MEDICAL Expertise of the Watchtower.

by Focus 16 Replies latest jw friends

  • Focus
    Focus

    Evidence of the value of the Watchtower's medical opinions

    First check out the British Medical Journal website at http://www.bmj.com/cgi/eletters/322/7277/37

    "Professor" Rolf Furuli in at least three places [1] in this discussion brings up the matter of the medical risks associated with accepting blood transfusions (which can, of course, only be reasonably used as a basis for decision-making when they are compared with the risks of not accepting transfusions). The Watchtower has repeatedly warned about the medical risks of blood transfusions [2] and it is noteworthy that Furuli fails to quote them on this subject.

    It is therefore relevant to assess the reliability, accuracy, competence, reasonableness, responsibility, impartiality and consistency of the medical opinions proffered by the Watchtower over its 124 years of existence - of course, at least the first two attributes to be assessed in the light of the best scientific knowledge available at the time of publication of the material. To this end I present this small but not unrepresentative selection, in chronological sequence, of official quotations from the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society on medical issues (an even more alarming collection could have been presented covering the Watchtower's expositions on science in general, but space does not permit this). Just a few of these have already been reproduced in this thread, but it would compromise the list's structure (and its exposition of contradictions and policy reversals) were they to be omitted.

    DISCLAIMER
    THE MEDICAL OPINIONS REPRODUCED BELOW ARE THOSE PUBLISHED BY THE WATCHTOWER SOCIETY. THEY DO NOT REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF THE AUTHOR OF THIS POST OR OF THE OWNERS OF THE WEBSITE ON WHICH THIS APPEARS. READERS ARE STRONGLY RECOMMENDED TO TAKE MEDICAL ADVICE ONLY FROM PROPERLY QUALIFIED MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS.

    "Thomas Edison, the inventor and electrician, of phonograph and telephone fame, has been experimenting with the new light 'X-Rays' and has succeeded in taking a photograph through oak eight inches thick. But, as suggested in our last issue, Theosophists and others are claiming the new discovery as a part of their deception outfit. The Scriptures forewarn us that Satan will bring to bear strong delusion in this our day. Thank God, they shall not deceive 'the very elect.' Obedience, faithfulness to the end, is the condition upon which we may make our calling and election sure. In other words, if we are faithful to the Word and Spirit of the Lord, he will carry us through.. A new lymph treatment for all germ diseases is announced in New York. The antitoxin is of mineral and carbolic acid compound, called Aseptolin. Great things are hoped for it as an arrester of diseases. No doubt recent discoveries are but preparations for the Millennial blessing, so that when, twenty years from now, the times of restitution shall be fully ushered in, and none except willful sinners will die, it will not appear so strange to mankind, and still leave room for faith respecting the real source of all blessings." - 1896WTWR 03 01 041

    "SHOULD THE CONSECRATED USE MEDICINES? This question naturally suggests itself. We are neither commanded nor forbidden to use medicines.. Nothing, then, in their covenant of full consecration, prevents the saints more than unbelievers from using natural means for their relief." - 1896WTWR 07 15 168

    "From Black to White He Slowly Turned.. Rev. William H. Draper .. gave a living affirmative answer to the famous Biblical question, 'Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots?' Though once as black as charcoal, the Rev. Mr. Draper is now white. His people say that his color was changed in answer to prayer. Many years ago Draper was employed by a fair-skinned man, and he was often heard to remark that if he could only be white like his employer, he would be happy. While in the white man's service Draper 'experienced' religion. From that day forward he prayed constantly and fervently that he might become white.. He first experienced a prickling sensation on his face, and upon close investigation found a number of small white spots scarcely larger than the point of a pin. He became alarmed, thinking he had some peculiar disease but he did not suffer and aside from the prickling sensation felt nothing unusual. Gradually the white spots became larger and extended themselves, until now, after the change has been in progress for over 30 years, Draper has not a single dark spot on his body." - 1900WTWR 10 01 296-7

    "we are not to forget the strong pre-natal influence of the mother's mind upon her offspring, - co-operating with the influences of climate and soil. To illustrate: Suppose a missionary and his wife removed to China; not only would the influence of the climate and soil be manifested upon themselves, but the same would be still more manifested in their children. Whoever will give careful attention to this matter will notice that each succeeding child born in that foreign country will have increasingly more resemblance to the Chinese - the hair, the skin, the shape of the eyes, and in general all features will bear closer resemblance with each succeeding child. We can readily suppose that if so much change occurs in a few years, ten or twenty centuries under similar conditions would turn any white people into regular Chinese, even supposing there were no intermarrying. The mother, while carrying her unborn child, has continually before her the Chinese type of countenance - eyes, hair, color, etc., and the continual impress of these upon her mind could not fail, according to the law of our being, to influence her offspring in the manner noted.. Undoubtedly the stronger contrast between the white and the black would require a longer time to be brought about.. We are not to forget, either, that Africa is inhabited by various tribes or nations of negroes - some more and some less degraded than the average.. While it is true that the white race exhibits some qualities of superiority over any other, we are to remember that there are wide differences in the same Caucasian (Semitic and Aryan) family.. The secret of the greater intelligence and aptitude of the Caucasian undoubtedly in great measure is to be attributed to the commingling of blood amongst its various branches; and this was evidently forced in large measure by circumstances under divine control." - 1902WTWR 07 15 215-6

    "Can The Ethiopian Change His skin color? No. But.. what the Ethiopian cannot do for himself God could readily do for him. The difference between the races of men .. have long been arguments against the solidarity of the human family. The doctrine of restitution has also raised the question. How could all men be brought to perfection and which color of skin was the original? The answer is now provided. God can change the Ethiopian's skin in his own due time.. Julius Jackson, of New Frankfort, Montana, a negro boy of nine years, began to grow white in September, 1901, and is now fully nine-tenths white. He assures us that this is no whitish skin disease; but that the new white skin is as healthy as that of any white boy, and that the changed boy has never been sick and never has taken medicines" - 1904WTWR 02 15 52-3

    "Phrenology so far as understood fully corroborates the picture given us in the arrangement of the Tabernacle of Israel surrounded by the camp. Thus:- If we imagine the human skull as spread out flat, we find that the central part would correspond to the Tabernacle and its court; for in the very center of the head on top lies spirituality, and directly in front of it lies veneration. The latter organ would correspond well to the court, the former to the holy. As to enter the holies it was necessary to pass through the court, so to enter into a proper heart-appreciation of the spiritual things it is necessary that we enter in through veneration .. Surrounding these two central organs are others which correspond well to the different divisions of the tribe of Levi .. Thus may be illustrated the philosophy of what is known as conversion. Thank God it has not been necessary to understand the philosophy of conversion in order to have and to enjoy that blessing, otherwise very few would have been thus blessed.. So with the converted heart and head. Previously sometimes selfishness would be in the center and in control, sometimes conscience, sometimes acquisitiveness, sometimes hope and sometimes fear would occupy the center, around which the various organs would group themselves." - 1907WTWR 07 15 216-7

    "The things here recommended were necessary to a preservation of the fellowship of the 'body' composed of Jews and Gentiles.. A similar thought attaches to the prohibition of the use of blood. To the Jew it was forbidden, and under his covenant it was made a symbol of life - to partake of it would imply responsibility for the life taken. Moreover, in the typical ceremonies of the Law the prohibited blood was used as a symbol representing the sin-offering; for by the blood atonement for sins was effected. To emphasize these typical lessons the Jew had been forbidden to use blood. And there may be other, sanitary, reasons connected with the matter, which are not yet known to us. These prohibitions had never come to the Gentiles, because they had never been under the Law Covenant; but so deeply rooted were the Jewish ideas on this subject that it was necessary to the peace of the Church that the Gentiles should observe this matter also." - 1909WTWR 04 15 117

    "the shape of the brain has to do with the character of the man-gentle or vicious, criminal or conscientious, benevolent or stingy, reverential or otherwise.. And a man's thoughts shape themselves according to the structure of his brain. Thus phrenology is a widely-recognized science. Not only so, but physiology tells us that the various portions of the human body are so intimately related to the brain that the quality of the mind can be discerned in the general features, not only in the shape of the nose, the curl of the lip, the glance of the eye, but also in the grasp of the hand and its general shape, even to the particularity of a finger print." - 1911WTWR 03 01 70

    "We give below a simple cure for appendicitis symptoms. The pain in the appendix region is caused by the biting of worms near the junction of the transverse colon with the small intestines, low down on the right side of the abdomen. This remedy is recommended also for typhoid fever, which is also a worm disease. The medicine is Santonine dose, 3 grains, an hour before breakfast; repeated for four mornings, or until all the symptoms disappear. Then one dose per month for three months to eradicate all germs. This recipe is of incalculable value. Not only will it save the surgeon's and hospital fees of perhaps $200, but it saves weeks of ill health, inconvenience, convalescence and loss of salary." - 1912WTWR 01 15 26

    "God breathed into his nostrils the breath of lives (plural), the breath common to every living creature. The difference between Adam and the other creatures was not in the breath, or spirit of lives. Man had the same kind of spirit of life. The difference was that man had a finer organism. How do we know? Stand a man alongside of a dog. Look at their heads. The one slopes back; there is no place for the intellectual qualities at all, or at least a very small place for the thinking apparatus man has. He has more brain than the dog. If we could make a dog with the same head as a man, he would think the same as a man." - 1913SV13

    "A Cure for Surface Cancer.. We have recently learned of a very effective and simple remedy for cancers which show themselves on the surface of the body. We are informed that a physician, after testing this remedy, paid $1000 for the information, and that he has established a Cancer Hospital which is doing good work. The recipe has come to us free and we are willing to communicate the formula, but only to those who are troubled with surface cancers and who will write to us directly, stating particulars. No fee will be charged, but in order to protect the sufferers, we require a promise that they will not sell the formula to others, nor receive pay for the use of it, nor communicate the formula to anybody. Any one known to be a sufferer can be informed of the terms on which the prescription is obtainable through us." - 1913WTWR 07 01 200

    "Man's head is shaped differently; therefore he can think of subjects about which the lower animals cannot think .. A man with a head of a given shape cannot think with the same breadth of mind as a man with a better shaped head - a man who is less fallen. Some have lost more, others less, of the original perfection, of the original intelligence, given man in his creation." - 1915WTWR 01 15 19

    "It has long been noted by physicians that many of the ailments of life are due to diseased condition of the bowels.. LA GRIPPE AND TYPHOID FEVER REMEDIES .. One of the simplest remedies we know of for La Grippe and Typhoid Fever, especially in their earlier stages, is to put the bulk of a pea of cayenne pepper into a little milk, stir it thoroughly and swallow it. Do this twice a day for about three days.. A NEW CURE FOR PNEUMONIA .. The injections are made through the skin, with an all-glass syringe, using a 27-gauge needle .. very slowly." - 1915WTWR 05 15 146/159

    "Demons Infest Earth's Atmosphere" - 1919DIEA 1

    "Stupid children require attention for a different reason. It has been estimated that from 3,000,000 to 5,000,000 American school children have adenoids, diseased tonsils and other glandular defects, which are making them appear stupid and are causing them to be backward in school. The child troubled with adenoids breathes through his mouth, and a lax lower jaw and vacant, sleepy eyes gives an unmistakable expression of stupidity and dullness. The transformation in such children when the adenoids, by a slight operation, are removed, is often very rapid. The child with adenoids is stupid and sleepy, because he is not getting enough oxygen, and his blood is consequently laden with impurities and the cells of his the brain are not properly nourished." - 1919GAGE 10 01 19

    "Even years ago it was known by some people that the use of pacifiers by babies is one of the chief causes of diseased and enlarged tonsils and adenoid growths, which results from the suction." - 1919GAGE 11 26 153

    "Few people know that the normal functioning of the bowels and a clean intestinal tract make it impossible to become sick.. From four to six quarts of warm water injected into the colon is what constitutes an internal bath. It should be taken every day for at least six months" - 1920GAGE 03 31 437-8

    "Life and the Life-Giver .. The Radio-Solar Pad" - 1920GAGE 06 23 606-7

    "Color and Physiognomy.. A blue nose .. is a symbol of austerity, with perhaps a prudish tinge.. The size of the nose, as also the size of the eyes, is not without significance. The small-nosed man cannot have a judicial mind, whatever his other excellencies may be. And a man whose nose upturns can no more be expected to administer justice than a pug dog can be expected to act as a shepherd." - 1921GAGE 01 19 224

    "It has been discovered that many dentifrices, widely advertised, widely used, and alleged to be excellent for the teeth and gums, are the principal cause of the disease pyorrhea.. Take the advice of THE GOLDEN AGE; discontinue all other dentifrices, use the cheapest and best dentifrice in the world, common baking soda, and be forever free from pyorrhea." - 1921GAGE 06 08 534

    "What is the Spirit of Man?.. the modern science of phrenology throws much light on the constitution of man and supplies spiritual clues" - 1921GAGE 08 03 667-70

    "Vaccination never prevented anything and never will, and is the most barbarous practice .. We are in the last days; and the devil is slowly losing his hold, making a strenuous effort meanwhile to do all the damage he can, and to his credit can such evils be placed .. Use your rights as American citizens to forever abolish the devilish practice of vaccination .. has never prevented smallpox any more than serum injection has prevented typhoid.. smallpox is not prevented by vaccination." - 1921GAGE 10 12 14/17/21

    "Some Odd Happenings .. Not long ago a farmer told me of a very strange thing. We were talking about a neighbor's hog killing one of my hens. He said: 'Did you ever hear of a sheep killing chickens?' I said, 'No.' Then he said his neighbor had a sheep that would kill and eat a chicken every chance it could catch one. He also told me of a man he knew who had a mule that would kill and eat a chicken. Last week I read of where big frogs caught and killed frying-size chickens in Oklahoma. Some time ago I read where bees were caught robbing other beehives. I had the same experience. I called a man to look at them. He .. said, 'They seem to be fighting. Some have their wings eaten about half off..' .. the bees soon left. I believe that the demons are loose, and that surely the time is nearing for the Battle of Armageddon." - 1922GAGE 11 08 93

    "But the dog-rabies-vaccine imposition is the latest.. Rabies! When it has been shown conclusively that there is no such thing as rabies!.. a mental hoax.. The public is not generally aware of how large an industry is the manufacture of serums, anti-toxins and vaccines, or that big business controls the whole industry.. the boards of health endeavor to start an epidemic of smallpox, diphtheria, or typhoid that they may reap a golden harvest by inoculating an unthinking community for the very purpose of disposing of this manufactured filth.. Vaccination, summed up, is the most unhygienic, barbaric, filthy, abhorrent, and most dangerous system of infection known. Its vile poison taints, corrupts, and pollutes the blood of the healthy, resulting in ulcers, syphilis, scrofula, erysipelas, tuberculosis, cancer, tetanus, insanity, and death." - 1923GAGE 01 03 214

    "It has never been proven that a single disease is due to germs." - 1924GAGE 01 16 250

    "The Power of the Mind.. the character of men can be described in terms of facial features, known as Physiognomy, or cranial characteristics (a field) with the scientific term of Phrenology.. body shapes [tell] our story of life .. the body's .. vibrations show what we are and do not lie.. vibrations [reveal our] personality [and] true self [as do our] palms .. spine .. feet .. fingernails .. [if we were] only sufficiently intelligent we undoubtedly could determine what a person thinks or does chiefly, his qualifications etc., merely from a piece of his skin, a hair, or a drop of blood .. Pastor Russell .. discussed the mysteries of .. mental telepathy, mind reading, and women's intuition" - 1925GAGE 02 15 332-3

    "Automatic Electronic Diagnosis .. by Dr. R. A. Gamble (The Golden Age has the fullest confidence in any representations that may be made by Doctor Gamble. He is well known to many of our readers and we are sure they will read this important article with interest. - Editor) I know that The Golden Age has hitherto held aloof from saying anything, either one way or the other, about the famous Abrams' Electronic system of detecting and treating diseased conditions; but I feel that the time has now come when it may safely do so. A new discovery in this field has such promise of being an inestimable boon to mankind that I feel it would be a pity to keep it under cover.. To Dr. Abrams is due, and will always be due, the credit for setting forth the fundamental truths concerning the Electronic theory in its application to the diagnosis and treatment of disease. His method, as taught and applied, has already created a revolution in the ranks of medicine which only the uninformed and the unprogressive will deny.. It was an epochal discovery in science and in medicine when the revelations came home to professional men that all substances are to a greater or less extent broadcasting stations, putting signals on the air which vary as do the assembly and rate of the 'electrons' of which they are composed. All the sensory organs-nose, eyes, ears, mouth, and touch-are receiving sets. Every nerve tract in the body is a receiving set; and hence the medical profession can not possibly ignore radio, even if it would.. X-Rays .. experts on the leading magazine for electrical engineers .. rushed into print denouncing the whole thing as a fake and an impossibility, and reproved the public for being so foolish, so credulous .. man .. a machine with 28 trillion wet batteries .. If the electrical 'balance' of the cells is correct proper nerve supply, nutrition and elimination will follow as a matter of course.. From what has thus far been said, it will be apparent to all that any disease is simply an 'out of tune' condition of some part of the organism. In other words, the affected part of the body 'vibrates' higher or lower than normal. It has a different vibratory rate than the rest of the body. It is out of 'balance'. It is dis-eased. Diseased tissues radiate more energy than healthy tissues, and this imbalance can be measured and corrected .. sending an electronic current of the right potentiality into the diseased tissues .. 'Our objective then is to collect those peculiar vibrations which are set up in the body by the many various diseases to which humanity is subject, and then to send into the body exact corresponding waves or vibrations. When these introduced waves meet the diseased waves in the body, both cease to exist and nature restores the balance. Therefore, gentlemen, if we work out machines or apparatus that assure us of a perfect tuning in, we are masters of all disease..' .. Science tells us that when two high radio frequency waves of the same rate meet, they become neutralized; and upon this fact is based the entire principle of treatment by electronic treatment machines. In other words, when an electro-magnetic wave meets in its path a substance vibrating at the same rate of speed or resonance, that wave is stopped; and the energy is absorbed by the medium that stopped it.. In trying to find a way to lessen this cost, and to ensure 100 percent correct diagnosis, I have been fortunate enough to discover a new application of the electronic radio principle, which eliminates both the cost of diagnosis and the possible errors of incompetent ERA practitioners, and brings the whole matter of the treatment of disease by electronic methods within the reach of every family.. I have named this new discovery, which I believe will be epochal in the history of the treatment of disease, and which I am exclusively announcing in The Golden Age prior to its general publication elsewhere, The Electronic Radio Biola, which means new life renewed by radio waves or electrons. The Biola automatically diagnoses and treats diseases by the use of the electronic vibrations. The diagnosis is 100 percent correct, rendering better service in this respect than the most experienced diagnostician, and without the attending cost.. The principle of operation of the Biola is the collection, in suitable media .. of the disease vibrations, if any, which have been set up in one's body. The fluid containing the same waves or vibrations enters the body, meets the disease waves and destroys them. The Biola is constructive, the wave trap containing the essential elements needed by the body to recreate and reconstruct the broken-down tissues or cells. This is a great step forward, marking the Biola as the most valuable treatment apparatus obtainable today, and well worthy of notice in the columns of The Golden Age, which looks forward to perfect days ahead.. In the operation of the Biola the patient's body is the motive power; and the vibrations coming from the earth, harnessed to the body, tunes in to every disease, no matter how small or how great, automatically carries them into the Biola, or radio wave trap, where they are registered, measured and held, and can be returned to the patient at will and used to destroy the very disease that created them.. In operation, the Biola is attached to a ground wire, a radiator, from the heating system, or the like, which is in turn attached to the patient's body. The radio vibrations, carried by the electro magnetic earth currents, automatically vibrate in unison with each and every disease vibration in the body .. The Biola radio wave trap uses water as a medium for catching these disease vibrations; but water being a poor conductor, its conductivity is increased by the addition of the elements heretofore referred to, which not only increase the conductivity, but in addition absorb and hold the vibrations, and also impart to the tissues and organs the medicines or elements nature requires to reconstruct the parts broken down by the disease." - 1925GAGE 04 22 451-3

