Jehovah's Witnesses belong to their religion because they look forward to a promised Paradise Earth, which according to Watchtower publications will be 'soon' or 'in the near future'. No more sickness, no more poverty, and everlasting life on earth, (or in heaven if you happen to be members of the Governing Body or the one person in 10 congregations who happen to be allowed to take the annual bread and wine). They accept that when their Armageddon breaks out, every man, woman, child and baby who are not in the 'Ark of Safety', their name for the Watchtower Organisation, will be destroyed. (The Governing Body publishes the justification for the destruction of children and babies!). Since the Governing Body have mis-led their members by saying Armageddon would be in 1914, 1925, 1940's, 1975 (implied), and now 'soon' or 'in the very near future' based on their interpretation of the Bible, could it be possible that they also have their interpretation concerning blood transfusions wrong?

Jonathan Adabe, Market Rasen, England

The Watchtower religion invented the no blood dogma in 1945,thousands of men,women,children have perished.In 2007 and beyond the Watchtower will find "new light" and repeal the blood ban.

This means that all those thousands of deaths were needless.
Isn't this mass suicide by religion,like in Jonestown?

Brandy, Sidney, Australia

Brandy, were do you get your facts and figures from? How do you know that their deaths were not due to untreatable complications?

It is speculated that Emma died from obstetric complications and a blood transfusion would not have saved her.

There have been no facts issued from the hospital as to the exact cause of her death, since a full inquest is still being investigated.

With Emma, she was carrying twins, this puts a greater stress on the uterus.

One obstetric condition is Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), also called consumptive coagulopathy, which cannot be remedied simply by a blood transfusion with uncontrollable clotting in one area, and uncontrollable bleeding in another, just to simplfy.

My own mother died from hemorrhaging, she wasn't a JW and despite prompt medical attention, a blood transfusion wasn't even offered.

The prognosis for those with obsetric complication DIC, depending on its cause, is often grim.

Jane, Staffs, UK

Jehovah's Witnesses say that Jesus had his second coming in 1914 this is the basis for all their beliefs,This is why the American based Watchtower sect came into existence in 1870 to declare that Jesus would have his 'return to power' in 1914.

Jesus was a no show,their core prophecy failed so what did they do?

They adapted,and said that he came 'invisibly' and that they are the only one's who saw it. It's the emperor's new 'invisible' clothes all over again.

Daniel , Maine, USA

Jehovah's Witnesses are a cult because they try to cut you off from others who do not have the same beliefs, including family.

If you take 'wholeblood' or autologous (use your own stored blood) you will be shunned by your family and friends.

The Watchtower organization is in control of your life.

Charles, Birmingham, UK

The Orwellian Watchtower world.

Many more have died from the fanatical JW blood ban than died at Jonestown.

Brandy, Sidney, Australia

The Watchtower religion invented the no blood dogma in 1945,thousands of men,women,children have perished.In 2007 and beyond the Watchtower will find "new light" and repeal the blood ban.
This means that all those thousands of deaths were needless.
Isn't this mass suicide by religion,like in Jonestown?

Brandy, Sidney, Australia

Will any responsible medical professioanl guarantee in writting that a blood transfusion will save your life? Maybe they will not charge for the procedure if they are wrong? Maybe they will pay for any after effects of tainted blood transfusions for the remainder of your life? Let's get real, People will die, some form Blood transfusions and some feel that others will die without blood transfusions, That is their opinion, but it does not change the fact that people die each day.

Why is it a shame for a mother to make a choice on her beleifs but it is ok in the same hospital that thousands of mothers can choose to abort their children? Where is the concern for thier life?
Anyone who wants to force their own belief on another in medical treatment has no respect for their fellow man.

Don't agree with Jehovah's Witneses? That's fine, go on your way. Why continue to beat up good people who have a great respect for life in their own way and make their own choices?

Ed Farley, Sweetwater, OH

What's so bad is that this kind of thing does NOT need to happen! What's worse is that this very type of thing happened with the WT ban on vaccines and organ transplants several decades ago, only for the WT to completely reverse their stance on both. So, what about all those who died under the old regulations? What about those who didn't cave into the regulations, had the procedures anyway, and were disfellowshipped as the price for saving their own lives? To the first group, the WT basically says: "Oops, too bad. We'll see you on the Paradise earth in the future. So sorry for your family's loss in the mean time". To the second group, they say: "Oops, too bad. But you can always work toward re-instatement, even though your 'offense' is no longer an 'offense'.

