Shunning Or Refusing Blood - Which Is Worse?

by Englishman 27 Replies latest jw friends

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  Englishman

  Here's my take on this:

  Most persons who die through lack of blood have made that choice for themselves. The consequences of such a course of action (often death) generally have an effect which is limited primarily to the individual who is refusing treatment.

  However, the victim of a decision to shun has no input into that decision. Therefore the 'victim' of shunning is a helpless recipient of that policy. He/she has no control or responsibility for the punishment imposed.

  Shunning is therefore a more destructive policy. It makes a judgement and imposes a penalty which has social implications for the individual and his/her friends and family, who maybe forced to become 'shunners' against their will. It is a form of hierarchical control which takes responsibility and power away from individuals.

  I believe that the policy of shunning is more offensive to the general public for these reasons. The blood issue is often the only thing which the public know about JWs and it has a certain martyr value. People just think: "Gosh, they must really have faith in their belief". However, if people knew about shunning they would be much more shocked.

  It's a grubby little custom that JW's have been practising for many years, IMO it's well time that they grew away from it.

  Englishman.

  Nostalgia isn't what it used to be....
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  Stephanus

  I personally think they are both equally wicked, Eman. They both are imposed on people against their natural tendencies from without, and both lead to death in many cases. If the Tower dropped those two policies, they'd pretty well lose most of the agro against them overnight!
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  bboyneko

  you'd have a hard time proving that shunning is worse than death in a court of law.
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  radar

  Englishman

  Just a thought.
  ________________________________________________________________
  persons who die through lack of blood have made that choice for themselves.
  _________________________________________________________________
  Correction! they think they have made their own choice.

  In reality, their choice is manipulated and not really their own. Informed of "new Light" on the subject, many will accept the new permited "componants".
  I ask you then: who's choice really is it? who's conscience is at work here...the individuals or the Watchtower's?

  example:
  How many JWs do you know, that still reject vaccines.
  
  On Vaccinations
  Golden Age, Jan. 5 1929, Page 502
  "Thinking people would rather have smallpox than vaccination, because the latter sows seeds of syphilis, cancers, eczema, erysipelas, scrofula, consumption, even leprosy and many other loathsome affections. Hence the practice of vaccinations is a crime, an outrage, and a delusion".

  If JWs were using their own choice or conscience, why are not the majority os JWs still applying this direction?

  This is mostly true now with permited blood fractions also.

  Injury or loss of life from these "Theocratic" rules is widespread and devastating.The knock on effect on familly and friends is likewise traumatic.

  Is one a lesser evil than the other? ask those who have been affected.

  Radar

  All that we see or seem/ Is but a dream within a dream.

  -Edgar Allen Poe
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  Fredhall

  Radar,

  This is not 1929, it is 2001.
• 

  Englishman

  Bboynekko,

  Nice to see you again. I'm quite sure that you realise that I meant which is the worse imposition morally, after all - sorry Radar, the victim has more choice over blood thatn shunning.

  Englishman.

  Nostalgia isn't what it used to be....
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  radar

  Englishman

  A person is shunned because of rejection of Watchtower policies, in one form or other.

  In this respect the person had a choice. The Watchtower way or their way. Every Witness knows the result of rejecting the Watchtower's rules......Shunning.

  The choices are the same.

  Radar

  All that we see or seem/ Is but a dream within a dream.

  -Edgar Allen Poe
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  Ranchette

  Englishman,
  When a person accepts the teaching that the Gods word comands them to abstain from blood and to do differently would them to loose God's aproval and their everlasting life.
  There is no choice or conscience in the matter.Unless you don't want to live in the new order.That threat is always hanging over your head to keep you in line.
  If a person truly believes JW teaching the choice is made for them.

  This is the case with many teachings that they claim we have free will or choice on.

  Ranchette
• 

  OUTLAW

  Shunning is just one more way to tear families apart.It keeps people dependant on immoral relgions.>>>SO Fred,Whats your favorite beer!
• 

  Fredhall

  Hawkaw,

  Rootbeer