Posts by MacHislopp

67

W5 Investigation

by Christian Gutierrez in

jw
friends

hey guys!

i just want you guys to know that today is a really great day.

there are so many jehovah's witnesses that saw this documentary and were disgusted by watchtowers policy.

MacHislopp

Hello Christian and Katja,

Very good video and very, very true.

Thank you for sharing of sad and painful moments

of your life.

Many in Europe are seeing it. Keep on.

Many greetings,

JC Mac Hislopp

.

18

"We never solicit donations" - really?

by doubtfull1799 in

inspired by this weeks clam article which again "reminds" the brothers pdf their obligation/privilege to donate "voluntarily" i have complied a list of articles or videos in the last 5 years where donations are indeed solicited or encouraged.

the society may argue that these are not actual solicitations because no plate was passed around.

but a donation box is just a more discrete and subtle version of the plate.

MacHislopp

Hello D1799 and all the others,

many thanks for the excellent research. Very useful

in contrast with the statement "we will never beg nor solicit for funds..."

Pinocchio at his best...!

Greetings to all

JC MacHislopp

33

Years REALLY DO FLY BY!

by somebody in

jw
friends

i just realized that i was 39 years old when i joined this discussion board.

i remember the morning conversations that always brought me laughter, and i think there were only a but about 9 or 10 regulars back then!

i will now turn 57 years old in a few months.

MacHislopp

Hello everyone and expecially to Somebody.

I'm very pleased to hear fom you again.

It was quite a while ago!

Greetings,

J.C. MacHislopp

(...just clowly recovering from a difficult moment)

30

WARWICK

by Phoebe in

jw
friends

as it's highly unlikely i'll ever go to warwick, i found lloyd evans latest video fascinating.

i had no idea that the whole 'museum' (if you can call it that) was so big.

notice the credit card machines by the entrance.

MacHislopp

Hello everyone;

having read the comments so far and seeing the video (informative ...above all),

I wish to thank Cedar (John) for all his hard work.

For years he has done a lot to r e v e a l the "truth" behind the WTBS New York

mighty corporation and many of its shady deals and ...lies.

The more exposed the better !

Keep up your excellent work together with your team!!

All the best,

J.C. MacHislopp

18

Question about dfed relatives

by awake!watcher in

jw
friends

does anyone know if there is a wt reference that says associating with a dfed relative is a conscience matter?

i am asking because someone is trying to cause trouble and i was hoping there was an article i could point to to shut them up..

MacHislopp

Hello awake!watcher and all the others,

These below are the Society’s Governing Body directive/rules applicable – since the year 2010 – and to be followed by the BOE in all congregations worldwide.

The material is take from the Elder’s manual entitled :

“Shepherd the Flock of God”—1 Peter 5:2 published in 2010 (Printing edition 2012)

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Matters Related to

Disfellowshipped and

Disassociated Ones

Make yearly visits on those who qualify

Permit them to obtain personal literature at the

Kingdom Hall

Assist those having undue association with disfellowshipped

or disassociated relatives

6. If members of the congregation are known to have undue association with disfellowshipped or disassociated relatives who are not in the

household, elders should counsel and reason with

those members of the congregation from the Scriptures.

Review with them information from the “God’s Love” book, pages 207-208;

The Watchtower of April 15, 1988, pages 26-30; or the article “Display

Christian Loyalty When a Relative Is Disfellowshipped” in the August 2002

Our Kingdom Ministry.

If it is clear that a Christian is violating the spirit of the disfellowshipping decree in this regard and does not respond to counsel, it may be that he would not qualify for congregation privileges, which require one to be exemplary. He would not be dealt with judicially unless there is persistent spiritual association or he openly criticizes the disfellowshipping decision.

116 “Shepherd the Flock of God”—1 Peter 5:2

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Notice the wording, and surely the BOE will apply very scrictly. I do hope this quote might help.

Greetings to all,

J.C. MacHislopp

22

Approximately how many JW have left permanently?

by longgone in

jw
friends

i did try a search before posting this question and found nothing current.

pew research -2016 says approximately two thirds of those born into the religion in the united states alone, no longer consider themselves as members.