Candy P., Oneida, USA/NY

I think Star wars is better that Star Treck because they have better characters, Lightsabers, Yoda and no Blood Transfusions.

As the great Elvis once said ...... a thank you very much.

james, Hanley, England

The Watchtower religion invented the no blood dogma in 1945,thousands of men,women,children have perished.In 2007 and beyond the Watchtower will find "new light" and repeal the blood ban.
This means that all those thousands of deaths were needless.
Isn't this mass suicide by religion,like in Jonestown?

Brandy, Sidney, Australia

The WTB&TS on aluminum cookware:

Aluminum cookware BAD:

"If the organs [of your body] are diseased, heal them by correcting your diet. Avoid the use of aluminum cooking utensils and alum baking powders as they are injurious to your health, poisoning your blood stream." - The Golden Age, Nov. 12, 1929, p. 107


"As a result of the publication of wholesome truth on the subject, there are fewer people now purchasing aluminum cooking utensils than heretofore. There is also a pronounced drop in the cancer death rate. Much aluminum used: many cancers. Less aluminum used: fewer cancers." - The Golden Age, 1930 p.650
* * * * * * * * *
Aluminum cookware GOOD:

"What about the aluminum cooking utensils?...At present the great majority of authorities in medical and scientific fields gave aluminum a rather clean bill of health." - Awake! June 22, 1962 pages 8-10 'What About Aluminum Cooking Utensils?'

Nathan Knott, Seattle, USA

The WTB&TS on vaccinations:

Forbidden in 1931 --

"Vaccination is a direct violation of the everlasting covenant that God made with Noah after the flood." - The Golden Age, January 4, 1931, page 293.

OK in 1952 --

"The matter of vaccination is one for the individual that has to face it to decide for himself....And our Society cannot afford to be drawn into the affair legally or take the responsibility for the way the case turns out..." After consideration of the matter, it does not appear to us to be in violation of the everlasting covenant made with Noah, as set down in Genesis 9:4, nor contrary to God's related commandment at Leviticus 17:10-14. Most certainly it cannot reasonably or Scripturally be argued and proved that, by being vaccinated, the inoculated person is either eating or drinking blood and consuming it as food or receiving a blood transfusion." - The Watchtower, December 15, 1952, page 764

Nathan Knott, Seattle, USA

Why are you all arguing over this, when no one has confirmed the cause of her death.

For all you know a blood transfusion would not have saved her. The poor woman will never get to see her children grow up and all you can think about its using it as an excuse to start on JW's.

How would you feel if someone started slagging you off for a descion you made. I think you should just respect her opinion like you would expect someone to respect yours.

I'm 17 and not a JW and i think you're very sick minded people who should grow up and at least find something that is actually worth arguing over.

Dean, Newcastle Under Lyme, England

What is wrong with refusing blood and living?
Who says that one has to die from refusing blood?

why are people confusing the issue of the Bible's command to abstain from blood and what happens to people like this?
They are not related.

People can obey the Bible and refuse blood and live.

Steve Klemetti, Columbus , USA

what does the Watchtower Society have to do with any of this?

Why not simply get some competent doctors who can operate without blood?

Steve, Columbus , USA

It is the Watchtower's Governing Body that decides in all matters relating to doctrine and practice. Total obedience is
called for. And the Brooklyn-based committee does change its mind. For years, it outlawed vaccination. Thousands died unnessarily all over the world. Then "new truth" cancelled the regulation. The same went for organ transplants. If the Governing Body changes the rule about blood tranfusions next week, the Witneses are required to stand up and salute the "new truth". For them, it is God speaking through his appointed and authorised voice on earth. But is it?
Meanwhile, how many more victims will die?

John Cuthbert, Eastleigh, UK

This lady in the article admits to fabricating stories to leave her husband and her religion. This is the basis of a news article? This is just another case of a disgruntled witness with nothing better to do than bash the witnesses.

The best part is that she left the witnesses because they wouldn't let her park illegally.

T Mann, North Carolina, USA

At this time,there are NO blood alternatives there are NO blood substitutes only the red cells derived from blood collections (Red Cross centers that Jehovah’s Witnesses revile) only the red cell will carry oxygen through the body.

