Sure the contistution doesnt rule against the right to death, but there are laws that penalize people who attempt suicide. I work in a jail, and the inmates have so many rights and freedom to religion that its almost like walking a thin line. Something I was told by a nurse at work is that if a JW inmate were to need a blood transfusion, then they could get a court order to do it. I was told that the inmates have a right to refuse all medical treatment except in the case of blood, and they can get a court order for that.
Petition To Make Refusal of Blood on Religious Grounds Illegal
by Kenneson 39 Replies latest jw friends
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J-ex-W
Perhaps it's not the refusal of blood transfusion that should be made illegal but the shunning, the social pressure to comply.It's true that it is a bit like suicide. But, i think that adults should have the right to that kind of thing, if they really want it.
S
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Junction-Guy
Good point J EXW, heres something else that I thought up, why not intead of banning the refusal of blood, make all religions that deny healthcare to their members be responsible to pay for the family's survivor. Sure it can be argued that a JW has a constitutional right to refuse blood, but why should we as taxpayers have to support the orphaned children left behind? The WT Society should be obliged to pay for the financial upbringing of children left orphaned by their blood doctrine. Docrines and beliefs are fine until they cross the line that causes harm to children.
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Satanus
I agree that religions should be responsible for the results or lack of results of their pronouncements. If they promise the end of the world and it doesn't come, they should be financially liable for any changes that their followers made because of putting faith in it. Same w the blood thing, promises of miracles, etc. After all, retail corps are loosely held to this standard. Why not also the corporate bodies of god's various chosen peoples?
S
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carla
When those rights inflict costs on to others we as Americans will traditionally look at them. Look at seatbelts, child car seats, legal ages for smoking, drinking and so on. These all could be looked at as rights that have been taken away. Some states also have helmet laws, some do not. What is the real cost of jw's not taking blood? Seems easy right? They don't take it they die, end of story. But is it? Do health care workers need addtional support to understand why they would kill themselves and the family HAPPILY go along with it? (I've seen the video of a jw woman dying in an ER, her son was happy as a clam) Aside from the monetary costs what about the mental health issues? How may on these boards still cannot get over the death of a loved one and seek needed mental health services? How many pay for this entirely by themselves? No insurance? Everytime you use insurance it brings up the cost for everybody, everytime someone who doesn't have insurance uses any service it brings up the health cost of everybody.
Aside from financial reasons, do we allow assisted suicide in the US? isn't that what not accepting blood often is? Why not allow a Dr. Korvorkian to do what he wishes? He gets out soon, I think. Why not allow him then to train others in his knowledge? We allow the WT to do as they wish with no impunity. I often look at the exjw community and cannot understand the complancency of it, other times I feel exactly the same way. Often we can see one who couches their despair in humor, maybe morbid humor, but if one loses all humor all is lost sometimes. Yet, someone sees the utter despair and attempts to help.
The blood issue is self inflicted suicide. In the US that is illegal as well as considered immoral by most people. The morality not going to the afterlife or any religious leanings but to the care of those left behind. It is a hell no one should be put through. Suicide for those left behind is selfish act, a permanent solution to a temporary problem. At times the blood issue is a temporary problem, not a terminal problem.
Besides all the points made above, how many jw's are really informed about the blood issue? be it from a medical standpoint (re:fractions and so on) or from a biblical standpoint? In this case ignorance can lead to death and often does. Needless deaths which should be on the conscience of all jw's, they are all guilty of supporting this unbiblical, unethical policy.
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Junction-Guy
Thank you, at least we agree on something. I believe the constitution protects the right to individual freedom, but I dont think it should allow certain religions to run rough shod over it, and not be expected to help pay for the consequences.
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Junction-Guy
Carla, that was well put, you said it just the way I would have said it. Our freedoms are abridged everyday in this country, by those we elect. If we dont like them, we can vote them out of office, but its much harder to revoke a law once it is passed. JW's do not vote and have no say so in the governing of our country. The very fact that the WT impedes its members from voting should revoke the WT Society's tax exempt status. Those who dont participate in the electoral process shouldnt cry foul when they feel their rights have been violated. The Constitution is what this country is founded upon, and even it can be ammended. When enough lawmakers feel that a certain law is extreme, we can have a constitutional ammendment to ratify it. The constitution has been ammended to abolish slavery, allow women the right to vote, etc etc etc. There is no universal right to freedom of religion, the only freedom of religion we have is what we as a people decide in our laws.
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Kenneson
Can all those who oppose making the refusal of blood transfusions on religious grounds illegal, tell me why all states in the Appalachian region of America, except West Virginia, make it illegal to pick up serpents on religious grounds? The serpent handlers base their belief on Mark 16:17,18:
"And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name they shall cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues. They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover."
If these states are disregarding the Constitution, how do they get away with it?
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jgnat
I wouldn't support such a petition. On the other hand, to prevent parents of dependent minors to refuse medical treatment for their children on religious grounds, THAT I would support. Who is to say what the child would have chosen for themselves, once they are thinking, independent adults?
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Golf
Right on Zeroday, what next? Most people are not AWARE that the entire globe is gradually turning into a POLICE STATE!! Hmmmmm, what next? It would be well if you check out www.newswithviews.com and see what's happening around us.
Golf