Platlets...can WTBTS policy be defended?

by joel 47 Replies latest jw friends

  • joel
    joel

    If this topic has been addressed already...sorry...just ignore it...

    if not...I would like to hear from those who would defend this policy....or who see the inconsistencies in the views on blood but the WTBTS.

    The following is something I read on at another site.

    There is no question that the Watchtower's blood policy needlessly kills JW children. Something as simple as a transfusion of platelets is denied to JW children with the following results:

    1. JW children with cancer end up having to stop their chemotherapy. Result - they die

    2. JW children with leukemeia simply bleed to death. In the last fifty years childhood leukemia has gone from being 100% fatal to having a cure rate of over 75%. Truly a modern day miracle. Not in the JW community, however, were the death rate remains near 100%! Why does the WTS insist that critcally needed medical care be denied to these children?

    Consider this: Platelets are among the very smallest components of blood weighing in at only 0.17% of blood volume.

    Here's an illustration. Take a dollar as a whole, now take 1% of a dollar, now get out a saw and cut that penny into 5 pieces. One of those pieces is to a dollar as platelets are to blood! Consider the shocking hypocrisy and murderous implications of this policy. The Watchtower is perfectly willing to permit all of the following:

    all components of plasma - 55% of blood volume hemoglobin - 13.5% of blood volume
    The WTS will permit and yes sanction the collection and storage of cow blood and the extraction of major blood protein(hemoglobin), but these children
    are refused a tiny component of human blood that can save their lives. Bear in mind the Mosaic law clearly calls for the pouring out of a slaughtered animal's blood on the ground.

    JW children have no voice and no choice. The WTS, the local elders and their parents indoctrinate them and lead them to the grave. Denying them their most elementary human rights.

    This is terribly wrong and it must stop. It must stop now. Not ten years from now, not five years from now, not even a year from now. We must insist that it stop now – right now. This is not the first time those claiming to serve Jehovah God have felt compelled to offer up their children as a sacrifice. Israelites who also served Molech were no doubt deeply touched when called upon to make their sacrifice. How did God view such child sacrifice? The Bible tells us:
    And they have built the high places of To'pheth, which is in the valley of the son of Hin'nom, in order to burn their sons and their daughters in the
    fire, a thing that I had not commanded and that had not come up into my heart. (Jeremiah 7:31)
    Anyone who questions whether or not this really is happening in the Jehovah's Witness community need only check the May 22, 1994 Awake magazine where these children are hailed as martyrs and where the WTS implies that the death toll has reached into the thousands.

    Pax,
    joel

  • logical
    logical

    This whole thing really confuses me.

    Jehovah told Noah the score where blood is concerned. And since we are all decendants of Noah, then that applies to us too. This hasnt changed.

    The bible is clear on the use of blood. It should not be used at all. Jehovah has given us his command. This has also been repeated in the Greek scriptures. So, it applies to us.

    By allowing the use of even the tiniest components of blood, the WT have compromised their stand for Jehovah in this area.

    Jehovah will remember those who sadly died taking a stand for His law, and they will be blessed in the New System.

    Where blood is concerned, anyone who is serious about serving Jehovah should ABSTAIN from it, in every way. Simple as that.

    You could argue that transfusions, vaccinations ets were not in the Bible. But, aslo, pornography, smoking etc are not in the bible. We know they are bad, so why should it be any different for blood when it is clearly stated?

    Remember how Jesus spoke of the Pharisees in his day? This could very well apply to the WT now, Matthew 23:5-6, also 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12

    READ Matthew 23:13-15

    History is repeating itself.

  • Seven
    Seven

    Joel, We've had several discussions on the subject-the best by Friend.
    The article he posted can be found at: http://www.jwbloodreview.org
    This is excellent.

  • joel
    joel

    logical,

    A couple of thoughts...one...What is more important, the symbol for life(blood)...or Life itself? Which are we to respect more?
    Also your thoughts on what the Bible says about abstaining from FAT...or one was "cut off" (Lev.7:22-25)

    BTW...I agree with you...if one believes that they are to abstain from blood at all costs...then they should not take any part of blood...or they are not abtaining from it.
    I think you are taking the proper stance for one who believes as you do.

    Pax,
    joel

  • joel
    joel

    Sevenofnine,

    Thanx for tellin' me...haven't keep up on what's been goin' on around here until recently...
    guess it's been pretty well talked out ...eh!

    I had just talked to an elder friend on the subject...so it was fresh in my mind.

    Thanx

    Pax,
    joel

  • trevor
    trevor

    Hi,

    The bible states that the blood must be poured on the ground as a mark or respect for the life of the dead animal. Greedily drinking animal blood is not in anyway the same as accepting as a gift the blood of another human in a life or death situation.

    In the case of a transfusion ther is no life to account for as the doner lives. If a man can give his life on behalf of another surley they can give some of their spare blood.

    Jesus showed that the proper use of human blood was to save life and instructed his disciples to symbolicaly drink his blood. The apostle Paul said in the WT Bible 'you will prosper, good health to you.'

    The principle was never intended to cost human lives. A human life cannot be worth less than some spare blood given as a gift.The only proper use of human blood is to save life any other use would show a lack or respect. To die rather than accept the gift of some spare blood would show a total lack of respect for life.

    As with most of the Bible it all comes down to how we want to see it. That is why the WT have changed their minds on so many things and will continue to do so.

    trevor

  • logical
    logical

    Joel:

    A couple of thoughts...one...What is more important, the symbol for life(blood)...or Life itself? Which are we to respect more?

    Respect for JEHOVAH rises above those two points, in fact, above anything. The actual life is more important than the blood, but the fact remains we are to obey Jehovah's law.

    His law states ABSTAIN from blood.

    Also your thoughts on what the Bible says about abstaining from FAT...or one was "cut off" (Lev.7:22-25)

    Thats from the Mosaic law. No longer applies to us. Theres nothing in the Greek scriptures condemning it, so its ok now. Theres a bit about it in one of the WT publications, Insight I think, as to why it was originally not alowed, i cant recall off the top of my head.

    Trevor:

    To die rather than accept the gift of some spare blood would show a total lack of respect for life.

    Not at all, in fact it would show utmost respect for Jehovah, to the extent that the person in that situation is willing to DIE just to uphold a law. Remember, there will be a ressurection, and Jehovah will remember those who were loyal to him until the end.

    Edited by - logical on 14 January 2001 13:26:25

    Edited by - logical on 14 January 2001 13:34:4

  • Simon
    Simon

    But isn't the point that blood is a symbol of life which must be valued.
    But the symbol ends up being valued more than the thing that it represents.
    Also, any claim that the blood command still applies surely means that the command to have children is also still in force.
    If the mosaic law no longer applies does this mean that Gods standards change?

  • logical
    logical

    Simon:

    I understand what you are saying, but, the bottom line is Jehovah is above everything. If he set a law, it is there for a purpose. It is to be obeyed. No questions.

    Im not 100% on top of the Mosaic law, but it is no longer observed because Christ fulfilled it. Im sure someone else can explain it better than I can.

    If God's standards had changed, im sure that this topic wouldnt have been started because there would be no blood issue... the fact is His standards are the same high standards as they were in the beginning, and always will be.

    As for the command for children... well, yes, that is still in force, but there are guidelines in the Greek scriptures regarding that situation, the gift of singleness etc.

    Edited by - logical on 14 January 2001 13:40:48

  • Seven
    Seven

    logical,

    His law states ABSTAIN from blood.

    I take it that anyone who condones the acceptance of blood fractions would be disobeying the law-100%. Right?

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