To my understanding the need for blood tranfusion is not just the blood but the fact that the body needs to maintain its volume. So they could use volume expanders.

rod haney, Olive Hill,, USA KY.

The Watchtower religion "invented" the no blood transfusion dogma in 1945,thousands of men,women,children have perished in obedience.

HELLO!! The hypocrite Watchtower DOES ALLOW blood and plays God with what “parts” can be taken.

Charles, London, UK

If anyone reading this genuinely wants to find out why Jehovah's witnesses are willing to risk their lives to obey the blble, and why they feel they can trust the bibles promises, why not ask THEM?

Many of the comments posted here are prejudiced and malicious. Doesn't it make sense to hear a defense from the people who understand their beliefs best, THEM?

If there is one thing you will notice by reading these comments, it is that those who have spoken against Jehovah's Witnesses, do so in a hateful and emotive way.

Why do some people feel so threatened by these peaceful christians? Look at what the Nazis did to them because of their stand against them. Maybe it is because they try to live in love and peace. Maybe they're on to the Truth? After all, if we were designed and created, our Creator must be interested, right?

Also, I know people who were brought up as witnesses, who left. Nobody forces people to choose that life, its up to them. Have a nice, happy day everyone.

James, London, UK

Blood issue at a glance: The Watchtower leadership of the Jehovah's Witnesses say NO blood, BUT they actually DO ALLOW some blood "fractions".

Problem is this variance is so esoteric complicated that by the time special elders appear in the ER with the rule book, the JW patient is at the point of no return,bleeding to death.

NOW,they blame the hospital staff for not having a "cell saver" machine instead of the Watchtower leaders who are responsible for making the rules.

In 20 years there will be 'artificial blood' for anyone who chooses it putting an end to this once and for all.

Daniel, Maine, USA

This is so close to manslaughter as makes no practical difference. The defence would rest on the guilty being profoundly delusional and the victim complicit - like the recent German cannibalism case. The 'no blood' rule's origins are in a time when medicine was not the discipline it became millennia later. Let the curtain of religiosity fall and the horror of this crime is evident.

MW, London,

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

Witnesses were once fighters for certain good things in our laws, but the organization has evolved full circle into a bunch of hypocritical old men who remain in a severely retarded Victorian world where they hole up and say, "We are the only true religion!" and yet the soup stinks. They are declining the last two years in many parts of the earth due to THIS, the internet, the very thing they are encouraged to avoid because it makes them look so bad. Follow any of the links about Jehovah's Witnesses in the search engines and you will find the record of false prophecies, flip-flops in doctrine, phony dates, and bloodguilt over wrongful deaths, including those from following their ever-changing stance on blood transfusions.

Randall Watters, Manhattan Beach CA, USA

The central CORE doctrine of the Watchtower,yes the reason the Watchtower came into existence was to declare Jesus second coming in 1914.

Jenny, Toronto, Canada

At least the JW's have not been part of the bloodguilt that has been caused by the rest of the world's so-called "Christian" religions. Millions of young men and women have been preached into the trenches and killed over mankinds bleak history. Catholics made concordats with the Nazi's during WWII and blessed the troops and the guns. If more people lived by Bible standards, the ones Jesus Christ espoused, which JW's strive to do, don't you think the world would be a better place? Sometimes the right thing to do is not the easy thing-on the face of it, it may seem ridiculous, but it all goes back to the real meaning of blood as mandated by our Creator. If you don't understand why JW's take this stand--study it!

GAR, New Bloomfield, USA/Pa.

Over the past six years, Hospital Liaison Committees for Jehovah's Witnesses worldwide have distributed tens of thousands of copies of the DVD 'Transfusion-Alternative Stratergies - Simple, Safe, Effective' in 25 languages to those within the medical community.
The programme shows world-renowed physicians discussing effective strategies currently used to treat patients without blood transfusions.
After viewing the DVD in late 2001, the National Blood Service in the UK sent a letter with a copy of this video to all blood-bank managers and consultant hematologists throughout the country. They were encouraged to watch the programme because of increasing recognition that one of the aims of good clinical care is to avoid blood transfusion wherever possible.
The letter acknowledged that "the general message in the DVD is praiseworthy and is one the National Blood Service strongly supports.
I am a GP. In my opinion, the Jehovah's Witnesses are proving a service we should not ignore.