    "There is no food that is right food for the morning meal. At breakfast is no time to break a fast. Keep up the daily fast until the noon hour.. Drink plenty of water two hours after each meal; drink none just before eating; and a small quantity if any at meal time. Good buttermilk is a health drink at meal times and in between. Do not take a bath until two hours after eating a meal, nor closer than one hour before eating. Drink a full glass of water both before and after the bath." - 1925GAGE 09 09 784-5

    "Air baths are good for preventing colds.. What you do is strip naked mornings and evenings .. then bob up and down for a while." - 1926GAGE 02 10 310

    "Tonsillectomy is called a minor operation. If so, getting well is a double major. If any overzealous doctor condemns your tonsils go and commit suicide with a case-knife. It's cheaper and less painful." - 1926GAGE 04 07 438

    "Disease .. caused by fermentation and heat .. not germs." - 1926GAGE 08 25 751/4

    "a little lad needing a blood transfusion to save his life .. fifteen hundred people had responded, urging that they be given an opportunity to give some of their blood to help the little fellow" - 1927GAGE 06 15 582-3

    "The Aluminum Poisoning at Punxsutawney .. ptomaine (pronounced to main) poisoning .. without a doubt, a perfectly accurate statement of what occurred.. dealers in aluminum ware .. owners of aluminum stock .. the word 'aluminum' had been whitewashed into the word 'metal' and those grand and useful custodians of public health, 'three responsible physicians,' always to be had in a case like this, 'after an investigation' had come forth in the 'unanimous opinion' that each of the two hundred victims had, in some mysterious manner, managed to get hold of a piece of the same chicken, so dead that it was rotten, that in some other mysterious manner had found its way among the good ones.. Several subscribers for The Golden Age make their living selling aluminum ware, or at any rate they were subscribers, but they have intimated that since we have said something about their business we are no longer any good, and never were any good, and they are surprised at us, because they have at hand the necessary opinions of 'three responsible physicians' who know it all, and even if millions are made sick and die lingering deaths, we must not say a word on the subject. All of which scares us very much, and we promise not to publish anything more on this question until we get the next chance." - 1928GAGE 03 21 397-8

    "Benefits of a Change of Diet .. aluminum cookware .. bilious attacks .. almost go blind .. ice-like film would form before my eyes.. three or four times a day.. seven days after I got new cooking pots the blindness gradually disappeared and in a month it was gone" - 1928GAGE 05 02 495

    "Iridiagnosis.. what a blessing it would be if parents, teachers, educators, physicians, and others were thoroughly informed in regard to the interpretation of physical forms, physiognomy, and particularly to iridiagnosis, so they could long in advance detect approaching sickness and therefore take timely measures to prevent it." - 1928GAGE 07 05 624-5

    "Pasteurization of milk simply means holding milk at 142 to 145 degrees for thirty minutes. It is never boiled. Nothing is added and nothing is taken away. In cities where pasteurization is required there has been a reduction in deaths from diphtheria and tuberculosis to about half the former number, and a still greater reduction in the number of deaths from typhoid fever, scarlet fever and diarrheal diseases." - 1928GAGE 07 25 679

    "A German subscriber writes in that he understands that the German government has prohibited aluminum ware for cooking purposes. We would be interested to have confirmation of this report, with fuller particulars than are now available." - 1928GAGE 07 25 684

    "if ten thousand doctors swore on ten thousand Bibles that aluminum ware is harmless to human beings, I would not believe them" - 1928GAGE 07 25 695

    "Aluminum in City Drinking Water .. aluminum sulfate .. to be a real menace to the human body.. Chlorine ..this may be a good thing for the manufacturers of these products, but what about the effects upon human health?" - 1928GAGE 10 03 016

    "Marked Improvement in Health .. Discarded aluminum cookware .. with very marked improvement in health. Whereas distress was present after every meal, now it is only rarely felt and then generally after a meal away from home where aluminum is used for cooking purposes.. neighbor .. improving in health right along" - 1928GAGE 10 31 081

    "Tried It on the Dog .. since discontinuing the aluminum vessels I hardly know what headaches and indigestion are and my bowels move freely and regularly, every morning and some times at noon and usually every night.. the fact that cancer is caused by chemical poisons, and not by germs of any kind or by what is known as virus.. I transferred my lot of aluminum from the kitchen to the junk pile. In a short time our food began to digest, the pains left, and we both have very good health for people of our age." - 1928GAGE 11 14 114-5

    "All human ailments have their start in the intestines .. a set of active bowels .. What the people need more than food is faith in God, and a set of active bowels which means a healthy brain.. Up until now he has been poisoned, stupefied, clogged and hampered by the Devil. He has been a slave to politicians, wholesale food magnates, preachers, railroads, bad cooks, worse doctors, an abnormal appetite, greedy undertakers and aluminum cooking utensils." - 1928GAGE 11 28 133/136-7

    "Once a year there is a wholesale removal of the tonsils of all new inmates of the Odd Fellows Home at Corsicana, Texas. The man who cuts out these tonsils probably feels that he is improving upon the work of the Creator in the original design of these children, but as a matter of fact he is lessening their powers of resistance against disease and positively harming them." - 1928GAGE 11 28 142

    "Should Have Started Sooner .. Is aluminum cooking ware injurious to the health?.. Food should not be allowed to remain overnight or for any period of time in such a vessel.. I must congratulate you upon the splendid work you are doing in helping to educate the public upon the dangers to health of aluminum.. I can appreciate the good work you are doing in the public interest, and sincerely trust it will receive due public recognition.. [Aluminum poisoned me with] almost fatal results and .. now a complete physical wreck.. Aluminum in the Blood .. [cannot be true] that aluminum is one of the foreign substances that can float around in a man's blood without doing him any harm .. could thus be carried to heart and brain and everywhere else over the body without making it necessary to ring up the undertaker.. being frightened by the aluminum trust" - 1928GAGE 11 28 145

    "Constipation First, Cancer Next .. [where people cannot] afford aluminum cooking utensils, cancer is practically unknown.. As to why we published the articles by Dr. Betts .. a vast amount of money has been spent in this country in recent years in the advertising of aluminum cooking utensils. Like everybody else, the editor .. believed these advertisements; purchased aluminum ware, and used it exclusively in his home for years. Conceding that if it is good to cook in it would also be good to use as a table-top, he purchased for his kitchen table a sheet of beautiful new aluminum, bent it to fit the table-top and rather proudly invited his wife to use it.. She did so, and when she had rolled out the crust for a pie (the editor admits that nobody should eat pie, but most Americans do,) .. that pie crust was as gray as your hat, and was thrown out because we would not eat it.. This is an experiment that you can try yourself with very little difficulty and not much expense; and obviously, if a sheet of pure aluminum is not a fit thing to use as a mixing board, it is not a fit thing to cook food in.. Since we published the article by Dr. Betts and Dr. Held we have begun to receive letters from our subscribers which would make us wonder how this matter could have remained covered so long. The only possible explanation we can give is the love of money and the fear of offending those who have it and who want more of it" - 1928GAGE 12 12 178/188-9

    "the invisible enemies of the public health, who are determined to keep aluminum on the market for financial reasons.. business seems to have no conscience, and to insure trade and profits, not one of them will pay the least attention to the Golden Rule. And furthermore, if they knew that death would result to large numbers who buy and use their poisonous metal, they would still make and sell it until prohibited from doing so by statute laws.. 'The Way of the Reformer' .. the Federal Trade Commission's attorney dropped in here the other day, with invested authority to examine all my accounts and correspondence.. he advised me that I had been charged with conspiracy and violation of the Clayton Act.. confiscated 'An Opinion on Aluminum' and 'Aluminum Poisoning' .. if they succeed in this action, as charged, both books will be suppressed.. bumped off .. I recovered the books.. So-called medical science has made another 'discovery'. That is not extraordinary, for it has made many in ages past and will make many more in ages to come, for 'discoveries' are easy to make by an institution founded on ignorance, error, and superstition. Some day so-called medical science will discover that all its 'discoveries' have discovered nothing but its own ignorance." - 1929GAGE 01 09 243-5

    "Two More Aluminum Sacrifices .. how many fathers and mothers made ill; how many babies slain before the government takes a hand in this thing and prevent this unnecessary slaughter .. the principal officers and stockholders in the aluminum trusts are such an important part of the government itself and have such power to control its activities." - 1929GAGE 01 23 275

    "A Cemetery Dinner and the Press .. Presbyterian Church .. 75 [killed in] mass poisoning .. rich aluminum industry" - 1929GAGE 02 06 302

    "Acting on the principle that all disease, except where mechanical lesions are present, is caused by impure blood and obstructed circulation, the logical procedure in every-day ailments is to aid elimination and improve the blood circulation. The following recipes are entirely harmless and have proved effective when all other means have failed.. Appendicitis .. elderblossom, peppermint and yarrow; best crushed ginger .. A cure is usually certain in the most severe cases. Do not be afraid of the perspiration caused. You may vomit at first .. Asthma .. vervain, horehound, and elecampane .. Cancer .. Here is a herbal remedy that has cured many very severe cases. Violet leaves, yellow dock, red clover tops .. Diptheria .. red sage .. Epilepsy .. onions .. valerian root, vervain, wood betony and scullcap .. Heart Affections .. motherwort, gentian root and scullcap .. Spinal manipulation .. Liver Affections .. Horehound, agrimony, crushed ginger, gentian" - 1929GAGE 02 06 304-7

    "Off Aluminum for Life .. If they think aluminum poisoning is a good way to hasten their footsteps out of this world, it is all well with us. But it is a general human attribute to try to stay in this world as long as possible.. aluminum poisoning is killing more people every day than the flu." - 1929GAGE 03 20 406-7

    "Some Unusual Sources and Results of Aluminum Poisoning .. from eighty to ninety percent of all my patients, both in acute and chronic cases, show aluminum poisoning in one or more places in the body. Thus, after syphilis [aluminum] is the most common source of toxemia.. According to medical scientific procedure and results, the acute poisoning by a drug or plant in a non-lethal dose is counteracted and corrected by the high potency of that same drug or plant given internally.. We all know about the aluminum baking powder; but we often forget this in buying bakery cakes, etc., made with that same baking powder.. Results of a De-aluminized Diet .. I firmly believe that aluminum poison was the cause of the cancer as well as of the other diseases mentioned.. gall bladder trouble .. indigestion .. bad colds" - 1929GAGE 04 03 436-7

    "Thinking people would rather have smallpox than vaccination, because the latter sows the seed of syphilis, cancers, eczema, erysipelas, scrofula, consumption, even leprosy and many other loathsome affections. Hence the practice of vaccination is a crime, an outrage and a delusion." - 1929GAGE 05 01 502

    "Sundry Experiences with Aluminum .. the human body, like everything else, is built of electrons .. if these atoms are normal, then their electrons are functioning properly and orderly, health is enjoyed. But any atomic derangement causes a disease of body, and the symptoms of the disease will manifest itself in the weakest part of the body.. the electronic content of the atoms of the human machine needs a variety of compounds particular to the functioning units of the organism.. I wish I were chemist enough to have told just what did kill them." - 1929GAGE 05 29 564

    "Aluminum phosphate .. Organic Aluminum is a Poison Too .. paralytic" - 1929GAGE 08 07 720-1

    "The Slaughter of the Innocents .. On reading a report in The Golden Age that seventy percent of New York's children are defective, and eighty-five percent of Chicago's children, we must all realize that this terrible condition is only of very recent years. How can it be otherwise? The streets are just lined with M.D. poison squirters. They are seen everywhere with grips full of the most deadly poisons and needles for injecting them. This they do to every child they can corner. Without doubt the fifteen and thirty percent found O.K. are in most cases those who have escaped the poison squad. First, there is the M.D. vaccinating mania. Then comes the antitoxin for other excuses, etc., until the children are full of the most deadly poisons known. Added to this is the fact that they are compelled to drink milk from cows that have also been subjected to a liberal injection of tuberculin, a most terrible deadly poison. This poison enters directly into the blood circulation. Hence the milk. Then this milk is sterilized, or scalded to the boiling point or nearly so, destroying much of the life-giving nourishment of the milk, but not injuring the poison therein.. Scalded milk, for either adults or children, is very constipating. This in turn causes more deaths and resulting ailments than do all other causes combined, I surely believe." - 1929GAGE 07 24 682

    "One More for the Un-Scientific American .. 'I want to express my appreciation of the good work you are doing in publishing the health articles, also of the truth regarding aluminum kitchen utensils.' .. surely there must be something rotten in its back yard when a magazine professedly devoted to the health interests of the people lends itself as the mouthpiece of the spider in the face of the thoroughly proven unhealthfulness of aluminum kitchenware.. A Dead Fly in the Ointment .. aluminum .. pseudo-scientists who would not be expected to favor the truth on the subject.. the truth was not wanted.. money, ignorance [not] any real concern in regard to the truth on the aluminum question or the health interest of the people.. the unhealthfulness of aluminum has time and again been absolutely proved. Nor has its harmful effects ever been in the least exaggerated by Dr. Betts or anyone else.. the half yet remains to be told.. the results of its use, not mere scientific opinion, is the ironclad [proof of the poisonous nature of] aluminum.. an internal cancerous condition" - 1929GAGE 10 02 020-2

    "Aluminum Causes Death of Twins" - 1929GAGE 10 16 052

    "Cancer: Its Causes and Prevention .. all man's bodily troubles originate in his intestines" - 1929GAGE 10 30 079-80

    "Just one joint of the vertebra stiffening up and bringing pressure upon the nerve centers will bring about a draining of the suprarenal glands with the result that our vitality will be used up faster than we can manufacture it, and the first thing we know we begin to get shaky and slow down, so that it is hard work to drag ourselves through the day. Can this be overcome? Surely so. Just place yourself in the hands of a first-class osteopath or chiropractor, and frequently, within an hour or so after the first adjustment you will begin to feel your vitality coming back.. Avoid the loss of organs of the body by surgical operations.. If the organs are diseased, heal them by correcting your diet. Avoid the use of aluminum cooking utensils and alum baking powders as they are injurious to your health, poisoning your blood stream.. Sleep on the right side or flat on your back, with the head toward the north so as to get benefit of the earth's magnetic currents. Avoid serum inoculations as they pollute the blood stream with their filthy pus.. Stop chewing gum, as you need the saliva for your food.. medicines are of little value" - 1929GAGE 11 13 106-7

    "Ode to the Milkman .. Dr. Science .. pasteurization .. and scare-headline reporters magnified it beyond its worth.. dairymen .. more interested in money than in milk .. by warning the people about the other fellow's milk" - 1929GAGE 11 27 137

    "I happen to know that those who are using the exclusive grape diet in connection with other therapeutical measures (such as hydrotherapy, electrotherapy and spinal stimulation, etc.) are much more successful in the treatment of cancer cases.. One more point: The Golden Age (by way of extractions) stated some time ago that approximately 65 percent of earth's millions were moronists, or had the mentality of a child from 12 to 15 years of age. That being true (and it appears to be)" - 1929GAGE 12 11 180

    "brushing causes the diseases of the mouth, now common to our children" - 1929GAGE 12 25 211

    "The Merry Work of Poisoning .. nobody .. that is interested in the manufacture of aluminum utensils has any interest whatever in humanity" - 1930GAGE 05 28 560-1

    "Fewer People Using Aluminum .. As a result of the publication of wholesome truth on the subject, there are fewer people now purchasing aluminum cooking utensils than heretofore. There is also a pronounced drop in the cancer death rate. Much aluminum used: many cancers. Less aluminum used: fewer cancers" - 1930GAGE 05 28 561

    "The Sacredness of Human Blood .. much looseness of our day along sexual lines may be traceable to the easy and continual violation of the divine commands to keep human and animal blood apart from each other. With cells of foreign blood racing through his veins a man is not normal, not himself, but lacks the poise and balance which makes for self control.. the vaccination law reduces the father and mother to mere slavery, almost as bad as the colored people were in, when their children were put up on the block and sold. In many slave-sale cases the mother and father were even forbidden to shed tears. Vaccinations are a violation of the Eternal Covenant God made with Noah after the flood.. Quite likely there is some connection between the violation of human blood and the spread of demonism.. Vaccines cause demonism, and are useless.. sexual immorality .. Vaccination has never saved a human life.. It does not prevent smallpox." - 1931GAGE 02 04 293-4

    "E.R.A. is in its infancy, and during the past seven years it has weathered many storms, but it still lives and our methods of diagnosis and treatment have proven their value, and electronic medicine is on a firmer foundation today than it has ever been.. We can make the test for cancer, both malignant and incipient, and the electronic treatment will relieve the disease; and now that we know that food cooked in aluminum is poisonous and makes fertile soil for the growth of cancer, let us each do our share in suggesting to our patients that they abandon the use of aluminum ware and maintain good health. We have it in our power to help reduce the menacing cancer mortality and smite this dread enemy which now casts its shadow over this fair country of ours." - 1931GAGE 02 19 342

