The "short answer" - They believe they are following the word of God, as stated in the Bible. They don't even use their own blood for a transfusion. They stand by this: Lev 7:26 and 17:12 Moreover ye shall eat no manner of blood, whether it be of fowl or of beast, in any of your dwellings. Therefore I said unto the children of Israel, No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger that sojourneth among you eat blood. Yes it seems they’ve changed the rules a bit. They may now use hemoglobin (red cells without the membrane) - the largest of all blood components which transports oxygen throughout the body. Watchtower Blood policy in 2004: "...when it comes to fractions of any of the primary components, each Christian, after careful and prayerful meditation, must conscientiously decide for himself." Watchtower Blood policy in 1961: “If you have reason to believe that a certain product contains blood or a blood fraction…if the label says that certain tablets contain hemoglobin…this is from blood...a Christian knows, without asking, that he should avoid such a preparation. - The Watchtower 11/01/1961, p. 669 " Is it wrong to sustain life by administering a transfusion of blood or plasma or red cells or others of the component parts of the blood? Yes!...the prohibition includes "any blood at all." - Blood, Medicine and the Law of God, 1961, pp. 13, 14

Jehovah's Witnesses are often castigated by non Witnesses when a child dies . This is on the basis that they consider the child would DEFINITELY have survived if a blood transfusion had taken place. It is a wrong assumption. Some children with severe trauma or cancer will die regardless of any given transfusion. And they all forget, either through false teachings or simple lack of Bible knowledge, that Almighty God can , if He so chooses, resurrect anyone at any time. Death does cause grief and sadness, but for faithful Jehovah's Witnesses, it is not ' the end of the line'. Just the beginning of something far better. The comments following my answer are really based on the belief that when a child dies in this life, that is the last the parents will see of that child. This is what the Catholic faith teaches and causes parents untold grief as it offers no comfort. Catholic priests claim that God wanted the child in heaven, to be an angel. A blatant false teaching. The situation affects only the children of Jehovah's witnesses but the comments would make one think that it affects the commenter's children. J.W.'s love their children as much as anyone else, but always try to obey God's laws.

It's odd that the Watchtower claims that their stand on "no blood transfussion" is bible based, (Do not EAT blood) but today the Watchtower allows it's members to accept blood "fractions". Though they fail to show scriptual backing for this stand. Though they clain they only follow the bible... not man. Bryan

i can assure you that the blood ban is not bogus. The consumption (eating) of blood was strictly forbidden under old testament law. in fact god taught that blood was sacred and must be returned to the ground. Leviticus 17:13, 14 "For the soul of every sort of flesh is its blood by the soul in it. Consequently I said to the sons of Israel: “YOU must not eat the blood of any sort of flesh, because the soul of every sort of flesh is its blood. Anyone eating it will be cut off.” This was saying that blood was vital to "the preserving alive of the soul" without it the soul is dead. in the Bible book of Acts chapter 15 the first part of verse 29 says "to keep abstaining from things sacrificed to idols and from blood", it said "keep abstaining", the word "abstain" means "To hold oneself back: forbear, hold off, keep, refrain, withhold, hold back from doing. See restraint." Those words are fairly reasuring that we are doing the right thing regarding the blood issue. We know from reading the bible that god does not change, which means that his views on blood do not change either. Regarding the childrens deaths, there have been huge advancements in the field of bloodless medicine in the recent years, these advancements mean that a large percentage of if not all surgeries even major ones can now be performed without using a blood transfusion. Studies have shown that patients undergoing surgery without a blood transfusion have a higher success rate and significantly shorter recovery times. And finaly you said Because the Watchtower fairy follows the money trail,and will do anything for a buck. about 15 or so years ago the Watchtower discontinued imposing a charge on the publications and became a registered charity the reason for this is because the message we proclaim is freely available and it was decided that it would be wrong of us to charge for them. i think i have covered in enough detail your arguement so ill stop now.

Jehovah's Witnesses refusal to take blood is not bogus, it is a doctrine and one which every consenting member is expected to uphold, emphasis on the word consenting, they are free to make their coice to take blood, ultimately it is their personal responsibility. Will i take blood personally? No. The taking of blood fragments is also a personal dcision, there is no law against or for it. It is a decision which adults make for themselves. Ultimately it is a choise which we make to take blood or not. If you cannot abide by the rule then you do not have to be a member of the organization. In addition the Bible does say not to eat blood which can mean it should not be taken into our body in any form. Since i will not swallow an aspirin (personal choice) i do not want it infused in me either. I will not sniff heroine i do not want it injected in me it is that simple.

