Are Blood Transfusions Really Life Saving?

[Deeje]

Ok.

Here's how I took it: 'compromised' can be substituted for 'lost.' So I read that t as: "the hope we have can never be 'lost' by disobedience to God's commands.

That is how I still read it......but I do know you did not mean it that way! I guess just chalk it up to differences between Australian usage of English, and American usage of English.

Take care, sister.

LOL....maybe just our different way of using the English language. I have never equated "compromise" with "lost".

Compromise means "a way of reaching agreement in which each person or group gives up something that was wanted in order to end an argument or dispute". So to compromise on blood transfusion would mean giving up something in our stance on blood. (Like taking a transfusion but justifying it by saying that we did not consume blood orally.) That would be a compromise...and you know this is something we could never do. (Acts 15:28-29) "Abstain" means "to choose not to do or have something" so there can be no compromise on this issue for us. We wouldn't refuse something in one form but accept it in another.

 

[psychoslice]

Hoe dare god thinks he owns the blood, hasn't he shed enough already ?.

 

[Deeje]

@Deeje said: "No it was not the governing body who said we must not consume blood...it was God who said this. It is one of the most important commands in the Bible. Repeated down through thousands of years of history. "

My point was that the Governing Body forbade organ transplants, not consuming blood. Where is the Bible reference for this?

In the beginning, (early 60's) it was generally viewed as somewhat akin to cannibalism by many people. Harvesting the organs of the dead to sustain the life of the living took some research and prayer to come to terms with. The Bible does not have specific laws on things that only exist in these later centuries. We needed to search the scriptures and pray for guidance on this matter. Today it is left up to individual conscience.
In those early days it was very new and as I mentioned, quite dangerous until techniques were refined and better anti-rejection drugs were developed. I am glad my brothers waited for the right time to research this matter more carefully.

@Deeje said: "I cannot be truly happy when the world is in such a mess. Feeling for suffering humanity will not often let me appreciate the beautiful surroundings in the peaceful place I happen to live. Politically, commercially and religiously, the world is spiraling out of control. No one can fix this mess but God. How can anyone be truly happy, knowing that others are starving and have no place to call home? "

Firstly, there never was a time without wars, famines, diseases and natural disasters. There are now more people and far better communication technologies, so we get sensationalist news.
Secondly the Bible itself tells you what to do: feed the hungry, clothe the naked, comfort the afflicted etc. And of course, not just your own religious family, but all mankind. I cook for a disabled friend, support a school in Kenya and help new immigrants with job finding skills, apart from looking after sick family members.
Finally, looking forward to an event (Armageddon) which would see MANY billions of normal, decent people wiped out to make room for some new order would certainly not make me happy.

This is a strange argument. In this day and age there is less excuse for war, poverty and bloodshed than at any other time in history. We are not uneducated barbarians, raping and pillaging for the sake of proud national conquest. Seriously...who doesn't lament the fact that humankind cannot, in this supposed 'age of reason', come to grips with their collective need to save humanity and the planet from their own greed and stupidity?

Ask the agencies who try to help the millions who are displaced or starving because of this current plight and tell me how we are supposed to fix this ridiculous situation? It just keeps getting worse with no end in sight...just as the Bible predicted.

"Should Christians accept therapies incorporating blood fractions? The Bible does not give specific details, so each one must make his own conscientious decision before God."

So why were organ transplants forbidden at all?

Since our rules apply only to us, what concern is it of yours what we personally decide to do with our own bodies? I have explained the situation...we were happy with the explanation.You can do whatever you like.

"The medical profession cannot substantiate that blood saved most of the people to whom it was administered. The findings in the OP suggest that people lived in spite of the transfusion rather than because of it. Our own experience demonstrates that doctors cannot say with any certainty who will live or die...blood or no blood. The majority of our brotherhood who were told that they would die without blood...didn't....and they recovered well and in record time. You do understand that this is by far our most common experience?"