    "Do you know the germ theory has never been proven? And it cannot be proven, either. If it had been proven, it would not be a theory. It has been truly said that 'knowledge without evidence is superstition'; and that applies to the germ theory also. It is a leftover superstition of a past age, when men feared that the earth was inhabited with hideous monsters that were hiding everywhere, in the air, in the sea, in the darkness, etc., always ready to jump out and devour him or make life otherwise miserable for him.. now that we have come into this enlightened age, we have discarded the hideous monster superstition for want of positive proof, but we are still just as foolish as our forefathers of old. We have turned from a gigantic monster theory, to the germs, which are so small that we cannot hear, see, feel, smell or taste them. Yet they are just as ferocious as the monsters of old, 'lurking everywhere, ready to attack man and send him to an early grave. According to the inventors of this preposterous idea, the germ's only aim in life is to make life miserable for man. But fortunately for all of us, it is only an idea." - 1931GAGE 03 18 404

    "Mr. West mentions so-called 'syphilis.' Why does he not prove that there is such a disease? He simply accepts the existence of the protean monster on faith.. We do well to bear in mind that among the drugs, serums, vaccines, surgical operations, etc., of the medical profession, there is nothing of value save an occasional surgical procedure. Their so-called 'science' grew out of Egyptian black magic and has not lost its demonological character. By their own admission, more deaths are caused by their practices every year in this country than from any other cause. We shall be in a sad plight when we place the welfare of the race in their hand. Readers of 'The Golden Age' know the unpleasant truth about the clergy; they should also know the truth about the medical profession, which sprang from the same demon worshipping shamans (doctor priests) as did the 'doctors of divinity.'.. These readers know the truth about the politicians, who also descended from the same line of 'children God' or 'children of the Sun' as did the priests and medicine men. Hippocrates was the grandson of Apollo .. medicine originated in demonology and spent its time until the last century and a half trying to exorcise demons. During the past half century it has tried to exorcise germs. Its methods are the same in both efforts at exorcism, and instead of injuring the demon or the germ, the injury is often to the patient.. we shall be in a sad plight when we place the welfare of the race in their hands." - 1931GAGE 08 05 727-8

    "Aluminum Poisoning .. Unlike Dr. Harvey W. Wiley, Dr. A.S. Cushman, and other .. apologists for the aluminum trust, they do not stop at mere chemical or electronic analysis and draw conclusions therefrom, but they establish a convincing connection between this method of taking particles of aluminum or compounds thereof into the human system and the definite effect on the person thus partaking. Dr. Wiley and Dr. Cushman merely analyzed food for aluminum, and, because they found only small quantities or mere traces of aluminum in suspected food, concluding that persons partaking of such food could not possibly become poisoned thereby; while Dr. Love and Dr. Betts each found poisoned persons and then traced the poison by means of scientific tests back to the aluminum and the aluminum-poisoned food" - 1931GAGE 10 28 054

    "Sterilization of Milk by Sound .. this ought to put an end to pasteurization" - 1932GAGE 03 30 391

    "Truth Comes to the Surface Quickly .. aluminum ware .. used previous to 99 percent of all group poisoning cases" - 1932GAGE 04 13 442

    "Poisons Formed by Aluminum Cooking Utensils .. a curse to humanity and their manufacture and use should be forbidden by law" - 1932GAGE 10 26 35-8

    "Osteopathic Treatment of Insanity" - 1932GAGE 10 26 53-4, 1949AWAK 05 08 13-5, 1961AWAK 12 08

    "The earlier in the forenoon you take the sun bath, the greater will be the beneficial effect, because you get more of the ultra-violet rays, which are healing." - 1933GAGE 09 13 777

    "Enfeebled constitutions, inherited from fashionable mothers" - 1933GAGE 10 25 057

    "The Journal of the A.M.A. [American Medical Association] is the vilest sheet that passes the United States mail.. Nothing new and useful in therapeutics escapes its unqualified condemnation. Its attacks are generally ad hominem. Its editorial columns are largely devoted to character assassination.. Its editor (Morris Fishbein) is of the type of Jew that crucified Jesus Christ." - 1934GAGE 09 26 807

    "Appendicitis: Take one ounce each of elder blossom, peppermint and yarrow and simmer in three pints of water .. take a wineglassful every fifteen minutes.. Do not be afraid of the perspiration caused, or if you vomit. You will be better off with an empty stomach." - 1934GAGE 12 19 187

    "Most mothers don't sell milk that nature gave them for their children, do they? For this reason we should not admire those who trade in their blood. After Landsteiner's discoveries, special entities have been formed that provide blood for necessary transfusions. Only those have the luxury of belonging to Group O, because, as has already been said, their blood is compatible with that of all people. From statistics we see that in 1929, 7,000 persons sold blood in the hospitals of the United States, in response to calls in urgent cases and that they saved the lives of many people that had lost their own blood from one cause or another. In England there are societies whose members offer their blood freely to those that have need. A society that was created in London that is affiliated with the Red Cross is spoken of with praise because its members offer needed blood in urgent cases. The majority of those who donate blood are strong and healthy youth, of diverse backgrounds, that contribute in this way in a really generous fashion to the salvation of the sick or injured. They are not paid a cent for their contribution, but society knows them and it respects them as they deserve to be respected." - 1934GAGM 06 01 091

    "Poisoning by Aspirin .. The Menace of Heart Disease .. Aspirin causes heart disease" - 1935GAGE 02 27 343-4

    "The Abundant Metal Again .. persons possessing a strong digestive apparatus and great power of resistance to poisons .. sooner or later [succumbed to] aluminum" - 1935GAGE 02 27 343-4

    "Serum for 'Christmas'! .. A certain 'health' commissioner offered the suggestion a short time ago that no mother could give her child a better present for 'Christmas' than diphtheria immunization, meaning an injection of filthy and poisonous serum. It is said that diphtheria is particularly deadly of late, and that seems likely. Parents cannot give their children the foods needed to build sturdy bodies that can resist the disease. But while parents are not able to get proper foods, they can get the serum injections for their children free. The Devil is bent on destroying the human family, denying them the necessary comforts of life, and urging them to give their children 'Christmas' presents of germ-laden pus. What a travesty of civilization!" - 1935GAGE 03 27 409

    "Aluminum Poisoning Achievements .. The unseen guests at the aluminum-dinner table: Food Poisoning, Cancer, Death .. It was salts of aluminum that killed the children, and is killing the whole country.. Deaths from cancer have increased steadily since 1900. At that time 63 of every 100,000 persons died from that cause; the present death rate is 102 per 100,000. The rate of progress in the wrong direction has kept step steadily with the increased use of aluminum cooking utensils.. Meantime 'health experts' are filling the papers and magazines with pictures and stories and lies of how supremely healthful aluminum utensils are. It is astonishing what a capacity the American people have for absorbing lies. And don't the Big Business boys know it well?.. there is not one single thing about Satan's kingdom that is right, not even it's most-boasted cooking utensils.. Aluminum Trust Guilty of Two More Murders .. to make food poisonous .. let it stand long enough in the aluminum vessel in which it is cooked. With this preliminary information anybody except a hardware merchant, or a publisher of advertisements, or a member of the American Medical Association will understand [the] Miami (Fla.) Daily Tribune for June 27, under the headline 'Bad Potatoes Kill Two Boys.' It is not surprising how quickly and efficiently the trust gets on the job to cover up the truth in every one of these cases of aluminum poisoning? All that was necessary to conceal the truth was to use the word 'bacterial' instead of the word 'aluminum,' and the trick is done as neatly as any hangman ever tied a nose. But will those who arrange and support this diabolical propaganda to suppress the truth be able to answer to Almighty God for the suffering and misery of which they are the direct cause?" - 1936GAGE 09 23 803-4/809

    "Pasteur's teachings have cost untold millions in health and they have destroyed unnumbered lives in the world. Pasteur was primarily interested in wealth and glory. He did sensational things to achieve this end. He was in the habit of making pronunciamentos before he had proved that he was right. Then he stuck to his dogmas despite all findings to the contrary.. Hydrophobia [rabies] is more of a mental hoax than a reality .. Pasteur does not cure hydrophobia; he gives it.. Pasteurization of milk is only good to preserve it, but bad for the consumer.. And so one more gasbag blows up." - 1936GAGE 09 23 814

    "Acetylsalicylic acid, aspirin, is potentially a dangerous drug, and its unqualified use as a home remedy is a menace to good health, and should be discouraged.. The physiological action of aspirin, or of any of this general group or class of drugs, is to reduce, or relax, arterial tension and weaken the contractility or elasticity of the muscular fibers of the heart. By the excessive and continuous use of aspirin, the heart muscles become soft and flabby, the heart valves relax and lose the power to properly perform their normal function, and by degrees the blood begins to regurgitate or flow back through the weakened heart-valves with each heart pulsation, thus gradually and unawares producing a valvular heart-lesion, which, when once established, is never cured, but continues to grow worse and worse until death results" - 1936GAGE 09 23 822

    "Do not use X-Rays .. sure to harm the grandchildren of those exposed to them." - 1936GAGE 09 23 828

    "At Los Angeles a youth of 20 years was caught in the act of choking a woman of 75. Arrested, and suspected of three murders, he claims the urge to kill came as a result of serum inoculations" - 1937CONS 12 01 12

    "Who are the Quacks? .. the majority [of American doctors] practice pure quackery and are also faddists and ignoramuses" - 1938CONS 02 23 11-2

    "The Proof of the Pudding .. Aluminum Homicide .. Aluminum Foil for Wrapping Food .. Cumulative Poison .. luminous [radioactive]" - 1938CONS 04 20 10

    "the irrefutably logical fact that serums and vaccines are products of contamination.. rise in cancer is attributed to the use of serums.. for the best part they are but handicaps to inherent healing forces of the human body.. these are by-products of pus matter.. in reality and action it is worse than the proverbial 'seven plagues'.. One may go through life without having serious manifestations of what has been injected into his blood-stream, thus thinking he was 'immunized', but, suddenly, it may begin its satanic work on his child, or even 'unto third and fourth generation'." - 1939CONS 03 22 21

    "Vaccines are a cruel hoax" - 1939CONS 05 31 03

    "The mending of a heart .. In New York city a housewife in moving a boarder's things accidentally shot herself through the heart with his revolver. She was rushed to a hospital, her left breast was cut around, four ribs were cut away, the heart was lifted out, three stitches were taken, one of the attending physicians in the great emergency gave a quart of his blood for transfusion, and today the woman lives and smiles gaily over what happened to her in the busiest 23 minutes of her life., heroic" - 1940CONS 12 25 19

    "Man on earth can no more get rid of these demonic 'heavens' than man can by airplane or rockets or other means get up above the air envelope which is about our earthly globe and in which man breathes." - 1943TSMF 285

    "God has never published a decree which forbids employing medicine, injections and blood transfusions. Such is a human invention, like the Pharisee's disregard for mercy and grace. To serve Jehovah with all the mind does not mean we put our intelligence into a box. A human life is at stake; life is of great value and is holy to Jehovah." - 1945COND 09 01 29

    "Among the barbarous and fierce, savage nations, such as the Scythians, Tartars, desert Arabs, Scandinavians, etc., who lived most on animal blood, there were some even who drank the blood of their enemies after making cups of their skulls. And quite interestingly, in our consultation of various works on the subject of blood, this related item came to light on page 113, column one, of Volume 4 of The Encyclopedia Americana, Revised Edition of 1929: 'Transfusion of blood dates as far back as the time of the ancient Egyptians. The earliest reported case is that practiced on Pope Innocent VIII in 1492. The operation cost the lives of three youths and the Pontiff's life was not saved. Great strides in the research and practice of transfusion on animals were made after Harvey's discovery of the circulation of blood in the middle of the 17th century. Physicians in Germany, England and France were especially active in the work of blood transfusion after this discovery. They reasoned that as the blood is the principal medium by which the body is nourished, transfusion, therefore, is a quicker and shorter road to feed an ill-nourished body than eating food which turns to blood after several changes. So transfusion was thought of not only as a cure, but also a rejuvenator.. God-dishonoring" - 1945WTWR 07 01 198-201

    "Is Aluminum Poisonous? .. Among the first to discover the injurious effects of aluminum upon the human organism was Dr. C.T. Betts, a dentist with a talent for analysis. Doctors had given him up. He could not live much longer, they said. But Dr. Betts went west for a final try, at some mineral springs. One day, when filling an aluminum cup at one of these springs he noted that the water was effervescent in the cup. A lady filling a glass jar obtained no such results. The dentist's busy brain went to work on the simple fact, and he began to associate the phenomenon with the aluminum, and the aluminum with his illness. Returning home he discontinued the use of aluminum in his kitchen for a while to see. He did see. The aluminum disappeared from the kitchen and the sickness disappeared from the doctor." - 1947AWAK 01 08 21-4

    "Take Out Potatoes, Toss in Silver'.. If you have cooked your potatoes or any legume, such as peas or beans, in your aluminum container, just take out the vegetables and toss your silver into the water in which they were cooked. While you are eating your vegetables, the broth in the aluminum pot will be eating the tarnish off your silverware.. The purpose in publishing this news is not only to offer a practical kitchen help to the housewife. A more important reason is to draw attention to the role of aluminum cooking ware. When vegetable broth contacts aluminum a chemical solution is created that is powerful enough to eat the rust off silver. Would you care to eat this solution? Don't you wonder whether it is also powerful enough to affect the human system?" - 1948AWAK 05 22 11

    "According to God's law, humans are not to take into their system the blood of others." - 1948AWAK 10 22 12

    "Inside Story About Aluminum .. The facts of the subject are an inside story, but since your insides and those of millions of other people are involved, Dr. C.T. Betts, of Toledo, Ohio, has brought out facts which were being covered up. He found from personal experience, experiment and observation how injurious aluminum can be. He has issued an interesting pamphlet on 'How Does the Government Suppress the Truth About Aluminum?' The pamphlet includes a personal narrative. In 1913 Dr. Betts was told by three physicians he had but a few months to live. Dr. Betts is alive today. He cured himself by discontinuing the use of aluminum cooking utensils. He had found that aluminum in contact with mineral water produced gas. He noted how aluminum or alum, mixed with soda and sulfuric acid, was sold as baking powder, to make gas in the dough. The same chemical reaction occurred in the stomach when aluminum that had come off into the food contacted gastric juices." - 1949AWAK 08 08 16

    "Your frank statement concerning blood transfusion is appreciated, and for it we are not taking any spiritual action against you or against anyone else, but must let the great Lawgiver be your Judge, as He is ours. Our published statements concerning this matter are something owing to those who look to us for spiritual guidance, and are not issued to cause division among Jehovah's people. Repeatedly we are confronted with requests for information on blood transfusion, particularly for us to pronounce a sanction of this medical practice. This is so general that for the information of all, that they may know our position, we were obliged to make a statement upon the matter. Our statements have not caused any more division of opinion upon the subject than existed before we said anything about it. It is only that we have made ourselves clear upon the matter, so that others in doubt as to our position will not be pleading with us to sanction their resort to this disputed medical practice. If anyone thinks there is merit to our position and that it has Scriptural support and chooses to be guided by it, all right; but if contrariwise, then that is such one's responsibility before God. He cannot claim taking a certain course because of ignorance of what we Scripturally believe upon the subject." - 1950WTWR 05 01

    "A recent court case in Chicago involving Jehovah's witnesses and their stand concerning blood transfusions caused widespread comment in the public press and among the people generally. Many questions were raised. The following were most frequent, and came from various localities.. What are the Scriptural grounds for objecting to blood transfusions? Jehovah made a covenant with Noah following the Flood, and included therein was this command: 'Flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.' (Gen. 9:4).. And let the transfusion enthusiasts with a savior-complex ponder the fact that on many occasions transfusions do harm, spread disease, and frequently cause deaths, which, of course, are not publicized.. Each one decides for himself, and bears the responsibility for his course. Jehovah's witnesses consecrate their lives to God and feel bound by his Word, and with these things in view they individually decide their personal course and bear their personal responsibility therefore before God.. It is his law we are seeking to comply with in this matter of blood, and after we have followed his requirement to bleed the animal, and thus met his demands, is that not sufficient? We need not become absurd and quibble like a Pharisee, piling on burdens beyond the requirements of divine law. -Matt. 23:4.. Many say receiving a transfusion is not like eating blood. Is this view sound? A patient in the hospital may be 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 blood through the veins, and the patient receiving it is eating it through his veins." - 1951WTWR 07 01 414-5

    "Medical science, in fact, claims that vaccination actually results in building up the vitality of the blood to resist the disease against which the person is inoculated. But, of course, that is a question for each individual concerned to decide for himself and as he sees it to be Jehovah's will for him.. We merely offer the above information on request, but can assume no responsibility for the decision and course the reader may take." - 1952WTWR 12 15 764

    "Quack Cures and Food Fads .. One of these electrical gadgets supposedly was based on a theory that disease causes the body to radiate electrical energy at some specific frequency peculiar to that disease. The same machine diagnosed and likewise treated all diseases.. This machine, called Radioclast, was investigated by the Police Bureau of a large city. And a reliable magazine (Radio Craft, February 1944; now called Radio-Electronics) published the results of this investigation .. and the reasons why the claims made for it could not be true.. The patient holds an electrode in his hand, and the doctor, with one hand, rubs his fingers over a little glass plate and turns dials and knobs with the other. When the doctor 'tunes in' to the disease, he is supposed to feel some resistance to his stroking, due to the effects of the 'vibrations' on the glass plate.. Quacks .. How are they obtained? Many testimonials are bought outright. It is simply your signature for cash." - 1953AWAK 09 22 21-2

    "Blood transfusion .. Transferring blood from the veins or arteries of one person to another. As in intravenous feeding, it is a feeding on blood.. an unscriptural practice" - 1953MSAT 047

    "Vaccinations are no longer considered feeding on blood and no longer considered related to sex relations." - 1953MSAT 048

    "To properly study The Watchtower we must approach it with the right heart attitude .. we have no grounds for approaching a study of it with suspicion" - 1953WTWR 10 15 623

