Watchtower Blood Component/Fraction Deception

by jwfacts 25 Replies latest watchtower medical

  • Jeremy C
    Jeremy C
    The Bible writers were unaware of any of these definitions. Blood was not separated by a centrifuge. Blood was simply regarded as blood. To contain some semblance of logic, the Watchtower should either allow blood use, or not allow it - in any form. If it wishes to disallow whole blood but (somewhat illogically) allow blood fractions, then all fractions should be considered acceptable, including red and white cells.

    Common sense logic would indeed call for them to draw such a line, but they cannot. The organization painted itself into a corner in two ways: doctrinally, and legally.

    The organization has attempted to carry forward its tradition of the blood ban while having to deal with the ever-growing complexities posed to them by medical science. With the recent distinctions between plasma, fractions, and components; there has been a dizzying attempt on the part of the GB to ban what needs to banned, and allow what can be allowed. This process has created a legalistic maze of do's and dont's for the rank and file. Did Jehovah not anticipate all of this when he directed the organization to ban blood? All of this pharisaical maneuvering on the part of the GB makes God look quite confused.

    I believe that the bigger issue posed to the GB is that of legalities. The legal department has written a lot of the blood policy, and continues to try to sheild the Watchtower from lawsuits. What if the GB were to suddenly lift the blood ban? I believe that the judgements against the organization for past JW deaths would make the pedophile judgements look like pocket change. So, the organization has painted itself into a legal corner as well. The Watchtower's blood rulings and sub-rulings have created a legalistic fiasco that is nothing short of shameful.

    Meanwhile, JW lives (particularly those of children) hang in the balance over this idiotic process of nit-picking and hand-wringing on the part of the organizational leadership. All of this is quite similar to the first century Pharisees' endless rulings and man-made laws which created a legalistic nightmare for their followers. The ruling body in Jerusalem has merely relocated to Brooklyn Heights.

  • M.J.
    M.J.

    :This is what my mother says - "It is not right yet, but the light is getting brighter."

    Anyone who doesn't have a life/death matter quite figured out ought to just SHUT THE $$%%# UP!!!

  • troubled mind
  • troubled mind
    troubled mind

    When that 2004 Watchtower came out it was the begining of the end for me . I could not fathom why no one else in my hall did not see how unlogical this was all becoming . Either blood is sacred and to be totally abstained from or it is not .

    I was researching the blood issue deeply to help my mom and sister understand better what they could allow in their heart surgery procedures . Once I really delved into it I could see why they had been so confused . It pissed me off royally to have them consede to "whatever the brothers say we will do " .NOT ME I need to understand the why's and what fors especially in something so serious . I came out of it with the knowledge that those making the rules were just plain everyday men ,and why should I trust them over my trained surgeons advice ? I use to believe just like my mom and sister that the brothers had Jehovah's blessing and backing ...somehow my eyes were opened and I saw them for the imperfect people that they really were .

    Another thing that really irks me is they get the simple ones in the congregation all fired up thinking they know more than the doctors . When you really do speak with a surgeon you feel like an idiot coming to him telling him how he should do his job . My mom and sister both ranted on to their doctors about EPO , just give us that and no problems blah , blah , blah . Well the brothers never inform the cong . how EPO really works and it's possible side effects esp . in heart ,diabetic patients ......It increases the chance of stroke a great deal ! It takes aweek or two to be effective ..which in an emergency blood loss situation is pretty useless , but do the rank and file know this NOPE ...

    Four years later and my blood still boils over this issue . I wish I could explain it so well as you do because I have tried to tell a few of my former "friends" and now they just say I have crazy idea's or thinking now ,and won't speak to me anymore.

  • chicken little
    chicken little

    I agree with jedi master, I could not allow someone elses conscience to tell me what they think God accepts or does not accept. My conscience stands before God not a few old men who have inherited a belief system from a rambling drunk (rutherford). I now know that a symbol for the sanctity of life can never become more important than life itself. So my viewpoint on blood, fractions etc has reversed completely.

    Do the jws who take fractions know it is donated blood that has been stored, then broken down? I am sure many think it is somehow manmade stuff that they get.

    After visiting my friend in hospital today who also is an exjw I was relieved to see that she has the same viewpoint...she is recovering from a very long operation....no pressure was put on her to have blood...she can decide for herself. She said how relieved she was not to be a jw anymore and have to face the pressure from a hospital liason rep.

    Chicken little

  • nomoreguilt
    nomoreguilt

    Whatever happened to the concept that once the blood left the body, it was to be poured out. I had this practically beat into my head as a child by my mother and the WTS. Now, this FRACTIONS deal just goes absolutely contrary to everything that they ever preached!!! NMG

  • james_woods
    james_woods

    If you wanted to get really hardcore on this, I guess you could say that "keep yourself free from blood" could suggest that a good Christian would just go ahead and slit his wrists, so as to "pour it out on the ground".

  • little witch
    little witch

    I know this for fact. I donate plasma twice a week. It does not hurt me, I help others, I get paid (240 per month) I am happy and others are helped by my donations. Nuff said, all is well. Oh, and Hober hasn't knocked me dead and I can stand proud before a loving God to say, "I did the best I knew how to respect and preserve life". I will sleep well tonight. LW

  • M.J.
    M.J.

    Twice per week??? Wow, isn't that kind of unhealthy?

  • jwfacts
    jwfacts
    those making the rules were just plain everyday men ,and why should I trust them over my trained surgeons advice ? ... When you really do speak with a surgeon you feel like an idiot coming to him telling him how he should do his job .

    Troubled mind - It is particularly dangerous that the Watchtower has taken blood from a spiritual prohibition and tried to make out that refusing blood is a safer alternative, pushing that doctors do not know their job, and that the medical industry is corrupt by making blood "big business". The medical industry has resulted in the average life expectancy doubling over the last hundred years, yet the Watchtower wants to paint it as incompetent, simply to support this single issue.

    I now know that a symbol for the sanctity of life can never become more important than life itself.

    Chicken little, Very well said, and a one line summary of the entire issue.

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