In order express my current wishes I am preparing a new DPA and Medical Directive to replace what I have signed from the Organization in the past. However, if family have an issue with my stand should I be incapacitated, I am including a Preamble with the DPA so that the reasons for my wishes are clear. I welcome comments, adjustments, or ideas. My goal is to firmly inform -- not to attack or force my conscience on others.
HEALTHCARE DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY AND ADVANCE MEDICAL DIRECTIVE
This document supersedes any and all previous related documents and medical directives I have executed.
PREAMBLE
Being raised as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and baptized at the minor age of ___ years in the State of ________ , USA, part of the baptism vows require recognition that the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society (and its related legal entities) is God’s spirit-directed organization. As such, the Watchtower Society claims to be God’s sole channel of communication and the visible part of God’s organization on earth with its Governing Body as the head of the visible organization.
The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses forms various policies under their claimed authority as God’s channel. It is claimed that exclusive authority to create Theocratic Law was conferred upon them at their appointment over all Christ’s belongings, by Jesus Christ himself, in the year 1918. Compliance with all directives and teachings of the organization is compulsory under penalty of disfellowshipping (ex-communication).
One of the organizational directives has included a ban on blood transfusions based largely on Acts 15:29. The Bible does give special recognition to blood and its relation to life. However, upon further investigation it is clear that the organization has shifted it policies in a confusing and conflicting array over many decades.
The origin of the Watchtower doctrine appears to come the concept that blood is sacred and the contamination of sacred human blood was the cause of God’s judgment by means of the Flood of Noah’s day. According to the The Golden Age magazine of February 4, 1931 (published by The Watchtower Society) page 295--
At the time the above article was written, a case was not being made against blood transfusion or the use of blood products. Instead, the article was written to further a ban on vaccination. Later, vaccination became a “conscience matter” and blood transfusions were banned. Over the years, the blood policy has both evolved and devolved with acceptability of various blood fractions becoming “conscience matters”.
It is unreasonable to conclude that the symbol of life (blood) would have more value than the reality (the living person). This is especially so when no life has been given for the blood. Furthermore, Jesus repeatedly “broke” the Mosaic Law in order to do fine works. David and his men broke the Law and ate the showbread. If life is at stake, law is suspended. Today, we are no longer under law, but under the Law of the Christ.
Finally, the meeting and resulting letter recorded at Acts chapter 15 arose out of the need to settle disputes between Jewish and Gentile Christians. This meeting was initiated by the Antioch congregation and not by a ruling council in Jerusalem. The comments about blood applied to Gentile Christians so as not to offend the sensitive consciences of Jewish Christians who, for generations, had strictly observed dietary restrictions under the Mosaic Law. Even though they no longer had to observe such laws, many evidently chose to and their consciences were to be respected.
In the minutes from that meeting James said at Acts 15: 19-21 (NAS)-
“Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles, but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood. “For Moses from ancient generations has in every city those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.” In light of the above statement, the Watchtower Society’s interpretation on blood does not apply in any modern context as a law for Christians. This view is supported by most biblical scholars, including the Watchtower founder, Charles T. Russell:
After considering the scriptural evidence and the history and reasoning of the Watchtower Society’s arguments about blood, I choose to exercise my human right and fulfill my Christian obligation by using my own conscience in this matter.
Accordingly, my executed Durable Power of Attorney and Advance Medical Directive follows:
[A STANDARD LEGAL FORM WITH MY WISHES FOLLOWS THE PREAMBLE]