D Mark, MK, England,

FYI, the scripture that applies to our refusal of blood is Acts Ch15 v28,29. It is a part of our faith that if we put our total trust in Jehovah God and remain true to His standards, not man's, we will reap the benefits of everlasting life, whether or not any of you decide to will not affect that.
At the end of the day it is left to the conscience of the individual whether or not to accept treatments involving parts of blood or organ transplants, however we do not accept whole blood, red or white blood cells or platelets, that has not and will never change.
There are many procedures available that do away with the need for blood transfusions, the human body will reject blood and other foreign bodies whether it is plastic or flesh and immunosupression drugs can be expensive and leave the body open to attack from infections. Cell-salvage and haemodilution machines, such as the one that was supposed to have been used at Telford, help save a lot of blood in operations.

J, London,

I can't believe people still take religion seriously... it's like we're living in the dark ages. When I hear about these religious nuts I feel like my intelligence is being degraded... never mind my intelligence, but human intelligence.

Victoria, GTA, Ontario

This is nothing less than suicide or manslaughter depending upon whether you are the person involved or one deviding on their behalf.

Until there is proof that god exists, faith should not be allowed to circumvent the law.

Maybe someone should remind these people that man wrote the bible, not god.

John, London,

Does anyone know if JW's really abide by a strict old testament law or do they, for example, eat shellfish? If they stick to it all then I respect the girl's decision. If they just choose the bits they want then what respect does that really deserve?

Scott, Birmingham,

The Council of Jerusalem - quoted by Witnesses as the authority for this refusal to allow blood transfusions said, "Abstain from blood." Since no-one in the first century had even thought of a blood transfusion, this is obviously a dietary law. Witness theology says that the abstention must be total, and therefore includes transfusions. OK, if abstention should be total, are Witnessess told to eat only kosher meat? No? So Witnessess disobey the intended restriction, but obey one of their own devising. Yet another example of Witness muddled thinking and hypocrisy.

Derek, Leamington Spa, UK

All down to a misinterpretation of Acts. The injunction is actually aimed at stopping blood sacrifice, as this was considered a pagan ritual and was the new "Christians'" way of separating themselves from their Jewish forbears and the Roman religious requirements.

It is such a shame that such needless tragedies still occur. Ignorance is no excuse.

Jennifer Hynes, Plymouth, England

I'm "pro-choice" for whatever the individual wants to do. However, whilst I'll always defend the rights of the individual as paramount, the individual is very often selffish.

I just can't help wondering if the mother would make the same choice if she'd been a mother to her children for a litle longer than a few minutes.

I hope the children grow up with all the freedom of choice thier mother had when making her decisions, even if I don't happen to agree with them.

Dan, Farnham, UK

Yet another sad story of the dysfunctional effects of religious delusion.

An additional worry is that the twins concerned could now be subject to the same mental abuse his parents were exposed to as the friends and family rally round and 'support' them.

Thus the chain of misery is extended for another generation.

Allan, Warrington, UK

Shameful waste of the life a young mother who could have enjoyed a lifetime of joy with her offspring and their offspring. Illogical and unquestioning religious belief has millions and millions of lives to answer for. Jehovah's Witnesses, Islam, Christianity; all in the same boat, believe and die, for what?

Bob Punder, Stevenage,

Brandon
Imagine this story... a person is in the middle of a flood and a rescue boat comes to evacuate them from their home. They refuse, saying "God will save me". The water rises even more and a helicopter comes to save them, but they refuse again. Eventually the person drowns and, in heaven, complains to God that He didn't save them - to which the reply comes "You were not supposed to die yet. I sent a boat and a helicopter, how much more saving did you want?"
I personally cannot possibly believe that it would be a loving God's will for a young mother to die because of a relatively obscure Old Testament law (from Leviticus, I think) relating to the "consumption" of blood? If we follewed every little law given to the Israelites 3000 years ago like that we would also not be allowed to boil calves in their mother's milk - hardly relevant to the modern world, is it?

sam, farnham, uk

A clear case of natural selection

Al Withers, London,

A few years ago, Jehovah's Witnesses in Bulgaria, took their Government to the European Court over the issue of national service. They wished to be exempt on the grounds that they were "ministers" of religion. This was agreed but in exchange they had to agree not to take action, ie disfellowship any Witness who accepted a blood transfusion and not to compel minors to carry a "no blood" card. So it seems that if this poor woman had lived in Bulgaria she could have had a transfusion and still remained a member of her congregation. Whether the other members would have still spoken to her is another matter.

