Jw and blood transfusjon

[Starlight]

Why is jw against blood transfusion? I think its strange because i do not believe God have any reasons to be against it. Blood transfusion can save many lifes and help people. Not one place in the bible is it written "do not take blood in your body if you have a deadly illness".

 

[Starlight]

I like many teachings of jw But this i do not understand

 

[Eyes to See]

I like many teachings of jw But this i do not understand

Jehovah's Witnesses abstain from blood becaues of spiritual reasons. The Bible mandates that we refrain from sexual immorality, idolatry, and from blood:

"For the holy spirit and we ourselves have favored adding no further burden to you except these necessary things:  to keep abstaining from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what is strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you carefully keep yourselves from these things, you will prosper. Good health to you!”-Acts 15:28, 29.

Jehovah's Witnesses love life and respect the lives they are given. Because of that they refrain from dangerous sports that would show a lack of respect of life they have been given such as car racing, mountain climbing, and other dangerous sports. They also refrain from things that contaminate the body such as illicit drug use, tobacco use, and abusing alcohol. They refrain from sexual immorality, consiering it a sin. Because of such they avoid many of the STDs that plague society.

When they are sick they are the first to seek medical attention because they love life. And they are a very clean and wholesome people.

And while the Bible commands us to abstain from idolatry, sexual immorality, and from blood, that is not a bad thing. The Biblical mandate is if we do these things we would have good health.

The truth of the matter is much of the blood is contaminated. And blood transfusions cause a lot of problems. People who have transfusions are more prone to die from their problems, or from other complications (as the body naturally rejects foreign material.)

Studies have indicated that bloodless surgeries have higher rates of success and faster recuperation. And there are so many bloodless alternatives that are available that taking blood is really archaic. Many many physicians around the world have seen the benefits and the superiority of non-blood medical practices.

So while the stance of Jehovah's Witnesses is moral and Biblical, it is sound, and brings many health benefits. Many people who are informed, including many surgeons and doctors would not even think of touching blood or allowing their loved ones to use it. So the JW stance is not unique either.

Here is some good info on the subject:

https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/jehovahs-witnesses-why-no-blood-transfusions/

https://www.jw.org/en/medical-library/videos/blood-transfusion-alternative-strategies/

https://www.jw.org/en/medical-library/videos/blood-transfusion-patient-needs-rights/

 

[exchemist]

Jehovah's Witnesses abstain from blood becaues of spiritual reasons. The Bible mandates that we refrain from sexual immorality, idolatry, and from blood:

"For the holy spirit and we ourselves have favored adding no further burden to you except these necessary things:  to keep abstaining from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what is strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you carefully keep yourselves from these things, you will prosper. Good health to you!”-Acts 15:28, 29.

Jehovah's Witnesses love life and respect the lives they are given. Because of that they refrain from dangerous sports that would show a lack of respect of life they have been given such as car racing, mountain climbing, and other dangerous sports. They also refrain from things that contaminate the body such as illicit drug use, tobacco use, and abusing alcohol. They refrain from sexual immorality, consiering it a sin. Because of such they avoid many of the STDs that plague society.

When they are sick they are the first to seek medical attention because they love life. And they are a very clean and wholesome people.

And while the Bible commands us to abstain from idolatry, sexual immorality, and from blood, that is not a bad thing. The Biblical mandate is if we do these things we would have good health.

The truth of the matter is much of the blood is contaminated. And blood transfusions cause a lot of problems. People who have transfusions are more prone to die from their problems, or from other complications (as the body naturally rejects foreign material.)

Studies have indicated that bloodless surgeries have higher rates of success and faster recuperation. And there are so many bloodless alternatives that are available that taking blood is really archaic. Many many physicians around the world have seen the benefits and the superiority of non-blood medical practices.

So while the stance of Jehovah's Witnesses is moral and Biblical, it is sound, and brings many health benefits. Many people who are informed, including many surgeons and doctors would not even think of touching blood or allowing their loved ones to use it. So the JW stance is not unique either.

