# ****Blood Transfusion

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Posted by Friend [Friend] on November 23, 1999 at 20:15:09 {KNpNN6QGfwI0x47NCfOUOgnjR4Br/g}:

In Reply to: ***Blood Transfusion posted by WorldlyWitness on November 23, 1999 at 19:05:44:

WW

> > 4. Based upon continuous consideration of scriptures as they relate to blood and giving attention toward medical discoveries our understanding today of blood is far greater than what it was just a few years ago.

> When Freddy penned the 1961 ban it was already known that a 'blood transfusion' was not the same as 'eating blood'. He based his assumptions on a medical view that was a century out of date....

Fred Franz did not pen the 1961 ban. The Society, though it strongly discouraged blood transfusions, only brought on the shunning policy after being inundated with letters effectively asking just for that.

As for what was or was not known back then, some doctors back then did believe that blood transfusions provided nourishment and would prescribe it to build up the patient. Since then physicians have learned otherwise. I don’t have specifics except that I have personally questioned medical professionals on the subject. Why don’t you pose some relevant questions at AJWRB board and see what answers you get.

> > As our knowledge increased of different techniques for handling blood or using blood we have made adjustments to our understanding and subsequent actions regarding use or handling of blood. Quite often the pages of The Watchtower have commented even on what different consciences of Jehovah’s Witnesses would allow in this respect.

> The 'different consciences' is a weasel phrase which tries to hide "the view of the Society" and is a classic example of how deceptive the WTS really is. It blames the average pub, i.e. "you asked for it, we gave it to you."

You are terribly misguided on this one, WW. Consciences of countless JWs asking that the Society take a strong stand against blood transfusions is what led to the ban in the first place. Since that time individual JWs have voiced concerns about all manner of blood treatments and how their conscience would allow them. How do you think clotting factors got the go ahead? How do you think various autologous procedures got the go ahead?

In this case, more so than you probably want to admit, it was average Joe publisher of the fifties and very early sixties that was mostly responsible for banning blood. Problem is that blood transfusions back then were more dangerous and less understood than they are today. Together with some simple [miss]conceptions of scripture, that made it easy to denounce such a thing. It is always harder to fix something than to break it. In this case more of those concerned should share that concern with the Society. One thing I find hard to fathom is why so many people are afraid to write the Society with their view. As long as that view is expressed politely and genuinely they will not react adversely. Even if it is not so polite they will not necessarily react adversely. I know people claim fear of reprisals, but I just don’t buy that. It is lame! I have always shared my views with the Society and never had them react as if they were angry. In fact I have found them appreciative.

> Surely you can see that AF suggests they just own up to being wrong like any honorable individual would do.

AF said:

> "The Bible says nothing about blood transfusions and so henceforth, neither will we. Transfusions are a matter for each individual's conscience."

I do not necessarily agree with that simple statement. I believe the Bible supports donating our life to save life. Likewise I believe the Bible supports donating blood to save life. If you had done more than a cursory reading of that original post you would have realized that.

Otherwise, sure, a simple one sentence statement would do the trick. But that would leave people wanting to know and follow their Bibles with little if any answers. That need requires giving reasons rather than just a bottom line.

Friend

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- *****Blood Transfusion AF 21:52:07 11/23/99 (0)

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