In the latest November Kingdom Ministry it shows that Jehovah's Witnesses are allowed to use blood fractions if their conscience allows, but that they are not allowed to donate blood.
Since blood fractions are derived from donated blood how do they justify not donating blood but benefiting from blood?
2006-10-16 20:43:19 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
Achtung, Noah was not told he can not eat blood, Genesis is about strangling - Genesis 9:4: “Only flesh with its soul—its blood—YOU must not eat.”
Even Russell knew and wrote in the Watchtower that Acts 15 only applied to the early 'mixed' congregations due to stumbing. (see 1 Corinthians 8:4-13)
If you would like to know why the JW stance is wrong scripturally and ethically look at http://jwfacts.com/index_files/blooddoctrine.htm
Who is reponsible for the deaths of JWs that refused blood fractions before the rules were changed?
2006-10-17 10:46:56 · update #1
The statement was made: An honest review of the Scriptural pattern over the millenia from Noah to the Apostle Paul teaches humans that blood is to be used for a single purpose: acknowledging the Almighty. Otherwise, for centuries the instruction was to simply dispose of it; 'poor it upon the ground'. When Jehovah's Witnesses pursue non-blood medical management, they are working to honor and obey their Creator.
NOW, THEY ALLOW FRACTIONS FROM DONATED BLOOD TO MEMBERS, BUT NO DONATIONS OF BLOOD FROM THE MEMBERS.
THIS SHOWS THAT THE REASON JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES CANNOT DONATE BLOOD IS THAT THEIR LEADERS ARE SELF-CONTRADICTING HYPOCRITES.
If they follow the scriptural command as they claim, they would recognize that all dontate blood should have been poured on the ground, therefore fractions are obtained in violation of their beliefs. Hypocrites.
2006-10-17 11:29:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
The reason that Jehovah's Witnesses don't accept blood transfusions is the same reason that they don't do a lot of things that normal people do. Like celebrate birthdays, Christmas, Thanksgiving and other holidays. They think that this sets them apart from other religions and it does. It shows them to be the crazy cult that they are.
These people will gladly watch a family member die because they refused to take a life saving blood transfusion and they really have deluded themselves into thinking that this is pleasing to God. They even showcased a group of children who had died on the cover of one of their magazine because their Jehovah's Witness parents refused to allow them to have a blood transfusion. They were proud of this!
They Witnesses used to ban vaccinations and organ transplants and people died because of this ban. Now vaccinations and organ transplants are acceptable and what about the people who gave up their lives because of the ban? I guess it is just too bad for them.
You would think that the members of this religion would realize that, hey, these people might change their minds about blood transfusions any day so why should I die or let a loved one die because of it. But no. Some of these Witnesses are so brain dead that they would rather die than to entertain the fact that they are being royally duped by 12 old men who live in Brooklyn. It's just incredible.
Don't forget that these are the same people who believe that their salvation lies in how long they spend in the house to house work and that worshipping God means attending five meetings a week (one of which is a sales meeting) in which they sit and listen to someone talk. They do contribute to the meetings sometimes by raising their hands and giving a comment that can be found in the book or magazine being considered.
Not to mention the fact that they have predicting that the end of the world was NEAR for decades now. It is always "just around the corner". They are wrong now and they have always been wrong. They have no more idea of when the end is coming than Lassie the dog. But they know that some people are fearful and that the urgency message brings people into the organization and the more people the more contributions.
If you want to research one of the sickest and craziest cults out there, then the Jehovah's Witnesses are just the ticket. It is just a shame that they rope so many people in with their "End of the World is Near" message.
2006-10-17 14:27:20 · answer #2 · answered by maggiemay 1 · 1⤊ 4⤋
Remember, they are a False Religion..
2006-10-18 05:55:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
JWs do not accept whole blood and the major components but it is a personal decision whether to accept blood fractions or not. (Acts 15:29,rev 2& 3, etc). Just like the white of an egg and egg yolk are still egg, but the mini components of the white of egg may or may not be an egg. Just like in H2O, the subcomponent which is oxygen or just one hydrogen by itself for example is not water anymore. Blood is more complex though.
If you donate blood, you have NO control on how it will be used. We know the commandment of ABSTAINING from blood (general) instead of abstaining from eating blood (specific) (ACTS 15:29) , so we cannot follow that command if we donate blood AND then whole blood was transfused to another person.
It is like saying you abstain from drugs but you agree on selling them.