Here is some good info on the subject:

https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/jehovahs-witnesses-why-no-blood-transfusions/

https://www.jw.org/en/medical-library/videos/blood-transfusion-alternative-strategies/

https://www.jw.org/en/medical-library/videos/blood-transfusion-patient-needs-rights/

This is pernicious rubbish. Blood is not generally contaminated, nor do people who have blood transfusions generally experience problems as a result. Blood is not rejected as foreign, provided the correct blood group is used and the correct cross-matching procedure carried out.

Blood transfusions save thousands of lives every year.

 

[Starlight]

Jehovah's Witnesses abstain from blood becaues of spiritual reasons. The Bible mandates that we refrain from sexual immorality, idolatry, and from blood:

"For the holy spirit and we ourselves have favored adding no further burden to you except these necessary things:  to keep abstaining from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what is strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you carefully keep yourselves from these things, you will prosper. Good health to you!”-Acts 15:28, 29.

Jehovah's Witnesses love life and respect the lives they are given. Because of that they refrain from dangerous sports that would show a lack of respect of life they have been given such as car racing, mountain climbing, and other dangerous sports. They also refrain from things that contaminate the body such as illicit drug use, tobacco use, and abusing alcohol. They refrain from sexual immorality, consiering it a sin. Because of such they avoid many of the STDs that plague society.

When they are sick they are the first to seek medical attention because they love life. And they are a very clean and wholesome people.

And while the Bible commands us to abstain from idolatry, sexual immorality, and from blood, that is not a bad thing. The Biblical mandate is if we do these things we would have good health.

The truth of the matter is much of the blood is contaminated. And blood transfusions cause a lot of problems. People who have transfusions are more prone to die from their problems, or from other complications (as the body naturally rejects foreign material.)

Studies have indicated that bloodless surgeries have higher rates of success and faster recuperation. And there are so many bloodless alternatives that are available that taking blood is really archaic. Many many physicians around the world have seen the benefits and the superiority of non-blood medical practices.

So while the stance of Jehovah's Witnesses is moral and Biblical, it is sound, and brings many health benefits. Many people who are informed, including many surgeons and doctors would not even think of touching blood or allowing their loved ones to use it. So the JW stance is not unique either.

Here is some good info on the subject:

https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/jehovahs-witnesses-why-no-blood-transfusions/

https://www.jw.org/en/medical-library/videos/blood-transfusion-alternative-strategies/

https://www.jw.org/en/medical-library/videos/blood-transfusion-patient-needs-rights/

Hm maybe blood in that bible verse mean to not killing people? And the verse do not say " do not take blood in your body". The verse really only say "refrain from blood".

Only jw think this verse mean blood transfusion. It is so many Christians in this world, only jw interpret that verse to refrain from blood transfusion. Thats strange. Most Christians in this world do not think blood transfusion is wrong. Most Christians in those world interpret the blood verse different than jw.

 

[nPeace]

@Meandflower JWs seek to follow and obey God's standards of righteousness, as it is outlined in scripture.
They do not worship God based on emotions.

For example, they recognize prayer to be respectful communication with God, and because they love God, they pray to him, and no other God.
So they do not consider these things as menial.
Like Daniel, and the three Hebrew boys, they would not seek to preserve their lives, by compromising their stand for what God says is right.

The reason JWs do not take blood transfusions has to do with what God says about it.
(Genesis 9:3, 4) 3 Every moving animal that is alive may serve as food for you. Just as I gave you the green vegetation, I give them all to you. 4 Only flesh with its life—its blood—you must not eat.

(Deuteronomy 12:16) But you must not eat the blood; you should pour it out on the ground like water.