Sure doctors cannot say with certainty: so what? The medical profession is still the most reliable source of information and care that we have. I'm glad of every unexpected cure. . . but would still rather not try to teach a qualified professional her job.

You seem to forget that the OP was information from specialist doctors in the field of blood in medicine....not mavericks on the fringes of medicine.

"Unexpected cures"? I am laughing now because we haven't had very many of them in my experience. We hear about a "breakthrough" in some field of medicine or other and then we never hear about it again. It's like dangling a carrot that we never get to taste. Do you honestly think that 'big pharma' will ever allow "cures"....no, no, no we will have "treatments" with side effects that will require more treatments. Don't tell me you don't know how the system works? It's all about the $$$$$ There is no money in cures.

This is not entirely the doctor's fault mind you.....they are just the front line promoters for the drugs and treatments they prescribe and recommend on the say so of others.....who educated them in their pharmacology?

I understand your position on blood transfusions and still do not agree that

1. children's lives should be risked by following religious commands over medical advice

Amazing that this point has been addressed over and over...let me repeat....for the umteenth time for those who cannot see past their prejudice.....JW parents do not have legal rights over doctors in this issue. Do you understand this? The only risk to children's lives is the ignorance of uninformed medical professionals who force these procedures on our children.
If we have the choice, we will consult doctors who respect our position and who acknowledge the dangers of misusing blood. More and more doctors are coming on side with us and do not treat us as religious fanatics who are blindly following some anti-medical crusade. That is a media created picture. Believe it if you like.

2. blood transfusions are fraught with danger (sure there's always some and thats why risks are assessed)

Way more risks than most are willing to admit. I wonder how many doctors would submit to a blood transfusion themselves?

3. forbidding whole blood but allowing fractions is either logical or Biblically supported.

Not at all, this too has been explained in some detail...please try to keep up. I am not going to keep on repeating these things when they have already been addressed fully......

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Most anesthetics are delivered via IVs. It's only logical that someone trained to find a vein to put something in would also be able to find a vein to take something out.

And not too mention blood transfusions are givin in units that are always a unit no matter the patients weight, whereas anesthesia does delicately depend on body weight and it requires careful monitoring to administer and to keep someone unconscious during surgery.

 

[Olinda]

In the beginning, (early 60's) it was generally viewed as somewhat akin to cannibalism by many people. Harvesting the organs of the dead to sustain the life of the living took some research and prayer to come to terms with. The Bible does not have specific laws on things that only exist in these later centuries. We needed to search the scriptures and pray for guidance on this matter. Today it is left up to individual conscience.
In those early days it was very new and as I mentioned, quite dangerous until techniques were refined and better anti-rejection drugs were developed. I am glad my brothers waited for the right time to research this matter more carefully.



This is a strange argument. In this day and age there is less excuse for war, poverty and bloodshed than at any other time in history. We are not uneducated barbarians, raping and pillaging for the sake of proud national conquest. Seriously...who doesn't lament the fact that humankind cannot, in this supposed 'age of reason', come to grips with their collective need to save humanity and the planet from their own greed and stupidity?

Ask the agencies who try to help the millions who are displaced or starving because of this current plight and tell me how we are supposed to fix this ridiculous situation? It just keeps getting worse with no end in sight...just as the Bible predicted.



Since our rules apply only to us, what concern is it of yours what we personally decide to do with our own bodies? I have explained the situation...we were happy with the explanation.You can do whatever you like.



You seem to forget that the OP was information from specialist doctors in the field of blood in medicine....not mavericks on the fringes of medicine.


This is not entirely the doctor's fault mind you.....they are just the front line promoters for the drugs and treatments they prescribe and recommend on the say so of others.....who educated them in their pharmacology?