My wife gave birth to our son just this august 28, 2006, after 2days they transfered our son to the I.C.U. My son is suffering a neo-natal pneumonia and blood loss, his CBC test result: hemoglobin 6 and his hematocrit level is 19. The doctor told us that its way too low and our son needs a blood transfussion or else my son will die. Actually at the I.C.U. about 5 babies are in a critical situation and needs Blood Transfussion including my son. Among all the babies, my son is the only one that did not take the procedure of blood transfussion. The Babies are gone now, they died because of blood growth infection. So Its a good thing that we've followed whats written in the bible. Because Its wirtten in the bible that we shall not consume blood. Leviticus 17:13,14... And Acts 15: 28,29 keep abstaining from blood , Then You will prosper, GOOD HEALTH TO YOU. Praise jehovah god my son just got out from the I.C.U. he is in the recovery stage now and getting better and better everyday... :) Mark 8: 35,36 "For who ever wants to save his soul will lose it; but whoever loses his soul for the sake of me and the good news will save it. Really of what benefit is it for a man to gain the whole world and to forfeit his soul?"

"it is not clear whether fractions derived from blood components are acceptable or not" If you're trying to say that the Bible is not clear, then you are mistaken. The Bible, no where, says anything about doing anything with the different parts (fractions) of blood. Therefore, it is not a lack of understanding of what God says. It is the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (the JW leadership/Headquarters) which is not making it clear to you. They have no Bible bases for the teachings that you can have fractions. If you would like to differ, please post the scripture here. It is the Watchtower who is not clear, so they leave the decission on the shoulders of it's members. There is no Bible scripture dealing with using blood fractions in anyway, much less for a life saving matters. Bryan www.HaveYouSeenMyMother.com

In response to the negative comments on my explanation, not one has offered any Bible based reason why they would ACCEPT and ALLOW a blood transfusion. One single scripture, Acts 15;20, should be enough to make every Christian refuse blood transfusion, no matter what the outcome. (Acts 15:20) but to write them to abstain from things polluted by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood. Abstain from blood. If a doctor told you to abstain from alcohol, do you think it would be O.K. to cease drinking it, BUT CONTINUE TO INJECT IT INTO YOUR BLOOD SYSTEM? ALL THE COMMENTS ARE BASED ON THE PREMISE THAT THIS LIFE IS THE ONLY AND THE BEST. IT'S NOT.

They want to die

"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

At Acts 15:28, 29 Christians are commanded to abstain from blood. Some may say that refers only to eating blood. Consider this: if a doctor told you to abstain from alcohol, would you then feel at liberty to inject it directly into your veins? That would hardly constitute "abstinence." As to the reason, the Bible reveals an intimate relationship between life and blood. Deuteronomy 12:23 explains "Simply be firmly resolved not to eat the blood, because the blood is the soul and you must not eat the soul with the flesh." Just as life is sacred, God made blood something sacred. It belongs only to be him, to be used in a manner of which he approves.

i *→think←* it was because it was against God's will...

"Why do Jehovah's Witnesses refuse blood transfusions?" ... The Watchtower Organization cites several verses from The Bible (NWT) to justify or "reason" this belief/or policy. For example: Acts 15:28-29 - "For the holy spirit and we ourselves have favored adding no further burden to YOU, except these necessary things, to keep abstaining from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication." Genesis 9:4 - "Only flesh with its soul—its blood—YOU must not eat." But this CURRENT belief/or policy stands in glaring contrast to the beliefs/or policies of the Watchtower Organization of the PAST. The JW blood transfusion policy has been an ever changing one from the very start. The Watchtower Organization and JW's have had MANY MANY position/belief/policy changes throughout the 100 + years that they have been around. For example: Watchtower Blood policy in 1961: “If you have reason to believe that a certain product contains blood or a blood fraction…if the label says that certain tablets contain hemoglobin…this is from blood...a Christian knows, without asking, that he should avoid such a preparation. - The Watchtower, p. 669, 11/01/1961 Watchtower Blood policy in 2006: "...when it comes to fractions of any of the primary components, each Christian, after careful and prayerful meditation, must conscientiously decide for himself." - The Watchtower, pp. 29-31, 06/15/2006 ... see also Watchtower Advance Directive, page 11, 1.3(b) Now let's compare this with what Jesus said in Mark 7:15-19 - "... there is nothing outside the man which can defile him if it goes into him; but the things which proceed out of the man are what defile the man. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear. When he had left the crowd and entered the house, His disciples questioned Him about the parable. And He said to them, "Are you so lacking in understanding also? Do you not understand that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and is eliminated?" (Thus He declared all foods clean.)" ... and in Matthew 5:17 - "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill." ... THUS, Jesus came to FULFILL the law ... "(Thus He declared all foods clean.)" ... and THEREFORE, the Watchtower Organization's belief/or policy on blood transfusions is UN-Biblical. Thank you.

if the bible forbids it they dont do it. unlike some religions.