A thought though; Witnesses are not vegetarians. Steaks etc are ok. No matter how well drained a piece of meat might be, some traces of blood will remain. So is taking blood into the body acceptable if it is cooked first?

Margaret Donaldson, Airdrie, Scotland

What is the matter with these people? I have a friend who was a JW before being ex communicated by her family and church for going to a Christmas Party at the age of 17. Now a young mother leaves behind 2 children wo would need her very much alive, a husband and no doubt large family. Having had a insight into this 'religion' all I can say is that this type of extreme branwashing makes the whole thing look like a cult.

Jim, exeter, uk

she put herself before the needs of her children
religion should be illegal!
Responsible for more deaths and wars then any other cause in the history of man, what a wonderful thing it is
silly books written in a time of primitive science to explain the unexplainable...at the time
can you imagine seeing the northern lights or a meteor back then? no explanation at all, why i know... it must be a sign from god/gods work...yeh right ok
also what better way to control the masses in a time where there were no police etc, if you do this this or this you will go to hell...so behave, the whole time man can be so ignorant to FACTS and follow words blindly written by a MAN not a god we will move nowhere as a race
the beauty of religion..Men whipping themselves, human and animal sacrifice, allowing young women to die, flying planes into buildings, blowing up trains, burning alive, burial alive, removal of body parts, persecution of women, weirdo’s who kill in the name of god...grow up

Tom C, portsmouth, England

What a complete load of nonsense some of these comments are, how can you say that she did the right thing. Two children will now be left motherless for the rest of their lives and will no doubt be brain washed with the twisted religion that killed there mother. Why can't people see sense?

John Holloway, Winsford, Cheshire

Live and let live. If that's what she practised, and believed, then it was HER choice. Respect it even if you don't understand it.

ps - I am not a Jehovah's Witness by the way, just someone who tries to respect other people's viewpoints, no matter how 'alien' they may seem to mainstream society.

Mary, London, UK

Jehovah witnsses are starting to undo the hypocracy that the preach. But in a way that still alows their followers to die while this happens. They are starting to allow blood particals to be used in varying fractions it would seem that they are slowly moving towards allowing blood but in a way that wont trouble to many followers in the process. The bible refers to the blood of anaimals being poured out on the ground to show respect for God this certainly cant be applied to people and a mordern day scientific enviroment. They preach of the santity of life yet refuse to respect it clinging to a hope of resurection.
This is a very sad loss were blind faith in man made rules paraded as Laws from god, lost two inocent children the joy of their mother.

Matt, Portsmouth, England

The family left behind by this woman must NEVER EVER get a single penny from the taxpayer to cover ANY of the costs incurred by her decision.

Tony Parkes, London,

This is moving from the sublime to....
All these fundamentalists should just be jailed for life. Their crime? Premeditated murder.
Peer, social and community pressures within these "minority" groups are so overwhelming to the inmates that they are forced to ignore good sense. Outsiders haveno idea!!!!!!
And worst of all, hidden at the top of the hierarchy is the "leader" who considers such mindless obedience as a measure of his/her influence and eventual financial success. If memory serves, these are the same guys who announced that the end of the world would arrive with the death of the previous Pope - and only JW's would be saved! They made millions outa that one!
Note that the JW members are very carefully selected - they don't just accept anyone. You must have a very compliant [mindless] personality and a steady job. No rebels allowed!
We should, however, just view this incident as EVOLUTION IN ACTION.
'Scuse all the exclamation marks.
Ciao

James, Sao Paulo, Brazil

I am a Christian and I know that the God I know would not want me to die in those circumstances, it would not be the will of the God of life for his creation to die for no purpose whatsoever. The bible verses these people have tried to use have been twisted beyond belief. In reality, the verses are talking about not consuming blood, as in not eating something that is alove, or drinking blood.... weird stuff like that. How could that possibly even remotely relate to a blood transfusion? It can't! How could the writer of that verse have known that blood transfusion would have ever been possible? He couldn't! And why, if the purpose of mankind is to reproduce the fruitfullness of heaven in the baron-ness of the earth, would God wish to prevent the survival of those who have chosen to try to fulfill that purpose? He wouldn't! God is not about what is right and what is wrong, he is about what will give you life, and what will not, a point tragically missed by these unfortunate people.

