1] When an animal was killed for food its blood was sacred and must be poured out on the ground. The rationale for this is the symbolic value of the blood in representing the life that has been taken
2] If an animal was found “already dead” its unbled flesh could be eaten with impunity; this resulted only in temporary uncleanness.
In the case of blood transfusions the blood that has been donated was not collected at the cost of the donor’s life and therefore has no more religious significance than the blood of an animal already dead which could be consumed without penalty.
Also notice when Jesus was accused of breaking the Sabbath law by performing miracles, he showed that exemptions to the law apply when a persons physical life and well being are at stake
Matthew 12:1-13
Jesus said: "What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the Sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep?Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days. Then said he to the man, Stretch forth your hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other."
He also plucked grain and ate on the Sabbath. Breaking the Sabbath carried the penalty of death. Saving/healing human life did not count as breaking it. Jesus was a Jew who invoked Pikuach Nefesh(the principle in Jewish law that the preservation of human life overrides virtually any other religious consideration). Orthodox Jews today accept blood transfusions under this ancient principle.
Accepting a blood transfusion to save a life should not be considered as breaking a biblical law by a truly loving God/Jesus in consideration of the biblical logic presented here.
According to Ezekiel 18:23 and 2Peter 3:9, God does NOT want ANYONE to die, even the wicked. Lets recap:
1. The Bible refers to eating blood from animals killed for food, not blood transfusions that do not result in the death of the donor.
2. Paul showed that Acts 15 was only binding when it would result in stumbling (1 Cor 8)
3. The Rabbinic principle of Pikuach Nefesh (appealed to by Jesus at Mat 12:11) dictates that the Law be superseded if it would result in loss of life
There have been no counter responses. Only approval, however I don't think many active JW's post in this group, it seems to be mostly ex-jw christians and apologetics from what I have seen lately. I keep commenting on it that I'm open to honest opposition to the statements, noone responds.
