Blood transfusions

[jenna]

Out of curiousity, why is it that JW's and certain other religions refuse a blood transfusion even to the point of death? The way I understood it was that God said we should not EAT the blood of an animal, not that we shouldn't have anything at all to do with it. The blood is the "life" is it not? Just another dumb question from me...

[zoegirl]

This from the Wikipedia article when you google JW and blood transfusions

THey use Acts 15:29

29(A) that you abstain from(B) what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell."

Bit of a stretch

Interestingly, they have become quite the pharisee when it comes to deciding what parts of blood are permissible. Very legalistic.

[jenna]

Ok, that makes sense if you really wanna see it that way.. I guess. But I definitely agree with you there.

[zoegirl]

Doesn't make a bit of sense to me....

But that is the verse they use.....

I was bemused at the twisting and turning they did to condone *some* forms of tranfusions in an attmept to legitimize some transusions while maintaining the verse.

[FFC]

Doesn't make a bit of sense to me....

But that is the verse they use.....

I was bemused at the twisting and turning they did to condone *some* forms of transfusions in an attempt to legitimize some transfusions while maintaining the verse.

I have a feeling a few of their loved ones had to die before they started making some concessions. I can understand not eating blood, but getting a blood transfusion is not the same thing.

[jenna]

Yes, I agree on this totally!

[FFC]

Yes, I agree on this totally!

Yeah, it's along the sames lines as some pentecostals who won't accept medical treatment because it would demonstrate a lack of faith in God's healing power. What a tragedy to those who die while waiting for a miracle.

[JCSx2]

Yes, I agree on this totally!

Yeah, it's along the sames lines as some pentecostals who won't accept medical treatment because it would demonstrate a lack of faith in God's healing power. What a tragedy to those who die while waiting for a miracle.

I think God can heal through the hands of a doctor.

On the other hand the Doctor is not responsible for blood clotting, skin making new cells etc....

[jenna]

JCs, have you read my article on spectacular cells, by any chance?

[oscarsiziba]

I think Jesus Himself donated His blood(life) for our redemption!Anyone who says he knows Him ought to walk even as He walked-1 JOHN 2V 6

[JesusSmiles]

I think Jesus Himself donated His blood(life) for our redemption!Anyone who says he knows Him ought to walk even as He walked-1 JOHN 2V 6

What a sweet way to word it!!!!!
--------------------------------------------

I think the JW stand is based on the transfer of blood as being a 'covenant'. This is true in all other cases....but in a medical blood transfusion the blood is only going one way...so no covenant is being formed. I really like the way
oscarsiziba put it. I DO donate my blood. I've done this for years while working on a military base and know the great need. It's not a covenant....it's a gift.

[Canuckster1127]

I think Jesus Himself donated His blood(life) for our redemption!Anyone who says he knows Him ought to walk even as He walked-1 JOHN 2V 6

What a sweet way to word it!!!!!
--------------------------------------------

I think the JW stand is based on the transfer of blood as being a 'covenant'. This is true in all other cases....but in a medical blood transfusion the blood is only going one way...so no covenant is being formed. I really like the way
oscarsiziba put it. I DO donate my blood. I've done this for years while working on a military base and know the great need. It's not a covenant....it's a gift.

I think the whole situation is an example of what happens when the legalistic keeping of Old Testamant laws is elevated above the death and resurrection of Christ.

[JesusSmiles]

I think the whole situation is an example of what happens when the legalistic keeping of Old Testamant laws is elevated above the death and resurrection of Christ.

Well, I've always looked at marriage as a blood-transfer covenant. This is pretty much why sex outside of marrage can give a person a whole bunch of problems emotionally....beyond the obvious physical. A person can carry around so much 'covenant baggage' until every relationship they enter into is doomed to fail. Two people 'became one' who weren't committed to the concept and the end result is nothing but confusion and pain. All the Prozac and therapy in the world won't get a person beyond it....only getting Born Again and letting Jesus heal you will take it away. I don't say this glibly...I say this from past experience.

I do agree that people get all legalistic about many of the OT laws. I have no idea why they chose that over the freedom salvation brings. It's such a simple concept but people like to muddle it all up.