Ok, my problem is this: do we EAT blood in transfusion or that blood becomes part of our blood, helping us to heal? Blood, as I know is a tissue, as for example muscle tissue, or nervous tissue. We transfuse marrow or kidneys why then we wouldn't transfuse blood? Moreover, didn't Jesus sad: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a manlay down his life for his friends" (KJV: Jn. 15:13), and this: 10. And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: 11. Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. 12. Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? 13. But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. 14. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. 15. Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. 16. And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? 17. Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? 18. But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 19. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: 20. These are [the things] which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man. (KJV, Matt. 15: 10-20) As I think about that subject, it is more important to help someone to live then to let him die because of my beliefs. As Jesus said: "Love thy neighbor as you love your self". Sometime even more. So if I help someone to heal and he accepts my help is it sin? Jesus criticizes pharisee because they lived by lows literally, not understanding essence of it. And yes, I found that it was said in New testament to be aware of blood, but I don't think it regards transfusion. It is more related with drinking blood of sacrificed animals

Ok, my problem is this: do we EAT blood in transfusion or that blood becomes part of our blood, helping us to heal? Blood, as I know is a tissue, as for example muscle tissue, or nervous tissue. We transfuse marrow or kidneys why then we wouldn't transfuse blood? Moreover, didn't Jesus sad: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a manlay down his life for his friends" (KJV: Jn. 15:13), and this: 10. And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: 11. Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. 12. Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? 13. But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. 14. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. 15. Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. 16. And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? 17. Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? 18. But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 19. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: 20. These are [the things] which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man. (KJV, Matt. 15: 10-20) As I think about that subject, it is more important to help someone to live then to let him die because of my beliefs. As Jesus said: "Love thy neighbor as you love your self". Sometime even more. So if I help someone to heal and he accepts my help is it sin? Jesus criticizes pharisee because they lived by lows literally, not understanding essence of it. And yes, I found that it was said in New testament to be aware of blood, but I don't think it regards transfusion. It is more related with drinking blood of sacrificed animals

http://www.watchtower.org/library/hb/article_01.htm It's a stand based on several passages in the Bible that talk about the way blood should and should not be used. I hope you find the link to the above article to be helpful.

elcasano: "it is not clear whether fractions derived from blood components are acceptable or not," It's obvious the Watchtower has removed this legal burden from themselves and placed it as a life and death burden (as in, taking the chance of being destroyed by God) upon the rank and file. The ability to conjure "New Light" has always allowed the Watchtower to choose and pick which scriptures/ideas are to be adhered to as God's law or decided upon as a conscious matter. For example, Leviticus 3:17 says that it is LAW that you must not eat neither blood nor FAT. “You must never eat any fat or blood. This is a permanent law for you, and it must be observed from generation to generation, wherever you live.” Yet, the Watchtower feels no need to adhere to the law of not eating fat. It's all just a shell game. Bryan Lee McGlothin

