Let's be very clear about penalties for blood transfusion. While it seems to be a distinction without a difference, i.e., you get shunned for BOTH DF (disfellowshipping) and DA (disassociation), it's important to note who is the responsible party. And to look at WHY the Society changed its policy.
If you are DFd, the organization does it through its local representatives the elders. If you are considered DA, you have done it to yourself in the eyes of the Society. The hierarchy now wants to wash its hands and say they are not responsible, you are. Reduces potential liability, right? YOUR decision to follow "God's standard," WHICH MAY CHANGE.
Another step in the blood policy evolution, much like alternative service. Meanwhile innocent lives are lost. The Society can't present clear reasons for their policy but they can state it and enforce it. And tell you to wait on Jehovah if you don't like it. (Just like they did with alternative service and other issues.)
A baptized JW who unrepentantly receives a blood transfusion (meaning an infusion of anything not an approved blood product or fraction) is now officially treated as having disassociated him/herself, after certain modified judicial proceedings.
How does this work? What is published below is taken from the Society’s letter read from the CO to US bodies of elders, no copies, notes only. (Hopefully no responsibility.)
‘We wish to make an adjustment in the current standing on blood transfusions. True Christians avoid blood transfusions. On rare occasions some have accepted them. In the event a brother or sister does so, two elders should be assigned to find out if they did so willingly. If it is determined that they did so willingly, a committee of three brothers (not a judicial committee) should be assigned to get the facts and determine the attitude of the individual. If the person who accepted a blood transfusion sincerely regrets his decision, he would not qualify for privileges [commenting, talk assignments, aux pio, prayer] within the congregation for a period of time. The committee may also make an announcement to the congregation:
‘"The elders have handled a matter having to do with-------------. You will
be glad to know that spiritual shepherds are endeavoring to render assistance."
‘If the person willfully and unrepentantly rejects God’s standards, and makes
statements to the effect he would continue in his course and advocates it to
others, thus he has chosen to disassociate himself from the congregation.
The following announcement would be made to the congregation:
‘"By his chosen course [name] has shown that he no longer desires to be one of Jehovah’s Witnesses."’
The following is not medical conversation, but for those interested in thinking things through:
What happens when Elder X visits Publisher Y in the hospital and sees a red bag hanging? Say he asks the obvious question, "What’s that?" and Publisher Y responds: "What you see in that bag is permitted by my Christian conscience."
Dilemma for Elder X: Does he try to take a sneak peek at the medical records? Find out from a "loyal" JW or unwitting secretary in the hospital?
Medical confidentiality looms large as an issue.
There are new rules that set national standards for protecting the privacy and distribution of Americans' personal health records and establish fines and criminal penalties for violations of those standards.
Snoops, watch out. You are at risk--legally.
Hope the above is helpful to y'all, yez, youse, what---ever. Or to the one person who may have read it.
Maximus