Amazing that this point has been addressed over and over...let me repeat....for the umteenth time for those who cannot see past their prejudice.....JW parents do not have legal rights over doctors in this issue. Do you understand this? The only risk to children's lives is the ignorance of uninformed medical professionals who force these procedures on our children.
If we have the choice, we will consult doctors who respect our position and who acknowledge the dangers of misusing blood. More and more doctors are coming on side with us and do not treat us as religious fanatics who are blindly following some anti-medical crusade. That is a media created picture. Believe it if you like.



Way more risks than most are willing to admit. I wonder how many doctors would submit to a blood transfusion themselves?



Not at all, this too has been explained in some detail...please try to keep up. I am not going to keep on repeating these things when they have already been addressed fully......

@Deeje said"In the beginning, (early 60's) it was generally viewed as somewhat akin to cannibalism by many people. Harvesting the organs of the dead to sustain the life of the living took some research and prayer to come to terms with. The Bible does not have specific laws on things that only exist in these later centuries. We needed to search the scriptures and pray for guidance on this matter. Today it is left up to individual conscience.

I'd personally prefer a religion that left matters outside scripture as a personal decision from the start. but then, all men are imperfect. . ..
"This is a strange argument. In this day and age there is less excuse for war, poverty and bloodshed than at any other time in history. We are not uneducated barbarians, raping and pillaging for the sake of proud national conquest. Seriously...who doesn't lament the fact that humankind cannot, in this supposed 'age of reason', come to grips with their collective need to save humanity and the planet from their own greed and stupidity?"

Sure, I'll lament any and all human fallibility. Including mine . But are not your elders and Governing body also fallible men? Why do you expect so much more from the rest of the world?

"Ask the agencies who try to help the millions who are displaced or starving because of this current plight and tell me how we are supposed to fix this ridiculous situation? It just keeps getting worse with no end in sight...just as the Bible predicted."

The agencies of worldly governments and those of other religions? True, they cannot meet every need. The responsibility is for each person to do what s/he can. Where does it say in the Bible that it's all useless if they don't completely succeed?

"Since our rules apply only to us, what concern is it of yours what we personally decide to do with our own bodies? I have explained the situation...we were happy with the explanation."

No problem if you are content and it is your personal decision. Where there is pressure to conform and punishment for making a different personal decision, I do have concerns.

""Unexpected cures"? I am laughing now because we haven't had very many of them in my experience. We hear about a "breakthrough" in some field of medicine or other and then we never hear about it again. It's like dangling a carrot that we never get to taste. Do you honestly think that 'big pharma' will ever allow "cures"....no, no, no we will have "treatments" with side effects that will require more treatments. Don't tell me you don't know how the system works? It's all about the $$$$$ There is no money in cures."

Nice to see a smile on your face. I actually meant cases of spontaneous remission. I also have concerns about the influence of the pharma companies on research yet, for instance cancer patients live far longer and better than even 25 years ago. And as has been pointed out to you, there's not all that much profit to be made on saline.

"Amazing that this point has been addressed over and over...let me repeat....for the umteenth time for those who cannot see past their prejudice.....JW parents do not have legal rights over doctors in this issue. Do you understand this? The only risk to children's lives is the ignorance of uninformed medical professionals who force these procedures on our children."

Steady on. As far as possible doctors try to comply with the patients' wishes and those of parents. The last sentence is just over the top. Why take the children to a doctor at all if the only risk is from that profession?

"Not at all, this too has been explained in some detail...please try to keep up. I am not going to keep on repeating these things when they have already been addressed fully.."

Explained, yes. Repeated, yes. Refuted? I've not seen it.

 

[JustWondering]

Not really, the GB doesn't claim to be inspired by God, they are only spirit directed. Which only makes sense to a JW.

Did that first sentence just completely contradict itself? So the GB isn't inspired by god only directed by his spirit? The spirit calls them up and tells them what to do? Can you make any less sense?

 

[Deeje]

It would be helpful if you could use quote boxes when replying, your posts are confusing when you make it all one, both post and reply.

I'd personally prefer a religion that left matters outside scripture as a personal decision from the start. but then, all men are imperfect.