(Leviticus 17:10-14) 10 “‘If any man of the house of Israel or any foreigner who is residing in your midst eats any sort of blood, I will certainly set my face against the one who is eating the blood, and I will cut him off from among his people. 11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I myself have given it on the altar for you to make atonement for yourselves, because it is the blood that makes atonement by means of the life in it. 12 That is why I have said to the Israelites: “None of you should eat blood, and no foreigner who is residing in your midst should eat blood.” 13 “‘If one of the Israelites or some foreigner who is residing in your midst is hunting and catches a wild animal or a bird that may be eaten, he must pour its blood out and cover it with dust. 14 For the life of every sort of flesh is its blood, because the life is in it. Consequently, I said to the Israelites: “You must not eat the blood of any sort of flesh because the life of every sort of flesh is its blood. Anyone eating it will be cut off.”

From these verses, we see that blood represents life, and it is sacred to God - that is, set apart for sacred use.
Life is sacred.
Thus God specified blood has one use - to atone for sin. Thus it should not be eaten, but is to be poured out in the dust, and covered.
There was no other use, God allowed for.

Thus, the command in Acts 15, to abstain from blood, takes that principle into consideration - blood represents life, and is sacred to Jehovah - set apart for only one use.
JWs respect that.
They do not allow emotion to drive them.

Independent Lens . KNOCKING . Jehovah's Witnesses . Blood Beliefs | PBS
PeaceHealth Southwest addresses those who refuse blood transfusions
Why Don’t Jehovah’s Witnesses Accept Blood Transfusions?

Feel free to ask any questions.

 

[Deeje]

Hm maybe blood in that bible verse mean to not killing people? And the verse do not say " do not take blood in your body". The verse really only say "refrain from blood".

Only jw think this verse mean blood transfusion. It is so many Christians in this world, only jw interpret that verse to refrain from blood transfusion. Thats strange. Most Christians in this world do not think blood transfusion is wrong. Most Christians in those world interpret the blood verse different than jw.

Blood, in the Bible is representative of life itself. In scripture, it was used to atone for sin....(Leviticus 17:11) and the blood of Jesus is what saves mankind. It is the sacredness of blood that is dominant in the Bible. Israel was forbidden to consume blood...any blood.

For JW’s transfusions violate God’s law because it is taken into the body and if a person is unable to eat by mouth, they are often fed intravenously.....so eating can be done through the veins. We see this form of consumption also violates God's law. We are to "abstain" from blood. Look up the word "abstain" and ask if your doctor told you to abstain from alcohol because you liver was in bad shape, could you inject it straight into your blood stream? That is where it ends up after all.

For many decades it has been assumed that blood transfusions were saving people's lives and JW's copped a lot of flack for refusing such treatments......but in more recent times a thorough examination has been undertaken to study the efficacy of this long held practice.

With Jehovah's Witnesses seeking medical treatments without blood, respectful doctors found ways to operate without blood by using various techniques including cell salvage and the use of EPO and plasma volume expanders such as saline or Ringers Lactate to prevent the veins from collapsing. They were somewhat shocked to find that JW patients were recovering more quickly and with far less complications than patients who opted for blood transfusions in the same circumstances. This prompted a deeper look into what blood was actually doing "to" their patients as opposed to what they thought it was doing "for" their patients.

In many countries people sell their blood and it is dubious to say the least what contaminants are present because of their lifestyle....viruses and bacteria can sneak through a weak testing process. Every person's blood is unique like their fingerprints. Blood from another person can introduce things into the body for which it was never designed. It is no co-incidence that the human blood supply is compatible with ordinary sea water, which was used in the second world war when blood was in short supply.

The following video was put out on the Australian Government Blood Authority's website. (not associated with JW's at all) It explains what they found....and it was concerning, to say the least. Blood was actually doing more harm than good with the result that now whole hospitals are dedicated to the non-blood medical management of their patients.

For Media | National Blood Authority

Don't let them tell you that these transfusions save lives.....we have proven that they don't. The techniques developed for us are now saving many more.