Tom, York,

Absolutely to the above but I don't imagine there was time to invoke the courts.The sect needs to find ways to make this type of emergency an exception.The decision to not be transfused and die was an incredibly selfish one and It was wicked of the sect to impose it.The damage to two innocent babies is incalculable.they should not have had to suffer the loss of their Mother.

Frances , Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Once again the JW's have taken bible verses out of context. The reference in this particular passage in Acts about not taking blood relates to people CONSUMING blood (because it is followed by advice about not eating animals that had been offered to idols) and clearly this has absolutely nothing to do with blood transfusions. I hope the people who give out this advice are happy now they have left two beautiful children motherless.

M, London, UK

Funny, but the Watchtower society received 'New Light' on June 15 2000 that altho the four components of blood: plasma, RBC,WBC and platelets are forbidden, 'Fractions' such as Haemaglobin is allowed. Albumin was 'quietly' allowed in 1981!.
Remember it is the watchtower who decides what a JW can or cannot do, not 'god jehovah', other wise there would not be any changes!!!

Regarding the blood policy, there are some jehovah witnesses who are against and want a change on the blood policy. There is also a group called Associated Jehovah's Witnesses on the Reform of Blood. They provide a balanced view on the blood policy.

john, London, UK

Why did the hospital authorities not go to court to override this fatuous and tragic 'right'??? A similar case took place in a Dublin hospital last year...the hospital authorities initiated immediate legal action, secured a ruling from a High Court Judge in an emergency sitting that the hospital should override the mother's wishes for the benefit of the children and the transfusion was administered...end of!!!!

Ken, Donegal, Ireland

"I feel Mrs Gough made the choice that best fit her beliefs.She made that choice with a strong belief that if she remained faithful to her God (Jehovah) she would be being faithful in what was great and in what was least. Mrs. Gough's choice may have cost her a temporary absence from this time in life, but it will assuredly offer her the glorious fulfilment of Jehovah's promise of everlasting life, in the very near future. This is the Bible's promise to all obedient mankind, the prospect of a perfect life on a paradise earth. This courageous decision will be the greatest example to her children, and to her husband of remaining obedient to Jehovah God, even to death. I totally support her family and her in their decision. "

Religion is mind and thought control!

James, Melbourne, Australia

All religions are based on someones interpretations
of another person or persons teachings from a time when most of modern lifestyles and issues would not even be dreamed of. Their primary purpose is or was to TEACH.

Above ALL things life should be preserved where possible, other than that why would any "maker" have gone to all the effort of creation in the first place. As such if any religion preaches that faith is more important than life, something is seriously wrong with the interpretation of that faiths teachings.

Fred, Romford, Essex

Funny but the WATCHTOWER society view on blood has been consistantly changing. There are many examples of this in their older articles and the using of albumin.

It is the watchtower (WT) who decides what a jehovah witness(JW) can or cannot do, that would explain the inaccuracies in the 'new light'.

There are JW who want a change on the blood policy, because they found out that the WT is not consistant. For example, WT forbids plasma, RBC,WBC and platelets. WT NOW allows the use of the fractions of these such as haemoglobin, albumin etc.

I think JW are not getting access to older articles regarding blood. Therefore they are getting misinformation and so many are dying in ignorance, simple traits of a cult!

The site by Associated Jehovah witnesses for the reform of blood provides many examples, and a balanced view.

Butthe WT warns JW about 'bad association' so the JW sheep are misinformed all the time.

HYPOCRITES and more of all a CULT.

Prakster, London, Uk

The wretched priests who inculcate this wicked superstition should be prosecuted for manslaughter.

Rebecca, Lymington, UK

Yet another case of 'because the book says so...'
It is deeply depressing to think that the children are now going to live without the love and care of a mother purely because of a lone interpretation of a book of dubious origin. Why should outdated texts cause so much suffering even today?

Should modern society allow individuals' religious beliefs to infringe on the lives of others.

I think not.

Kairm, Knysna,

I live with a JW and unfortunately this topic is what really creates most of our arguments. Partacking in blood such as consuming is what the true context in my opinion is. As in those far off days enemies used to drink the blood of those they killed in battle to obtain their strength. Seems that todays JW are still trying to find a way around the problems and if you really watch and study them they make changes all the time and the latest is that they believe there is a better alternative but when you read the fine print it is still derived from whole blood. Bloody hipocrites. Its a numbers game for them a religion started as a break away some 100 or so years ago just study how they have changed their own rules to shore up their numbers.

