Blood problems in Italy (page 2)

Fisherman

Blood Transfusions saved lives but have also taken lives. As A JW I would not accept a blood transfusion on religious grounds, even if the blood could be sterile and pathogen free, I would not accept a blood transfusion based on what the Bible says to "abstain from blood."

As a medical doctor I could not honor any medical directive from someone that did not want blood for religious reasons. I could honor the directive as much as possible and if possible, but that would be a medical decision for me to decide, but I would try to honor it. I would not have a person die on me given the chance to live using blood. If a person wants to die on their own, I cannot stop them but once a person is under my care, I must use all of my powers to save his live. And In good conscience, I could not honor a directive short of a miracle from God not use blood if it was medically necessary. As a medical doctor, it would be a violation of my oath not to use all of my powers to save a person's life. In the US, there would be legal consequences but I would fight as much as I could to save the patient. I would fool the patient if I had to and I would do everything in my power to save his life.

As a judge sitting on Caesars throne bearing the sword, having the power of life and death; short of a miracle I could not affirm any medical directives restricting lifesaving medical treatments on religious grounds. Of course I would have to hear the case, but my decision would be grounded on scientific medical opinions not on refusal of medical treatment for religious reasons.I would not buy the argument that blood is too risky when the benefits outweigh the risks. Not being a JW, and as much rights JW have to practice their religion, I bear the sword.

Fisherman

I read the Italy cases. It seems to me that the Caesar of Italy has already pre-decided on all cases of JW refusing blood when doctors deem it medically necessary.

never a jw

a slippery slope, if a government can tell you what medical procedures you should or should not accept

R,O,

I guess you don't like government forcing the individual to choose life saving procedures, but you are quite OK when cult leaders coerce you to "choose" death, especially for your children.

OrphanCrow

Fisherman: I read the Italy cases. It seems to me that the Caesar of Italy has already pre-decided on all cases of JW refusing blood when doctors deem it medically necessary.

Yes, it does seem to be that way. It is as though the courts are saying that a religious belief is not a good enough reason to commit suicide in the face of a life saving procedure.

Refusing medical treatment is one thing, but once that decision concerns the refusal of life itself, it becomes a case for "right to die". And, a JW patient who is simply refusing to live would not qualify for "right to die" - they would not be terminal at the time that they chose to die by refusing blood when they signed their cards and would very much be capable of living beyond their death decision if they chose blood.

I think that the so-called "noblood" card should be challenged under right to die laws. If a JW patient doesn't qualify for "right to die", they should not be allowed to refuse a blood transfusion. The decision should rest with the doctor as to whether a life saving procedure is necessary and if that patient does not qualify for "right to die", there should be nothing standing in the way of the doctor's decision to transfuse.

Fisherman

OC, it is arguable whether or not a person should be forced to put someone else's blood or something else inside his body.

Fisherman

In the US, years ago, a pilot crashed his small plane. He was burned from head to toe -a mass of burned flesh. He wanted to die. He asked to die. He was forced treatment -in agony until many months later or years later he survived blind and disfigured and crippled. He spoke, he said that now he wanted to be alive even in his state but that the pain he had to endure was unberable and that he wanted to die but was forced to suffer.

JW GoneBad

We already know that WT's teachings on 1) 1914, 2) overlapping-generation, 3) disfellowshipping/shunning, 4) higher education, 5) holiday celebrations, 6) the 'faithful slave' and 7) the two-witness rule are all a joke...where does that leave 8) the no-blood doctrine? :) :)

JW GoneBad

...a colossal joke!:) :)

Blood problems in Italy

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