These are the scriptures that Jehovahs Witnesses apply in following God's commands in regards to this decision regarding blood. "The Bible record shows that early in mankind’s history the Creator and Life-Giver expressed himself on the issue of blood. Right after the global flood, when God first granted humans the right to eat animal flesh, he commanded Noah and his family: "Every moving animal that is alive may serve as food for you. As in the case of green vegetation, I do give it all to you. Only flesh with its soul—its blood—you must not eat."—Genesis 9:3, 4. Later in his law given to the nation of Israel, Jehovah God prohibited murder, bearing out that the mandate he had given to Noah was still in effect. (Exodus 20:13) Correspondingly, God also forbade consuming blood, saying: "As for any man of the house of Israel or some alien resident who is residing as an alien in their midst who eats any sort of blood, I shall certainly set my face against the soul that is eating the blood, and I shall indeed cut him off from among his people."—Leviticus 17:10. So, does the divine prohibition against blood apply to Christians today? This matter came up for discussion in 49 C.E., during a conference of the apostles and older men of Jerusalem who served as a central body of elders for all Christians. The conference was held in response to a question about circumcision. This apostolic council decided that non-Jews who accepted Christianity did not have to get circumcised. During the discussion Jesus’ half brother James brought to the council’s attention certain other essential things that he deemed important to include in their decision, namely, "to abstain from things polluted by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood." (Acts 15:19-21) He referred back to the writings of Moses, which reveal that even before the Law was given, God had disapproved of immoral sex relations, idolatry and the eating of blood, which would include eating the flesh of strangled animals containing blood.—Genesis 9:3, 4; 19:1-25; 34:31; 35:2-4. The decision of the council was sent by letter to the Christian congregations. It is now included in the Bible as part of the inspired Scriptures that are beneficial "for teaching, . . . for setting things straight." (2 Timothy 3:16, 17) The decision was: "The holy spirit and we ourselves have favored adding no further burden to you, except these necessary things, to keep abstaining from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication. If you carefully keep yourselves from these things, you will prosper."—Acts 15:28, 29. (Source:"How Can Blood Save Your Life?" Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.) What Jehovah’s Witnesses will accept and will not accept is clearly explained by this Website from one of the leading hospitals in the North East U.S.A. http://www.pennhealth.com/health_info/bloodless/blood_jchart.html http://pennhealth.com/bloodless/ As medical patients, Jehovah’s Witnesses choose bloodless medicine and surgery. Bloodless medicine and surgery is a safe and effective method of treating patients without using whole blood or blood products such as red cells, white cells, platelets and plasma. Patients choose non-blood treatment for religious, personal, ethical or medical reasons. Some patients choose non-blood medicine or surgical management over concern about the nation’s blood supply. The majority of people who choose no blood surgery options are not Jehovah’s Witnesses. In the early 1990’s, only a few medical centers provided this treatment. Today, there are over 100 medical facilities across the country that offer this service. Bloodless medicine appeals to many doctors because it carries low risk of post-operative infection when compared with procedures requiring blood transfusion. Additionally, it is cost-saving. The cost for a unit of blood in the US hovers around $500 a unit, including testing. This costs are further increased as, according to Jan Hoffman (an administrator for the blood conservation program at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania), hospitals must pick up the tab for the first three units of blood infused per patient per calendar year. By contrast, hospitals may be reimbursed for drugs that boost a patient's red blood cell count, a treatment approach often used before and after surgery to reduce for a blood transfusion. Geisinger Medical Center began a blood conservation program in 2005 and had a recorded savings of $273,000 in its first six months of operation. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloodless_surgery

Jehovah's Witnesses DO refuse blood transfusions. But the Watchtower Society (who run the Jehovah's Witness religion) ALLOWS blood transfusions. Confused? You will be! So are most Jehovah's Witnesses. Such is the Watchtower Society's grip on their members' thinking that it convinces them they can both "abstain ... from blood" (Acts 15:28, 29) at the same time as they are permitted to accept blood transfusions. The doctrine both disallows transfusions of whole blood and allows the use of whole blood in fractioned form. The Watchtower Society has two mutually exclusive doctrines on the use of blood. The Watchtower Society pulls off this stunt using the sleight-of-hand reasoning that if blood is 'fractionated,' it no longer counts as 'blood' and they will permit their members to accept all such 'fractions' without reprisal. For example, red blood cells are forbidden and any Jehovah's Witness accepting them personally -- or for their child -- would be 'disassociated' and shunned by every Witness, including close family members. (This often results in family break-ups.) But the Watchtower Society's Hospital Liaison Committee ('HLC') members encourage Witnesses to accept hemoglobin (known commercially as 'hemopure' or 'polyheme') which comprises 97% of red blood cells. Another example: the Watchtower Society forbids Jehovah's Witnesses from accepting blood plasma, but allows Witnesses to have a transfusion of every single 'fraction' of plasma. This is about as sensible as forbidding lemonade while at the same time permitting the lemon juice, water and sugar to be drunk, all of which are extracted from the 'sinful' lemonade. Additionally, the manufacture of these permitted 'fractions' requires that thousands of units of whole blood are collected from donors and stored and processed, in direct contravention of the Watchtower Society's rules that all blood that leaves the body has to be returned to the dust of the ground (based on Leviticus 17:13, 14). If blood is to be poured out on the ground, no derivative fractions should be allowed for use. If it is not to be poured out on the ground, why can't all of it be used to sustain life? Is it not hypocrisy on the one hand to permit the use of 'fractions' made from other people's donated blood, but to forbid a Witness to deposit ("pre-donate") their own blood in advance of an elective procedure, to be available to be transfused back into them during surgery, if needed? Is it not hypocrisy to allow Witnesses to accept 'fractions' made from other people's donated blood, but to prohibit Witnesses from donating blood back into the common 'pool'? It's not only hypocritical, it's downright selfish. Is it not hypocrisy to say you "abstain ... from blood" but in reality to allow transfusions of every blood 'fraction' ever made? So, Jehovah's Witnesses do not really "abstain" from blood transfusions.