Colin, Burpengary, Australia

When the decision based on your personal religious belief results in two babies being born who will never know their mother, and live as orphans, I call this a selfish act.

tim.boden@gmail.com, Brussels, Belgium

interesting that her god should reward her faith by letting her die. oh well maybe she's by his side now watching her young family suffer. such a stupid waste of life. poor girl, one chance of a long happy life with her children stolen by religion.

rolf groth, liverpool,

The worst statement from Mr Glllies is :

"He added that, although he did not know the details of Mrs Gough’s case, “it is not an exact science that if you take blood you are going to live”."

This seems to be saying - don't have a transfusion because it might not work. -

Where exactly is this guy coming from?

James Williamson, East Kilbride, Scotland

I read your story and it brought tears to my eyes. My wife almost died having our twin boys, the only thing that saved her life was a blood transfusion. As a result our now teenage boys have a loving Mother to help raise them. I think Jehovah's Witnesses have to do exegeticial gymnastics to get their supposed proof texts to say what they teach. Besides, it seems so out of character for a loving God to let someone kill themselves, who could have lived and loved on this earth.

Blessed in Fife,

Don

Don Dillman, kirkcaldy, fife

"I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers" (Deut 30:19-20, ESV)

Bob, London,

As already said, the advice about blood was written thousands of years ago in an age where electricity etc would probably have seemed either magical or mystical. In any case the JW have interpreted these words in a totally illogical manner. Yes it's a persons right to hold whatever barmy bellefs they have, so long as it's just them who suffer (though one could argue the kids suffer in cases like this.) Franky I think that people like this are barking mad and should be sectioned under the Mental Health Act..

Chrissy, Halifax, England

I feel Mrs Gough made the choice that best fit her beliefs.She made that choice with a strong belief that if she remained faithful to her God (Jehovah) she would be being faithful in what was great and in what was least. Mrs. Gough's choice may have cost her a temporary absence from this time in life, but it will assuredly offer her the glorious fulfilment of Jehovah's promise of everlasting life, in the very near future. This is the Bible's promise to all obedient mankind, the prospect of a perfect life on a paradise earth. This courageous decision will be the greatest example to her children, and to her husband of remaining obedient to Jehovah God, even to death. I totally support her family and her in their decision.

S.Mack, cleveland, ohio

We forget that accepting or refusing medical treatment is an individual's choice. Accepting treatment of a particular kind does not always guarantee cure. People with incurable diseases, such as some forms of cancer, have the right to refuse medical treatment, even if it means the family will lose a loved one. I know of a 12 year old boy who refused an operation that would save his life - he felt his quality of life would be too degraded. We have seen people whose quality of life is so degraded by disease that they are begging to die; young wives and husbands die on the roads every day in road traffic accidents. Death happens to us all sooner or later. Accept it.

C P, North Yorkshire, England

it's twisted logic,
The WatchTower Society uses scriptures which speak about the blood of slaughtered animals to teach Jehovah’s Witnesses that blood is “sacred” because blood is the “symbol of life”. Then, the WatchTower Society turns around and requires Jehovah’s Witnesses to sacrifice their own “life” to maintain the alleged “sacredness” of a “symbol” of the very thing they are sacrificing — their life. Jehovah’s Witnesses refuse to acknowledge that the WatchTower doctrine on blood moronically places a higher value on the SYMBOL than it does on the THING SYMBOLIZED.

In fact, the Old Testament scriptures permitted the eating of unbled animal meat, which the Bible treats exactly the same as eating animal blood itself. In isolated occasions, when humans needed to eat unbled meat in order to sustain their own human life, the Mosaic Law permitted such, but then required the eaters to fulfill the requirements of being “unclean” for a few days. so the bible views life as most important .

lissa, fishguard, wales

It's sad to read this article. The Bible, Koran and Torah were, in the main, created as moral codes for illiterate peoples of the ancient world. They were written when Man was a fearful and superstitious creature; unfortunately, fear has kept many of them that way. Most religious belief is founded on a deep-seated fear of death which, ironically in this case, is the result of this particular superstitious nonsense. The messages in such scriptures are, at best, confounded and contradictory - at worst, they are barbaric. Forcing men to kill animals in a certain way; desecrating the body by circumcision; denying medical intervention based upon misguided advice from the ancient world - all these will one day be seen for what they are: barbarism from an age of barbarism where they should have been left. Let's hope Man survives long enough on the planet he is rapdily destroying to realise it. Too often religion is worn as a cloak tohide the true, bestial nature of Man.