A religion that leaves matters outside of scripture is rather pathetic. Why have a religion if you are going to ignore its teachings?

Sure, I'll lament any and all human fallibility. Including mine . But are not your elders and Governing body also fallible men? Why do you expect so much more from the rest of the world?

Were not all humans used by God fallible? It didn't stop him from using them though, did it? He never left his people without the guidance of his trusted servants. We trust the governing body as far as we can. But if for some reason the GB began to deviated from the scriptures, and tried to teach us contradictory things and pass it off as scripture, we would be wary. This is what happened to Judaism as well as to Christianity. Men began to lead the people away from Jehovah but they allowed themselves to be taken down that path by accepting things that were not true. Ignorance was the culprit back then....we are not ignorant any more...except by choice.

The agencies of worldly governments and those of other religions? True, they cannot meet every need. The responsibility is for each person to do what s/he can. Where does it say in the Bible that it's all useless if they don't completely succeed?

In the present situation, there are more people needing help from these agencies than there has ever been. The Syrian crisis alone is putting a strain on every country to which they have fled or attempted to flee. "Overwhelming" doesn't even come close to describing how these agencies feel. Can humans fix this? Or is it humans who are causing all this?

No problem if you are content and it is your personal decision. Where there is pressure to conform and punishment for making a different personal decision, I do have concerns.

I can only shake my head at a comment like this. If the "punishment" or "pressure to conform" is what is keeping a person from breaking God's clearly stated law, and not actual the command from God itself, then that person is wasting their time calling themselves a Witness of Jehovah. We obey God because we love him, not because we think he is the big policeman in the sky with deputies in every congregation. (Psalm 40:8)

""Unexpected cures"? I am laughing now because we haven't had very many of them in my experience. We hear about a "breakthrough" in some field of medicine or other and then we never hear about it again. It's like dangling a carrot that we never get to taste. Do you honestly think that 'big pharma' will ever allow "cures"....no, no, no we will have "treatments" with side effects that will require more treatments. Don't tell me you don't know how the system works? It's all about the $$$$$ There is no money in cures."

Nice to see a smile on your face. I actually meant cases of spontaneous remission. I also have concerns about the influence of the pharma companies on research yet, for instance cancer patients live far longer and better than even 25 years ago. And as has been pointed out to you, there's not all that much profit to be made on saline.

Spontaneous remission comes as a result of the immune system actually doing what it should in spite of the "treatments" offered by the medical profession, often not because of them.

Cancer patients could have been cured decades ago if 'big pharma' had not demonized the use of cannabis as a medicine. This plant has medicinal properties that have been known for centuries. But try growing it in you garden to treat a family member who might be suffering from chronic illness and watch the jack booted drug squad heavies arrive and knock your door down. This is a harmless plant and yet it is treated as the greatest scourge in society.....It's from God's pharmacy...and it works to cure and treat many diseases.
Yet we are denied access to it...why? because there is big profits to be made in the "ill health" industry. How dare anyone uncover a conspiracy!

As for the cost of saline....I had my dog to the vet last week for surgery and they charged me almost $70 for a bag of saline. Imagine how much they charge in a hospital for humans!

"Amazing that this point has been addressed over and over...let me repeat....for the umteenth time for those who cannot see past their prejudice.....JW parents do not have legal rights over doctors in this issue. Do you understand this? The only risk to children's lives is the ignorance of uninformed medical professionals who force these procedures on our children."

Steady on. As far as possible doctors try to comply with the patients' wishes and those of parents. The last sentence is just over the top. Why take the children to a doctor at all if the only risk is from that profession?

You didn't read what I wrote....there are many doctors onside with JW's in the treatment of children and adults without blood. It is the old school, uninformed, "can't be told die-hards" who want to push blood on people....60% of whom didn't even need it.

Explained, yes. Repeated, yes. Refuted? I've not seen it.

