Help! My friend is a Jehovah's Witness and...?

Question

...she refuses to get a blood transfusion for a life threatening illness. I've tried to talk her into it, what do I do?

I don't want to force anything on anyone. It's her only option if she wants to live past this year. I'm not telling her to give up her religion, i just want her to live!

She's not trying to get attention. I had to press for her to tell me the truth.

I know what scripture they base that on and I think the interpretation is misinterpreted.

I know what scripture they base that on and I think that it is misinterpreted.

Answer 1

You have to explain God and creation to her again. She believes in God, but not in all the developments tell her that God is responsible for all the new methods of medicine etc... convince her and she is not betraying God or sinning when she undergoes this transfusion.

Point out to her that there are people around her who depend on her and that to give up on them is not whats right-she would be adding the extra burden to God. Tell her that as God saved the first born of Egypt by the blood of the lamb, he saved humanity with the blood of his son (the crucifixion) and she has got to believe this. Blood is a gift from someone- she didnt have to hurt anyone to get the blood that she is going to use now- explain and convince.

Otherwise all you can do is pray fro her.

God Bless

Answer 2

First let me express that I am very sorry for both you and your friend. I have recently lost various loved ones and I know it is never easy. I myself am one of Jehovah's Witnesses. When I first started reading your question I started thinking of scriptures to comfort you and help explain our beliefs but, I realised that she must have allready explained them to you before.
All I can offer you that she might not is the fact that Blood Transfusions are not the end all cure all solution. There are new treatments discovered for different ailments all the time.
I knew a little boy who was gravly ill. The Doctors told the parents only blood would save him. They discussed this with him. He refussed the blood. He is still alive and last I heard is doing fine.
My father recently refused a transfusion. The Doctor told him if he did not accept blood he would die. He explained his beliefs and that he would not change his mind. She explained that he, because of his decision had 6 months to live. That was 8 months ago. He has a very aggresive form of Cancer. It was not until after his decision was made that we learned the transfusion would not have been enough. He knows he will die. Soon. He also knows that every time he looks in the mirror he can do so proudly knowing he remained faithful to the end.
My Grandmother was offered a transfusion. She refused. About a year later it came to light that some of the donors had AIDS and other diseases.
I know there are others who have refused and died. I also no there are others who accepted and died.
If this friend means something to you, then show your friend what they mean by trying to understand what she believes and why. Accept the fact that she has made a decision, and that what she needs is love and support.
Please if you want to know about our beliefs do not ask some anonymous screen names. Talk to your friend, or go to a Kingdom Hall and talk to real flesh and blood Witnesses.
It is with agape love for you and your friend that I type this. Once again I am so sorry for your loss.

Answer 3

Respect her wishes. Religious reasons aside, there has been proof that people who do not take blood recover from surgery faster than people who take it. Why? Because when the body receives anything that does not belong there, it rejects and fights it as if it were an infection. This weakens the body and increases risk of further complications. Also, screening for blood transmitted diseases is not full proof, particularly with aids that is in a dormant state due to certain Aids repressive medications.

As one of Jehovah's Witnesses, I can tell you that she would most certainly take a non-blood synthetic filler. This is perfectly acceptable because it does not violate the Bible's prohibition on blood or carry the risks that blood transfusions carry. You might also ask her if she knows if there are any drugs available at the her hospital that increases her own bodies blood production. Just be respectful and also relax because if she is one of Jehovah's Witnesses, her Brothers in the faith will no doubt be looking for blood alternatives in her behalf.

Answer 4

If she is an adult, then you have no choice but to let her make her own decision. If she is a minor, than I would consider notifying the police. Sometimes they can order the parents to allow the transfusion. But only in the case of a minor.

Unfortunately, JWs are so sure that the bible condemns blood transfusions, and are so willing to believe that God would rather they die, than to have one to save their lives. They believe that if they take the transfusion, then no matter whether it saves them or not, they are no longer approved by god and he will punish them for it.

If you were to look at their history, you will see that they have changed their view on this several times, regarding exactly what is forbidden and what is okay. Such as, is this referring to only parts of the blood, or can you save your blood and have it transfused into you later? Obviously, this is a matter of THEIR own personal interpretation. I think it is criminal that parents actually will let their children die because of this teaching.

The only thing I might mention to her is, what if her child (if she has none, than tell to to imagine she does) were dying, right in front of her eyes, and the doctor said a blood transfusion would save her child. Would she save her child, or would she let her child die because of how some men in New York (their headquarters) interpret this scripture and what they say that she should do?

But other than that, I would let her know that you love her and don't want to lose her and that you will support whatever decision she makes. After all it is her body.

Answer 5

why should you try and force a deady medical procedure on someone?

also, there is no doctor on earth who can look you in the eye, and truthfully say that a blood transfusion WILL save your life.
Do you people have collective amnesia? Or do you deliberately ignore the fact that an average of 2000 people die in the US every year as a direct result of receiveing blood?
Also, what about the tens of thousands who, after receiving a blood transfusion contract blood-borne diseases such as hepatitis-a,b,c,d..e,f, AIDS, and more recently Chagas ,?
There is no medical reason to support the continuation of blood transfusions as they do more damage than good.
All the people that believe that a blood transfusion sabed their life are wrong. They could have just as easily received blood alternatives and not been put at risk for donor rejection, and disease, which will ultimately kill them.

Answer 6

There isn't much you can do if she is devout in her faith. It is her right to hold her own beliefs, even if they result in her death.

If she is receptive to ideas outside her own religion, then you may suggest her time has not yet come. Does she feel she has truly done what she was put here to do? Does she have something that God would want her to share with this world? Can she still make a difference?

You may also ask her why she believes what she does about blood transfusions. Make her really examine her beliefs. Is it just what she has been told by her religious leaders, or is there something in her faith that has also led her to believe this is the right path?

It is a very difficult situation and it hurts me to see someone suffering because of their beliefs. This is the best advice I can offer.

Answer 7

Wow, that's a tough one. On the one hand, I believe in respecting peoples' religious beliefs, but on the other hand, I honestly see no legitimate basis whatsoever for the Jehovah's Witness policy of refusing blood transfusions. I suppose she is in no mood to discuss Biblical polemics, but perhaps you could go to one of those ex-Jehovah's Witnesses websites and see how they explain the verse which JW's have taken to mean they should not have a blood transfusion. Perhaps it will make good sense and you could explain it to her, but I doubt it.

Let's just pray for her at this point that she can make it without that transfusion. That way no one's religious sensibilities have to be hurt, and you don't have to lose a friend.

Answer 8

There is not much you can do. Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe in blood transfusion. To them, it is a great sin to have one.

Do you have someone of a professional status with whom you could talk? Maybe if you talked to a doctor or nurse, or someone you can really trust, they might be able to help. But the chances are that you will not be able to do much once the person's mind is made up.

Also, do not blame yourself if something happens. You have tried to help, and you have showed that you are a caring friend. Stay in touch with your friend and let her know that you are there for her. Maybe your caring attitude might help her to change her mind, even though her family and church will be against this.

Good luck, and I hope things work out for you both.

Answer 9

If she is of legal age and (comparatively) sound mind, there's nothing you can do.

Blood transfusions have saved uncounted thousands of lives, but she apparently is happier being the object of pity and concern.

It's sad but true that some people are so keen to be the center of attention that they are willing to put their lives at risk; this is as true of stunt cyclists as it is of your friend, and I'm sorry to hear of it.

Answer 10

You cant do anything.

I have a friend whose mother is also a Jehovah´s witness and she already say to her family that she doesnt want to get a blood transfusion never....

You have to respect her wishes, is her faith.