There is no 100% guarantee that you can control everything about how your donated blood will be processed/used, we know that it is impossible to monitor everything, nor can we control it.
If some can 100% guarantee that if I donate blood and this blood are properly handled/used & processed AND fractionalized only, then that is still a personal decision. But as I've said, I don't think you can control 100% how your donated blood will be used.
Here are some reasons why Jehovah's Witnesses do not accept blood.
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.
Acts 15:29 - to keep abstaining from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication
1. Did Jesus sin at all when he ate properly bled meat which have some or little blood in it? Jesus did not sin at all, but he still abstained from blood, did he?
2. Is there any Bible account of a true Christian eating and drinking blood and using it for health purposes?
3. Did the early Christians eat blood sausage, or drink blood to cure any of their diseases or for nourishment as some people thought?
3. Is blood transfusion practiced during the early Christians time? If not, why does some expect the Bible to specifically say blood transfusion. If it is, then why not the Bible made an exemption about it, when it says abstain from blood? The Bibles message is timeless and all encompassing, it only needs to say abstain from blood .
4. Is a subcomponent/fraction of the main components of blood, considered blood? In the case of an egg, is an egg white, egg yolk, still an egg? Is the subcomponent of an egg white, still an egg? Is oxygen, a subcomponent of water, water still? The same with blood, is one of the subcomponents of a main component still considered blood? Some will say yes, some will say no. I think it is a personal decision we have to answer to God.
5. Some stated that Acts 15:29 was not some universal law but perhaps a rather strong recommendation to help maintain peaceful relations between Jewish and Gentile Christians.
Answer: I can agree that Acts 15:29 is a strong recommendation to help maintain peaceful relations between Jewish and Gentile Christians, but is THAT THE MAIN REASON? You don’t have to go any further because in fact Acts 15:29 stated If YOU carefully keep yourselves from these things, YOU will prosper. Good health to YOU!. Please notice YOU WILL PROSPER, GOOD HEALTH TO YOU. (The word health here is all encompassing, not only limited to spiritual or physical health, otherwise it should have said Good spiritual or physical health to you.) Have you not wondered why Acts 15:29 EXPLICITLY stated those two reasons as why the Gentile reasons should abstain from blood and NOT the reason of maintaining peaceful relations with the Jews?
6: Have you ever wondered why in Rev 2:14, , Jesus has something AGAINST Pergamum, i.e., to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit fornication, which reflects the original instructions in Acts 15:29?. Also, Jesus has something AGAINST some in Thyatira because Jezebel misleads Jesus’ slaves to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed to idols (From the original instruction in Acts 15:20, 29)? Many years have passed when the Apostle John wrote Revelation but the instruction from Acts 15:20,29 is still in effect. So you think, the instructions in Acts 15:29 are only temporary?
7: Some stated that the Greek word for “abstain” does not necessarily have an all embracing, absolute sense.
Answer: Let’s say that statement is true, then can you say that abstaining from fornication is not in an absolute sense? If you notice Acts 15:29 29 to keep abstaining from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication, the word abstain describes ALL (things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, from fornication) , one cant just choose and pick one and then exclude the rest for the preferred meaning of abstain.
Abstain qualifies ALL those things. Abstain means to hold oneself off, that is, refrain: - abstain. Are you abstaining if you are not totally holding yourself off or refraining? Do you abstain from smoking if you smoke once a week/month?
8. Some misapplied (Mark 7:15,18,19,21).
Answer: Do you think illegal drugs or poison cannot defile a man?
9: Some misapplied (Mark 7:15,18,19,21) . … Why would Jesus use these illustrations when he knew of the prohibitions against drinking blood?
Answer : Why do you think Jesus use an illustration to “He that feeds on my flesh” if cannibalism is okay? So is cannibalism okay today?
10: Some misapplied (Matthew 12:9-17)
Answer : Did Jesus sin by performing good works in Sabbath? Jesus did not sin at all, so by helping a sheep on Sabbath, one is not violating Gods law. So it is wrong for one to say or imply that you can violate Gods law in order to save your life.
11. Some misapplied Mark 5:25-34. … might on occasion have needs that would justify the breaking of these laws …
Answer : Making an implication that it is okay to disobey Gods law when life is involved or if you are in serious health is wrong. Question for you, is it okay to worship Satan if you know that someone will kill you if you don’t? Notice that the woman showed great faith in Jesus. Aside from that, the Mosaic Law is going to end very soon so Jesus has showed compassion, and notice the woman trembled and got frightened, showing repentance and told Jesus the WHOLE truth. Definitely Jesus forgave her because the woman got healed. Today, most people who had blood transfusions do not show any signs of trembling and repentance eventhough the Bible clearly stated to abstain from blood. So remember obedience is better than sacrifice.