Jehovah’s Witnesses accept medical and surgical treatment. In fact, scores of them are physicians, even surgeons. But Witnesses are deeply religious people who believe that blood transfusion is forbidden for them by Biblical passages such as: “Only flesh with its soul—its blood—you must not eat” (Genesis 9:3-4); “[You must] pour its blood out and cover it with dust” (Leviticus 17:13-14); and “Abstain from . . . fornication and from what is strangled and from blood” (Acts 15:19-21).1 While these verses are not stated in medical terms, Witnesses view them as ruling out transfusion of whole blood, packed RBCs, and plasma, as well as WBC and platelet administration. However, Witnesses’ religious understanding does not absolutely prohibit the use of components such as albumin, immune globulins, and hemophiliac preparations; each Witness must decide individually if he can accept these.2 Witnesses believe that blood removed from the body should be disposed of, so they do not accept autotransfusion of predeposited blood. Techniques for intraoperative collection or hemodilution that involve blood storage are objectionable to them. However, many Witnesses permit the use of dialysis and heart-lung equipment (non-blood-prime) as well as intraoperative salvage where the extracorporeal circulation is uninterrupted; the physician should consult with the individual patient as to what his conscience dictates. "Time concluded, “there is the cost: at around $500 for each transfusion, plus administrative add-ons, the total bill comes to between $1 billion and $2 billion annually, more than enough incentive to consider alternatives.” The staggering cost of blood transfusions now seems to be a major reason why bloodless surgery has become so popular.

It's about being pure. If they receive blood from someone else, they consider it as being contamination.

Jehovah's Witnesses do not accept blood transfusions because blood is sacred. Jesus christ spilled his own blood in order for people to reach perfection after the great tribulation.Blood fragments are NOT accepted, but the components of blood are.For instance, we need oxygen, but it's a part of blood.(at least it helps it to circulate)But we wouldn't be able to go door to door if we abstained from it, would we?

my momma said that it's becuz they think it's giving away part of your life or giving away your life or something like that and they dont believe that is right....

Well lately Jehovah's Witnesses are doing something about this. Instead of getting a blood transfusion from someone else. They are having there blood taken throughout the year for years on end. Until or even if they need a Transfusion it will be there own blood. I guess they found a way around the whole situation...

jehovahs witnesses think that the blood goes to thier stomachs the medical reality the blood is in your viens...

Only because in the Bible it says not to eat blood, I think. It's just their own interpretation that makes them believe they should not allow blood transfusions. I had a discussion somewhere on AB with someone who is a JW (thread about whether JW should be able to refuse blood transfusions for their children) and he told me that they have alternative treatments. I am still in the process of finding out whether these alternative treatments are sufficient to save someone's live.

Duplicate.

elcastano: What you say does not make sense. The Watchtower says there is no ambiguity concerning the "No Blood Policy" because the bible does say "do not eat blood". Then you say concerning "blood fractions" "it is not clear whether fractions derived from blood components are acceptable or not". But there is no scripture to cause you confusion. There is no scripture concerning fractions to make things "not clear" for you. All the Watchtower has done is move the responsibility to the shoulders of the member ("each jw must make a prayerful decicion on this matter"), most likely for legal reasons. There is no "blood fraction" scripture to make your thinking "not clear". The blood fraction issue is simply words from man; your Governing Body.

elcastano: What you say does not make sense. The Watchtower says there is no ambiguity concerning the "No Blood Policy" because the bible does say "do not eat blood". Then you say concerning "blood fractions" "it is not clear whether fractions derived from blood components are acceptable or not". But there is no scripture to cause you confusion. There is no scripture concerning fractions to make things "not clear" for you. All the Watchtower has done is move the responsibility to the shoulders of the member ("each jw must make a prayerful decicion on this matter"), most likely for legal reasons. There is no "blood fraction" scripture to make your thinking "not clear". The blood fraction issue is simply words from man; your Governing Body.