As long as we can see it, and as long as doctors keep coming over to our viewpoint, what you do or believe is of little consequence to me.

The medical profession itself has reached its conclusions on the use of blood as a "life saving measure", and found then to be unnecessary and even harmful in the majority of cases. The figures don't lie...the studies reveal it all.....many doctors refuse to acknowledge it. I'm glad that they will not be chosen to treat me or my family.

 

[djhwoodwerks]

Did that first sentence just completely contradict itself? So the GB isn't inspired by god only directed by his spirit? The spirit calls them up and tells them what to do? Can you make any less sense?

*** w12 9/15 pp. 25-26 par. 13 “You Know Neither the Day Nor the Hour” ***
13 After 1914, The Watchtower made this significant statement: “Brethren, those of us who are in the right attitude toward God are not disappointed at any of His arrangements. We did not wish our own will to be done; so when we found out that we were expecting the wrong thing in October, 1914, then we were glad that the Lord did not change His Plan to suit us. We did not wish Him to do so. We merely wish to be able to apprehend His plans and purposes.” This attitude of humility and devotion still characterizes the Lord’s anointed. They do not claim to be inspired, but they are determined to conduct the Lord’s “business” on earth. And now “a great crowd” of “other sheep,” Christians with an earthly hope, are imitating their watchfulness and zeal.—Rev. 7:9; John 10:16.


*** g93 3/22 p. 4 Why So Many False Alarms? ***
Jehovah’s Witnesses, in their eagerness for Jesus’ second coming, have suggested dates that turned out to be incorrect. Because of this, some have called them false prophets. Never in these instances, however, did they presume to originate predictions ‘in the name of Jehovah.’ Never did they say, ‘These are the words of Jehovah.’ The Watchtower, the official journal of Jehovah’s Witnesses, has said: “We have not the gift of prophecy.” (January 1883, page 425) “Nor would we have our writings reverenced or regarded as infallible.” (December 15, 1896, page 306) The Watchtower has also said that the fact that some have Jehovah’s spirit “does not mean those now serving as Jehovah’s witnesses are inspired. It does not mean that the writings in this magazine The Watchtower are inspired and infallible and without mistakes.” (May 15, 1947, page 157) “The Watchtower does not claim to be inspired in its utterances, nor is it dogmatic.” (August 15, 1950, page 263) “The brothers preparing these publications are not infallible. Their writings are not inspired as are those of Paul and the other Bible writers. (2 Tim. 3:16) And so, at times, it has been necessary, as understanding became clearer, to correct views. (Prov. 4:18)”—February 15, 1981, page 19.

As the above claims, the writings of the WT are not inspired, but the Bible is inspired!


*** w10 3/15 p. 18 par. 17 Walk by Spirit and Live Up to Your Dedication ***
17 We need God’s spirit so that we can lead a life dedicated to him. Think of yourself as the skipper of a sailboat. Your goal is to serve Jehovah forever. Holy spirit is like the wind that you want to catch so as to arrive at your destination safe and sound. You do not want to be carried hither and thither by the spirit of Satan’s world. (1 Cor. 2:12) You have to identify, as it were, the right wind and catch it. That is the holy spirit. Through God’s Word and his spirit-directed organization, holy spirit will move you in the right direction.
.

*** g 6/08 p. 32 “Guided by God’s Spirit” ***
Sunday morning’s program develops the theme “Keep Walking by Spirit,” based on Galatians 5:16. The nine-part symposium “Cultivate ‘the Fruitage of the Spirit’” discusses each aspect of the spirit’s fruitage mentioned at Galatians 5:22, 23. The public talk “Reap Blessings Through Jehovah’s Spirit-Guided King!” completes the morning session. The feature of the afternoon program is the full-costume drama “Do Not Leave ‘the Love You Had at First.’” It depicts attitudes and situations that likely existed among Christians at the end of the first century. The convention concludes with the talk “Loyally Serving with Jehovah’s Spirit-Directed Organization.”