    "We are told that it takes one and a third pints of whole blood to get enough of the blood protein or 'fraction' known as gamma globulin for one injection... Further, those interested in the Scriptural aspect will note that its being made of whole blood places it in the same category as blood transfusions as far as Jehovah's prohibition of taking blood into the system is concerned. -See Leviticus 17:10-14; Acts 15:20,28,29." - 1954AWAK 01 08 24

    "While this physician argues for the use of certain blood fractions,particularly albumin, such also come under the Scriptural ban. In fact, these fractions are being used not only by physicians but also by food processors, and so it would be well to note the labels on such products to see if they contain any blood substances or fractions. When in doubt, it would be best to do without." - 1956AWAK 09 08 20

    "Modern parents, in this age of delinquent youngsters, can take a lesson from the mother 'teddy bear,' the koala. When baby koalas 'are really naughty,' writes Ivan T. Sanderson in his new book Living Mammals of the World, 'the mother turns them over her knee and spanks them on their bottoms for minutes on end with the flat of her hand, during which time their screams are soul-rending." - 1956WTWR 02 01 095

    "trouble over the draft in World War II .. Approximately 4,500 of Jehovah's witnesses were sentenced to prison in the District Courts.. One of the more serious problems I had to deal with, as I remember, was vaccinations. An order was received from the health department in Washington for all the inmates and guards to be vaccinated. Some of our boys in one prison in particular considered this the same as blood transfusions, and refused to submit. This caused considerable trouble.. 'I was in prison,' I reminded them, 'and I bared my arm and received the shot. Furthermore, all of us who visit our foreign branches are vaccinated or we stay at home. Now vaccination is not anything like blood transfusion. No blood is used in the vaccine. It is a serum. So you would not be violating those Scriptures which forbid taking blood into your system." - 1957FOTM 186-9

    "Are we to consider the injection of serums such as diphtheria toxin antitoxin and blood fractions such as gamma globulin into the blood stream, for the purpose of building up resistance to disease by means of antibodies, the same as the drinking of blood or the taking of blood or blood plasma by means of transfusions? -N.P., United States. No, it does not seem necessary that we put the two in the same category, although we have done so in times past.. Each time the prohibition of blood is mentioned in the Scriptures it is in connection with taking it in as food, so it is as nutrient that we are concerned with in its being forbidden.. While God did not intend for man to contaminate his blood stream by vaccines, serums or blood fractions, doing so does not seem to be included in God's expressed will forbidding blood as food. It would therefore be a matter of individual judgment whether one accepted such types of medication or not." - 1958WTWR 09 15 575

    "Consequently, the removal of one's blood, storing it and later putting it back into the same person would be a violation of the Scriptural principles that govern the handling of blood.. if the blood were stored, even for a brief period of time, this would be a violation of the Scriptures.. Again, if one's own blood would have to be withdrawn at intervals and stored until a sufficient amount had accumulated to set a machine in operation, this too would fall under Scriptural prohibition.. Little do men in general appreciate today that they are under the Creator's law concerning blood and that they will be punished for violating its sacredness. It is no light punishment, but it will call for their very life."- 1959WTWR 10 15 640/645

    "as a rule, for a Christian to go to a worldly psychiatrist is an admission of defeat, it amounts to 'going down to Egypt for help.' -Isaiah 31:1. Often when a Witness of Jehovah goes to a psychiatrist, the psychiatrist will try to persuade him that his troubles are caused by his religion, entirely overlooking the fact that the Christian witnesses of Jehovah are the best-oriented, happiest and most contented group of people on the face of the earth.. They have the least need for psychiatrists. Also, more and more psychiatrists are resorting to hypnosis, which is a demonic form of worldly wisdom." - 1960AWAK 03 08 27

    "Time is fast running out. We may not be slothful nor may we procrastinate if we would keep clean from the blood of all men. Truly, woe is us if we do not take advantage of every opportunity to warn all we can. Let us give the warning with earnestness and intensity, yes, with a sense of urgency as though this were our last time to warn our hearers. Who knows how soon this actually will be the case?" - 1960WTWR 10 01 608

    "Since it was forbidden to take the blood of another creature into one's own body, it would necessarily follow that it would be wrong to give one's blood to be infused into the body of another person.. We cannot drain from our body part of that blood, which represents our life, and still love God with our whole soul, because we have taken away part of 'our soul - our blood - ' and given it to someone else." - 1961BMLG 07-8

    "Is it wrong to sustain life by administering a transfusion of blood or plasma or red cells or others of the component parts of the blood? Yes!...The prohibition includes 'any blood at all.' (Leviticus 3:17) It has no bearing on the matter that the blood is not introduced to the body through the mouth but through the veins. Nor does the argument that it cannot be classed with intravenous feeding because its use in the body is different carry weight. The fact is that it provides nourishment to the body to sustain life.. But regardless of the method used to infuse it into the body and regardless of whether it is whole blood or a blood substance that is involved, God's law remains the same. If it is blood and it is being used to nourish or to sustain life the divine law clearly applies.. Mature Christians .. are not going to feel that if they have some of their own blood stored for transfusion, it is going to be more acceptable than the blood of another person.. Nor are they going to feel that a slight infraction, such as momentary storage of blood in a syringe when it is drawn from one part of the body for injection into another part, is somehow less objectionable than storing it for a longer period of time" - 1961BMLG 13-5

    "While there is no direct flow of blood between the mother and the fetus, yet by osmosis there is some transfer of blood between the mother and the baby through the placenta." - 1961BMLG25

    "Jehovah's witnesses do not argue that blood transfusions have not kept alive patients who otherwise might have died. We do not take it upon ourselves to conduct an objective debate of the advisability of the use of blood in medical therapy. The point is not for us to determine. God himself has ruled on the matter, and it would be presumptuous for us, in the name of medicine or humanitarianism or anything else, to open the issue to debate, to pit human wisdom and experience against the law of God.. Although Jehovah's witnesses will not eat blood as a food, nor in medical use consent to any kind of blood transfusion or, in place of it, an infusion of any blood fraction or blood substance, this does not rule out all medical treatment." - 1961BMLG38-40

    "These facts render completely untenable the claim by any physician that a patient absolutely must have blood transfused in order to live.. Jehovah's witnesses .. know that if they violate God's law on blood and the child dies in the process, they have endangered that child's opportunity for everlasting life in God's new world.. resorting to blood transfusions even under the most extreme circumstances is not truly lifesaving. It may result in the immediate and very temporary prolongation of life, but that at the cost of eternal life for a dedicated Christian." - 1961BMLG52-5

    "In view of the seriousness of taking blood into the human system by a transfusion, would violation of the Holy Scriptures in this regard subject the dedicated, baptized receiver of blood transfusion to being disfellowshiped from the Christian congregation? The inspired Holy Scriptures answer yes.. According to the law of Moses, which set forth shadows of things to come, the receiver of a blood transfusion must be cut off from God's people by excommunication or disfellowshiping .. if in the future he persists in accepting blood transfusions or in donating blood toward the carrying out of this medical practice upon others, he shows that he has really not repented, but is deliberately opposed to God's requirements. As a rebellious opposer and unfaithful example to fellow members of the Christian congregation he must be cut off therefrom by disfellowshiping.. If the taking of a blood transfusion is the first offense of a dedicated, baptized Christian due to his immaturity or lack of Christian stability and he sees the error of his action and grieves and repents over it and begs divine forgiveness and forgiveness of God's congregation on earth, then mercy should be extended to him and he need not be disfellowshiped." - 1961WTWR 01 15 063-4

    "Is there anything in the Bible against giving one's eyes (after death) to be transplanted to some living person? The question of placing one's body or parts of one's body at the disposal of men of science or doctors at one's death for purposes of scientific experimentation or replacement in others is frowned upon by certain religious bodies. However, it does not seem that any Scriptural principle or law is involved. It therefore is something that each individual must decide for himself. If he is satisfied in his own mind and conscience that this is a proper thing to do, then he can make such provision, and no one else should criticize him for doing so. On the other hand, no one should be criticized for refusing to enter into any such agreement." - 1961WTWR 08 01 480

    "Is it wrong to sustain life by infusions of blood or plasma or red cells or the various blood fractions? Yes!.. In view of the emphasis put on the use of blood in the medical world, new treatments involving its use are constantly being recommended. But regardless of whether it is whole blood or a blood fraction, whether it is blood taken from one's own body or that taken from someone else, whether it is administered as a transfusion or as an injection, the divine law applies. God has not given man blood to use as he might use other substances; he requires respect for the sanctity of blood.. Whether whole or fractional, one's own or someone else's, transfused or injected, it is wrong.. It is of no consequence that the blood is taken into the body through the veins instead of the mouth. Nor does the claim by some that it is not the same as intravenous feeding carry weight. The fact is that it nourishes or sustains the life of the body. In harmony with this is a statement in the book Hemorrhage and Transfusion, by George W. Crile, A.M., M.D., who quotes a letter from Denys, French physician and early researcher in the field of transfusions. It says: 'In performing transfusion it is nothing else than nourishing by a shorter road than ordinary - that is to say, placing in the veins blood all made in place of taking food which only turns to blood after several changes.'.. In performing a transfusion it is nothing less than nourishing the body by a shorter road than ordinary - that is to say, placing in the veins blood all made in place of taking food which only turns to blood after several stages." - 1961WTWR 09 15 557-9 [A more complete quote from Dr Crile's book reads: "In the same year Denys of Montpellier, wrote concerning experiments which he performed on animals. He followed Lower's method in a general way except that he did not withdraw enough blood from the donor to cause death. He also tried transfusion from three calves to three dogs with success in each case. In a letter to M. de Montmore he describes two transfusions which he made on patients. His idea was that 'In practicing transfusion one can only imitate the example of nature which, in order to nourish the fetus in the uterus of the mother, makes a continuous transfusion of the blood of the mother into the body of the infant through the umbilical vein. In performing transfusion it is nothing else than nourishing by a shorter road than ordinary--that is to say, placing in the veins blood all made in place of taking food which only turns to blood after several changes" (p153-4)]

    "Criminals in jail are given the opportunity to donate their blood. For example, the New York Times of April 6, 1961, reported: 'Inmates of Sing Sing Prison at Ossining will give blood to the Red Cross today.' A commendable act? Perhaps not as beneficial to their fellow men as the community is led to believe.. in his book Who Is Your Doctor and Why? Doctor Alonzo Jay Shadman says: 'The blood in any person is in reality the person himself. It contains all the peculiarities of the individual from whence it comes. This includes hereditary taints, disease susceptibilities, poisons due to personal living, eating and drinking habits.. The poisons that produce the impulse to commit suicide, murder, or steal are in the blood.' And Dr. Americo Valerio, Brazilian doctor and surgeon for over forty years, agrees. 'Moral insanity, sexual perversions, repression, inferiority complexes, petty crimes - these often follow in the wake of blood transfusion,' he says. Yet it is acknowledged in the public press that organizations whose blood supply is considered reliable obtain blood for transfusion from criminals who are known to have such characteristics.. Lifesaving efforts by unscriptural means can never produce results of lasting good. How foolish it is to think that one can save life by violating the laws of the Life-giver! While it may produce seemingly beneficial results at the moment, it may ultimately take its toll in disease and stillborn children as a direct result of such an ill-advised course. Even if no physical harm results to the patient or to one's offspring, violation of the law of God seriously jeopardizes one's opportunity to gain eternal life in God's new world." - 1961WTWR 09 15 564-5

    "How can one tell if meat purchased from a butcher or in some other market has been properly bled? Also, how can one tell if cold-meat loaves, pastry or preparations sold by druggists contain any blood or blood fractions? -A.R., U.S.A. This is of concern to God-fearing persons, because Jehovah God, in his law stated to Noah, which applies to all mankind, said: 'Every moving animal that is alive may serve as food for you. As in the case of green vegetation, I do give it all to you. Only flesh with its soul - its blood - you must not eat.' (Gen. 9:3,4) The first-century Christian governing body, too, being directed by God's holy spirit, pointed out that it is necessary for Christians to 'keep themselves free from blood.' -Acts 15:28,29. If the bleeding of butchered animals is not the regular practice in your locality, or you are not sure what is the customary handling of the matter where you live, the best way to find out if meat has been properly bled is to make personal inquiry. In most cases, even if the one who sells the meat does not personally do the slaughtering, he is acquainted with the men with whom he does business and he knows their practices or at least the laws that govern them. If he is confident that the meat is properly prepared, the Christian may feel free to use it. However, if the one selling the meat does not know, simply ask: 'Who can give me the information? It is important to me for religious reasons.' Then write a letter, if that is the only way to get in touch with the one who can answer your question. If for some reason one does not feel that he is being told the truth, he can always do business elsewhere, or he can buy live animals and arrange for the slaughtering himself, if he feels that is necessary. Simply the fact that meat appears to be very red or even has red fluid on the surface does not mean that it has not been bled. There may remain in the meat some very small amounts of blood even after proper bleeding has been done. Then, too, the fluid that runs out of the meat may simply be interstitial fluid. The important thing is that respect has been shown for the sanctity of blood, regard has been shown for the principle of the sacredness of life. What God's law requires is that the blood be drained from the animal when it is killed, not that the meat be soaked in some special preparation to draw out every trace of it. In the case of other products, a similar procedure may be followed. If you have reason to believe that a certain product contains blood or a blood fraction, ask the one who sells it. If he does not know, write to the manufacturer. Sometimes labels show whether a blood fraction is used, but not always. For example, a label may say that a certain product contains albumin. Does that mean that it contains a blood fraction? Look up the word albumin in a good reference book, perhaps an encyclopedia in your local library or even a good dictionary. You will learn that albumin is found, not only in blood serum, but also in milk and eggs. The only way to find out the source of the albumin in the particular product in question is to make inquiry of those who prepare it. However, if the label says that certain tablets contain hemoglobin, similar checking will reveal that this is from blood; so a Christian knows, without asking, that he should avoid such a preparation. Clearly, these are matters that each individual can best check on locally." - 1961WTWR 11 01 669

    "Since the Bible forbids the eating of blood, how are Christians to view the use of serums and vaccines? Has the Society changed its viewpoint on this? -J.D., U.S.A. The Bible is very clear that blood could properly be used only on the altar; otherwise it was to be poured out on the ground. (Lev. 17:11-13) The entire modern medical practice involving the use of blood is objectionable from the Christian standpoint. Therefore the taking of a blood transfusion, or, in lieu of that, the infusing of some blood fraction to sustain one's life is wrong. As to the use of vaccines and other substances that may in some way involve the use of blood in their preparation, it should not be concluded that the Watch Tower Society endorses these and says that the practice is right and proper. However, vaccination is a virtually unavoidable practice in many segments of modern society, and the Christian may find some comfort under the circumstances in the fact that this use is not in actuality a feeding or nourishing process, which was specifically forbidden when that man was not to eat blood, but it is a contamination of the human system. So, as was stated in The Watchtower of September 15, 1958, page 575, 'It would therefore be a matter of individual judgment whether one accepted such types of medication or not.' That is still the Society's viewpoint on the matter. -Gal. 6:5. However, the mature Christian is not going to try to find in this a justification for as many other medical uses of blood substances as possible. To the contrary, recognizing the objectionableness of the entire process, he is going to stay as far away from it as he can, requesting other treatment where such is available." - 1961WTWR 11 01 670

    "What About Aluminum Cooking Utensils? .. At present the great majority of authorities in medical and scientific fields gave aluminum a rather clean bill of health.. For Christian ministers, especially, it is well to note that, apart from eating what they have found to be good for them, there are other things of far greater importance than material food. Rom. 14:17." - 1962AWAK 06 22 08-10

    "As to blood transfusions, he knows from his study of the Bible and the publications of the Watch Tower Society that this is an unscriptural practice. (Gen. 9:4; Acts 15:28,29) Now it is up to him to carry his own load of responsibility in applying what the Scriptures have to say on this matter. One day he may go to the hospital for surgery. There he explains his position to the doctor. 'All right,' the doctor says, 'then we will use plasma.' Or the doctor may tell him, 'What you need is red cells to carry oxygen. We have red cells that we can use. How about that?' The Christian may not be well versed in medical matters. Shall he call his congregation servant or the Society? That should not be necessary, if he is prepared to carry his own load of responsibility. He need only ask the doctor: 'From what was the plasma taken?' 'How are the red cells obtained?' 'Where did you get this substance?' If the answer is 'Blood,' he knows what course to take, for it is not just whole blood butanything that is derived from bloodand used to sustain life or strengthen one that comes under this principle. Someone may argue with you that the Scriptures are referring to the 'eating' of blood but that blood is not taken into the digestive system during a transfusion. True, but the fact is that by a direct route the blood serves the same purpose as food when taken into the stomach, namely, strengthening the body or sustaining life. It is not the same as a vaccine given to a healthy person to build him up, just as food is given to nourish him." - 1962WTWR 02 15 123-4

    "Are idolatry and fornication damaging to the Christian personality? Disastrously so! So too is the taking in of blood, whether through blood foods or blood transfusions .. Transfusing blood, then, may amount to transfusing tainted personality traits." - 1962WTWR 05 15 302

    "Protecting Yourself From Wicked Spirit Forces .. Radiesthesia .. sensitivity to radiations.. Radiesthesia, which is now very widespread, is believed by many to be a form of psychic healing.. Because of this link with ESP, the true Christian would not want to risk playing into the hands of demons, and thus wisely refrains from any manner of diagnosing or healing that arouses suspicions of spiritism. For the sake of protection, then, the true Christian will want to avoid all those things that not only lack a known scientific basis but do have a known link to ESP or spiritism. Seek Jehovah with your whole heart, never denying his power by disobedience, so that you may have divine protection from 'wicked spirit forces." - 1962WTWR 11 15 679-80

    "an effective human serum against lockjaw has been developed.. Now some of it will be from human blood!" - 1964AWAK 05 08 30

    "Some may claim that a transfusion is not really drinking blood, so it would be different. But such argument is not valid for conscientious persons, because the Bible says to 'abstain' from blood, regardless of how it is taken into the body. If a doctor advised you to abstain from drinking alcohol, would you inject the alcohol into your bloodstream instead? If he told you to abstain from drinking coffee, would you inject it into your body? If you were warned to abstain from smoking, would you take the nicotine and inject it into your veins? Of course, these actions would be senseless. So, too, a Christian has the right, when he reads God's law warning him to abstain from blood, to do just that - abstain. Injecting the blood directly into his bloodstream is hardly 'abstaining' from blood.. In the event of a transfusion or other therapeutic measure of that type without consent, the aggrieved party would have the right to sue in the civil courts. Transfusion without consent is technically a 'battery,' a tort or civil wrong, and a trespass to the person. The first basic essential then of blood transfusion from the legal aspect is that it can only properly be carried out with real (explicit) consent." - 1964AWAK 09 08 24-5