Bravo perryman, You finally have it! "Yes fractions are a matter of conscience because of changing medical technology. Modern ethics are challenged today for every one today in making personal decisions regarding health or life and death issues..." If "changing medical technology" can give you a pause concerning blood fractions, then perhaps you may think applying this same thinking to your stand on blood. "Decisions regarding modern medicine are far more complicated today then they were in the 1960’s let alone the First Century." In the first century there was no such thing as a blood transfussion to save one's life. Perhaps you should consider the changes of the times of 2000 years. Answer: Jehovah's Witnesses refuse to save their own lives and those of their small children because they refuse to accept the advances in medicine over a 2000 year period. They say they must follow the letter of God's law, though, when in Leviticus 3:17 it admonishes not to eat FAT nor blood, they ignore this fact and eat fat just as the rest of the world. " 'This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live: You must not eat any fat or any blood.' " Leviticus 3:17

They refuse blood transfusions due to the rules & docterine that imply transfused blood is 'eaten'not carried thru the bodys viens thru the heart & out thru more veins... kindly see: www.jwfiles.com/index.htm www.jehovahswitnessrevealed.com/ www.witnessinc.com/ www.witforjesus.org

Ohh Is this an Aids Thing ?

Because God has commanded his followers to abstain from blood at Acts 15: 20 & 29. This has been God's stance on blood from the beginning when he told Noah to not eat the blood of animals. This was very serious at Gen. 9:5 God even said he would ask back their soul for eating the blood of animal, let alone the blood of another human. Blood is very sacred to God. It is our life force. It is the pouring out of Jesus blood that we have forgiveness of sins. This is the reason Jehovah's Witnesses do not accept blood transfusions.

I think if a jehovahs witness parent had any backbone they would sacrifice themselves for there child and allow there child to have a transfusion. Of course they wouldn't do this there attitude would be my child will get resurected into paradise big deal. How long have the witnesses blabbered on about the last days and armageddon now? Aren't the generation of 1914 dying off in droves....oh thats right you changed that doctrine when you guys pooed yourself when you realsed time is running out on that doctrine. My anonymous you make me sick you didn't give a damn about your child...if you did you would have sacrificed your chance at living on a """paradise earth""" if you did. That is the ultimate shows f love not blind luck you sad git.

Why not ask one of Jehovah's Witnesses or read their Bible based publications about blood and what it symbolizes according to the Bible. Here are some articles "The Real Value of Blood" http://www.watchtower.org/e/200608/article_03.htm "Blood—Vital For Life" http://www.watchtower.org/e/hb/article_01.htm "Blood Transfusions—How Safe?" http://www.watchtower.org/e/hb/article_02.htm Hope you find the right answer.

Saw all this on blood transfusions. But aren't many in the religious community neglecting the factor that according to the Bible, all medicines, doctors and especially hospitals are sinful? After all only a few kings seemed to have physicians. And giving Christians believe god and Jesus will heal them, it is a lack of faith to consult a doctor and seek the Devil's cure.

I'm bound to get in trouble here. But often I have seen the case where JW's refuse the blood. But "appear" to be hopeful, that government, the hospital or a non JW relative will take it out of their hands and unwillingly have the transfusion. And I have known of 2 heart bypasses where doctors explained that no way could they survive the operation and in fact would not operate without consent. Both were women and their non JW husbands approved the transfusions. Go ahead More negatives whether you like this or not. But, this has been my experience on some, not all, and no not even a majority.

I would not accept a blood transfusion because of what it recorded in the Bible. Life is precious and life is in the blood. It is my body and I respect God's view on the santity of life and blood. Blood is to be poured out from an animal because that is the command that was given to Noah. Many people refust blood transfusions for medical reasons such as the threat of a bad reaction from a mis-match, hepatitis or AIDS. Not me, I put God's law first.

To all you JW's...Please read a King James version of the bible. You are all taught to follow rules of a society instead of laws of the LORD. It does not state in the bible to not put other peoples blood in your vein. It says not to eat the blood of animals. And in this case, you eat the blood of animals everytime you eat a piece of meat. So stop following this cult society and open up your heart to her the truth about God! JW's are so closed minded which happens when people join a cult...scared to be disfellowshipped from your cult...I can assure you just because you sin (which we all do) my faith would never turn their back on you! I will pray for all JW's that you will open your heart and mind and see that it is ok to read something other than what the watchtower allows..Since you are so into what the bible says..or the JW bible says...God says to make sure what you hear is true! Your religion us full of false prophets who have you so under their reign! What about tithing? You dont tithe? It is not required? But you can make a donation? What does the bible say about tithing? I cant believe you would "sacrafice" your child for the false teachings of a man.

