Posted by practicus [practicus] on April 08, 1999 at 10:38:38 {vxsc0.TBNkGpf1KIJDsYXLrxSb9K/Q}:
In Reply to: *Watching NICODEMUS Struggle posted by Nicodemus on April 08, 1999 at 08:58:40:
I appreciate the dilemma. To be honest, I have not followed the blood problem much, it is a non-issue for me. I do not consider it a matter of undue pressure to observe the strictures of abstaining from blood any more than I consider it a matter of undue pressure to observe the strictures against committing fornication, which are mentioned together in that verse in Acts. I knew from the beginning that being a Christian equals making sacrifices. It was so in the beginning; it is so today.
As I see it, where the personal choice comes in is deciding whether or not one will be a Christian in the first place, or more specifically, to be one of Jehovah's Witnesses, knowing full well in advance of baptism that we do not take blood transfusions.
I think that, or something like that may be a point the Society also makes in what little I have read about this exchange of views on personal freedom of choice. Is there anyone anywhere who does
not know that Jehovah's Witnesses do not take blood transfusions? If that prohibition is a problem, why would anyone go on and become a Witness? It may be a matter of when personal choice comes into play. Everyone has a personal choice
to not become a Witness.
It may indeed be that at some point future, having examined more thoroughly the role of blood in the body, that the Society may decide that transfusion is not necessarily in violation of the Scriptures. If so, I am willing to wait on Jehovah's organization, for it is either a choice of accepting the guidance of that group of imperfect men, or some other group of imperfect men, or myself as an imperfect man.
What of those who may have lost their lives due to a false hope, if indeed false? One might ask that question of Christianity as a whole. Or what about the faithful men and women of old who lost their lives, sometimes under gruesome circumstances, in faithful service to what Jehovah commanded? We all live by faith, not by sight. When it comes to spiritual things, there are no guarantees in this life. Only at some future time will any of us know if it was "worth it."
Well, that's the way I see it.
Obviously, we do not agree on this, but I respect your thoughts anyway.