    "Would it be a violation of the Scriptures for a Christian to permit a veterinarian to give blood transfusions to a pet? And what of animal food? May it be used if there is reason to believe there is blood in it? Also, is it permissible to use fertilizer that has blood in it? The psalmist declared at Psalm 119:97: 'How I do love your law! All day long it is my concern.' Such a love of God's law and a concern for it would surely cause a dedicated servant of God to avoid any violation of God's law whatsoever. God's law on blood is very clear. Blood is not to be used as food and, when withdrawn from a body, it is to be poured out on the ground. (Gen. 9:3,4; Lev. 3:17; Deut. 12:16,23,24; Acts 15:20,28,29) Christians certainly would not wish to do anything in violation of Jehovah's law on blood. Love for God and for the righteous laws and principles of his Word calls forth that response from them in matters pertaining to blood. Since God's law on blood has not been altered over the centuries, Christians today realize that they are bound by it. Please note, however, that it is not fear of some reprisal that moves them to comply with Jehovah's law on blood. They do not obey God's law simply because violation of it might result in the imposing of sanctions by the Christian congregation of which they are a part. They love what is right. Furthermore, because of their love of God's law they will not rationalize or seek ways in which it appears possible to circumscribe it with seeming impunity. How, then, must we answer the question, Would it be a violation of the Scriptures for a Christian to permit a veterinarian to give blood transfusions to a pet? By all means, to do so would be a violation of the Scriptures. To use blood for transfusion purposes, even in the case of an animal, would be improper. The Bible is very clear in showing that blood should not be eaten. It should not be infused, therefore, to build up the body's vital forces, either in the case of a human or in the case of a pet or any other animal under the jurisdiction of a Christian. In harmony with this, surely a Christian parent could not rationalize to the effect that a pet belongs to a minor child and thus this unbaptized child might, on its own, authorize a veterinarian to administer the blood. No. The baptized parent bears the responsibility, for that parent has authority over the child and over the pet and should control the entire matter. That is the parent's obligation before God. -Eccl. 12:13,14; Jas. 4:17. What, then, of animal food? May it be used if there is reason to believe there is blood in it? As far as a Christian is concerned, the answer is No, on the basis of principles already mentioned. Therefore, if a Christian discovers that blood components are listed on the label of a container of dog food or some other animal food, he could not conscientiously feed that product to any animal over which he has jurisdiction. He could not conclude that doing so would be excusable, for this would not be a case of an animal killing another animal and helping itself to the blood of that creature. No, this would be a direct act on the part of the Christian, making him responsible for feeding blood to a pet or other animal belonging to him. Of course, if there is no indication on the label of a package of animal food that the product contains blood, a Christian might conclude that it could be used. Still, his conscience might trouble him. In that case he should put his conscience to rest by making reasonable inquiry and acting in accord with the information he receives, for a Christian surely desires to have a good conscience before God. -1 Pet. 3:21. But now, what about fertilizer that has blood in it? One who is going to show respect for God's law on blood would not use it. True, according to the Mosaic law, blood when taken from a body was to be poured out upon the ground and covered over with dust. (Lev. 17:13,14) The objective was, however, that the blood should serve no useful purpose when thus disposed of. It was not placed on the ground with the thought in mind that it would serve as fertilizer. Hence, no Christian farmer today could properly spread blood on his fields to fertilize the soil, nor would he use commercial fertilizer containing blood. Such blood use would be a commercializing on something that God has reserved for himself. It would be a violation of God's Word." - 1964WTWR 02 15 127-8

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    "Keeping Free From Blood .. Christians are told to abstain from blood. (Acts 15:20,28,29) Just how far-reaching is that? What do the Scriptures require of a dedicated servant of God? If you are killing an animal or a bird, then, to comply with God's law and to render that creature suitable for food, you must drain the blood. According to God's law you must refrain from eating blood or taking it, as in a transfusion, to sustain life. Genesis 9:3,4 and Deuteronomy 12:23,24 contain Scriptural commands. Leviticus 17:10 points out that those in ancient Israel who willfully took in blood would be cut off by Jehovah. However, if an Israelite happened to eat the flesh of a clean animal that died of itself or was torn by a wild beast, he was declared unclean until the evening, provided he cleansed himself. (Lev. 17:15,16) With Christians too, if someone partook of the meat of an animal that had not been properly drained of its blood when slaughtered, and it was not deliberate on his part and he repented when it later came to his attention, avoiding a recurrence of such wrongdoing, Jehovah would mercifully forgive him.. The Society does not endorse any of the modern medical uses of blood, such as the uses of blood in connection with inoculations. Inoculation is, however, a virtually unavoidable circumstance in some segments of society, and so we leave it up to the conscience of the individual to determine whether to submit to inoculation with a serum containing blood fractions for the purpose of building up antibodies to fight against disease. If a person did this, he may derive comfort under the circumstances from the fact that he is not directly eating blood, which is expressly forbidden in God's Word. It is not used for food or to replace lost blood. Here the Christian must make his own decision based on conscience. Employment and Your Conscience .. Therefore, whether a Christian will submit to inoculation with a serum, or whether doctors or nurses who are Christians will administer such, is for personal decision. Christians in the medical profession are individually responsible for employment decisions.. In harmony with Deuteronomy 14:21, the administering of blood upon request to worldly persons is left to the Christian doctor's own conscience. This is similar to the situation facing a Christian butcher or grocer who must decide whether he can conscientiously sell blood sausage to a worldly person.. So whether a Christian who works in a store will dispose of blood goods, such as blood sausage, by selling such goods to persons of the world who are willing to pay for them is a matter of conscience. It is also a personal matter as to whether another Christian will sell blood items to worldly persons in a drugstore or will spread blood fertilizer on the field of a worldly employer at his request. Naturally, a Christian could not properly encourage persons to obtain blood goods rather than those free from blood and he could not advocate any misuse of blood. However, we must leave it up to the conscience of the individual Christian as to what he will do when it comes to matters of this nature in handling such products. One Christian should not criticize another Christian for the decision he makes, just as one Israelite could not reasonably criticize another Israelite for selling to a foreigner an animal that died of itself and hence had not been properly drained of its blood. The use of blood in adhesives for manufacturing plywood and other commonly used materials has now come to the attention of Christians, and we use plywood as an example. Much plywood is made using blood glue, but some plywood is blood-free. A Christian purchaser or contractor may seek to obtain blood-free plywood if he can do so; however, if he decides to use all types of plywood, it must be left to his conscience. It is not always possible to determine just how the plywood has been made. Because blood may be used in some plywood, this does not mean that a Christian could not buy, sell or rent a home or purchase a trailer in which plywood is found. The extent to which he would check on such matters is for him to decide.. Also, if a Christian is working for a company that uses blood glue in some of its plywood or other products, he would not necessarily have to quit his job. He may work in the woods, cutting down the trees. Part of the lumber is used one way and part another. The employee is not responsible for what happens to the wood after he has done his job. Of course, if a Christian worked in a plywood plant and it was required that he prepare the blood glue or apply it to the plywood, he might feel he could not conscientiously do this. He might request that his employer give him some other kind of work not handling blood. But even this is a personal matter. By doing other work for the same company, such as working as a truck driver, salesman, and so forth, the individual may feel he is free from responsibility for any misuse of blood. Since blood is used in the manufacture of so many common products, it becomes almost impossible for the Christian to avoid all contact with them - leather goods, furniture, bottle tops, cotton cloth, and so forth. So just what the Christian will do is a matter of conscience, and others should not criticize him. Certainly it would not be fitting to disrupt the unity of a Christian congregation in a certain locality by becoming involved in detailed discussions and contentions over the personal decision in this respect on the part of some Christian associated with that congregation. -Ps. 133:1; Prov. 26:21; Jas. 3:16-18." - 1964WTWR 11 15 680-3

    "The fact that serums are prepared from blood makes them undesirable to Christians because of the Biblical law against the use of blood. However, since they do not involve the use of blood as a food to nourish the body, which the Bible directly forbids, their use is a matter that must be decided by each person according to his conscience.. Vaccinations appear to have caused a marked decrease in diseases.. The question as to whether you and your children should be vaccinated is something for personal decision. You must decide on the basis of what you feel is the best course for the health of your children as well as for your own health. No one should be criticized for his decision. In view of the many risks involved with vaccinations, the course of wisdom seems to be one of caution." - 1965AWAK 08 22 18/20

    "Is there any Scriptural objection to donating one's body for use in medical research or to accepting organs for transplant from such a source? -W.L., U.S.A. A number of issues are involved in this matter, including the propriety of organ transplants and autopsies. Quite often human emotion is the only factor considered when individuals decide these matters. It would be good, though, for Christians to consider the Scriptural principles that apply, and then make decisions in harmony with these principles so as to be pleasing to Jehovah. Acts 24:16. First, it would be well to have in mind that organ transplant operations, such as are now being performed in an attempt to repair the body or extend a life-span, were not the custom thousands of years ago, so we cannot expect to find legislation in the Bible on transplanting human organs. Yet, this does not mean that we have no indication of God's view of such matters. When Jehovah for the first time allowed humans to eat animal flesh, he explained matters this way to Noah: 'A fear of you and a terror of you will continue upon every living creature of the earth and upon every flying creature of the heavens, upon everything that goes moving on the ground, and upon all the fishes of the sea. Into your hand they are now given. Every moving animal that is alive may serve as food for you. As in the case of green vegetation, I do give it all to you. Only flesh with its soul - its blood - you must not eat.' (Gen. 9:2-4) That allowance was made to Noah, from whom every person now alive descended. Hence, it applies to all of us. Humans were allowed by God to eat animal flesh and to sustain their human lives by taking the lives of animals, though they were not permitted to eat blood. Did this include eating human flesh, sustaining one's life by means of the body or part of the body of another human, alive or dead? No! That would be cannibalism, a practice abhorrent to all civilized people. Jehovah clearly made a distinction between the lives of animals and the lives of humans, mankind being created in God's image, with his qualities. (Gen. 1:27) This distinction is evident in His next words. God proceeded to show that man's life is sacred and is not to be taken at will, as may be done with the animals to be used for food. To show disrespect for the sanctity of human life would make one liable to have his own life taken. Gen. 9:5,6. When there is a diseased or defective organ, the usual way health is restored is by taking in nutrients. The body uses the food eaten to repair or heal the organ, gradually replacing the cells. When men of science conclude that this normal process will no longer work and they suggest removing the organ and replacing it directly with an organ from another human, this is simply a shortcut. Those who submit to such operations are thus living off the flesh of another human. That is cannibalistic. However, in allowing man to eat animal flesh Jehovah God did not grant permission for humans to try to perpetuate their lives by cannibalistically taking into their bodies human flesh, whether chewed or in the form of whole organs or body parts taken from others. It is of interest to note that in its discussion of cannibalism the Encycloppedia of Religion and Ethics, edited by James Hastings, Volume 3, page 199, has a section designated 'Medical cannibalism.' It points out that this is associated with the idea of obtaining strength or some medical virtue from the flesh of another human, adding: 'The most remarkable example of this practice occurs in China. Among the poor it is not uncommon for a member of the family to cut a piece of flesh from arm or leg, which is cooked and then given to a sick relative .. The whole superstition in China is certainly connected with the idea that the eating of the human body strengthens the eater .. Among savages the practice is found of giving a sick man some blood to drink drawn from the veins of a relative.' Some might argue that therapeutic practices involved in modern organ transplant operations are more scientific than such primitive treatment. Nonetheless, it is evident that men practicing medicine have not been beyond Modern science has developed many different types of operations that involve human body parts, some common and usually successful and others experimental and often unsuccessful. It is not our place to decide whether such operations are advisable or warranted from a scientific or medical standpoint. It would be well, though, for Christians faced with a decision in this regard to consider the indication as to God's viewpoint presented in the Scriptures. Eph. 5:10. At present scientific researchers are starting to use artificial or animal parts where formerly human parts were thought necessary, such as in the case of cornea transplants. (See, for instance, Science News for May 21, 1966, page 396, and Time for April 28, 1967, pages 68 and 70.) Whether wider use of such operations will be made, we do not know. Nor can we decide whether a Christian should accept some animal part as a transplant; that is for personal decision. (Gal. 6:5) However, we can be sure that in the future the time will come when all human medical operations will be unnecessary. (Rev. 21:4) Christians have strong evidence that the new order is near at hand when Jehovah the Great Physician will, through Jesus, do healing beyond the limitations of medical science of today. -Mark 8:22-25; John 11:43,44; Acts 3:6,7; Matt. 12:15. What should be done, though, when a Christian is asked to provide an organ for use in another person or to allow the body part of a deceased loved one to be so used? We might ask, If a Christian decided personally that he would not sustain his own life with the flesh of another imperfect human, could he conscientiously allow part of his flesh to be used in that way to sustain someone else? Even from a medical standpoint there is some question as to the wisdom and ethicalness of some transplants. One physician discussed this publicly in the Annals of Internal Medicine, citing the results of 244 kidney-transplant operations. In the majority of cases the recipient did not live more than a year after the operation. Then, commenting on the dangers for the volunteer who donates one of his kidneys, the doctor asked: 'Is it right to subject a healthy person .. to the possibility .. of shortening his life by 25 or 30 years in order to extend another's life by 25 or 30 months or less?' Reporting on this, Newsweek, of March 2, 1964, page 74, added that the doctor 'offers no conclusive answer, but he suggests that the question needs to be asked more often.' When it comes to deciding what to do with one's own body or with the body of a deceased loved one, for which a Christian is responsible, the apostle Paul's words at Romans 12:1 should not be overlooked: 'I entreat you by the compassions of God, brothers, to present your bodies a sacrifice living, holy, acceptable to God, a sacred service with your power of reason.' Baptized Christians have dedicated their lives, bodies included, to do the will of Jehovah their Creator. In view of this, can such a person donate his body or part of it for unrestricted use by doctors or others? Does a human have a God-given right to dedicate his body organs to scientific experimentation? Is it proper for him to allow such to be done with the body of a loved one? These are questions worthy of serious consideration. Not to be overlooked is the use to which a dead body might be put. Would a Christian who, while living, refused to give his blood to be used as a transfusion for some other person, allow his body to be turned over to a group or to a person and possibly at that time have the blood removed and used for transfusion, as has been done with some cadavers? (See, for example, Awake! of October 22, 1962, page 30.) A person might feel that he could stipulate that his body not be used in that way; but if many persons in authority refuse to abide by a Christian's wishes about blood when he is alive, what reason is there to believe they will show more respect for his wishes after his death? Would they use his organs in cannibalistic medical experiments? Our bodies are the creation of Jehovah God. (Ps. 100:3; 95:6; Job 10:8) Christians might allow apparently necessary surgery to be performed, such as to remove a diseased limb, but they do not needlessly mutilate their bodies created by Jehovah. Would allowing a body to be mutilated after death be showing respect for and appreciation of God's creation? True, in some instances there may be legal requirements that Christians abide by, such as when the law requires a postmortem examination to determine the cause of death. (Rom. 13:1,7; Mark 12:17) In such cases the next of kin can usually request that the organs not be removed for transplant or reuse. In this way, even though an autopsy might be required, the Christian can prevent misuse of the body of a loved one. But when such laws do not apply, the Christian can decide in such a way as to avoid unnecessary mutilation and any possible misuse of the body. Thus he will be able to have a clear conscience before God. -1 Pet. 3:16. It should be evident from this discussion that Christians who have been enlightened by God's Word do not need to make these decisions simply on the basis of personal whim or emotion. They can consider the divine principles recorded in the Scriptures and use these in making personal decisions as they look to God for direction, trusting him and putting their confidence in the future that he has in store for those who love him. -Prov. 3:5,6; Ps. 119:105." - 1967WTWR 11 15 702-4

    "In a further argument for transfusion, it is claimed that what is transfused is merely a vehicle to convey food directly to the human body, and that the body does not feed on the vehicle itself. We therefore ask the question: After the transfused vehicular blood has released its oxygen and food elements to the body tissues of the patient, is this vehicular blood extracted from the patient's body and transfused back into the body of the blood donor? This would be quite embarrassing and impossible, especially where the blood donor or donors are not known or if the blood has been taken from a newly dead cadaver. So the transfused vehicular material is left in the patient's body. What then? Well, in the course of the years during which the human body renews itself into a new body, this vehicular blood is used or consumed by the patient's body, the same as any other transplant of an organ. In what way, then, does this outworking of things differ essentially from feeding on the transfused blood? The results are the same: the patient's body does sustain itself by transfused stuff.. Whereas the Mosaic law with its provisions about fat was abolished when Christ died as a sacrifice, the Apostolic Christian Council of Jerusalem reaffirmed God's law to Noah and applied it to the true Christian congregation. Christian fathers are obliged to teach this law and enforce it with regard to their minor children, for by God's law the fathers are the spiritual, religious guardians as well as the domestic parental caretakers of their underage children. The Christian witnesses of Jehovah today recognize that fact and follow the divine rule of conduct. They endeavor to keep their children from violating God's law to Noah and also the Jerusalem Council's decree. (Eph. 6:4) Rightly they try to protect their children from taking foreign blood into them." - 1967WTWR 12 01 720/724

    "Those who submit to such operations are thus living off the flesh of another human. That is cannibalistic. However, in allowing man to eat animal flesh Jehovah God did not grant permission for humans to try to perpetuate their lives by cannibalistically taking into their bodies human flesh, whether chewed or in the for of whole organs or body parts taken from others.. The Scriptural Aspect .. Not to be overlooked are the religious, the Scriptural issues involved. There are those, such as the Christian witnesses of Jehovah, who consider all transplants between humans as cannibalism; and is not the utilizing of the flesh of another human for one's own life cannibalistic? .. hence unacceptable" - 1968AWAK 06 08 21

    "Aluminum, From Curiosity To Versatility .. one of the most versatile metals known to man for which he should be grateful to the Grand Creator, who first locked it in the crust of the earth." - 1969AWAK 08 08 17-21