One of them at work told me it was bc, if she were meant to live, God would let her live, she didn't need blood. Her daughter said, that's why He gave us doctors. That is His way of saving you. The mom said God will save her with or without the blood. She went to ICU, I don't know the outcome.

The JWs refuse blood products based on scripture. Somewhere (I don't remember where) there is a scriptural prohibition regarding consuming blood, so they don't eat blood. They feel this extends to blood transfusions because when you are sick, you are fed interveiniously, so a blood transfusion is like consuming blood. Also (I'm straining my memory), there was some scripture that talked about blood being poured into the ground. Blood is sacred, and once it leaves the body, it should be poured onto the ground, not used for some other purpose. Anyone know the details of this?

Becasue they are too busy knocking on peoples doors just as they are serving up dinner

Because they believe as do most religions that "The life is in the blood." and that it is sacred and unclean to mix blood with anyone else for any reason and that if you are sick, God will either heal you or you'll die. Many religions are against transfusion not just them.

Natural selection.

Really amazing people fall for the hype' In 1929 Jehovah's Witness president, Joseph Rutherford built for himself a beautiful villa in San Diego, California as his winter palace. (Pictured above) While most Witnesses suffered through the great depression, Rutherford lived like royalty. He drank imported liquor, smoked big cigars and drove a Cadillac. Rutherford conned his Jehovah's Witness followers into believing the house was built as a residence for the soon returning patriarchs such as Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He named the mansion, "Beth-Sarim." ("House of Princes" in Hebrew) He predicted that at any moment God would murder every man, woman and child on the face of the earth, except faithful Jehovah's Witnesses. The patriarchs would use this house as their headquarters to rule the world. Most Jehovah's Witnesses today know nothing about this scam. The property was quietly sold in the 1940's and Watchtower leaders have gone to great lengths to cover up this hoax. Thanks to Public records we have the evidence.

According to some sources there is 200 different versions of the bible. So if the bible has been written and rewritten to ones liken. Tell me which one s true. JW's bible been rewritten, 7 day Adventist been rewritten, Mormon's bible been rewritten. They all have their own version. They all claim to be inspired by God. Really believe what you want I don't believe any of them is right.

Because their leaders tell them to.

We do not accept blood transfusions because in the bible, it says to "abstain from blood" and also, they say its safe, yet there are a lot of health risks involved. we do not accept blood fractions we DO however accept non-blood alternatives. Also, its not just jehovah's witnesses who do not accept bt's, a lot of other people are rejecting them to.

I would like to add to this discussion. I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses, and I have been protected from blood born diseases and tissue rejection problems that result in death by my refusal to accept blood transfusions, which are not only dangerous, but in most cases, uneccesssary, and evn outdated forms of medicine. Throughout the world, including the US, more and more hospitals are going 'bloodless,' not solely because of Jehovah's Witnesses, but becasue more and more non-Witnesses are demanding better medicine, and doctors are recognising that blood trannsfusions are dangerous. One recent medical journal stated that if the standards of drugs were applied to blood transfusions, it would have been outlawed as any illegal illicite drug. People have been lied to about blood. It is big business, and profit is the main reason for it's continued use. Non-blood medicall treatment, including blood substitutes and blood volume expanders are much more safe, which do not allow for blood born diseases and tissue rejection. A great source of REAL information about blood transfusions is found at this NON-Jehovah's Witness site: noblood.org

The answer to all of this question and all of this arguing is LOVE.

because like most religions they find ways to cherrypick parts of the bible to their liking. Although it is debatable that the parts of the old testament that command one to be free from blood applies to blood transfusions and such (since the concept had not been invented), we do know that the Hebrews that wrote and followed these instructions applied them in ways that JW's conveniently ignored. By the standard they claim to hold, they should not consume meat unless it was properly slaughtered according to kosher methods that make it free from blood. they should not go anywhere near a woman who is menstruating. It amazes me how JW's and others under the Christian umbrella can be so adamant about a small portion of things they decided to adapt from old Judaic law , yet completely dismiss the rest as "the old law" to allow them to do things they want to do like eat pork.

it is interesting that even modern medicine is starting to understand the danger of blood transfusions. i happen to have a cousin who specializes in non-blood surgical procedures. he decided to never use blood on any patient because he knows the potential dangers involved. nowadays, there can be seen on the highways billboards publicizing medical facilities that specialize in the use of non-blood surgical procedures. such as one in san diego, ca. these range from open-heart surgery, brain surgery, etc. it is a well known documented fact that the patient that does not accept blood in surgery will recover faster and have less complications than the one that accepted blood.