(sorry, still don't know how to link, but it's an easy google search.).

MacHislopp

Hello everyone and longgone,

I hope that the following will help !

From: *** yb70 p. 314 1969—A Year of Praise ***

This tremendous increase, of course, makes Jehovah’s witnesses very happy, and when we look at the new peak in publishers for the 1969 service year we find that the final count came to 1,336,112.

To the number above you have to add the numbers of baptized from

YEARS 1970 – 1979 Total 1.793.898

YEARS 1980 – 1989 Total 1.863.106

YEARS 1990- 1999 Total 3.234.811

YEARS 2000 – 2009 Total 2.699.141

YEARS 2010 – 2013 Total 1.103.620

YEARS 2014 – 2015 Total 800.389

The bove figures will give a

GRAND TOTAL OF POTENTIAL .

PUBLISHERS 12.831.077

***Average Publishers 2016 8.132.358

**The difference is 4.698.719 (-)

At this point you’ll have to make allowance for those who have died

(1% each year see yb74 page 254 par.4 )

During a period of 46 years Total 1.283.107 (a)

Then also make allowance for those disfellowshipped or

considered disassociated -see quotes below)

Let’s befair and take 25000/yearx46 years Total 1.125.000 (b)

This will give a grand total of 2.408.107 (a + b)

Then deduct from **The difference 4.698.719 (-)

It will give a total of 2.290.612 missing baptized br. & sist.

Adding the total (b) the result will be:

3.415.612 bptz. JW”s gone

This correspond to a loss of 42% of the total of the Average Publ.

for the year 2016

Average Publishers 2016 8.132.358

Or if you take:

Peak Publishers 2016 ……8.240.847

This will correspond to a loss of 41,45% of the total Peak Publishers

for the year 2016

Sources:

*** w87 11/1 p. 18 par. 10 Are You Remaining Clean in Every Respect? ***

Yet, thousands each year are reproved or disfellowshipped because of sexual immorality—‘sinning against the body.’ (1 Corinthians 6:18)

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

*** w91 11/15 p. 9 par. 4 Self-Control—Why So Important? ***

This sobering truth has forcefully been brought home to us by the exclusion of over 40,000 erring individuals from fellowship with the Christian congregation during the past service year, largely because of grossly wrong conduct.

*** w89 12/1 p. 17 par. 10 Do You Seek Hidden Treasures? ***

Yet, with over 41,000 disfellowshipped last year, it is clear that many brothers and sisters have neglected their spirituality.

*** w87 9/15 p. 13 par. 13 Breathing This World’s “Air” Is Death-Dealing! ***

Unfortunately, during the 1986 service year, 37,426 had to be disfellowshipped from the Christian congregation, the greater number of them for practicing sexual immorality.

*** w87 7/15 p. 15 par. 4 Prayers Require Works ***

. Of the more than 3,000,000 publishers of the good news last year, upwards of 37,000 were disfellowshipped for conduct unbecoming a Christian. That amounts to a ratio of about one in 80

*** w86 1/1 p. 13 par. 12 Days Like “the Days of Noah” ***

It is to be noted, also, that during the past year, 36,638 individuals had to be disfellowshipped from the Christian congregation, the greater number of them for practicing immorality.

*** yb79 p. 31 1979 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses ***

The seriousness of this matter is emphasized in the fact that 29,893 were disfellowshiped last year.

*** w74 8/1 p. 466 par. 24 Divine Mercy Points the Way Back for Erring Ones ***

Thus, in the United States (where there are now more than half a million Christian witnesses of Jehovah), during the ten-year period from 1963 to 1973, 36,671 persons had to be disfellowshiped for various kinds of serious wrongdoing.

*** w65 6/15 p. 373 par. 25 The Great Potter Molds Human Vessels ***

The fact that there were some 3,000 disfellowshipings in the United States alone during the 1964 service year shows how necessary this message against uncleanness is even for God’s people.