    "Some persons may reason that getting a blood transfusion is not actually eating. But is it not true that when a patient is unable to eat through his mouth, doctors often feed him by the same method in which a blood transfusion is administered? Examine the scriptures carefully and notice that they tell us to keep free from blood and to abstain from blood. (Acts 15:20,29) What does this mean? If a doctor were to tell you to abstain from alcohol, would that mean simply that you should not take it through your mouth but that you could transfuse it directly into your veins? Of course not! So, too, abstaining from blood means not taking it into our bodies at all." - 1969WTWR 06 01 326-7

    "masturbation is no mere innocent pastime but rather a practice that can lead to homosexual acts" - 1970WTWR 05 15 315

    "How Is Your Heart? .. Where and what is your heart? You may say, What heart are you talking about? You know you have a heart in your chest, one that is pumping blood.. But do you have another 'heart' in your head, a 'figurative heart'? Is it part of your brain.. ? No! The brain, in which the mind resides, is one thing and the heart in our thorax, with its power of motivation, is another thing.. The Bible does not speak of a symbolic or spiritual heart in contradistinction to the fleshly or literal heart, just as it does not speak of a symbolic mind, and thus we do not want to make the mistake of viewing the literal heart as merely a fleshly pump as does orthodox physiology today. Most psychiatrists and psychologists tend to overcategorize the mind and allow for little if any influence from the fleshly heart, looking upon the word 'heart' merely as a figure of speech apart from its use in identifying the organ that pumps our blood.. The heart, nevertheless, is intricately connected with the brain by the nervous system and is well supplied with sensory nerve endings. The sensations of the heart are recorded on the brain. It is here that the heart brings to bear on the mind its desires and its affections in arriving at conclusions having to do with motivations. In reverse flow, the mind feeds the heart with interpretations of the impulses from the senses and with conclusions reached that are based on the knowledge it has received, either at the moment or from the memory. There is a close interrelationship between the heart and the mind, but they are two different faculties, centering in different locations. The heart is a marvelously designed muscular pump, but, more significantly, our emotional and motivating capacities are built within it. Love, hate, desire (good and bad), preference for one thing over another, ambition, fear - in effect, all that serves to motivate us in relationship to our affections and desires springs from the heart.. It is significant that heart-transplant patients, where the nerves connecting the heart and brain are severed, have serious emotional problems after the operation.. the new heart in turn registers few, if any, clear factors of motivation on the brain. To what extent the nerve endings of the body and the new heart are able to make some connections in time is not clear, but this cannot be ruled out as one of the several factors causing the serious mental aberrations and disorientation that doctors report are observed in heart-transplant patients. These patients have donor-supplied pumps for their blood, but do they now have all the factors needed to say they have a 'heart'? One thing is sure, in losing their own hearts, they have had taken away from them the capacities of 'heart' built up in them over the years and which contributed to making them who they were as to personality.. Medical World News (May 23, 1969), in an article entitled 'What Does a New Heart Do to the Mind?' reported the following: 'At Stanford University Medical Center last year, a 45-year-old man received a new heart from a 20-year-old donor and soon announced to all his friends that he was celebrating his twentieth birthday. Another recipient resolved to live up to the sterling reputation of the prominent local citizen who was the donor. And a third man expressed great fear of feminization upon receiving a woman's heart, though he was somewhat mollified when he learned that women live longer than men. According to psychiatrist Donald T. Lunde, a consultant to surgeon Norman Shumway's transplant team at Stanford, these patients represent some of the less severe mental aberrations observed in the Shumway series of 13 transplants over the last 16 months.' The article continues: 'Though five patients in the series had survived as of early this month, and four of them were home leading fairly normal lives, three of the nonsurvivors became psychotic before they died last year. And two others have become psychotic this year.. It is significant that heart-transplant patients, where the nerves connecting the heart and brain are severed, have serious emotional problems after the operation. The new heart is still able to operate as a pump, it having its own power supply and timing mechanism independent of the general nervous system for giving impulse to the heart muscle, but just as it now responds only sluggishly to outside influences, the new heart in turn registers few, if any, clear factors of motivation on the brain. To what extent the nerve endings of the body and the new heart are able to make some connections in time is not clear, but this cannot be ruled out as one of the several factors causing the serious mental aberrations and disorientation that doctors report are observed in heart-transplant patients.. These patients have donor-supplied pumps for their blood, but do they now have all the factors needed to say they have a 'heart'? One thing is sure, in losing their own hearts, they have had taken away from them the capacities of 'heart' built up in them over the years and which contributed to making them who they were as to personality.. The Human Heart Is Treacherous .. As we have learned earlier, the heart does not always listen to the mind. There are times when the heart overwhelms the mind despite its force of logic. We must remember that the heart reasons, too, although this has to do not so much with logic as it does with what is taking place in the heart as our motives, affections and desires take shape and gather momentum in a certain direction, whether for good or for bad. To illustrate, suppose the time comes when you must make a decision on buying a new suit or dress. First, the mind is confronted with certain facts. Perhaps older clothes are getting past their usefulness or there is a need for a change for some good reason. The heart comes very much into the picture too, as there is a desire at heart to look presentable. Heart and mind are in agreement that a new dress or suit be obtained. The mind now collects information on prices, quality, styles, and so forth, so that when you go shopping you have a pretty good idea which suit or dress should be purchased. But when you arrive at the store, there in the window is quite an eye-catcher, just waiting for the impulse buyer. It is not really practical for you; it involves much more money; it is rather extreme in styling; but how it tantalizes the heart! 'It's the heart's delight!' Now what will be done? What decision will be made? Will it be a practical, reasoned-out one, or one according to this new desire of the heart? If you are not very careful, the heart will overwhelm the mind. You will be motivated to follow a course against your better judgment." - 1971WTWR 03 01 133-40

    "Operating with Stored Blood .. Men of science are constantly developing new methods for performing surgical operations. The Journal of the American Medical Association, dated November 15, 1971, described a procedure for open-heart surgery that employs sever hemodilution. Early in the operation a large quantity of blood is drawn off into a plastic blood bag. Though the bag is left connected to the patient by a tube, the removed and stored blood is no longer circulating in the patient's system. It is replaced with a plasma volume expander, which dilutes the blood remaining in the veins and which gradually dissipates during the operative procedure. Near the conclusion of the operation the blood storage bag is elevated, and the stored blood is reinfused into the patient.. These techniques are noteworthy to Christians, since they run counter to God's Word. The Bible shows that blood is not to be taken out of a body, stored and then later reused." - 1972AWAK 04 08 29-30

    "God Readjusts the Thinking of His People .. Some persons, however, object to changes in viewpoint, changes in understanding of certain scriptures or procedures. For example, since the 1940's Jehovah's witnesses have refused to give or accept blood transfusions, whereas prior to that they did not take this position.. Other examples could be cited. Does this show that Jehovah's witnesses do not have the truth? Does this bring into question the basic principles of their teachings?" - 1972WTWR 08 15 501

    "Transfusion Horror .. Two babies were infected with syphilis by blood transfusions at Germany's Kiel University Clinic last year, reports Wiesbadener Kurier. Infection spread to the parents. Not knowing the source, at least one of the families involved threatened to break up, each partner accusing the other of being unfaithful. Even though the truth came out in court, the damage was done. 'Two people will have told one another things of which they would be ashamed when they learned the truth,' notes the article. More Transplant Complications .. Recently it was reported that the incidence of cancer is 100 times greater among organ-transplant recipients than among the general population. However, the frequency of brain tumors is 'about 1,000 times greater,' according to Dr. Wolff M. Kirsch, of the University of Colorado Medical Center. The prolonged immunosuppressive therapy to prevent rejection of the new organ frequently entangles the patient 'in a snare of pathological processes,' he says. Prospects for helping such patients are considered 'bleak.'" - 1974AWAK 02 22 30-1

    "'It has been especially gratifying to me to see at firsthand evidence of the truthfulness of the Bible's directives on blood. The medical profession itself has gradually come to appreciate that blood is not an innocuous lifesaver. Blood transfusion is now recognized as a dangerous procedure - as hazardous as any other organ transplant.. Today much is also made of the transplanting of various organs-kidneys, hearts, lungs and livers.. Because of what I have reason to believe is the Creator's view of organ transplants, I have serious reservations as to their Scriptural propriety.'" - 1974AWAK 03 22 21/23

    "Serums or antitoxins are used. These are obtained from the blood of humans or animals that have already developed the antibodies for fighting the disease. Usually the blood is processed and the blood fraction (gamma globulin) containing the antibodies is separated and made into a serum. When this is injected into the patient it gives him temporary passive immunity. This is temporary, for the antibodies do not become a permanent part of his blood; when these pass out of his body he is no longer immune to the disease. It can thus be seen that serums (unlike vaccines) contain a blood fraction, though minute .. What, then, of the use of a serum containing only a minute fraction of blood and employed to supply an auxiliary defense against some infection and not employed to perform the life - sustaining function that blood normally carries out? We believe that here the conscience of each Christian must decide." - 1974WTWR 06 01 351-2

    "Insight on the News - One Thing Leads to Another .. Decades ago, the transfusing of one person's blood into another's veins became a common practice. Then the transplanting of organs came into vogue. Where might this all lead? An article by the president of the Institute of Society, Ethics and the Life Sciences, entitled 'Harvesting the Dead,' gives some idea. According to the article, many 'scientific and theological groups' favor a redefining of death. The new definition would label as 'dead' anyone whose brain functions had fully ceased, producing a state of 'irreversible coma.' What then? The suggestion is made that, although now legally 'dead,' the bodies could still be kept breathing and functioning through respirators in special hospitals, if desired, for a period of years. This could open the way for 'farms of cadavers which require feeding and maintenance, in order to be harvested.' These 'neomorts' legally 'dead,' but actually living bodies could then be used, the article says, for training medical students and interns, who could practice surgical procedures, including amputations. Major organs could be catalogued and computerized for ready availability in transplants. The 'legally dead' persons could be 'drained periodically' to supply blood for transfusion. Admittedly, the article presents these only as possibilities. However, interestingly, the author says that the initial precedent for all this is the 'blood donation' and the 'precedent in blood of commercialization.' In contrast, the Bible inculcates respect for people's bodies, even for those actually dead (not just in an 'irreversible coma'). (Gen. 23:1-6; 49:29; 50:24-26; 1 Sam. 31:8-13) But men today contemplate wholesale 'cannibalizing' of bodies. And even that seems too mild a term for cannibals never maintained 'farms' of human bodies to be 'harvested.' This shows where things can lead once men begin to violate Bible standards, including its prohibition of taking the blood of another creature into one's own body. See Deuteronomy 12:23; Acts 15:28,29." - 1974WTWR 11 15 684

    "Hemophilia Treatment Hazard .. Certain clotting 'factors' [cryoprecipitated AHG] derived from blood are now in wide use for the treatment of hemophilia, a disorder causing uncontrollable bleeding. However, those given this treatment face another deadly hazard: the Swiss medical weekly Schweizer Med Wochenschrift reports that almost 40 percent of 113 hemophiliacs studied had cases of hepatitis. 'All these patients had received whole blood, plasma, or blood derivatives containing (the factors),' notes the report. Of course, true Christians do not use this potentially dangerous treatment, heeding the Bible's command to 'abstain from blood.'" - 1975AWAK 02 22 30

    "Is the turning of people from the clergy to the psychiatrists a healthy phenomenon? No, for it really is a case of jumping from the frying pan into the fire. They are worse off than they were before.. That [mental health professionals] are not the ones to go to for help when one is depressed and beset with all manner of problems is to be seen from the fact that suicides among them are twice as frequent as among the population in general .. what is needed at such times is not worldly psychiatrists who may wholly ignore the change that the truth and God's holy spirit have made in one's life and who know nothing of their power to help one put on a new Christian personality. Rather, what is needed at such times is a mature Christian in whom one has confidence and who is vitally interested in one's welfare and who will not shrink back from administering needed reproof or counsel so that one may get healed." - 1975AWAK 08 22 25

    "Insight on the News - Transplant Problems .. It has long been known that heart-transplant patients have a higher-than-average amount of postoperative psychiatric problems. But it seems that the same is true with regard to some other vital organ transplants, such as kidney transplants. U.C.L.A. psychiatry professor Dr. Pietro Castelnuovo-Tedesco is quoted as saying: 'An outstanding finding following transplantation is the not infrequent occurrence of serious emotional disturbance.' One study of 292 kidney-transplant patients showed that nearly 20 percent experienced severe depression after the operation, a few even attempting suicide. By contrast, only about one out of every 1,500 general-surgery patients develops a severe emotional disturbance. A peculiar factor sometimes noted is a so-called 'personality transplant.' That is, the recipient in some cases has seemed to adopt certain personality factors of the person from whom the organ came. One young promiscuous woman who received a kidney from her older, conservative, well-behaved sister, at first seemed very upset. Then she began imitating her sister in much of her conduct. Another patient claimed to receive a changed outlook on life after his kidney transplant. Following a transplant, one mild-tempered man became aggressive like the donor. The problem may be largely or wholly mental. But it is of interest, at least, that the Bible links the kidneys closely with human emotions. Compare Jeremiah 17:10 and Revelation 2:23." - 1975WTWR 09 01 519

    "Your plasma also contains albumin. It works to retain water in your bloodstream, thus keeping the plasma in a liquid state and flowing in your system. If you experienced edema or swelling of your body, a blood test might show that your albumin level had dropped, and so let water from your blood escape through capillary walls and accumulate in your body tissue." - 1976AWAK 03 22 11-2

    "'A Loaded Gun' .. The American public is continually warned about the hazards of drunk driving, smoking, cancer, narcotics, etc.,' notes 'Oasis,' a magazine published for employees of the U.S. Social Security Administration. 'But,' it continues, 'have you ever seen a warning dealing with blood transfusions? There is ample information available on hazards of transfusions .. in medical journals and such, but very few, if any, warnings. Sure, every transfusion may not result in a reaction or disease, but as one author stated on the subject, 'it is like playing liquid Russian roulette.' Every drunk driver does not cause a death or accident, everyone that smokes does not develop lung cancer .. not every loaded gun kills, but we are still warned about the potential dangers.. anyone who administers a blood transfusion should, like the Surgeon General warns about smoking, warn the participants that transfusions are dangerous to your health, as dangerous as a loaded gun." - 1976WTWR 06 01 336

    "Masturbation and Homosexuality .. In fact, masturbation can lead into homosexuality.. Proper hygiene calls for certain handling of the sex organs, and one might feel that this would be a temptation to misuse them. But because your motive is right - with the aim of avoiding sexual tension - you may well find that such care will instead help you to take a more healthful view toward these organs. You will appreciate that they were never meant to 'take you over' and rule your whole life.. Jehovah God and his Son Jesus Christ .. will kindly and patiently help you to build up the needed strength so that you come off victorious." - 1976YYGB 35-8

    "Could God's law on blood be set aside in times of emergency? The Bible answers, No. There was no special dispensation for times of stress. We can see this from what occurred with some soldiers of Israel in the days of King Saul. Famished after a long battle, they slaughtered sheep and cattle and 'fell to eating along with the blood.' They were hungry and were not deliberately eating blood, but in their haste to eat the meat they did not see to it that the animals were properly bled. Did the fact that this seemed to be an 'emergency' excuse their course? On the contrary, their God - appointed king recognized their action as 'sinning against Jehovah by eating along with the blood.' -1 Samuel 14:31-35." - 1977JWQB 09

    "There is no denying that in Bible times God's law had particular application to consuming blood as food. Intravenous administration of blood was not then practiced. But, even though the Bible did not directly discuss modern medical techniques involving blood, it did in fact anticipate and cover these in principle. Note, for example, the command that Christians 'keep abstaining .. from blood.' (Acts 15:29) Nothing is there stated that would justify making a distinction between taking blood into the mouth and taking it into the blood vessels. And, really, is there in principle any basic difference?.. Doctors know that a person can be fed through the mouth or intravenously. Likewise, certain medicines can be administered through various routes. Some antibiotics, for instance, can be taken orally in tablet form or injected into a person's muscles or circulatory system (intravenously). What if you had taken a certain antibiotic tablet and, because of having a dangerous allergic reaction, were warned to abstain from that drug in the future? Would it be reasonable to consider that medical warning to mean that you could not take the drug in tablet form but could safely inject it into your bloodstream? Hardly! The main point would not be the route of administration, but that you should abstain from that antibiotic altogether. Similarly, the decree that Christians must 'abstain from blood' clearly covers the taking of blood into the body, whether through the mouth or directly into the bloodstream.. Persons who recognize their dependence on the Creator and Life-Giver should be determined to obey his commands. This is the firm position that Jehovah's Witnesses take.. It is out of obedience to the highest authority in the universe, the Creator of life, that they refuse to take blood into their systems either by eating or by transfusion. The issue of blood for Jehovah's Witnesses, therefore, involves the most fundamental principles on which they as Christians base their lives.. Their relationship with their Creator and God is at stake." - 1977JWQB 18-9

    "Consequently, whether having religious objections to blood transfusions or not, many a person might decline blood simply because it is essentially an organ transplant that at best is only partially compatible with his own blood.. a bottle of blood is a bomb.. donating blood can be compared to sending a loaded gun to an unsuspecting or unprepared person" - 1977JWQB 41

    "Does this brief consideration of only some of the medical risks of blood mean that Jehovah's Witnesses object to transfusions primarily for medical reasons? No, that is not the case. The fundamental reason why they do not accept blood transfusions is because of what the Bible says. Theirs is basically a religious objection, not a medical one. Nevertheless, the fact that there are serious risks in taking blood simply underscores the reasonableness, even from a medical standpoint, of the position that Jehovah's Witnesses take." - 1977JWQB 48-9

    "Doctors know that alternative solutions are not really 'blood substitutes.' Why not? Because the hemoglobin of the red cells delivers oxygen throughout the body. Nonblood solutions do not contain this." - 1977JWQB 51