Because it says not to in their scriptures. Well, that's how they decipher it.

All religions have their own silly rules in order that they may be separated from one another. Baptst cannot dance, Methodist do not want full baptism, Muslims hate everybody is nonmuslim and think of them as infidels, and etc etc etc. Mr Bill

Based on your spelling and the nature of your question, I'm gonna go on a limb and assume that you're a homeschooled Fundie whose religion is bigger than thou

Acts 15: 28-29. Will Muslims learn humility?

If you were to ask Jehovah's Witnesses why they would refuse a blood transfusion they will explain that it is because of what the Bible says about blood. They usually refer to Acts 15:20 where it says "abstain from blood" and reason that transfusing blood is not abstaining from blood. But they don't realize that what the Bible says about blood is not the real reason why they refuse blood transfusions. That real reason only shows up when looking at what Jehovah's Witnesses always do when the Watchtower Society stops teaching something. For example... For decades they believed that it was "the Creator's promise" in the Bible that the New World will be here before the generation of 1914 passes away. They said they believed this because of what Jesus said at Matthew 24:34 about "this generation will not pass away until all these things (including the New World) occur." But in November of 1995 the Watchtower Society stopped teaching such a thing. What did Jehovah's Witnesses then do? If the real reason they believed that teaching was because it was truly based on the Bible, then even though the Society stopped teaching it, Witnesses should have continued to believe it anyway. But they didn't. They all stopped believing it the moment the Society stopped teaching it. What does this show? It shows that the real reason why they believed that teaching was because that's what the Watchtower Society was teaching. They started believing it when the Society started teaching it and they stopped believing it when the Society stopped teaching it. Therefore what the Bible says at Matthew 24:34 is not the real reason they believed it. Again, this is what Jehovah's Witnesses always do when the Society starts and stops teaching something. While they are teaching something they call it "a true teaching of the Bible." When they stop teaching it is called "old light." This is the way it works with this religion. Is there any reason to believe that it is any different with the Society's current teaching about blood transfusions? Do Witnesses believe that transfusions are against God's Law because of what it says at Acts 15:20, or because this is what the Watchtower Society happens to be teaching at the present time? Here too the real reason will only show up if the Society ever changes what it teaches about blood transfusions. Why are they so willing to change what they believe whenever the Watchtower Society changes what teaches? I feel that former Governing Body Member Ray Franz has the answer on page 296 of his "Crisis of Conscience" where he said... "I believe that (all Witnesses) are, in effect, the captives of a concept. The concept or mental image they have of 'the organization' seems almost to take on a personality of its own, so that the concept itself controls them, moves them, or restrains them, by molding their thinking, their attitudes, their judgments...The ...concept of 'the organization'... becomes, in fact, the dominant, controlling force." Without realizing it, their belief that the Watchtower Society is "God's organization" - rather than the Bible - is what dominates and controls what they believe. That concept causes them to believe that whatever comes to them from the Watchtower Society is coming from God Himself since this is the organization he is using to teach them everything they need to know. As long as they believe that concept they will remain captives of it. If the Watchtower Society ever does change its mind about blood transfusions, Witnesses may still continue to seek alternative forms of treatment for medical reasons rather than Scriptural ones. - www.CaptivesOfaConcept.com

"This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come." wherever you live: You must not eat any fat or any blood. Leviticus 3:17 NIV Nevertheless,you may slaughter your animals in any of your towns and eat as much of the meat as you want ...... You must not eat the blood. Duet 12 NIV This is for Isralites folks. Acts 15 20-29 Was just for a few Gentile Christians and came mostly from Peter. If you read Galations you will see Paul tried to straignten this out. Jesus fulfilled the law and the book of Hebrews states if you are trying to keep any of the law you are under it all. If you fall for the blood issue you could fall for The Church has always had an orginazation from the apostles till now. Now just guess who that would be. Read your Bible folks dont let any one tell you what to believe. You will stand before the Lord Jesus Christ on your own.

Study relgions and you will find they all have their own interpretation of the meaning of the bible.

Galatians 2:14-16 NIV When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel. I said to Peter in front of them all."You are a Jew,yet you act like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it then,that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs? We who are Jews by birth and not gentile sinners know that a man is not justified by observing the law but by faith in Jesus Christ.So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified in faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.

Are JW's to refuse the blood of humans or animals?