*** w59 3/15 p. 170 Keeping Strict Watch on How We Walk ***

UNDOING OF MINISTERS BY BAD MORALS

19 The need of constant, prayerful vigilance is emphasized by information from the Service Department at the Brooklyn headquarters of the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society. This has to do with those dedicated baptized members belonging to the thousands of congregations in the United States of North America. For each of the five years from March, 1952, to April, 1957, there was an average of 500 members that were disfellowshiped for flagrant misdeeds that cannot be tolerated inside of Jehovah’s congregation. However, during the year from April, 1957, to April, 1958, the number rose sharply above that yearly average of 500, to 1,334 delinquent members, or more than two and a half times as many. We dare not dull the shock of this startling information by arguing that this may, in part, be due to the American congregations’ having at least 18,537 new persons associating themselves with the witnessing activities during those twelve months. That number of new ones is less than one twelfth of the 226,797 that proclaimed the Kingdom good news in America during April of 1958, about 65 percent of which proclaimers are dedicated and baptized. So what are 1,334 delinquents compared with more than 147,000 dedicated, baptized members? Less than 1 percent.

20 Though 1,334 may be less than 1 percent, this sudden jump to that number definitely discloses that more than twice as many as in previous years have failed to watch themselves and act wisely during the wicked days of 1957-1958. With 3,718 or more congregations functioning in the United States of North America, about one out of every three congregations could be affected by 1,334 disfellowshipings.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Greetings,

J.C. MacHislopp

PS Calculation using the Society’s method as in the

yb74 page 254 par.4 “Is Your Faith Dead or Alive?

38

In the last 20 years How Many Changes Have Occurred in Watchtower Beliefs?

by minimus in

jw
friends

jehovah's witnesses say that they have the truth and the truth is constant.

they believe that what they teach is the truth that comes directly from jehovah god.

can you think of anything that has changed in the last 20 years to show a jehovah's witness that the truth is not necessarily the truth..

MacHislopp

· Hello everyone,

as I have received a request to give a tipical example of the Sciety’s Governing Body's changes I did prepare the following, with Matt. 13:37 as Scriptural base :

· Matthew12: 37

"for by your words you will be declared righteous, and by your words you will be condemned”

·

· ***w76 5/15p.298 Preaching Christ—Through Envy or Goodwill?***

It is a serious matter to represent God and Christ in one way, then find that our understanding of the major teachings and fundamental doctrines of the Scriptures was in error, and then after that, to go back to the very doctrines that, by years of study, we had thoroughly determined to be in error. Christians cannot be vacillating—‘wishy-washy’—about such fundamental teachings. What confidence can one put in the sincerity or judgment of such persons?

·

“Qualified to be ministers “(1955) p.156 par. 5

5 The first essential for study is the right condition of mind and heart, appreciating that Jehovah grants understanding only to the meek, and not to the stiff-necked . If we have love for Jehovah and for the organization of his people we shall not be suspicious, but shall, as the Bible says, `believe all things,' all the things that The Watchtower brings out, inasmuch as it has been faithful in giving us a knowledge of God's purposes and guiding us in the way of peace, safety and truth from its inception to this present day .

*** sg study 21 p.110 pars.9-10 Informative Material,Clearly Presented*** (1992 edition)

9 Accuracy of statement. Jehovah’s witnesses are an organization of truth. We should want to speak the truth and be absolutely accurate in every detail at all times. This should be so not only as regards doctrine but also in our quotations, what we say about others or how we represent them, also in matters involving scientific data or news events.

10 Wrong statements delivered to an audience may be repeated and the error magnified. Inaccuracies that are recognized by an audience raise questions as to the authority of the speaker on other points, perhaps even calling in question the truth of the message itself.

*** w72 8/15 p. 501 God Readjusts the Thinking of His People ***

…..

Does this bring into question the basic principles of their teachings?

Not at all. Jehovah’s witnesses do not claim infallibility. They are being taught by God. (Isa. 54:13) Never will they know all things, but they will continually be learning from the inexhaustible wisdom of God as they walk in his truth.

