This is the first of a multi-part article that tells my story, and how AJWRB got started.
Lee Elder
JoinedPosts by Lee Elder
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My Story - Part 2
by Lee Elder inthis is the first of a multi-part article that tells my story, and how ajwrb got started.. https://www.openmindsfoundation.org/saving-thousand-lives-year-reform-watchtowers-policy-blood-transfusions-part-two/.
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Canadian Court Protects JW Minor
by Lee Elder inhttp://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/jehovahs-witness-blood-transfusion-1.4299992.
clearly the right move by this doctor and court.
unfortunately, the watchtower continues to try and argue that so called "mature minors" (11-17 years old) should be allowed to follow their irrational policy on blood, even if death could result.
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Lee Elder
Valid points on development in young adults, but difficult path to try and forge. I think just keeping these kids safe in all countries to 18 or whatever the age of majority might be is realistic. Beyond that, and we probably have to focus on undue influence, manipulation, coercion and implanted phobias based on erroneous pseudo science.
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Canadian Court Protects JW Minor
by Lee Elder inhttp://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/jehovahs-witness-blood-transfusion-1.4299992.
clearly the right move by this doctor and court.
unfortunately, the watchtower continues to try and argue that so called "mature minors" (11-17 years old) should be allowed to follow their irrational policy on blood, even if death could result.
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Lee Elder
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/jehovahs-witness-blood-transfusion-1.4299992
Clearly the right move by this doctor and court. Unfortunately, the Watchtower continues to try and argue that so called "mature minors" (11-17 years old) should be allowed to follow their irrational policy on blood, even if death could result. Courts in every land need to protect these adolescents until they reach the age of majority when they will at least have a bit more mental and emotional maturity so as to evaluate the policy, and make their own decision as an adult.
Jehovah's Witness, 14, ordered to receive blood transfusion despite beliefs
Treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma can require transfusion, which the religion's doctrine prohibits
CBC News Posted: Sep 21, 2017 9:51 AM ET Last Updated: Sep 21, 2017 3:58 PM ET
A Quebec Superior Court ruling, issued Sept. 1, allows the MUHC to provide blood transfusions and other necessary blood treatments to a 14-year-old girl with Hodgkin's lymphoma for one month. (Ryan Remiorz/Canadian Press)
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With files from The Canadian PressThe McGill University Health Centre has been authorized to perform blood transfusions to treat a 14-year-old girl with cancer, despite her refusal because it goes against her beliefs as a Jehovah's Witness.
In a ruling issued earlier this month, Superior Court Justice Lukasz Granosik concluded that it is lawful to protect a child, sometimes even against their own wishes, when their decision can be fatal or irreversibly alter their lives.
The teen, identified only as "X" because she is a minor, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in June 2017 and treated with chemotherapy.
Although Granosik noted that X exhibited a high level of maturity, he ultimately concluded: "The need for a blood transfusion should be considered to save the life of X or avoid permanent damage to her physical integrity."
'Chance of cure at risk,' doctor warned
The treatment has a success rate of 97 per cent with an 85 per cent chance there would be no recurrence. It can, however, require blood transfusions, which are forbidden under Jehovah's Witness doctrine.
Her doctor, aware the teen and her mother were opposed to a transfusion, tried to avoid having to give one.
But in August 2017, following the third round of chemotherapy, her doctor grew increasingly concerned the teen would require a transfusion because of her low platelet count, which can lead to fatal hemorrhaging.
"I am concerned that X and her family will continue to make changes in her treatment plan that are not medically sound and put her chance of cure at risk," her hematologist-oncologist, identified only as Dr. Sabapathy, wrote later the same month.
"I am therefore asking the court to give us permission to transfuse X blood products if needed to [treat] any life threatening drop in her blood counts."
MUHC allowed to perform transfusions
The ruling, issued Sept. 1, allowed the MUHC to provide blood transfusions and other necessary blood treatments for one month, in an effort to treat her cancer and prevent her death.
The Supreme Court has repeatedly examined the right of Jehovah's Witnesses to refuse blood transfusions.
In the case of minors, the key decision comes from Manitoba and dates back to 2009.
In a six-to-one decision, the Supreme Court ruled that a minor should have the opportunity to make decisions of a medical nature, but that the court must have the power to intervene when a human life is in danger.
The Quebec government, meanwhile, has faced pressure to amend the province's Civil Code when it comes to adults, after a Jehovah's Witness woman died six days after she gave birth in October 2016.
Éloïse Dupuis's refusal of an emergency blood transfusion to treat a hemorrhage prompted family members and medical ethicists to push for staff at Quebec hospitals to be allowed to administer life-saving treatment in such circumstances.
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3
Robert Jay Lifton Interview
by Lee Elder inwhile this interview and book are concerned with donald trump.
you will be able to see many similarities with watchtower officials.
https://www.alternet.org/books/bill-moyers-renowned-psychiatrist-warns-trump-danger-us-all.
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Lee Elder
While this interview and book are concerned with Donald Trump. You will be able to see many similarities with Watchtower officials.
https://www.alternet.org/books/bill-moyers-renowned-psychiatrist-warns-trump-danger-us-all
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Thinking about the end of the Watchtower
by JeffT infirst, a word about the watchtower’s financial position: nobody (outside the watchtower organization) knows.
the wtbs is not required to disclose its finances, and doesn’t.
we can speculate, but that is all we are doing.
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Lee Elder
There is always a market for desperate, gullible sheep.
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Lee Elder
Thank you UTC. So glad that things worked out for your daughter. Others have not been so lucky as you know.
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Lee Elder
Odd. Yes, point number one was that JW elders and HLC are generally regarded as clergy.
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Lee Elder
Elders and HLC gain access, in my view, for a couple of reasons:
2. Most hospitals and administrators do not understand the level of undue influence.
3. The JW patient has been indoctrinated to grant them access and do exactly what they are told to do or face very serious consequences.
4. The JW patient is confused by the policy and needs these special "clergy" members to interpret WT policy.
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Lee Elder
I remember the talk. Such hubris and equivocation. I was baptized at the time, but just a kid.
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Lee Elder
Konceptual99: Yes - that mirrors my experience as well. We've had quite a few HLC members with AJWRB over the years. Getting ready to publish the story of one HLC coordinator in the near future. Always thought it was strange the way the WT talks about blood and conscience, and the need for the doctors to respect it. At the same time, very few of the friends understand all of the various blood products that are permitted. They will frequently say no until an HLC member comes along and says, "its ok - the WT says so". Then of course they routinely accept it. There is no respect for individual conscience in these matters. Just the requirement to comply with what you are told.