    "Firmly Resolved About Life And Blood .. God did not then enforce on the rest of mankind his law against taking in blood any more than he did his law against idolatry. (Acts 17:30, 31; 14:16) So a Gentile might buy and choose to eat meat with blood in it. (Deut. 14:21) But a worshiper of the Creator could not do so. In fact, if an Israelite, evidently unaware at the time that the blood had not been drained, did eat flesh containing blood, he had to take steps to cleanse himself of his unintentional error. -Lev. 17:15,16. If animal blood, representing life, was not to be taken in for sustenance, that would be even more so of human blood. We can easily see this from what occurred when Jesus once spoke figuratively about eating his flesh and drinking his blood. Some Jewish disciples who did not discern that he was using only symbols were shocked and left him. (John 6:60-66) Yes, the thought of taking in blood, whether animal or human, was abhorrent to those concerned with God's view.. Similarly, God's command to 'abstain from blood' rules out ingesting it by the mouth as well as through injections into the veins. Furthermore, the Bible makes it clear that the divine law was not to be ignored even during an emergency that could threaten life. (1 Sam. 14:31-35) Many of God's approved servants have been willing to face dangers and even death rather than violate Scriptural principles and their integrity to Jehovah.. So their everlasting destiny is tied up in their faithfulness to Jehovah. This includes their being obedient to what he says about blood.. Avoid bloodguilt from (1) eating blood [blood transfusions], (2) sharing in bloodguilty organizations" - 1978WTWR 06 15 22-5

    "Are serum injections compatible with Christian belief? What, however, about accepting serum injections to fight against disease, such as are employed for diphtheria, tetanus, viral hepatitis, rabies, hemophilia and Rh incompatibility? This seems to fall into a 'gray area.' Some Christians believe that accepting a small amount of a blood derivative for such a purpose would not be a manifestation of disrespect for God's law; their conscience would permit such.. Hence, we have taken the position that this question must be resolved by each individual on a personal basis.. How concerned should a Christian be about blood in food products?.. This may call for a degree of care.. Christians, individually, must decide what to do." - 1978WTWR 06 15 29-31

    "Watching the World - Transplanted Rabies .. A 37-year-old Boise, Idaho, woman was hospitalized with headaches and facial numbness about five weeks after having a forester's cornea transplanted into her right eye. She suffered gradual paralysis and died within a short time despite the efforts of her bewildered doctors. In time scientists traced the malady to the donor of her transplanted cornea. He had died of a neurological disease unknown at the time. But new tests of his frozen eyes revealed rabies virus." - 1979AWAK 06 22 31

    "Should congregation action be taken if a baptized Christian accepts a human organ transplant, such as of a cornea or a kidney? Regarding the transplantation of human tissue or bone from one human to another, this is a matter for conscientious decision by each one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Some Christians might feel that taking into their bodies any tissue or body part from another human is cannibalistic. They might hold that the transplanted human material is intended to become part of the recipient's body to keep him alive and functioning. They might not see it as fundamentally different from consuming flesh through the mouth. Such feelings may arise from considering that God did not make specific provision for man to eat the flesh of his fellowman when he made provision for humans to eat the flesh of animals that had been drained of their life-sustaining blood. They may give consideration also to the way people in Bible times viewed sustaining themselves by taking in human flesh. For example, see the account at 2 Kings 6:24-30; Deuteronomy 28:53-57; Lamentations 2:20 and 4:10. Other sincere Christians today may feel that the Bible does not definitely rule out medical transplants of human organs. They may reason that in some cases the human material is not expected to become a permanent part of the recipient's body. Body cells are said to be replaced about every seven years, and this would be true of any human body parts that would be transplanted. It may be argued, too, that organ transplants are different from cannibalism since the 'donor' is not killed to supply food. In some cases persons nearing death actually have willed body parts to be used for transplants. Of course, if a transplant should require taking in another person's blood, undeniably that would be contrary to God's command. Acts 15:19,20. Clearly, personal views and conscientious feelings vary on this issue of transplantation. It is well known that the use of human materials for human consumption varies all the way from minor items, such as hormones and corneas, to to major organs, such as kidneys and hearts. While the Bible specifically forbids consuming blood, there is no Biblical command pointedly forbidding the taking in of other human tissue. For this reason, each individual faced with making a decision on this matter should carefully and prayerfully weigh matters and then decide conscientiously what he or she could or could not do before God. It is a matter for personal decision. (Gal. 6:5) The congregation judicial committee would not take disciplinary action if someone accepted an organ transplant." - 1980WTWR 03 15 31

    "Would it be wrong for a Christian, under medical treatment, to allow leeches to be applied to him to draw off some blood? It would not be contrary to God's Word to permit the medical withdrawal and disposal of some blood. But to do this through the use of leeches would conflict with what the Bible says. Admittedly, leeches are not commonly used today. Yet questions about using them do arise, particularly in Europe. Noting what the Bible says about blood can help us to evaluate such treatments.. However, though leeches parasitically feed on blood in their natural state at present, it would not be proper for a Christian to permit leeches to draw his blood. (Proverbs 30:15) Even where this was urged for medical reasons and the leeches would later be disposed of, the use of leeches would involve deliberately feeding blood to these creatures. That would conflict with the Bible's indication that blood, being sacred and representing life, should be disposed of if it is removed from a body." - 1982WTWR 06 15 31

    "So too, 'abstaining from blood' means not taking it into your body at all." - 1982YCLF 216

    "It is with this in mind, and not just to honor the requests of Jehovah's Witnesses, that Denton Cooley (of Houston, Texas) has performed open-heart operations now for over seven years, limiting transfusions wherever possible by substituting hemodilution, diluting the patient's blood with a glucose and heparin solution. If this method has given excellent results since then .. one wonders why it has not been extended to present-day surgery." - 1983AWAK 03 22 16

    "The Israelites were told: 'You must not eat any body already dead. To the alien resident who is inside your gates you may give it, and he must eat it; or there may be a selling of it to a foreigner, because you are a holy people to Jehovah your God.' (Deuteronomy 14:21) Though it was unbled, they could sell the carcass to an alien resident. In seeming conflict, Leviticus 17:10 says: 'As for any man of the house of Israel or some alien resident who is residing as an alien in their midst who eats any sort of blood, I shall certainly set my face against the soul that is eating the blood, and I shall indeed cut him off from among his people.' Why the difference between these verses? In presenting their view, some have asserted that Deuteronomy 14:21 permitted the alien to eat unbled meat if it was from an animal that was not killed by man, for then man did not have to give its blood (representing life) back to God. Leviticus 17:15 might seem to support this view; it says that the native or alien who ate a 'body already dead or something torn by a wild beast' was simply to 'wash .. and be unclean until the evening.' So it could appear that no substantial guilt came from eating blood if the victim was not killed by man. Thus some claim that it would not be wrong to take blood from a living creature, using it for food or for transfusions. However, is the basic difference between Deuteronomy 14:21 and Leviticus 17:10, 15 a matter of how the animal died? The Scriptural answer must be, No. The Israelites knew that they absolutely could not eat unbled meat from an animal that died of itself or was killed by a wild beast. While still at Mount Sinai they had been told to dispose of such carcasses. (Exodus 22:31) Deuteronomy 14:21 is in harmony, directing Israelites in the Promised Land to get rid of such unbled carcasses but allowing them to sell such to aliens. Now let us carefully examine Leviticus 17:10. It says that no 'man of the house of Israel or some alien resident' should eat blood. Was that because the animal had been killed by a human and so the blood had to be returned to God? To claim such is to read into the verse more than it says. Further, if guilt resulted only if blood was from a creature killed by man, then Deuteronomy 14:21 and Exodus 22:31 would not have forbidden Israelites to eat unbled flesh from animals that were not killed by men. Yet the Israelites clearly knew they could not eat such meat. Ezekiel stated: 'My soul is not a defiled one; neither a body already dead nor a torn animal have I eaten from my youth up.' -Ezekiel 4:14; compare 44:31. Why, then, does Deuteronomy 14:21 say that the 'alien resident' could be sold unbled meat, but Leviticus 17:10 forbids the 'alien resident' to eat blood? Both God's people and Bible commentators have recognized that the distinction must have been the religious standing of the alien involved. Aid to Bible Understanding (page 51) points out that sometimes the term 'alien resident' meant a person among the Israelites who was not a full proselyte. It appears that this sort of person is meant at Deuteronomy 14:21, a man who was not trying to keep all of God's laws and who might have his own uses for a carcass considered unclean by Israelites and proselytes. Jewish scholars, too, have offered this explanation. So, no worshiper of God could eat blood, whether from (or in the flesh of) an animal that had died of itself or from one that was killed by man. Why, then, does Leviticus 17:15 say that eating unbled flesh from such an animal that died of itself or was killed by a beast merely produced uncleanness? We can find a clue at Leviticus 5:2, which says: 'When a soul touches some unclean thing, whether the dead body of an unclean wild beast .. although it has been hidden from him, still he is unclean and has become guilty.' Yes, God acknowledged that an Israelite might err inadvertently. Hence, Leviticus 17:15 can be understood as providing for such an error. For example, if an Israelite ate meat served him and then learned that it was unbled, he was guilty of sin. But because it was inadvertent he could take steps to become clean. This, however, is noteworthy: If he would not take those steps, 'he must then answer for his error.' -Leviticus 17:16. Thus eating unbled flesh was not a trivial matter; it could even result in death. No true worshiper (Israelite or full proselyte alien) could voluntarily eat unbled flesh, no matter if it was from an animal that died of itself, was killed by another animal or was killed by a human. (Numbers 15:30) The apostolic council confirmed this. Writing to Christians making up the spiritual 'Israel of God' it forbade eating that which was strangled, whether the unbled meat was from an animal that died from accidental strangulation or it was from one strangled by a man. -Galatians 6:16; Acts 21:25." - 1983WTWR 04 15 30-1

    "The doctor may suggest that you have some of your own blood withdrawn and stored for use, if necessary, during a later operation. Would you agree? Remember that, according to God's Law given through Moses, blood removed from a creature was to be poured out on the ground. (Deut. 12:24) We today are not under the Law code, but the underlying message is that blood is sacred and, when removed from a creature's body, is to be returned to God by pouring it out on his footstool, the earth. (Compare Matthew 5:34,35.) So how could it be proper to store your blood (even for a relatively brief time) and then put it back into your body? But what if the doctor says that, during surgery or in the course of other treatment, your blood would be channeled through equipment outside your body, and then, right back in? Would you consent? Some have felt that, with a clear conscience, they could permit this, provided that the equipment was primed with a nonblood fluid. They have viewed the external equipment as an extension of their circulatory system. Of course, situations vary, and it is you that must decide.. Loyalty to Jehovah ought to make us resist {blood} resolutely, because we choose to obey God rather than men.. To persons who do not yet know Jehovah, arguments in favor of blood transfusions may at times seem to show high regard for the sacredness of life. But we do not forget that many who argue in this way also condone the destruction of life by means of abortion." - 1983UWTG 158-9

    "Kingdom Unity Convention .. Are You Tolerating Secret Faults? .. How this talk made us think! It forcefully showed that whether we are observed by humans or not, God sees us and rewards faithfulness. Particularly dealt with were the secret faults of masturbation, excessive use of alcohol and yielding to pressure in the matter of blood transfusion on being assured that this sin would be kept secret. But all such tolerating of secret faults results in a bad conscience and Jehovah's disfavor." - 1984WTWR 01 15 28

    "Could a Christian accept a bone-marrow transplant, since blood is made in the marrow? Doctors perform most bone-marrow transplants by withdrawing some marrow from a donor (often a near relative) and then injecting or transfusing it into the sick patient. They hope that the marrow graft will reach the patient's marrow cavities and later function normally. Usually this procedure is considered only in critical cases (such as aplastic anemia or acute leukemia) for there are acknowledged hazards in preparing a person for a marrow graft and in treating him afterward. As the question itself notes, red blood cells are formed in the marrow of certain bones such as the ribs, sternum and pelvic bones. Hence, it is understandable why, in the light of the Bible's prohibition on blood, the question arises whether a Christian could accept a graft of human bone marrow. The Bible states clearly that God's servants must 'abstain from blood.' (Acts 15:28,29; Deuteronomy 12:15,16) But, since red cells originate in the red bone marrow, do the Scriptures class marrow with blood? No. In fact, animal marrow is spoken of like any other flesh that could be eaten. Isaiah 25:6 says that God will prepare for his people a banquet that includes 'well-oiled dishes filled with marrow.' Normal slaughtering and drainage procedures never drain all blood cells from the marrow. Yet once a carcass is drained, then any of the tissue may be eaten, including the marrow. Of course, marrow used in human marrow transplants is from live donors, and the withdrawn marrow may have some blood with it. Hence, the Christian would have to resolve for himself whether to him the bone-marrow graft would amount to simple flesh or would be unbled tissue. Additionally, since a marrow graft is a form of transplant, the Scriptural aspects of human organ transplants should be considered. See 'Questions From Readers' in our issue of March 15, 1980. Finally, writing in Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine (Update I, 1981, page 138), Dr. D.E. Thomas observes that 'virtually all marrow transplant recipients will require platelet transfusions' and many are given 'packed red blood cells.' So the Christian should consider what additional issues he would have to face if he submitted to a marrow transplant. Proverbs 22:3. Though a personal decision has to be made on this matter, the Bible's comments about blood and marrow should help the individual to decide." - 1984WTWR 05 15 31

    "What are we to understand, then, by the word 'heart'?.. What an amazing number of different functions and capabilities are ascribed to the heart! Do all of these reside in the literal heart? That could hardly be so.. in nearly a thousand other references to 'heart' in the Bible, 'heart' is obviously used in a figurative sense.. obviously, a distinction must be drawn between the heart organ and the figurative heart." - 1984WTWR 09 01 03-7

    "Consider a man who is told by his doctor that he must abstain from alcohol. Would he be obedient if he quit drinking alcohol but had it put directly into his veins?" - 1985RFTS 073

    "our position on blood is non-negotiable." - 1985WTWR 04 15 13

    "Each batch of Factor VIII is made from plasma that is pooled from as many as 2,500 blood donors." - 1985WTWR 06 15 30

    "Allow No Place for the Devil! .. What else does the Devil use in trying to turn us away? Has he not always tried to stir up rebellion, to cause Jehovah's servants to become critical of those taking the lead? 'The elders just do not understand. They are too critical, too demanding,' some may say. A person may go further and claim that the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses or other responsible brothers interfere with freedom of conscience and the individual's 'right' to interpret the Scriptures. But remember Joseph's humble words: 'Do not interpretations belong to God?' (Genesis 40:8). And did not Jesus foretell that in these final days an organization of anointed ones, 'the faithful and discreet slave,' would be entrusted with providing spiritual food at the proper time? (Matthew 24:45-47). Beware of those who try to put forward their own contrary opinions. Also beware of those who want to throw off all restraints or who promise freedom, claiming that Jehovah's Witnesses are slaves!.. Occasionally you may hear someone question whether the Scriptural prohibition against eating blood really applies to transfusions. But what is behind that reasoning? Is it fear - fear of possibly losing one's present life or the life of a loved one? Is hope in the resurrection fading? Faithful Christians do not compromise on God's law or look for ways to water it down. Abstaining from blood to nourish the body is just as necessary as abstaining from fornication and idolatry, all condemned in the same spirit-directed decree of the apostles and older men at Jerusalem. -Acts 15:19,20,28,29.. Some who have a critical attitude claim that Jehovah's organization is too strict about cutting off social contacts with disfellowshiped persons. (2 John 10,11) But why do such critics feel that way? Do they have a close family tie or mistaken loyalty to a friend that they are putting ahead of loyalty to Jehovah and his standards and requirements?.. 'What is often the motive of those who criticize the Society or those taking the lead? Is it not often that some application of Scripture affects them personally? Rather than conform to sound doctrine and direction, they want the organization to change.. Again we ask, What is the motive of these critics? Are they encouraging wakefulness on the part of God's people, or are they, rather, trying to justify themselves for falling back into sleepy inactivity? (1 Thessalonians 5:4-9) More importantly, what will you do if you hear such a criticism? If a person is questioning whether we are living in 'the last days' of this system, or perhaps is entertaining ideas that God is so merciful that he surely will not cause the death of so many millions of people during the 'great tribulation,' then this individual already has prepared his heart to listen to such criticisms.. Yes, to all who are faithfully and loyally enduring in the Christian way, we are sure that Jehovah's truth is still beautiful, satisfying - even more so than when they first heard it.. Let us always appreciate our privilege of being in Jehovah's spiritual paradise, where we are enjoying so many rich blessings. We know who are holding faithfully to the sayings of everlasting life. So maintain close association with them, knowing that they are our genuine, loyal brothers and sisters in the faith. May we continue to have the same joy and satisfaction that we had when we first learned the truth, with the assurance of the grand prize of everlasting life in Jehovah's new system of things. As Paul so aptly said: 'Let no man deprive you of the prize'! -Colossians 2:18.. Therefore, resolve in your heart that you will never even touch the poison that apostates want you to sip" - 1986WTWR 03 15 16-20

    "The ancient Egyptians believed that the physical heart was the seat of intelligence and the emotions. They also thought that it had a will of its own. The Babylonians said that the heart housed the intellect as well as love. The Greek philosopher Aristotle taught that it was the seat of the senses and the domain of the soul. But as time passed and knowledge increased, these views were discarded. Finally the heart became known for what it is, a pump to circulate the blood throughout the body." - 1986WTWR 06 01 15

    "Sample causes of AIDS in these cases were: 'Exposed to virus-infected blood during surgery,' 'Infected by a 1983 transfusion,' 'Infected by a transfusion, she infected her husband and a son,' 'A blood transfusion gave him AIDS,' 'Contracted AIDS from blood transfusion during 1981 surgery,' 'Hemophiliac; his young son died of AIDS and his wife has ARC,' 'He got AIDS from a blood transfusion, and he endured three years of pain, paralysis and encroaching blindness.' One case, a 13-month-old baby, 'died, as did his mother, from a contaminated blood transfusion.' A two-year-old girl 'had a blood transfusion shortly after birth' and died of AIDS. In view of these evident risks, why are some authorities still insisting on forcing blood transfusions on adult Jehovah's Witnesses and their babies?" - 1988AWAK 04 08 31

    "After discussing the notable example of David when facing the giant Goliath, the next speaker featured 'How Some Have Trusted in Jehovah' in modern times. For instance, there was a sister whose unbelieving husband, with gun in hand, threatened to kill her if she kept going to meetings. Others have demonstrated their trust in Jehovah when told that their life depended on accepting a blood transfusion. Youths have given proof of their trust in Jehovah by resisting pressures to go in for sports or to opt for higher education after completing high school." - 1988WTWR 01 15 25