Blood is a multi-million dollar a year industry, so they are not going to let the problems associated with blood transfusions rob them of their profits. This greed driven world does not let the truth be heard when profits are at stake. Only the uninformed die-hards will still promote its use.

Please watch the video and tell me what you think.....and thanks for asking.

 

[ppp]

Please watch the video and tell me what you think.....and thanks for asking.

al·lo·ge·ne·ic
/ˌaləjəˈnēik/

adjective
MEDICINE

1. denoting, relating to, or involving tissues or cells that are genetically dissimilar and hence immunologically incompatible, although from individuals of the same species.

Link to the article they cited:
Appropriateness of allogeneic red blood cell transfusion: the international consensus conference on transfusion outcomes

This is just the abstract. But this is an article speaking to the dangers of usage of allogenic red blood cells in specific circumstances. It is not, and in no way an study, that says that transfusions should not be done. For Deeje to claim otherwise is, at best, disingenuous.

Read it for yourself.

NB: That video is irresponsible.

 

[Deeje]

This is pernicious rubbish. Blood is not generally contaminated, nor do people who have blood transfusions generally experience problems as a result. Blood is not rejected as foreign, provided the correct blood group is used and the correct cross-matching procedure carried out.

Who told you that? The same ones who refuse to believe that blood is not as "life-saving" as they claim? Any foreign biological substance introduced into the blood stream will cause an immune response. Blood is like a liquid organ transplant which sends the immune system into action. If the heightened immune response is taking energy away from the recovery process, then it will delay that recovery or result in complications post surgery.

Some of the “immediate” reactions to blood are febrile or fever-producing reaction which can usually be treated successfully. However, as some health professionals in this field are aware severe febrile reactions can occur and may be sufficiently stressful to be life-threatening in certain acutely ill patients.⁠

Mismatched blood brings on a hemolytic reaction, involving rapid destruction of red blood cells, which can result in kidney failure, shock and death. Hemolytic reactions are especially dangerous to patients under anesthesia, because the symptoms may not be noticed until it is too late. Its a mine field.

Blood transfusions save thousands of lives every year.

Do they? That is what people are told......we have proven that it isn't true. More people die each year from complications resulting from blood transfusions that ever die without one. That is a fact.

Doctors sign death certificates.....so how many actually list a blood transfusion as a primary contributor of death? Let me guess...

For Media | National Blood Authority

 

[Deeje]

That video is irresponsible.

That video is from experts in their field. It has nothing to do with Jehovah's Witnesses.
If these health professionals don't know about blood transfusions, no one does. Take it up with them unless you want to believe those who are still trying to prop up a multi million dollar industry. Greed speaks louder than truth.

But hey...its your life.....have all the blood you wish.....we will take the safer option and the one recommended by our manufacturer.

 

[ppp]

That video is from experts in their field. It has nothing to do with Jehovah's Witnesses.
If these health professionals don't know about blood transfusions, no one does. Take it up with them unless you want to believe those who are still trying to prop up a multi million dollar industry. Greed speaks louder than truth.

You didnt actually read what I wrote. Did you, Deeje? You just kneejerked.

 

[Deeje]

You didnt actually read what I wrote.

What you wrote or what you cited?

This is just the abstract. But this is an article speaking to the dangers of usage of allogenic red blood cells in specific circumstances. It is not, and in no way an study, that says that transfusions should not be done. For Deeje to claim otherwise is, at best, disingenuous.

Did you watch the whole video? These are not clowns in a circus spouting on about things they don't know.

If you take the title of the video for starters, you will see that what is stated in the video is not compatible with the "still saving lives" part of the title. The blood industry has a lot of power over the medicine practiced in hospitals by doctors too lazy or ill informed to change their habits.

When hospitals go "non-blood" it means that they do not readily resort to using blood even for trauma patients. There are ways to avoid blood and the clear and present danger that is obvious in the video. But their reluctance to use blood in these hospitals is for the most part financial.....those who refuse transfusions have shorter hospital stays, with far less complications that those who choose to have transfusions. It saves them money and at the same time produces a better outcome for the patient.....simple logic.