There is NO such thing as a blood "alternative" IV's with saline solution are properly called plasma volume expanders.

When you need real oxygen transporting ability in an emergency there is no blood "substitute" at this time maybe in 20 years or so.

All this chatter by Jehovah's Witnesses defenders about "bloodless surgeries" is a subterfuge.

Brandy, Sidney, Australia

It is the Watchtower that has heaped controversy on itself with it's arbitrary flip-flopping decisions on what "parts" aka fractions of Blood are allowed and disallowed.

If you go by the old testament it says to pour ALL the blood onto the ground as dust as it is ALL sacred to God.So,where does the Watchtower get the authority to decide what "parts" of something that is sacred can be used??

Moreover,no question it's more healthy not to put another persons blood or any body parts into your body if you don't need it.In cases of emergency trauma such as in a car crash if I lose 3-4 pints of blood I will die without an emergency transfusion there is no time for fancy modern gadgets or vitamin supplements to 'build up my blood'.

Jehovah's Witnesses do use many products that are derived from blood banks (so called blood 'fractions') but they themselves won't donate a drop.

Danny Haszard, Maine, USA

It's not a case of God getting in the way, of but of ignorant men claiming to be spokesmen for God ,when they are not.

Rex grivell, Adelaide, Australia

Faith is only wise when it is married to truth

Tony, Beijing,

The parents in Jonestown forced 276 children to drink poison because they too believed it was in their best interests.

Jill, London, uk

It is so old, you live the life that you want to lead, and that others will want to follow!
If there is a god, I am sure he would want you to stay alive no matter what to be a good part of the world that we live in.
She is alive and able to look after her children, that is the most important thing. God just gets in the way far to much, we are only human, so we should live like one.

John, London,

News Headlines


Girl dies not taking blood transfusion (Over all the headlines, in US and UK)

Priest Rapes and Murders Polish girl (Regional News) (Later made into UK News)


Now what is worst.... Blood Transfusion, why?

Cause people like all of the above want a dig at the smaller group of people the people who are different.

This religion you all say is wrong, you whine about them coming round your door, you get involved when you dont need to get involved. I mean take this Rachel Underhill, she is one in many Jehovahs Witnesses that didnt take blood, but she wants money she doesnt want to voice off, she wants her 5mins of fame, but was too embarrased to go on X Factor.

I myself a ex JW was one also hit by a car in 1995 doctors said your gonna die to a 13 year old boy, nurses and doctors went against me, cause of my beliefs I stood tall, and went into the operation and didnt get blood, I am alive like many because we used other ways I didnt take a Fraction.

MadJock, Glasgow, Scotland

I was born a 3rd generation Jehovah's Witness in 1957 and endured the Watchtower's no blood commandment with longstanding bleeding Crohn's disease.The Watchtower leadership expects followers to die for their dogma and many have.The medical staff get blamed and are 'damned if they do damned if they don't'.
---
Danny Haszard

Danny Haszard, Bangor Maine, usa

As a Jehovah's Witness, it makes me proud when I hear so many rantings and derogatory remarks about us. It just reaffirms my relationship with Jehovah and that I am following as close as I imperfectly can, in his Son's footsteps. If anyone wants to know accurate things about us, ask us, not those that hate us or left the orginization because they were upset over something.

scott markle, Lincolnton, USA North Carolina

Listen up! if you want to continue living your life in accord with what other people think and feel then fine that's your God-given RIGHT! but the bottom line is this every living human that has blood flowing thru their veins that liquid is your LIFE! and no one should ignore that fact. It would be best to find the Truth about Blood and once one understands how Jehovah God feels about BLOOD! then you will be able to stand up to what is Right! to abstain from taken on other people's life form ~ namely BLOOD.

marz, ft worth, tx usa

Atta girl, Rachel! Two separate C-sections without blood. Two children who needed emergency surgery at one time or another without blood. When I saw the statistics at ajwrb.org I was sickened to think how uselessly lives had been set at risk! Especially the pie chart. Everyone -- especially every Jehovah's Witness who thinks they know "the truth" should take a look at that chart... the one that shows that, under one circumstance or another, the witnesses actually allow 100% of the blood. But they use dumbing down with double-talk to hope you don't realize it. And that's not the only way people have died "for their 'faith.'"