Claim taught, repeated and printed 38 years later in the :year 2010::*

*** w 10 9/15 p.13 par.8 Unity Identifies

True Worship***

8 Similarly today, a Governing Body composed of spirit-anointed Christians contributes to the unity of the worldwide congregation. The Governing Body publishes spiritually encouraging literature in many languages. This spiritual food is based on God’s Word.Thus, what is taught is not from men but from Jehovah.—Isa. 54:13.

Please take note of this example

(no mention of a “ governing body”)

From the book “Jehovah’s Witnesses in the divine purpose”(1959 edition ) pages 148-149

It was suggested, therefore, that the brothers in the various congregations throughout the world consider a resolution presented in The Watchtower and which was similar to resolutions already adopted and submitted to the Society's headquarters by the London, England, congregation,the greater New York congregation, the Chicago, Illinois, congregation, the LosAngeles , California , congregation and many others. The resolution reads :

We, the company of God's people taken outfor his name, and now at -, recognize thatGod's government is a pure theocracy andthat Christ Jesus is at the temple and in fullcharge and control of the visible organization of Jehovah, as well as the invisible, and that "THE SOCIETY" is the visible representative of the Lord on earth, and we therefore request "The Society" to organize this company for service and to appoint the various servants thereof, so that all of us may work together in peace, righteousness, harmony and complete unity.

We attach hereto a list of names of persons in this company that to us appear more fully mature and who therefore appear to be best suited to fill the respective positions designated

for service. y

fnote y (w June 15 th 1938 pp.182,183)

Then In the year 1965 no longer the “Society” is the visible representative , but the “governing body” :

* w 65 6/1 p.352 Questions From Readers***

In 1938 Jehovah revealed this correspondency to his servants and it was published in TheWatchtower in a two-part article entitled “Organization.” This appeared in the issues of June 1 and 15 and proved conclusively that Jehovah’s organization must henceforth be guided and directed by Jehovah’s spirit through the visible governing body made up of those servants whom Jehovah himself would appoint. “

Surprise...six years later in the year 1971 the “governing body” “ is mentioned…as existing from the year 1944 :

*** w71 12/15 p.757 A Governing Body as Different from a Legal Corporation***

GOVERNING BODY

According to the apostolic example of the first century C.E., these dedicated, baptized Christians known today as Jehovah’s witnesses have a governing body, as specifically noted from the year 1944 onward. This governing body has through the years been associated with the publishers of the WatchTower magazine and the Board of Directors of the legal religious corporation now known as Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. According to Pennsylvania law, this corporation must hold annual corporation meetings at its registered offices in Pittsburgh, Pa., or elsewhere as duly voted upon, and must elect directors to fill the vacancies of those whose three-year term of office is expiring, and also to transact all necessary obligations. From among the full board of seven directors, all of whom are dedicated, baptized, spirit-anointed Christians, the officers of the Society must be elected.

Also in the same year the Society claims that:

***w71 12/15 p. 761 A Governing Body as Different from a Legal Corporation ***

Dedicated, baptized, anointed Christians became associated with that Society at headquarters in Pennsylvania. Whether on the Board of Directors or not, they rendered themselves available for special work of the “faithful and discreet slave” class. They aided in the feeding and directing of the slave class, and thus a governing body made its appearance. This was evidently under the guidance of Jehovah’s invisible active force or holy spirit. Also, under the direction of the Head of the Christian congregation, Jesus Christ the Son of God. True, the members of that governing body were not directly appointed by the Lord Jesus Christ. For that matter, not all the members of the governing body associated with the Jerusalem congregation in the first century were thus directly appointed.

Twisting and changing and adding according th their own will another 28 years in the year in 1999, the Society claims again that in the year 1938 …there was a “Governing Body” :

*** w 99 2/1 p.18par.18 Our Treasure in Earthen Vessels***

18 The year 1938 was crucial in clearly identifying the two classes. The March 15 and April 1, 1938, issues of TheWatchtower presented the two-part study “His Flock” and made clear the relative places of the anointed remnant and their companions, the great crowd. Then the June 1 and June 15 issues carried study articles on “Organization,” based on Isaiah 60:17. All congregations were called on to request the Governing Body to appoint local servants, thus bringing in an improved, God-ordained, theocratic arrangement. The congregations did just so.

