Posted by followthelamb on March 19, 1999 at 19:23:37 {MWmvX52rQ4.7I}:
In Reply to: CDN JW grateful for blood posted by J on March 19, 1999 at 14:16:53:
I'm glad that her situation turned out that way. Blood transfusions have their risks but it should be one's own decision not coerced by any other. Witnesses point to the health hazards that blood transfusions have but so do some blood
fractions to JW hemophiliacs. If it weren't for blood donors (which donating and storing blood are considered wrong) JW hemophiliacs wouldn't get the blood fractions they desperately need. That means that if my son needs blood fractions,
I can't in good conscience donate my own blood so he can get the fractions? But we can accept it from others? How absurd! Anyway, there is no Scriptural support for the Society's blood policy (believe me, I've practically heard it all)
and at the same time blood fractions are ok. When the Society does change the blood policy to a "conscience matter", Witnesses will call it "new light", but who is responsible for all the deaths? It would be like the "alternative
service", it was OUR conscience that didn't allow blood transfusions. How abusive! We can give our lives for our brothers but we can't give that which symbolizes our life, our blood? I was able to find out in confidence from a Bethelite
elder who works in the Legal Dept. that the blood policy and voting are seriously being considered for a change to a "conscience matter". Well, I don't need to wait for the Society for me to make up my mind. Witnesses say that we need to
"wait on Jehovah", but since the Bible is already complete shouldn't it be that Jehovah is waiting on us? If any Witness in good conscience can't accept a blood transfusion, I can respect that. But let it be from a well thought out basis
and let them not judge others who decide differently. Imagine, I had to assign another elder (at least here P.O. has its privileges) the Service Meeting part in January on the Medical Directive since I couldn't in good conscience give it.
My wife and I no longer carry those cards. I've come to truly know what an intimate relationship with our heavenly Father, Jehovah and His dear Son means because "whom shall we go away to? You [Jesus, not an organization] have sayings
of everlasting life." How can Witnesses come to truly understand the intimacy with the Son as Jesus said "apart from me you can do nothing at all" (John 15:5) when honestly he's hardly mentioned in the meetings?? But count how many times
the "slave" is mentioned in comparison.