FreeAgent--See If This HLC Brochure Helps!

by Atlantis 3 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  Atlantis

  The HLC brochure; (Workbook to Assist With Conscience Matters Involving Blood). leaves no conscience choice for JW doctors or JW nurses in this matter.

  
  Page 11, in the 2nd box it states:

  
  Jehovah's Witnesses and Health
  "Jehovah's Witnesses, some of whom are physicians and nurses, are known worldwide for their rejection of transfusions involving whole blood or primary blood components. Does their united stand against this practice stem from man-made doctrine or a belief that a person's faith can heal medical ailments? That is far from the truth."

  
  https://docdro.id/3Hrpn1b
  
  Many HLC brochures are not published by the Watchtower, which gives them a "way out" of having to take responsibility.
  On this page at the bottom it states:

  
  The medical section of jw.org is designed as an informational resource primarily for use by clinicians and other health-care professionals. It provides neither medical advice nor treatment recommendations and does not substitute for an appropriately qualified health-care provider. The clinical literature cited is not published by Jehovah’s Witnesses, but it outlines transfusion-alternative strategies that might be considered. It is the responsibility of each qualified health-care provider to maintain awareness of new information, discuss options for care, and assist patients in making choices in accord with their medical condition, wishes, values, and beliefs. Not all listed strategies are appropriate or acceptable to all patients.
  
  https://www.jw.org/en/medical-library/strategies-downloads/
  
  This might be some good evidence, but I would still feel better if I could get my hands on a letter. Getting a copy of that letter is going to be very rare.
  
  Atlantis!
  
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  Corney

  Page 10 indicates the brochure merely quotes from August 2006 Awake! And the quote can be understood as "JWs don't accept transfusions, even those who are medical professionals themselves".

  Also, Correspondence Guidelines (as of 2011) stated: "A Christian who is a nurse or a doctor respects the Scriptures and therefore would not recommend or order a blood transfusion for a patient. If he or she as an employee is not responsible for deciding the matter and is directed by a superior to administer a transfusion to a non-Witness, whether to obey is a matter for personal, conscientious decision.—w99 4/15 28-30; w75 4/1 215-16" (p. 15).

  
  
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  Atlantis

  Corney:

  Ok, many thanks, I'll keep looking for a letter. You included some very good info.

  Atlantis!
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  DesirousOfChange

  If there is a new evolving policy on BT as it applies to JW's in the medical field, I think it will result in many taking a closer look at the merits of the policy. As long as JW's can avoid thinking about one of their uncomfortable doctrines or policies, they can avoid the discomfort of doing so.

  For example, sitting for the National Anthem. How many JW's do you know attend events and actually choose to go sit in the audience and wait for the Anthem to start so they can sit there and be a spectacle? None. They strategically go in late, AFTER the start of the Anthem, and JW rules allow them to continue to stand quietly since they were already standing (vs taking the action to stand for the Anthem). No discomfort. No "taking a stand". (haha)

  So it has become with BT. Your child needs a BT. No problem. The Family Court system will have a judge issue a Court Order and your child will not die because of the BT issue. I have known the WT HLC actually advise JW parents to take comfort in this policy. No risk. No "taking a stand" to flee the hospital anymore. It just avoids the issue and any potential negative publicity.

  But this new policy would force an active JW who is a physician, nurse, etc to make changes in their profession position and perhaps in their actual profession. No more JW surgeons. No more ER nurses or surgical nurses. Up until this time, the JW in the medical field could just reason to themselves that the BT was not their decision thus they are NOT guilty of anything. Just like you cannot force people not to sin in other ways. But now they will have to reason and determine if the BT Policy really is reasonable. Is it worth changing their employment? Is it worth taking a stand that could cost them their job? We all know what they will find if they go to "GOOGLE".