As for the appointmen/election/choosing t of the “ Governing Body” in 1971 the Society taught that:

***w71 12/15 p. 761 A Governing Body as Different from a Legal Corporation ***

Dedicated, baptized, anointed Christians became associated with that Society at headquarters in Pennsylvania.

…They aided in the feeding and directing of the slave class, and thus a governing body made its appearance. This was evidently under the guidance of Jehovah’s invisible active force or holy spirit.

…True, the members of that governing body were not directly appointed by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Hold on, another 20 years passed and in the year 1991 the Society changes the claim:

*** w91 9/1 pp.18 19 par.15 Jehovah and Christ—Foremost Communicators***

15 What of modern times? As foretold at Matthew 24:3, 45-47, the Master, Jesus Christ, has appointed “the faithful and discreet slave,” made up of anointed Christians, to care for all his belongings on earth during this day of his presence. That faithful and discreet slave is represented today by the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses, which has as its publicity agent the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. Most appropriately, that faithful and discreet slave has also been called God’s channel of communication.

In case you did miss the point another 10 years and in yhe year 2001 the Society publishes a reminder:

*** w 01 4/15 p.29 Do You Remember?***

How does the Governing Body differ from a legal corporation?

While directors of a legal corporation are voted into office by its members, the Governing Body is not appointed by any man but is appointed by Jesus Christ.

Of course most of us will then wonder about the are cuhe position of brother Charles Taze Russel, well here are two Society’s claims:

*** w71 12/15 p.760 A Governing Body as Different from a Legal Corporation***

HOW THEGOVERNINGBODYCAMETOEXIST

How did this governing body make its appearance in recent times? Evidently under the direction of Jehovah God and his Son Jesus Christ. According to the facts available, the governing body became associated with the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. C. T. Russell was patently of that governing body back there in the last quarter of the nineteenth century. Being fully dedicated to God through Christ, he set himself to apply his time, energy, abilities, wealth and influence to defending God’s inspired Word and spreading its message.

And 22 years later:

*** jv chap.15 pp.228-229 Development of the Organization Structure***

Then, in 1944, a service assembly was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in connection with the Watch Tower Society’s annual meeting. On September 30, prior to that annual meeting, a series of highly significant talks were given on what the Scriptures say as to the organization of Jehovah’s servants. Attention was focused on the Governing Body. On that occasion it was emphasized that theocratic principle must apply to all the agencies used by the faithful and discreet slave class. It was explained that the legal corporation did not have as members all the “consecrated” people of God. It merely represented them, acting as a legal agency on their behalf. However, inasmuch as the Society was the publishing agent used to provide Jehovah’s Witnesses with literature that contained spiritual enlightenment, the Governing Body was logically and of necessity closely associated with the officers and directors of that legal Society. Were theocratic principles being fully applied in its affairs?

The Society’s charter set out a shareholder arrangement in which each aggregate contribution of $10 (U.S.) entitled the contributor to a vote in connection with selection of members of the board of directors and officers of the Society. Perhaps it seemed that such contributions gave evidence of genuine interest in the work of the organization. However, this arrangement presented problems. Brother Knorr, the Society’s president, explained: “From the provisions of the Society’s charter, it would seem that the being a part of the governing body was dependent upon the contributions to the legal Society. But according to the will of God this could not be so among his true chosen people.”

It was a fact that Charles Taze Russell, who for the Society’s first 32 years was foremost in the governing body, was financially, physically, and mentally the greatest contributor to the Society. But it was not a monetary contribution that determined how the Lord used him.