Tom, Accrington, UK

The irony here is that it is probably a case of natural selection at work.

Mike, Sydney, Australia

" Ringo" form Brooklyn,

It is perfectly understandable that people are attacking the JW's stance on the bible. It is tantamount to insanity. Basing one's decisions on a dubious interpretation of a rather unpleasant and badly compiled book of bronze age myths is simply not a good idea.

All religious people and organisations are to blame here. By perpetuating the ridiculous superstitious myths inherent all religions it gives a platform for these even more extreme variants of their 'faiths' to exist.

Wake up people. Think for yourselves for 2 minutes and get over the religious mumbo jumbo that poisons your minds.

Barry, Newbury, Berks

The disgusting ignorance of these people attacking the Jehovah's Witness adherence to Bible standards is simply appalling. There is NO guarantee that taking a blood transfusion would have done anything to prolong her life. And the Jehovah's Witness stand is not based on the book of Leviticus, it's based on Acts, in which Christians are commanded to abstain from blood. To abstain from is to have nothing to do with, to refrain from it entirely. There's no verbage in the Bible directive saying "just don't take it through the mouth and you'll be ok". To abstain is to abstain entirely. There's no difference in putting blood into your body whether its via mouth or via IV. Adherence to God's laws and principles will assure her twin infants that they WILL get to know and love their mother, when she is among the many resurrected faithful followers of God. This family made a very difficult decision......but it was definitely the right one.

Ringo, Brooklyn, USA/NY

God ? how could one entity be everything, does he have a god?

Not been any miracles since science could prove the truth.

The Bible is a best seller, put together by a bunch of know it alls that decided between themselves what should and should not go in.

Some people believe anything to make them feel better, worst of all they force there opinions on others, especially their children.

We all know todays egomaniacs, but 2000 years ago people believed anything.

A, Londontown,

I am no legal expert, but shouldn't Jehovah’s Witnesses be charged with incitement to murder or manslaughter, in fact multiple manslaughter??
BN, UK

Brigitte Nerlich, Nottingham,

Maybe next time the JWs knock on your door, instead of hiding until they go away or answering and quickly saying that you can't talk now because [fill in suitably poor excuse] engage with them and challenge their beliefs. I do. I have to say that so far all have been pretty pathetic in the theological/philospohical argument stakes (God exists because flowers are pretty seems to be the intellectual level I usually get) but at least it might make them think a bit more about what they believe. At worst, you may put them off knocking on doors for a while and if this saves even one potential convert this has to be good.

Graham, Oxford, UK

so if you get a blood transfusion you will no longer get pestered on your doorstep by JW's?

And Brandon it is fascinating that people with views such as yours exist in the modern world. In fact I don't think people have actually believed in armageddon or Satan since the middle ages - christian or otherwise. Keep it up!

J, London,

My heartfelt sorrow and prayers for this young family and the tragic time they are going through. I am sure that they will help, support and comfort each other through a very difficult time, made all the more difficult by some of the very hurtful things people are saying about their choices.
I personally would never have a blood transfusion and i am a surgeon. There are so many alternatives, it is such a shame that none of these seemed to have worked for Mrs Gough.

Lauren, York, UK

The bible was written by various men in an age of ignorance, and obviously they could not take blood transfusions into account as they had no idea what blood transfusions were. If the bible really was the word of god then he would have explained, wouldn’t he? This small example is one of many that prove the bible was written by primitive men and is based on the level of knowledge available in their primitive times. It is tragic that this woman has died because she was brainwashed by this nonsense.

Michael, Maidstone, UK

Misinterpreting the Old Testament prohibition against eating animal blood as a routine food item, the WatchTower Society began teaching in 1945 that receiving a blood transfusion was "eating human blood". Jehovah's Witnesses believe that receiving an infusion of human blood into their body's circulatory system is scientifically the exact same thing as eating or ingesting blood into their body's digestive system.

"A patient in the hospital maybe fed through the mouth, through the nose, or through the veins. When sugar solutions are given intravenously it is called intravenous feeding. So the hospital's own terminology recognizes as feeding the process of putting nutrition into one's system via the veins. Hence the attendant administering the transfusion is feeding the patient through the veins, and the patient receiving it is eating through his veins."

