll
  1. Home /
  2. Questions /
  3. Social Sciences
  4. / Religions
  5. / Religions A - Z

by Anonymous on May 1st, 2005

Anonymous

Question

Help answer this question below.

Why do Jehovah's Witnesses refuse blood transfusions?

  • Like
  • Report
Share:
Other

Answers. Showing one answer.

  • by Puccini on November 30th, 2006

    Puccini

    "Jehovah's Witnesses refuse to become involved in social, religious, or political conflicts. They are well known for their refusal of blood transfusions. This refusal has attracted criticism from some medical and legal sources, but has also helped to strengthen the legal basis for patients' rights of informed consent and self-determination of medical treatment. Their search for bloodless treatment options has also encouraged research and development of bloodless surgery techniques."

    "Whole blood transfusions are rejected. This is based on their understanding of the biblical admonition to "keep abstaining from blood" based on Acts 15:28, 29 (NWT). According to the conscience of the particular individual, they may accept derivatives of blood. In current medical practice, whole blood transfusions are very rare, and individual blood components are used instead. Witnesses may accept a process called normovolemic hemodilution, a treatment that processes the individual's own blood in a closed loop that does not interrupt the circulation of blood, and delivers it immediately back into the body. Also left to conscience are procedures where a "quantity of blood is withdrawn in order to tag it or to mix it with medicine, whereupon it is put back into the patient."

    "Jehovah’s Witnesses have been known to highlight the potential dangers of blood transfusions. Witness representatives have stated that plasma volume expanders are often sufficient to take care of various medical emergency situations. However, Witnesses explain that their objections to blood transfusions are for religious rather than medical reasons."

    "A growing number of hospitals are offering bloodless techniques in medicine and surgery. A number of medical professionals have credited Jehovah's Witnesses and their related organizations for their contribution to the dissemination of information regarding bloodless surgery techniques. Experts in the fields of orthopedic and cardiac surgery have collaborated with Jehovah's Witnesses to produce information regarding the benefits of bloodless techniques and therapies."

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah's_Witnesses#Blood

    Comments

    • Well said. This week J.W.'s received information on blood "fractions", all blood components have them with the exception of platlets.

      Wendora

      by Wendora on December 1st, 2006

    • Excellent explanation

      Alaskacatalog

      by Alaskacatalog on January 2nd, 2007

    • The blood transfusion issue is still a hot item, even though the Watchtower has practically allowed all 'parts' of the blood individually, just not together!

      Doesn't the Bible clearly state to "pour ALL the blood onto the ground and cover it with dust because to Jehovah the life blood belongs"?

      So, how can the Watchtower execs allow most of the parts of blood which they euphemistically call "blood fractions" YET forbid "whole blood"?

      Isn't it all sacred to Jehovah,or is this a legal ruse to keep from being sued?

      Remember thousands of devout obedient Jehovah's Witnesses have DIED for this blood stance.


      Answer please,


      Anonymous

      by Anonymous on January 13th, 2007

    • Everyone has a conscience and has to be led by it. Personally, I have not agreed to any blood fractions on my medical directive, that is how my conscience and knowledge of the scriptures has moved me to act.

      Wendora

      by Wendora on January 13th, 2007

    • I don't understand. If the bible states "to Jehovah the life blood belongs", does it matter whether it is poured on the ground or put into a person? If Jehovah wants the blood, can't he have it equally as easily either way? Is it easier for Jehovah to obtain the blood from the ground?

      ptrask

      by ptrask on January 14th, 2007

    • http://www.watchtower.org/library/hb/article_01.htm Take a look at this, the prohibition was "eating" blood. In Bible times transfusions were unknown. If your doctor told you not to drink alcohol, you would not inject it into your veins.

      Wendora

      by Wendora on January 14th, 2007

    • Actually, that is a bad comparison. I can imagine my doctor telling me not to drink Normal Saline or Ringer's Lactate, but I would have no qualms about either of those being injected into my veins. In fact, I have had that done on a few different occasions.

      ptrask

      by ptrask on January 14th, 2007

    • This is a better answer.

      Anonymous

      by Anonymous on February 15th, 2007

    • Drinking NS or RL would not pose a problem to you but i am sure you would not eat heroin or marijuana if your doctor says don't smoke it. We can trade examples forever but the fact remains that the basis for refusal is religious and not for medical or personal reasons.

      Anonymous

      by Anonymous on March 24th, 2008

    • Like
    • Report

    9 comments | Post one | Permalink

Want to attach an image to your answer? Click here.

Did this answer your question? If not, then ask a new question or create a poll.

More Questions. Additional questions in this category.

You're reading Why do Jehovah's Witnesses refuse blood transfusions?

Follow us on Facebook!

Related Ads

Related Questions

Professionally Researched

Answerbag

a Demand Media company