If nearly 60% of the transfusions performed were not beneficial at all and only around 30% not certain if they were beneficial...what % does that leave? If there is increased risk of "morbidity" (Complications, bad outcomes) and "mortality" (death) in transfusing patients, (more so than in any other procedure) then why opt for it if there are safer alternatives? If your doctor wants to use blood...choose a better doctor.

Without JW's forcing their hand, it would never have become known that transfusions are not the "life saving" procedure they are once claimed to be. As I said....doctors write out death certificates...who is going to confess that a blood transfusion caused a complication that ended someone's life when they did not need to use them?

The doctors in the video are issuing dire warnings about the use of blood transfusions.....so, who isn't listening?

Did you, Deeje? You just kneejerked.

No kneejerks just honest answers. Blood does not save lives more than non blood treatments.
How many transfusions are carried out that were deemed necessary? How many were deemed beneficial? Do the math....
If you don't think that the medical profession has been 'bought' by financial interests then think again. It is as corrupt as any other when it comes to sweeteners offered by invested parties. Money drives everything.

 

[nPeace]

Hm maybe blood in that bible verse mean to not killing people? And the verse do not say " do not take blood in your body". The verse really only say "refrain from blood".

Only jw think this verse mean blood transfusion. It is so many Christians in this world, only jw interpret that verse to refrain from blood transfusion. Thats strange. Most Christians in this world do not think blood transfusion is wrong. Most Christians in those world interpret the blood verse different than jw.

Meandflower, usually what I like to do, is ask questions, like Jesus did. It allows persons to reason, and in case they are using the heart, rather than the head. This can happen, and has, and questions often bring us to our senses.
So what I ask persons is, what does the verse say? What does abstain from something mean to you?
Usually, the answer that comes automatically, is, "Do not use." ... but then there are some who may change their answer, or some who may not answer, but, give another response... in some cases, they link eating with the verse.

My next question usually is to help them appreciate that the verse does not say anything about eating, or drinking?
Very few persons submit to what they see before them, but I quickly let them know, I understand. It's an emotional thing, and since most people promote blood transfusions as the only and best option, it can be hard for persons to go against it. Sometimes they don't know of any other way.
Many have come to realize though, that what is the norm, is not always the best.
I spoke to many persons who preferred anything but blood, but they went with blood, because it's the only option they are presented with.
If people were aware however, that other methods were available, right next door, they would make a beeline for it. One of the articles I linked you, shows this.

I was thinking about the problems that mankind is having with health issues - whether physically, or mentally, and it got me thinking, Isn't there a cause for every effect?
Could it be, there is a contributing cause which is not being looked at?
So, I researched what has recently come to light in evolutionary biology - Horizontal Gene Transfer (HGT).
Are genes passed on during blood transfusions? What genes? Do they kill the person, or just deteriorate their health.
Would you like to see what I found?

I'll like to share what I found, so far, though still in the process of going further.
This however is not an issue with JWs, since our decision is not made on the basis of what can happen to us, health-wise if we take a blood transfusion. That's a secondary concern, since Paul did say our obedience to the directive results in good health - (Acts 15:29) . . .If you carefully keep yourselves from these things, you will prosper. Good health to you. . .

Can I PM you with the information?

 

[Eyes to See]

Can I PM you with the information?

I’d like it.

 

[nPeace]

I’d like it.

I can't seem to send you a PM. The "Start a Conversation" seems to be disabled.

 

[nPeace]

@Eyes to See you can start with this one. It's a very good read. Long, but, of great interest.

A bit of helpful information to me...
Immunological disorders are diseases or conditions caused by a dysfunction of the immune system and include allergy, asthma, autoimmune diseases, autoinflammatory syndromes and immunological deficiency syndromes.