Paul Gilles comment above regarding alcohol proves that JWs still teach this nonsense. Transfusions are NOT eating human blood.

Jerry Jones, Atlanta, USA

The following website summarizes over 315 U.S. court cases and lawsuits affecting children of Jehovah's Witness Parents, including 200+ cases where the JW Parents refused to consent to life-saving blood transfusions for their dying children:

DIVORCE, BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS, AND OTHER LEGAL ISSUES AFFECTING CHILDREN OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES

http://jwdivorces.bravehost.com

Jerry Jones, Atlanta, USA

Its a pity as Hperbaric Oxygen therapy in a compression chamber availble in the UK might have helped in this case. Though the fullcircumsatnces and amount of acute blood loss is not revealed.

D, London, UK

I'm totally shocked! I am a father of twins and I'm fully aware of how much they need their Mum. Any religion that allows a family tragedy of this magnitude to occur is clearly wrong! I’m sure the twins will be very well looked after, but, they will never have their Mum and she will never experience the joy of parenthood.

Neil, Axminster, England

This is yet another sickening religious cult bringing misery and ignorance into the world. When will people realise that superstition is the problem, not the solution.

greg, St Helens,

its entirely her choice, not that I understand that way of thinking in the slightest. I cannot understand why her dying and leaving a family motherless is possibly the best situation for anyone, in any religion.

I just hope that the JW community will look after the family both financially and socially. There is now way, I, as a UK tax payer, wishes to help financially compensate this family who is in this situation through their own choice following so closely an interpretation of a religious book. They have made their bed, therefore they can lie in it.

Kate Payne, Bath, UK

Shock horror!
An 'act of faith' results in heartache, death and misery.
So, business as usual then!

david, liverpool,

I totally agree with the above, couldnt of put it beteer myself, i feel sorry for kids who dont have a say and they end up dying through not being allowed a blood transfusion.
How are those babies going to feel like when they find out their mum died giving birth to them?
I am sure they will just blame the religion, heartbreaking.

linda, southport, merseyside

Dogma has a lot to answer for. Everybody has a right to believe whatever they want and I do not want to belittle the suffering of this ladies family.
However when someone is so wedded to a dogma that is based on interpretation of a line in a rather large book which was written many hundreds of years after the event it is recording, and are prepared to die rather than breach the Dogma, then those that preach that Dogma need to be taken to task.

Dare I say they have blood on there hands?

Neil, Liverpool, England

Leviticus 17 verses 10 and 11 form the base for which JW's believe that refusing a blood transfusion was right. It states in many places EAT BLOOD, not recieve as a transfusion to save your life 2000 years in the future when the technology is available. Black pudding is not to be offered then. Leviticus 17 is talking about sacrificing animals and not eating blood which contains life. I can understand that eating the blood would end the life, but when performed as a transfusion it still contains life and passes that life and renews itself in its new host, therefore not ending the life.
Also, choosing death over life is tantamount to suicide, which is most certainly forbidden by the bible. So in effect she commited suicide which would be against her beliefs as well. A loose/loose situation then.
This woman was clearly unfit to be a mother if she chose death over bringing up her children. God is forgiving (apparently). Its a shame her fellow JWs are not so.

Martin Sampson, London,

I feel sad that faith can come in the way of medicine and that a young womens life could have been saved and 2 new babies could of known there mother. I am sure when they grow up and realise that there family had the power to save her they will not be so forgiving of religion.
Where was their choice????

Tris, midlands,

What a sad,sad wast of live ,I bet the kids think she did the right thing. Dont knock on my door.

TOM ARCHER, dagenham,

Did no one ever consider that God gave the knowledge and technology of how to have a transfusion to man in order to save lives?

Then that would make this technically suicide

I'm not knocking anyones religious beliefs but its a hell of a sacrifice for something that is just a belief.

Bex, Dublin,

Some people are just plain stupid, it's one thing to have faith and another to die for what may be the correct translation of the bible. If it had been her kids that were in need of a transfusion and she had refused them the treatment there would be uproar. I'm glad she believes she did the right thing but seriously anyone who has ever translated or played chinese whispers will know that the chance of the bible being exactly word for word the same as the original text are slim at best. People can and should have faith but dying for something unproven and leaving two children without a mother is just plain selfish. it's nice to know that being one of the few people still giving blood that people are so grateful. I really hope that the authorites won't let these irresponsible decisions effect childrens lives and will intervine if they threaten peoples lives. I'm glad that most religions respect science and that were not in the 1600's, most people should not be dying in childbirth.

steve, plymouth,

if she made the decision then it is her choice, but if she knew she would die if she didn't is that not suicide.
Did she have a natural birth with no pain killing drugs. That is against their beliefs.
Isnt there a form of blood thats not really blood but a substitue.
I feel for the children and the negative view this will place on religion.

