In BC there was an amazing birth of sextuplets. Babies of multiple births would normally require blood transfusions to stay alive. The parents are Jehovah's Witnesses so they are refusing the blood tranfusions. Do you think it's okay to let the babies die off like that because of religion?
2007-01-22 13:47:56 · 45 answers · asked by I am a Muppet 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Yes, I read in the papers that the government could over-rule the parents decsision on that if it endangers their health but it also takes time to get that type of court order done.
2007-01-22 14:53:08 · update #1
I live in BC too....
We don't know the details of the babies health issues. I think we just have to leave it up to nature. My grandpa was a Jehovah's Witness, and wouldn't have died if he had the blood transfusion.
It's strange to me that you wouldn't do whatever you can, but they have been lead to believe otherwise.
2007-01-22 13:52:05 · answer #1 · answered by naenae0011 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
First, if the government truly felt strongly enough they could take over in a heartbeat. As I understand it the medical records are not public knowledge. Many times I have heard doctors say a Transfusion is the only way. It is often not. Even with transfusions procedures fail. There are numerous health problems with excepting blood. It is considered an OK practice, Now. Treppaning was once considered a good idea, so was the use of leeches. I feel so sorry for the parents. They are trying to make a hard decision and being judged by "Christians" who do not know all the facts. Because Doctors use Blood more often than not, which is becoming less and less often, people say it is best. Yet, because these parents are doing what they feel is best they are called brainwashed. Aren't the people following doctors advice with out doing research, as we Witnesses do of both the Bible and the medical developments, brainwashed.
PS I love it when someone says they do not judge others, then says something derogatory about us.
2007-01-23 06:14:51 · answer #2 · answered by Ish Var Lan Salinger 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
This is a tough question. My mother was a Jehovah Witness and just had a baby boy. I was 16. She lost alot of blood and needed a blood transfusion to survive. She refused it. We lost our mom and had a newborn baby. I didn't hate her then nor do I hate her now. But now that I am older I wished she chose us or HIM. But then again my life is better now had she not had passed. We can't pick & chose what we wish for cause in the end the cards will fall as they will. Religion is such a touchy matter. I am not a JW. Never will be. So if I had the choice, depending on the well being of the child, I would opt to do a blood transfusion. Rather saying the parents are wrong, I will have to say no. My mother died cause of her beliefs and left 11 children behind. Because parents refuse has nothing to do with not loving their child, cause their belief is keeping that child pure and should it pass it will be in the hands of GOD pure.
2007-01-27 13:42:42 · answer #3 · answered by Mo 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
This is the 4th or 5th time this subject has come up. I have posted to each question. I feel that my situation can be of help to anyone who wants to know the truth about Jehovah's Witnesses and not just the rumors and half-truths that are out there. *****PLEASE read my best answer for Why Jehovah's Witnesses don't accept blood transfusions*****
Then pass that information on so that maybe we can get passed this belief that we will just let people die. As if it is all cavalier and unimportant.
With that said, I can emphatically state that they are not dying because of religion, because there are a sea of bloodless alternatives available.
Do you know how many premature babies die that received blood? There is no guarantee these babies would survive even if the blood were to be forced on them.
2007-01-22 16:28:23 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Yes. It is a really hard decision for parents to make but if that is their decision then that is their decision.
I dont believe in blood transfusions, organ donatation, life suppourt for extended periods of time, anything that is not a part of your body being put inside your body or keeps your body alive when it is meant to die.
I dont really care if someone else gets it done it is their decision, but I personally wouldnt do it and I wouldnt let my children either.
I am not overly religious and I wasnt taught this.
My personal belief is that God gave you what you need to live and if it stops working then just go with the flow and see what happens. If you die then it was meant to be if you survive then it was meant to be. I personally can just not imagine having someone elses blood or organ in my body, how gross and creepy.
My Mum had a blood transfusion and says she has never felt the same since.
Everyone has different opinions and beliefs and it is up to each individual to decide how they recieve medical care or their children. Its not for anyone else to tell them what medical tratment they recieve.
Imagine if you needed to get a blood transfusion and I suddenly protested and took you to court so you couldnt get one because I believe its wrong. That wouldnt be nice would it.
I really dont see why everyone seems to be of the opinion that there ideas, morals and opinions are better than everyone else's and therefore evryone that doesnt do what they think is right is wrong.
Just let poeple be and when you are in a situation then you get to make whatever decion you want. God gave us free will for a reason.
2007-01-22 16:44:00 · answer #5 · answered by Monkey Magic 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
My Grandmother is a nurse and had a Jehovah's Witness as a patient who needed a blood transfusion and had refused. She and the doctor said basically "Ok but you are going to die in about 48hrs if you don't have it" and he agreed to it. I believe to some extent you have to have religious values to withstand most things the world throws at you but I don't understand how a blood transfusion can be against a religion. Jesus was a healer and thats what doctors are. The children shouldn't have to suffer due to what the PARENTS BELIEVE. Who are they to say the children will grow up to be Jehovah's Witnesses? They may choose to follow the CATHOLIC FAITH! How Ironic Would That Be!?!
2007-01-29 08:27:17 · answer #6 · answered by all_around_tha_mullberri_busch 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I find the unnecessary death of anyone appalling, especial based on such an absurd translation of the scriptures. I've seen a young patient die in this situation and find it senseless and immoral, and I've also had cases where we got a court order to treat anyway.
These people claim God will damn you for all time for having a transfusion, even if you were forced to take it by a court! I would want no part of a God that nasty and cruel.
Without blood, most sextuplets are going to die, because we aren't meant to have litters and they are usually very premature and become anemic.
2007-01-30 00:45:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Personally, I think it's horrible. But, that's what they believe, there's little that can be done without crossing some blurry lines. We believe that if the children's lives CAN be saves, then the SHOULD be saved. But where exactly is that line? If the majority believes that forcing the child to go to church is wrong, can the state step in there also? Or what about spanking a child? That's a hard distinction to make. I know parents who believe that placing their disabled child on a ventilator would be "playing God" and have decided not to do so. I respect their decision, and I'm not sure how different the blood transfusion is from that. We perceive it as harmless, but they perceive it as an unforgivable sin.
2007-01-22 14:00:10 · answer #8 · answered by ~StepfordWife~ 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Its a tough decision. Teh Dr's are fully aware of the JEhovah's beliefs. Tehy can do bloodless transfusions. Those babies were only 26 weeks...its not because of the blood transfusions that they are dying. Don't judge them because of their beliefs...there are other factors involved other than blood transfusions.
2007-01-25 10:46:59 · answer #9 · answered by mommy_2_liam 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
number one we are not a cult or brainwashed. even if I was not a Jehovah Witness I would never take of blood. we as Jehovah Witnesses get the best care for our families. I am tired of people saying we would let our family die because of not taking blood. we leave it with Jehovah God, he knows best. I have read many times in the newspaper about whole families taking of blood and dying.
2007-01-23 07:28:59 · answer #10 · answered by lover of Jehovah and Jesus 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is really wrong to refuse blood transfusion in such conditions. In Bible it says not to consume blood because it is life of other living, but according to medical science, they are not harming the donor of the blood. When he is medically fit to donate only then they accept the donation. There is nothing wrong in giving life for the other person's survival, which is more blessed work than anything else.
2007-01-30 01:38:06 · answer #11 · answered by mohan_rn_2000 1 · 2⤊ 2⤋