I can only make as much sense as the WT's teachings do

 

[Shak34]

Spontaneous remission comes as a result of the immune system actually doing what it should in spite of the "treatments" offered by the medical profession, often not because of them.

Cancer patients could have been cured decades ago if 'big pharma' had not demonized the use of cannabis as a medicine. This plant has medicinal properties that have been known for centuries. But try growing it in you garden to treat a family member who might be suffering from chronic illness and watch the jack booted drug squad heavies arrive and knock your door down. This is a harmless plant and yet it is treated as the greatest scourge in society.....It's from God's pharmacy...and it works to cure and treat many diseases.
Yet we are denied access to it...why? because there is big profits to be made in the "ill health" industry. How dare anyone uncover a conspiracy!

Where does JW stand on marijuana use, since there are places that it is legal both medicinally and recreationally? Could you maybe post some links to articles on it? I'm only asking because you brought up its medicinal properties. Can person get disfellowshipped for using marijuana(in areas where it is legal) like they can for smoking cigarettes?

 

[PackJason]

Wow. OP is off his rocker.

I know three people whose lives were saved by blood transfusions. Two of them are my cousins who were in a very bad car crash and lost huge amounts of blood. If you want to think blood transfusions don't save lives, that's your ridiculous prerogative, but please just know that you're wrong.

 

[JustWondering]

*** w12 9/15 pp. 25-26 par. 13 “You Know Neither the Day Nor the Hour” ***
13 After 1914, The Watchtower made this significant statement: “Brethren, those of us who are in the right attitude toward God are not disappointed at any of His arrangements. We did not wish our own will to be done; so when we found out that we were expecting the wrong thing in October, 1914, then we were glad that the Lord did not change His Plan to suit us. We did not wish Him to do so. We merely wish to be able to apprehend His plans and purposes.” This attitude of humility and devotion still characterizes the Lord’s anointed. They do not claim to be inspired, but they are determined to conduct the Lord’s “business” on earth. And now “a great crowd” of “other sheep,” Christians with an earthly hope, are imitating their watchfulness and zeal.—Rev. 7:9; John 10:16.


*** g93 3/22 p. 4 Why So Many False Alarms? ***
Jehovah’s Witnesses, in their eagerness for Jesus’ second coming, have suggested dates that turned out to be incorrect. Because of this, some have called them false prophets. Never in these instances, however, did they presume to originate predictions ‘in the name of Jehovah.’ Never did they say, ‘These are the words of Jehovah.’ The Watchtower, the official journal of Jehovah’s Witnesses, has said: “We have not the gift of prophecy.” (January 1883, page 425) “Nor would we have our writings reverenced or regarded as infallible.” (December 15, 1896, page 306) The Watchtower has also said that the fact that some have Jehovah’s spirit “does not mean those now serving as Jehovah’s witnesses are inspired. It does not mean that the writings in this magazine The Watchtower are inspired and infallible and without mistakes.” (May 15, 1947, page 157) “The Watchtower does not claim to be inspired in its utterances, nor is it dogmatic.” (August 15, 1950, page 263) “The brothers preparing these publications are not infallible. Their writings are not inspired as are those of Paul and the other Bible writers. (2 Tim. 3:16) And so, at times, it has been necessary, as understanding became clearer, to correct views. (Prov. 4:18)”—February 15, 1981, page 19.

As the above claims, the writings of the WT are not inspired, but the Bible is inspired!


*** w10 3/15 p. 18 par. 17 Walk by Spirit and Live Up to Your Dedication ***
17 We need God’s spirit so that we can lead a life dedicated to him. Think of yourself as the skipper of a sailboat. Your goal is to serve Jehovah forever. Holy spirit is like the wind that you want to catch so as to arrive at your destination safe and sound. You do not want to be carried hither and thither by the spirit of Satan’s world. (1 Cor. 2:12) You have to identify, as it were, the right wind and catch it. That is the holy spirit. Through God’s Word and his spirit-directed organization, holy spirit will move you in the right direction.
.