Be patient … is getting clear:

w72 2/1pp.79-80 Fully Accepting the Challenge of Jehovah’sService***

JEHOVAH IS DISPLEASED WITH HIS WOMAN

11 …

The Naomi remnant came into a condition like that, particularly in the year 1918, when they were, in a sense, exiled from Jehovah God’s favor. In that year Jehovah God came to his temple suddenly, accompanied by the messenger of the covenant, the Lord Jesus Christ.He examined the remnant here upon earth; he was displeased with them. ( Mal. 3:1, 2) For a time they were not fully accepting the challenge of Jehovah’s Kingdom service that had opened up to them. They were holding back, through fear of man and were not properly keeping themselves “unspotted from the world.” (Jas. 1:27, AuthorizedVersion) Therefore Jehovah let them go into bondage to Babylon the Great and her political associates.

and

(From the book:

God’s Kingdom of a Thousand Year sHas Approached – 1973 edition)

ka chap.12pp.234-235pars.50-51 Increasing the King’s Belongings***

50 In September of 1922 these Christian slaves who are in line for the heavenly kingdom were forcefully made aware that they are indeed now under inspection of the King of kings and Lord of lords, the reigning Lord Jesus. In fulfillment of Malachi 3:1, he has accompanied Jehovah God when coming to his spiritual temple for judgment work with regard to his spirit-begotten “slaves” at the temple.

Now, please compare the above with this:

w93 5/1 p.17 par.6 Expanded Activities During Christ’s Presence***

6 From the time Christ’s presence began and down to 1918, the slave class, despite unpopularity, persecution, and even some confusion, had been seeking to give timely food to the domestics. This is what the Master found when his inspection began. The Lord Jesus was pleased, and in 1919 he pronounced that faithful approved slave class happy. What was the slave’s delightful reward for doing what his Master had appointed him to do? A promotion! Yes, larger responsibilities were given in advancing his Master’s interests.

With such confusing, non bliblically supported and contradictory statements the actual GB is again like the "king without clothes" .

All this everchanging modifications, explanations, addition , clarification and yet the Society’s Governing Body claims in the year 2011::*

*** yb 11 p.13 Highlights of the Past Year***

In summary, the Writing Department insists on using only material that is accurate and truthful, even regarding seemingly insignificant details. As a result, “the faithful and discreet slave” can consistently supply spiritual food that brings honor to “the God of truth,” Jehovah.—Ps. 31:5.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

· Reminder: Matthew 12: 37 "for by your words you will be declared righteous, and by your words you will be condemned”

I do hope that this “short” example will be useful to someone.

Greetings,

J.C. MacHislopp

38

In the last 20 years How Many Changes Have Occurred in Watchtower Beliefs?

by minimus in

jw
friends

jehovah's witnesses say that they have the truth and the truth is constant.

they believe that what they teach is the truth that comes directly from jehovah god.

can you think of anything that has changed in the last 20 years to show a jehovah's witness that the truth is not necessarily the truth..

MacHislopp

Hello careful , here below the change published by the Society’s Governing Body:

*** w00 10/15 pp. 30-31 Questions From Readers ***

In the light of Bible commands about the proper use of blood, how do Jehovah’s Witnesses view medical procedures using one’s own blood?

Rather than deciding solely on the basis of personal preference or some medical recommendation, each Christian ought to consider seriously what the Bible says. It is a matter between him and Jehovah.

Jehovah, to whom we owe our lives, decreed that blood should not be consumed. (Genesis 9:3, 4) In the Law for ancient Israel, God limited the use of blood because it represents life. He decreed: “The soul [or life] of the flesh is in the blood, and I myself have put it upon the altar for you to make atonement for your souls.” What if a man killed an animal for food? God said: “He must in that case pour its blood out and cover it with dust.” (Leviticus 17:11, 13) Jehovah repeated this command again and again. (Deuteronomy 12:16, 24; 15:23) The Jewish Soncino Chumash notes: “The blood must not be stored but rendered unfit for consumption by pouring it on the ground.” No Israelite was to appropriate, store, and use the blood of another creature, whose life belonged to God.