Ali, burnley, uk

Paul Gillies' comparison of abstaining from blood and abstaining from alcohol is ridiculous. It is the intent that is the crucial factor. If I inject alcohol into myself in order to get drunk, then it can reasonably be argued that I am breaking the Biblical law. If, however, I use rubbing alcohol to disinfect a wound on my knee, am I still guilty of some terrible sin?

This question is analogous to the supposed dilemma that Jehovah’s Witnesses face with regards to blood transfusions. This is simply another case of dogmatic zeal taken to fatal levels.

Chris, Ireland,

Religion is the quite possibly the most understated cause of problems in the world, from issues such as this to the extremems of war religion is constantly implicated. I find it shocking that people will blindly follow a set of beliefs that have no solid proof and could quite easily, in the case of all religion simply have been made up by story tellers to get a message across through a story. What a waste of human life this was. My thoughts to the young twins who must now lead a life with no mother, that is the real tragedy here

Andy, Yorkshire,

So the punishment for adultery or sexual immorality is death?
It's disgusting. The people who brainwashed this poor young woman such that she refused a blood transfusion, have her blood on their hands.

John Peters, Swansea,

Yes the bible says 'abstain from blood', but what did this mean at the time it was written, and how can what doctors and those who save lives be classed as blasphemous.
Please no longer come to my door to try and promote your faith, i do not come to yours to try and promote mine and when our faiths meet on common ground you are uncomprimising.

sharon, horbury, west yorks

What a price to pay,

hot-ice, west mids, uk

How mindless and wasteful. In this day and age there is no excuse for believing in ignorant harmful dogma and no excuse for actually believing that the world is controlled by a supernatural being that is delivering "rules" through the bible and church leaders. If God exists and is good why would He want people to be willfully blind of the world around them and inflict harm and suffering on themselves and others? Dogmatic religious people are brainwashed fools and their leaders are, with a few exceptions, egotistical misfits.

For every positive thing organised religion contributes to the world there are a hundred negative things.

Its time we stopped accepting this kind of thinking as a part of mainstream society (and politics) and pushed it to the fringes, with the clairvoyants and alien abductees, where it belongs.

John, George Town, Guyana

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, Bangor Maine, usa

People's ignorance as to the Bible stand for Christians to refrain from blood is simply astounding. The Bible doesn't state "abstain from blood....unless your life is in danger", it simply says "abstain from blood".....period. God is the one who gave us life to begin with, so is it unreasonable that he could (and would) restore our life if we should die faithful and obedient to his laws? Absolutely not. NOBODY has the right to criticize this girl, her husband, or any of the Jehovah's Witnesses who live their lives in firm adherence to Bible laws and standards. The Bible says that this world is in the power "of the wicked one" and that the earth's restoration to paradise is in our short future. Why take blood (which has no guarantee for saving our life anyway) to live a little while longer in this Satan-controlled world, when being obedient and abstaining from blood can result (perhaps in our death for now) in our everlasting benefit?

Brandon, Rockaway, USA / New Jersey

Apparently JWs think that God wants them to leave behind babies and grief stricken families, or refuse essential treatment and let their kids die if the doctors aren't lucky enough to get a court order in time. Must be great fun worshipping such a forgiving God, must be looking forward to getting into that particular heaven, oh and suicide is not AS sinful as eating the wrong thing apparently. Goodness I really hope they interpreted the rule book correctly, otherwise could be a bit embarrassing when they get to the Pearly Gates.

Ash, freetown,

I am sickened about this. The reality is that the twins will grow up without their mother, thinking she chose to die, for her religion, her god. A very strong rule/law in all religions or even non-believers is to be there for your children & to be the parent & take care of your children as best you can. I really don't understand how religions like this could lawfully be considered an acceptable religion as they will strongly absolutely shun,excommunicate,disfellowship their members if one takes a blood transfusion

Gayle in Phoenix, Phoenix, USA/Arizona