Cytokines are regulators of host responses to infection, immune responses, inflammation, and trauma. Some cytokines act to make disease worse (proinflammatory)
Interleukin (IL)-1 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) are proinflammatory cytokines, and when they are administered to humans, they produce fever, inflammation, tissue destruction, and, in some cases, shock and death.

...and I found this one interesting also. I just read the Abstract portion.

 

[Brickjectivity]

Why is jw against blood transfusion? I think its strange because i do not believe God have any reasons to be against it. Blood transfusion can save many lifes and help people. Not one place in the bible is it written "do not take blood in your body if you have a deadly illness".

While this may not seem practical to us it is nevertheless a burden they bear, much like any other burden Christians place upon ourselves that others do not. A person can die from all kinds of Christian pursuits, so its not as if refusing blood transfusions is special.

That being said I don't agree about it, but the JW's are not less intelligent or less right than anyone else who views the flood story literally. That's what it comes from: viewing the flood story very literally and not just in holy places but in secular ones. Therefore in missing the entire point of Noah's flood they interpret the command to abstain from eating blood as something other than it probably truly is. Much like every other Christian I know of with a lesser understanding of Christian scripture than myself (which is practically all) they don't seem to get the point of a *lot* of scriptures, but it hardly gives other Christians a leg up on them. As a person with that very rare gift of understanding mysteries I have to say that they are not really all that bad at bible stuff compared to...say...most others. I'd give them a 4 out of 10, and a 4 is pretty good relatively speaking.

 

[nPeace]

I’d like it.

Found this article a bit interesting.
Interestingly and somewhat alarmingly, high frequencies of HGT in infants’ meconium and early fecal samples have been recently reported . Antibiotic-susceptible commensal bacteria may acquire resistance to antibiotics via mutations in target genes or the acquirement of resistance genes by HGT, mainly by the transfer mediated by MGEs. MGE-mediated transfer of genetic cargo from one organism to another greatly contributes to the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes, because it can take place between closely or non-related species and in diversified environments, including the animal and human gut

 

[Starlight]

Meandflower, usually what I like to do, is ask questions, like Jesus did. It allows persons to reason, and in case they are using the heart, rather than the head. This can happen, and has, and questions often bring us to our senses.
So what I ask persons is, what does the verse say? What does abstain from something mean to you?
Usually, the answer that comes automatically, is, "Do not use." ... but then there are some who may change their answer, or some who may not answer, but, give another response... in some cases, they link eating with the verse.

My next question usually is to help them appreciate that the verse does not say anything about eating, or drinking?
Very few persons submit to what they see before them, but I quickly let them know, I understand. It's an emotional thing, and since most people promote blood transfusions as the only and best option, it can be hard for persons to go against it. Sometimes they don't know of any other way.
Many have come to realize though, that what is the norm, is not always the best.
I spoke to many persons who preferred anything but blood, but they went with blood, because it's the only option they are presented with.
If people were aware however, that other methods were available, right next door, they would make a beeline for it. One of the articles I linked you, shows this.

I was thinking about the problems that mankind is having with health issues - whether physically, or mentally, and it got me thinking, Isn't there a cause for every effect?
Could it be, there is a contributing cause which is not being looked at?
So, I researched what has recently come to light in evolutionary biology - Horizontal Gene Transfer (HGT).
Are genes passed on during blood transfusions? What genes? Do they kill the person, or just deteriorate their health.
Would you like to see what I found?

I'll like to share what I found, so far, though still in the process of going further.
This however is not an issue with JWs, since our decision is not made on the basis of what can happen to us, health-wise if we take a blood transfusion. That's a secondary concern, since Paul did say our obedience to the directive results in good health - (Acts 15:29) . . .If you carefully keep yourselves from these things, you will prosper. Good health to you. . .

Can I PM you with the information?

Yes of course you can

 

[nPeace]

Yes of course you can

It's in the thread already. For Eyes to see.