Suzanne, Garden Grove, CA

Pete, barely surviving is one step away from what the other mother went through. That she survived is due to wonderful care and an opportunity to rest and heal. She would have not come so close to death had she accepted the treatment. The other woman would not have died of a loss of blood had they been able to replace some of her lost blood through a transfusion. No, transfusions don't save everyone, but they do save many. And you don't have to be God to figure that out. She isn't complaining that she is alive, she is complaining that some other poor new mommy is dead because she wasn't treated with all medical advances available-because of a ridiculous non biblical man made rule by a bunch of men on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.

Jean, Washington, USA

The Watchtower teaching regarding blood has led to more deaths than there were at Waco, TX (David Koresh) and Guyana (Jim Jones) COMBINED.

The Watchtower says Witnesses can take SOME blood fractions, and yet, can't take others.

Where is this teaching in the Bible?

Simple; its not there. Theses are rules made up by men, men who are running a business/leading a movement, whose primary objective is to sustain the Organization (the Watchtower/JW's).

Probably, In a few more years the issue of whether or not to have a blood transfusion will have become a "conscience matter" according to Watchtower teaching. The Watchtower knows full well that they cannot reverse their position over-night, as they would be sued out of existence.

SO, people are making life decisions RIGHT NOW, based on what the Watchtower teaches them, that very well COULD be CHANGED tomorrow.

God doesn't work this way, folks.

http://propmin.blogspot.com/2007_10_07_archive.html

PropMin, Wichita, USA

What if the Bible really says that you should refrain from blood transfusion? Is your obedience to God important at all?

kb, grand, Texas

Many Jehovah's Witnesses men,women and children die every year worldwide due to blood transfusion ban.Rank & file Jehovah's Witness are indoctrinated to be scared to death of blood.
FYI
1) JW's DO USE many parts aka 'fractions' aka components of blood,so if it's 'sacred' to God why the hypocritical contradiction flip-flop?
2) They USE blood collections that are donated by Red cross and others but don't donate back,more hypocrisy.
3) The Watchtower promotes and praises bloodless elective surgeries,this is a great advancement indeed.BUT it's no good to me if I am bleeding to death from a car crash and lose half my blood volume and need EMERGENCY blood transfusion.

Mark, London, UK

My Wife works in a company along side several Jehovah's Witnesses, the company used to have Christmas parties but they are no longer called that. The parties are now called winter parties or something like that so as to enable the JWs to attend without them having to compromise on the celebration of "Christmas".

Why don't we just rename blood, we could call it the "life giving liquid", problem solved.

Graham W, St. Albans, uk

Yet again this is an example of religion causing the death of a young person. If she had had the blood transfusion she would have lived - but her religious views caused her death.

Maybe her life is more important then her views?

Paul S, London, UK

Use your common sense..... and get rid of superstious beliefs.
After all do not put the doctors into trouble.Let them decide what is best for your condition. Don't you think they are the saviours of your life? Not an old scripture.

Anusha, plymouth, England

“Faith is not a possession of all people.” (2 Thessalonians 3:2)

RB Smith, Lawrenceville, USA/GA

Jehovah's Witnesses elders will investigate and disfellowship any Jehovah Witness who takes a blood transfusion,to say the issue is a 'personal conscience matter' is subterfuge to keep the Watchtower out of lawsuits.

Danny Haszard, London, UK

So, if I`ve read this right Rachel didn`t have blood but survived. Yet she`s complaining. She insists that if if the poor lady who died had accepted blood she would have survived (who is she- God?) People DO die through accepting blood transfusions you know. O, and she`s so charitable in her efforts to help Witnesses who want to leave the faith that she has set up a forum. Now, let me see, a forum with Google Adsense ads on it, and a charge for every person who wishes to join. This is one of the very few forums I know in which a charge is made for being a member. Rachel, do us a favour, you ain`t in it for the benefit of others.

Pete, Birmingham,

And yet she still believes in an 'Invisible, omnipotent being that lives in the sky'..that has never, ever proven itself to exist...Not once..Not ever...

This is the 21st Century...Not the Middle ages...

Dee Buhnke, London, England

Danny,
Not true at all. My dad in 1972 had a transfusion and WAS NOT
dis fellowshipped. He was not even reprimanded. By the way Danny don't you live in the USA?

Martin, Portland, Oregon USA