The obligation to keep the Mosaic Law ended when the Messiah died. Yet, God’s view of the sacredness of blood remains. Moved by God’s holy spirit, the apostles directed Christians to ‘abstain from blood.’ That command was not to be taken lightly. It was as important morally as abstaining from sexual immorality or idolatry. (Acts 15:28, 29; 21:25) When donating and transfusing blood became common in the 20th century, Jehovah’s Witnesses understood that this practice conflicted with God’s Word.

Occasionally, a doctor will urge a patient to deposit his own blood weeks before surgery (preoperative autologous blood donation, or PAD) so that if the need arises, he could transfuse the patient with his own stored blood. However, such collecting, storing, and transfusing of blood directly contradicts what is said in Leviticus and Deuteronomy. Blood is not to be stored; it is to be poured out—returned to God, as it were. Granted, the Mosaic Law is not in force now. Nevertheless, Jehovah’s Witnesses respect the principles God included in it, and they are determined to ‘abstain from blood.’ Hence, we do not donate blood, nor do we store for transfusion our blood that should be ‘poured out.’ That practice conflicts with God’s law.

Other procedures or tests involving an individual’s own blood are not so clearly in conflict with God’s stated principles. For instance, many Christians have allowed some of their blood to be withdrawn for testing or analysis, after which the sample is discarded. Other more complex procedures involving one’s blood may also be recommended.

For example, during certain surgical procedures, some blood may be diverted from the body in a process called hemodilution. The blood remaining in the patient is diluted. Later, his blood in the external circuit is directed back into him, thus bringing his blood count closer to normal. Similarly, blood that flows into a wound may be captured and filtered so that the red cells can be returned to the patient; this is called cell salvage. In a different process, blood may be directed to a machine that temporarily carries on a function normally handled by body organs (for example, the heart, lungs, or kidneys). The blood from the machine is then returned to the patient. In other procedures, blood is diverted to a separator (centrifuge) so that damaging or defective portions of it can be eliminated. Or the goal may be to isolate some of a blood component and apply that elsewhere on the body. There are also tests in which a quantity of blood is withdrawn in order to tag it or to mix it with medicine, whereupon it is put back into the patient.

The details may vary, and new procedures, treatments, and tests will certainly be developed. It is not our place to analyze each variation and render a decision. A Christian must decide for himself how his own blood will be handled in the course of a surgical procedure, medical test, or current therapy. Ahead of time, he should obtain from the doctor or technician the facts about what might be done with his blood during the procedure. Then he must decide according to what his conscience permits. (See box.)

Christians should bear in mind their dedication to God and obligation ‘to love him with their whole heart, whole soul, whole strength, and whole mind.’ (Luke 10:27) Unlike most in the world, Jehovah’s Witnesses highly treasure their good relationship with God. The Life-Giver urges all to trust in Jesus’ shed blood. We read: “By means of him [Jesus Christ] we have the release by ransom through the blood of that one, yes, the forgiveness of our trespasses.”—Ephesians 1:7.

[Footnotes]

Professor Frank H. Gorman writes: “The pouring out of the blood is best understood as an act of reverence that demonstrates respect for the life of the animal and, thus, respect for God, who created and continues to care for that life.”

The Watchtower of July 1, 1951, answered key questions about this subject, showing why transfusions of donated blood are not appropriate.

[Box/Pictures on page 31]

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF

If some of my blood will be diverted outside my body and the flow might even be interrupted for a time, will my conscience allow me to view this blood as still part of me, thus not requiring that it be ‘poured out on the ground’?

Would my Bible-trained conscience be troubled if during a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure some of my own blood was withdrawn, modified, and directed back into (or onto) my body?

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

*** w00 12/15 p. 30 Do You Remember? ***

• How do Jehovah’s Witnesses view medical procedures using one’s own blood?

Basing their beliefs on the Bible, they do not deposit their own blood and later accept it as a transfusion. Each Christian decides for himself how his own blood will be handled in the course of a surgical procedure, medical test, or current therapy. He should consider what the Bible says about blood and remember that he is wholly dedicated to God.—10/15, pages 30, 31.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°

The change, very carefully worded is clear!

“Each Christian decides for himself how his own blood will be handled..”

Greetings,

J.C. MacHislopp

38