*** g 6/08 p. 32 “Guided by God’s Spirit” ***
Sunday morning’s program develops the theme “Keep Walking by Spirit,” based on Galatians 5:16. The nine-part symposium “Cultivate ‘the Fruitage of the Spirit’” discusses each aspect of the spirit’s fruitage mentioned at Galatians 5:22, 23. The public talk “Reap Blessings Through Jehovah’s Spirit-Guided King!” completes the morning session. The feature of the afternoon program is the full-costume drama “Do Not Leave ‘the Love You Had at First.’” It depicts attitudes and situations that likely existed among Christians at the end of the first century. The convention concludes with the talk “Loyally Serving with Jehovah’s Spirit-Directed Organization.”



I can only make as much sense as the WT's teachings do

Sorry, but I'm not interested in reading multiple paragraphs of cut/pasted JW propaganda. Please respond in your own words, provide links for your support.

Anyway, didn't see anything in your post to explain your previous contradictory statement.

 

[djhwoodwerks]

Sorry, but I'm not interested in reading multiple paragraphs of cut/pasted JW propaganda. Please respond in your own words, provide links for your support.

Anyway, didn't see anything in your post to explain your previous contradictory statement.

Sorry, but I'm mot interested in posting anything but the actual article. Apparently you overlooked the emphasis I made in the articles. Maybe try reading your post again and then read my post again.

 

[blue taylor]

Cancer patients could have been cured decades ago if 'big pharma' had not demonized the use of cannabis as a medicine. This plant has medicinal properties that have been known for centuries. But try growing it in you garden to treat a family member who might be suffering from chronic illness and watch the jack booted drug squad heavies arrive and knock your door down. This is a harmless plant and yet it is treated as the greatest scourge in society.....It's from God's pharmacy...and it works to cure and treat many diseases.
Yet we are denied access to it...why? because there is big profits to be made in the "ill health" industry. How dare anyone uncover a conspiracy!

As for the cost of saline....I had my dog to the vet last week for surgery and they charged me almost $70 for a bag of saline. Imagine how much they charge in a hospital for humans!

Excellent statement.

 

[JustWondering]

Sorry, but I'm mot interested in posting anything but the actual article. Apparently you overlooked the emphasis I made in the articles. Maybe try reading your post again and then read my post again.

You are going to have to explain what "spirit directed" means.

 

[Deeje]

Where does JW stand on marijuana use, since there are places that it is legal both medicinally and recreationally? Could you maybe post some links to articles on it? I'm only asking because you brought up its medicinal properties. Can person get disfellowshipped for using marijuana(in areas where it is legal) like they can for smoking cigarettes?

JW's cannot break the laws of the land. If medicinal cannabis is illegal then access is denied to us. We cannot go against the law. This is why we wait and hope that the law will change. This plant is a creation of God and proven over thousands of years to cure many diseases and alleviate the suffering of many painful conditions. We hope common sense prevails and medicinal use of cannibis is made legal. Recreational use is definitely not for Christians. Smoking to get high is not something God would condone. Lungs are meant for air, not smoke.

 

[Deeje]

You are going to have to explain what "spirit directed" means.

You do realize that the person you are responding to is not a JW, don't you? He hates JW's probably as much as you do.

"Spirit directed" means that holy spirit directs the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses. They are "slaves" who have the assignment of "feeding" their fellow slaves "spiritual food" at the proper time....meaning that what we need to know is told to us when we need to know it. (Matt 24:45)

 

[Deeje]

Wow. OP is off his rocker.

I know three people whose lives were saved by blood transfusions. Two of them are my cousins who were in a very bad car crash and lost huge amounts of blood. If you want to think blood transfusions don't save lives, that's your ridiculous prerogative, but please just know that you're wrong.