12. Have you noticed the difference of Acts 15:29 & Gen 9:4? Gen 9:4 was specific (do not EAT blood) while Acts 15:29 was general (ABSTAIN FROM BLOOD) . Why do you think Acts 15:29 has become a “general” instruction instead of being “specific” instruction? Instead of stating “abstain from EATING/Drinking blood” or “abstain from blood shed in death” it only stated an all encompassing instruction “abstain from blood”?
13.If someone died because of wrong blood type transfused OR got AIDS and died because of blood transfusion, who will be accounted for the cause of death? The one who transfused the blood, the who one gave his blood or the one who accepted it?
2006-10-17 03:35:56 · answer #4 · answered by trustdell1 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The vast majority of so-called minor "blood" fractions are actually created using recombinant technology. Blood is not actually contained in them.
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the scriptures demonstrate a clear pattern indicating the sacredness with which Jehovah God (and thus god-fearing humankind) views all creature blood.
Predates Mosaic Law.
For example, over a thousand years before the birth of Moses, the pre-Israel, pre-Jewish, pre-Hebrew man Noah received what the scriptures record as only the second restrictive command on humans (after Garden of Eden's tree):
"Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you; and as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything. Only you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood. For your lifeblood I will surely require a reckoning; of every beast I will require it [that is, lifeblood] and of man" (Genesis 9:3-5)
Jewish Law.
Later, God's feeling regarding blood was codified into the Mosaic Law. This part of the Law dealing with blood was unique in that it applied, not just to Israel, but also to non-Jewish foreigners among them. It's also interesting that besides forbidding the consumption of blood, the Law also mandated that it be 'poured out on the ground', not used for any purpose.
"No person among you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger who sojourns among you eat blood. Any man also of the people of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among them, who takes in hunting any beast or bird that may be eaten shall pour out its blood and cover it with dust." (Lev 17:12,13)
By comparison, it's significant that the Law also forbid the consumption of ceremonial animal fat, but that didn't apply to non-Jewish foreigners and it DID allow the fat to be used for other purposes.
"The LORD said to Moses, "Say to the people of Israel, You shall eat no fat, of ox, or sheep, or goat. The fat of an animal that dies of itself, and the fat of one that is torn by beasts, may be put to any other use" (Lev 7:22-24)
Early Christian era.
The Christian era ended the validity of the Mosaic Law, but remember that the restriction on eating blood preceded the Mosaic Law by over a thousand years. Still, does the New Testament indicate that Jehovah God changed his view of blood's sacredness?
"[God] freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses" (Eph 1:6,7)
"[God's] beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins... and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood" (Colossians 1:13-20)
"we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should write to them to abstain from the pollutions of idols and from unchastity and from what is strangled and from blood." (Acts 15:19,20)
"For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from unchastity." Acts 15:28,29
Modern times
Some will claim that the bible's command to "abstain" from blood only applies to eating it, and does not apply to the use of blood for other purpose. If that form of respect for blood were common among Christendom, one might wonder then why so many (who ostensibly follow the book of Acts) so happily eat their blood sausage and blood pudding if they truly respect blood according to some limited understanding of Acts 15:20,29. In fact, respect for blood and for Acts and for the Scriptures themselves is too rare among even supposedly god-fearing persons.
An honest review of the Scriptural pattern over the millenia from Noah to the Apostle Paul teaches humans that blood is to be used for a single purpose: acknowledging the Almighty. Otherwise, for centuries the instruction was to simply dispose of it; 'poor it upon the ground'. When Jehovah's Witnesses pursue non-blood medical management, they are working to honor and obey their Creator.
Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/library/hb/index.htm
http://watchtower.org/library/vcnb/article_01.htm
Addition:
The wording of Genesis 9:3-5 quite plainly precludes the consumption of blood. Anti-Witness critics who advocate the abuse of blood rarely mention the fact that there have been far more persons killed by blood transfusions than by abstaining from blood transfusions. Who will answer for those deaths?
(Ecclesiastes 9:11) Time and unforeseen occurrence befall them all.
2006-10-17 02:01:53 · answer #5 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
cos they are tossers !
sorry . . .. i have no time for controlling religous sects
2006-10-17 03:04:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