You didn't watch the video did you? If you did, you would not make those sorts of comments. It is informed specialist doctors now saying that blood transfusions are NOT as life saving as they were once thought to be. Ignorance is a poor substitute for an opinion.

 

[djhwoodwerks]

You said,

Did that first sentence just completely contradict itself? So the GB isn't inspired by god only directed by his spirit? The spirit calls them up and tells them what to do? Can you make any less sense?

I said,

I can only make as much sense as the WT's teachings do

You said,

You are going to have to explain what "spirit directed" means.

Like I said,

I can only make as much sense as the WT's teachings do

You do realize that the person you are responding to is not a JW, don't you? He hates JW's probably as much as you do.

"Spirit directed" means that holy spirit directs the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses. They are "slaves" who have the assignment of "feeding" their fellow slaves "spiritual food" at the proper time....meaning that what we need to know is told to us when we need to know it. (Matt 24:45)

Deeje is correct in her statement, I am not now, nor have ever been a JW. She is wrong in her assumption though. I 'do not hate' JW's. What I hate is the deception they love and are taught, that's what I am out to disprove.

Example: Their explanation of the "spirit directed" governing body of Jehovah's witnesses does not make sense to any independent thinking individual. They claim this "slave" is to feed them the right food at the "proper time". So they have no problem with their governing body teaching falsely for many years, because it wasn't the "proper time" for them to get the truth.

Example: The following was taught as "truth" from the Bible, from this "spirit directed" slave for 90+ years, apparently until it was the "proper time" for them to know the "real" truth.

*** w13 7/15 p. 8 par. 19 “Tell Us, When Will These Things Be?” ***
19 In review, what have we learned? In the beginning of this article, we raised three “when” questions. We first considered that the great tribulation did not begin in 1914 but will start when the United Nations attacks Babylon the Great. Then, we reviewed why Jesus’ judgment of the sheep and the goats did not begin in 1914 but will occur during the great tribulation. Finally, we examined why Jesus’ arrival to appoint the faithful slave over all his belongings did not occur in 1919 but will take place during the great tribulation. So, then, all three “whens” apply to the same future time period—the great tribulation. How does this adjusted view further affect our understanding of the illustration of the faithful slave? Also, how does it affect our understanding of other parables, or illustrations, of Jesus that are being fulfilled during this time of the end? These important questions will be considered in the following articles.


They claim to be "spirit directed", and "fallible", imperfect men, but their fallibility and imperfection is greater than the direction of the spirit. "IF" they are correct in their claim, that means that the "God of truth" allows His "true" church to be deceived by the teachings of the 'slave' He appointed until He thinks it's time to show them the real truth.

 

[PackJason]

You didn't watch the video did you? If you did, you would not make those sorts of comments. It is informed specialist doctors now saying that blood transfusions are NOT as life saving as they were once thought to be. Ignorance is a poor substitute for an opinion.

Blood transfusions are not the cure all for everything, and no one is claiming that they are. However, in cases when people lose great quantities of blood from traumatic injury, it is often times the ONLY thing that will save their lives. Now, I know your little JW sect is anti-blood transfusion, my stepfather is a JW and I haven't talked to him in about a decade because he scolded my aunt for allowing the blood transfusions to save her sons lives. He would have just let them die instead. I told him I thought that was despicable and haven't spoken to him since.

It isn't about not having watched your silly little video, it's about having (obviously) a far greater amount of existing knowledge on the subject than you do.

 

[Shak34]

JW's cannot break the laws of the land. If medicinal cannabis is illegal then access is denied to us. We cannot go against the law. This is why we wait and hope that the law will change. This plant is a creation of God and proven over thousands of years to cure many diseases and alleviate the suffering of many painful conditions. We hope common sense prevails and medicinal use of cannibis is made legal. Recreational use is definitely not for Christians. Smoking to get high is not something God would condone. Lungs are meant for air, not smoke.

I asked for articles on it. Would you be able to give me links?