    "Do Jehovah's Witnesses allow the use of autologous blood (Autotransfusion), such as by having their own blood stored and later put back into them? Though Christians are not under the Mosaic Law, the Bible says that it is 'necessary' for us to 'abstain from blood,' viewing it as sacred. (Acts 15:28,29) This is understandable, for the sacrifices under the Law foreshadowed Christ's blood, God's means by which we can gain everlasting life. -Hebrews 9:11-15,22. How was blood to be dealt with under the Law if it was not used in sacrifice? We read that when a hunter killed an animal for food, 'he must in that case pour its blood out and cover it with dust.' (Leviticus 17:13,14; Deuteronomy 12:22-24) So the blood was not to be used for nutrition or otherwise. If taken from a creature and not used in sacrifice, it was to be disposed of on the earth, God's footstool. -Isaiah 66:1; compare Ezekiel 24:7,8. This clearly rules out one common use of autologous blood - preoperative collection, storage, and later infusion of a patient's own blood.. Jehovah's Witnesses, though, DO NOT accept this procedure.. In a somewhat different process, autologous blood can be diverted from a patient to a hemodialysis device (artificial kidney) or a heart-lung pump. The blood flows out through a tube to the artificial organ that pumps and filters (or oxygenates) it, and then it returns to the patient's circulatory system. Some Christians have permitted this if the equipment is not primed with stored blood. They have viewed the external tubing as elongating their circulatory system so that blood might pass through an artificial organ. They have felt that the blood in this closed circuit was still part of them and did not need to be 'poured out.'.. What, though, if the flow of such autologous blood stopped briefly, such as if a heart-lung machine is shut down while the surgeon checks the integrity of coronary-bypass grafts?.. a Christian having to decide whether to permit his blood to be diverted through some external device ought to focus, not primarily on whether a brief interruption in flow might occur, but on whether he conscientiously felt that the diverted blood would still be part of his circulatory system. -Galatians 6:5. What about induced Hemodilution?.. Some Christians have accepted this, others have refused. Again, each individual must decide whether he would consider the blood diverted in such a Hemodilution circuit to be similar to that flowing through a heart/lung machine, or he would think of it as blood that left him and therefore should be disposed of. A final example of autologous blood use involves recovering and reusing blood during surgery. Equipment is used to aspirate blood from the wound, pump it out through a filter (to remove clots or debris) or a centrifuge (to eliminate fluids), and then direct it back into the patient. Many Christians have been very concerned whether in such salvage there might be any brief interruption of blood flow. Yet, as mentioned, a more Biblical concern is whether the blood escaping into a surgical wound is still part of the person. Does the fact that the blood has flowed from his circulatory system into the wound mean that it should be 'poured out,' like the blood mentioned at Leviticus 17:13? If an individual believes so, he would probably refuse to permit such blood salvage. Yet, another Christian (who also would not let blood flow from him, be stored for some time, and later be put back into him) might conclude that a circuit with recovery from a surgical site and ongoing reinfusion would not violate his trained conscience.. When faced with a question in this area, each Christian is responsible to obtain details from medical personnel and then make a personal decision.. While modern medicine might be able to help us extend our lives for a time, we certainly would not want to extend our present life by doing anything that would violate our Christian conscience or would displease our Life-Giver." - 1989WTWR 03 01 30-1

    "A Resolution .. As Jehovah's Witnesses, we testify that: .. (3) We abhor anti-God philosophies and practices, so common in Christendom, such as evolution, blood transfusions, abortions, lying, greed, and dishonesty." - 1989WTWR 04 15 18

    "The faith of Jehovah's Witnesses is under attack from all sides - by the clergy of Christendom who hate the Kingdom message we take from house to house, by apostates who collaborate with Christendom's clergy, by medical authorities who want to impose blood transfusions on us and our children, by atheistic scientists who reject belief in God and the creation, and by those who try to force us to compromise our neutrality. All this opposition is orchestrated by Satan, the ruler of darkness and ignorance, the enemy of accurate knowledge." - 1989WTWR 12 01 12

    "In 1979 Mr. and Mrs. Malette of Quebec, Canada, were involved in a car accident.. she was carrying a signed Medical Directive/Release Card, clearly refusing blood transfusions.. The doctor.. ignored those instructions.. Mrs. Malette sued the doctor and the hospital .. she was awarded $20,000." - 1990AWAK 09 08 31

    "the Japanese Health and Welfare Ministry has tried to clamp down on the trade, saying that it is unreasonable to profit from blood. In fact, the Ministry charges that medical institutions in Japan make some $200,000,000 in profits each year from just one plasma component, albumin." - 1990AWAK 10 22 05

    "It is not surprising that transfusing such a complex substance might, as one surgeon put it, 'confuse' the body's immune system. In fact, a blood transfusion can suppress immunity for as long as a year. To some, this is the most threatening aspect of transfusions. Then there are infectious diseases as well. They have exotic names, such as Chagas' disease and cytomegalovirus. Effects range from fever and chills to death. Dr. Joseph Feldschuh of the Cornell University of Medicine says that there is 1 chance in 10 of getting some sort of infection from a transfusion. It is like playing Russian roulette with a ten-chamber revolver. Recent studies have also shown that blood transfusions during cancer surgery may actually increase the risk of recurrence of the cancer. No wonder a television news program claimed that a blood transfusion could be the biggest obstacle to recovery from surgery. Hepatitis infects hundreds of thousands and kills many more transfusion recipients than AIDS does, but it gets little of the publicity. No one knows the extent of the deaths, but economist Ross Eckert says that it may be the equivalent of a DC-10 airliner full of people crashing every month.. As cardiovascular surgeon Denton Cooley notes: 'A blood transfusion is an organ transplant.'" - 1990AWAK 10 22 09

    "The evidence mounts that blood transfusions are harmful to the immune system." - 1990AWAK 11 22 12

    [continued below]

  • Focus
    Focus

    [continued from above]

    "Blood - Vital for Life .. Cannibals are condemned. Why do we not abhor those who stain their gullet with human blood? Similar is the receiving of alien blood from a cut vein, either through the mouth or by instruments of transfusion. The authors of this operation are held in terror by the divine law, by which the eating of blood is prohibited.. Those who respect life as a gift from the Creator do not try to sustain life by taking in blood." - 1990HCBS 06

    "Before submitting to any serious medical procedure, a thinking person will learn the possible benefits and the risks. What about blood transfusions? They are now a prime tool in medicine. Many physicians who are genuinely interested in their patients may have little hesitation about giving blood. It has been called the gift of life.. When doctors transplant a heart, a liver, or another organ, the recipient's immune system may sense the foreign tissue and reject it. Yet, a transfusion is a tissue transplant.. 'Blood has always enjoyed a 'magical' quality,' notes Dr. Louise J. Keating. 'For its first 46 years, the blood supply was perceived as being safer than it actually was by both physicians and the public.' (Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, May 1989) What was the situation then, and what is it now? Even 30 years ago, pathologists and blood-bank personnel were advised: 'Blood is dynamite! It can do a great deal of good or a great deal of harm. The mortality from blood transfusion equals that from either anesthesia or appendectomy. There is said to be approximately one death in 1,000 to 3,000 or possibly 5,000 transfusions. In the London area there has been reported one death for every 13,000 bottles of blood transfused.' -New York State Journal of Medicine, January 15, 1960. Have the dangers since been eliminated so that transfusions are now safe? Frankly, each year hundreds of thousands have adverse reactions to blood, and many die.. A healthy person may tolerate a 50 percent loss of red blood cell mass and be almost entirely asymptotic if blood loss occurs over a period of time.. The conscience of some Witnesses permits them to accept organ transplants if done without blood.. [it] is the most dangerous substance we use in medicine.. to force blood on a Christian would be the equivalent of forcible sex - rape.. Each year thousands die as a result of transfusions; multitudes more get very sick and face long-term consequences.. Witnesses believe that blood removed from the body should be disposed of, so they do not accept autotransfusion of predeposited blood. Techniques for intraoperative collection or hemodilution that involve blood storage are objectionable to them." - 1990HCBS 06-27

    "Are You Ready to Face a Faith-Challenging Medical Situation? .. Keep this information where you can quickly find it as needed .. No one thinks much about the possibility of being in a hospital today or tomorrow. Still, 'time and unforeseen occurrence befall us all.' (Eccl. 9:11) Even if you do not accept medical treatment as your preferred form of health care, what will you do to protect yourself from an unwanted blood transfusion should an accident leave you unconscious and you are rushed to a hospital? Yes, an accident or a suddenly deteriorating health situation can abruptly bring you face-to-face with a challenge to your faith. If you should find yourself in a hospital for any reason, what will you do to maintain integrity if someone there tells you that you will die without a blood transfusion? Will you hastily accept that this claim truly represents your condition? Are you fully convinced that you do not want blood? Are you ready to face this challenge to your faith and 'abstain from blood'? -Acts 15:28,29. Successfully resisting an unwanted, spiritually contaminating blood transfusion starts with a firm conviction. Such a conviction must be based on a clear understanding of what the Bible says about blood. Otherwise, you can, in the emotion of the moment, easily be intimidated by someone who claims to know more about the situation than you do. Would you be misled into thinking that maybe doctors know more about blood than God does? Surely, in these circumstances you will want to be 'firmly resolved' to do 'what is right' in Jehovah's eyes, no matter what mere humans may say. (Deut. 12:23-25) But do you have to face this challenge all by yourself? -Eccl. 4:9-12. HOSPITAL INFORMATION SERVICES AND HOSPITAL LIAISON COMMITTEES .. To assist those who need help when faced with a blood transfusion problem, the Society has set up Hospital Information Services at Brooklyn. It has also established 100 Hospital Liaison Committees in major U.S. cities. These committees are made up of more than 600 elders specially trained for this work. Hospital Information Services is able to do research in more than 3,600 medical journals worldwide to locate information on the availability and effectiveness of many forms of bloodless surgery and treatment. It then supplies Hospital Liaison Committees, health care centers, and some doctors with information on these medical advances. (Sometimes Hospital Information Services has sent out medical articles that show what can be done without blood and successfully defused an ongoing confrontation at a hospital.) It keeps the committees posted on favorable court decisions that will assist judges in looking at our cases with added insight. It also maintains records on over 7,000 cooperative physicians so that the committees have up-to-date files to use when blood transfusion problems arise. Hospital Information Services also supervises the training and work of the Hospital Liaison Committees. In the cities where they are located, Hospital Liaison Committees regularly make informative presentations to hospital staffs to improve relations with them. They also poll these staffs to find any additional doctors who will treat us without using blood. These brothers stand ready to help you, but there are crucial advance steps you must take to lay the groundwork for them to do that most effectively. CRUCIAL ADVANCE STEPS-HAVE YOU TAKEN THEM YET? First, make sure all in the family have their personal medical directive document thoroughly filled out-dated, signed, and witnessed. Some brothers arriving at a hospital with an undated and/or unwitnessed document have had its validity challenged. And do all our unbaptized children have their filled-out identification cards? If not, in an emergency involving your child, how do hospital personnel know your position on blood and whom to call? Then see to it that all keep these documents with them AT ALL TIMES. Check this with your children before they go to school each day, yes, even before they go to a playground or recreational area. All of us should be sure that these documents are with us at work, when on vacation, or at a Christian convention. Never be without them! Think what could happen to you if you should arrive in a serious condition at the emergency room of a hospital, unconscious and/or unable to speak for yourself. If you do not have the document with you, and there is no relative or elder yet at the hospital to speak for you, and it is concluded that you 'need blood,' you will likely receive a blood transfusion. Unfortunately, this has happened to some. But when we have the document, it speaks for us, expressing our will. That is why a medical document is better than a medical bracelet or necklace. The latter do not explain our Bible-based reasons for our position and do not have signatures verifying what is stated. A Canadian court decision said about a sister's document: '(The patient) has chosen in the only way possible to notify doctors and other providers of healthcare, should she become unconscious or otherwise unable to convey her wishes, that she does not consent to blood transfusions.' So never be without it! Since our medical directive is designed mainly for dealing with emergency situations, then in elective surgery you would be wise to write out your own personalized, more complete advance directive (based on our medical directive) so that you can include specifics, such as the type of surgery and the names of the doctors and the hospital. It is your right to do this and thus ensure the treatment of your choice. Even though you and the doctor may not anticipate serious problems, explain that this directive is to be followed in case of any unexpected developments. -Prov. 22:3. The next important step is to talk to the necessary medical personnel that you will have to deal with in either elective or emergency treatment. To whom especially should you speak? TALK TO MEDICAL PERSONNEL .. THE MEDICAL TEAM: This is a time when the fear of man must not prevail. (Prov. 29:25) If you appear unsure, someone may decide you are not sincere. When surgery is needed, elective or emergency, you or the nearest family member must with determination ask some pointed questions of the head of the surgical team. One important question is, Will the team respect the patient's wishes and in all circumstances treat without blood? Without this assurance you would not be well protected. State plainly and with dignified conviction what your wishes are. Make it clear that you want alternative nonblood medical management of your problem. Calmly and confidently discuss both your own advance medical directive and also the hospital's release from liability form. If the surgeon is unwilling to work with your wishes, you will save time if you ask the hospital administrator to locate another doctor for you. That is part of his job. ANESTHESIOLOGIST: Of all on the medical team that you need to talk to before surgery, YOU MUST NOT FAIL TO SPEAK TO THIS DOCTOR. Charged with keeping you alive while the surgeon operates, the anesthesiologist is the one who makes decisions about such matters as the use of blood. So you are not fully protected by just talking to the surgeon. Hence, you must speak with and convince the anesthesiologist as to your position, determining whether it will be respected or not. -Compare Luke 18:3-5. The usual practice, it seems, is for the anesthesiologist to visit the patient briefly rather late on the night before surgery-too late if he is opposed to your stand on blood. Insist that the surgeon preselect a cooperative anesthesiologist that you can talk to well in advance of elective surgery. Then there will be time to locate another one if the first one is unwilling to abide by your wishes. Do not let anyone try to talk you out of this right to be satisfied with the anesthesiologist for your surgery. To all of these, you must make clear your nonnegotiable stand: No Blood.. Do not hesitate to ask for help. Some have waited too long to get help and put their very lives in danger. VALUABLE HELP IN A TIME OF NEED .. Note the following procedure for obtaining needed help: (1) As soon as you or a loved one faces either elective or emergency surgery where there is a confrontation because the hospital wants to use blood; or (2) if your medical situation or that of a loved one deteriorates seriously; or (3) if in the case of a child (or an adult), the doctor, a nurse, or an administrator says they are going to get a court order, then: call your local elders if you have not already done so. (Indeed, because of our position on blood, it is the course of wisdom to alert our elders anytime we have to go to a health care facility.) Next, if it is deemed necessary, the elders will call the nearest Hospital Liaison Committee. If you wish, some Hospital Liaison Committee members may come to the hospital at this time to help you. -Isa. 32:1,2.. LOADED QUESTIONS TO WATCH OUT FOR .. You should know that there are some questions that doctors and others pose that are not always asked with good motive. The one most frequently asked by doctors (and by some judges) is: 'Would you rather die (let your child die) than accept a 'lifesaving blood transfusion'?' If you say yes, that would be correct in a religious sense. But that reply is often misunderstood and at times even produces adverse court decisions. You must remember that you are not in the ministry in this situation.. They will brand you a religious fanatic, unable to make rational decisions when life is at stake. In the case of children, they will see you as a negligent parent who refuses so-called 'lifesaving' medical treatment. But you are NOT denying medical treatment as such.. You must understand that in asking these questions, some are usually looking for a way around your refusal to accept blood. Do not inadvertently give it to them! So how would we avoid that misunderstanding? You could reply: 'If blood is forced on me in any way, it would be the same to me as being raped. I would suffer the emotional and spiritual consequences of that unwanted attack on me for the rest of my life. I would resist with all my strength such a violation of my body without my consent. I would make every effort to prosecute my attackers just as I would in a case of rape.' The strong, graphic impression must be made that a forced transfusion is to us a repugnant violation of our bodies. It is no casual matter. So hold your ground.. We have also seen what the Society has lovingly done to provide help in a time of need. What must you do with this information to be sure you are ready to face a faith-challenging medical situation? First: Have a family discussion to rehearse these matters and to work out what you will say and do, especially in an emergency. Next: See that you have all the documents you need. Then: Make it a matter of serious prayer to Jehovah to back you up in your firm resolve to 'keep abstaining from blood.' Obeying his law on blood assures us of his favor for endless life. -Acts 15:29; Prov. 27:11,12. If any medical situation deteriorates seriously to the point where a transfusion is being threatened, check this box as to what you should do: 1. Call elders in your congregation to assist you. 2. Have elders call the nearest Hospital Liaison Committee if needed. 3. The Hospital Liaison Committee can assist you in speaking to doctors and others. 4. The Hospital Liaison Committee can help you" - 1990KMIN 11 01 3-6

    "Do Jehovah's Witnesses accept injections of a blood fraction, such as immune globulin or albumin? Some do, believing that the Scriptures do not clearly rule out accepting an injection of a small fraction, or component, taken from blood.. In view of the command to 'abstain from blood,' some Christians have felt that they should not accept an immune globulin (protein) injection, even though it was only a blood fraction. Their stand is clear and simple - no blood component in any form or amount. Others have felt that a serum (antitoxin), such as immune globulin, containing only a tiny fraction of a donor's blood plasma and used to bolster their defense against disease, is not the same as a life-sustaining blood transfusion. So their consciences may not forbid them to take immune globulin or similar fractions.. It is significant that the blood system of a pregnant woman is separate from that of the fetus in her womb; their blood types are often different. The mother does not pass her blood into the fetus. Formed elements (cells) from the mother's blood do not cross the placental barrier into the fetus' blood, nor does the plasma as such. In fact, if by some injury the mother's and the fetus' blood mingle, health problems can later develop (Rh or ABO incompatibility). However, some substances from the plasma cross into the fetus' circulation. Do plasma proteins, such as immune globulin and albumin? Yes, some do. A pregnant woman has an active mechanism by which some immune globulin moves from the mother's blood to the fetus'. Because this natural movement of antibodies into the fetus occurs in all pregnancies, babies are born with a degree of normal protective immunity to certain infections. It is similar with albumin, which doctors may prescribe as a treatment for shock or certain other conditions. Researchers have proved that albumin from the plasma is also transported, though less efficiently, across the placenta from a mother into her fetus. That some protein fractions from the plasma do move naturally into the blood system of another individual (the fetus) may be another consideration when a Christian is deciding whether he will accept immune globulin, albumin, or similar injections of plasma fractions. One person may feel that he in good conscience can; another may conclude that he cannot. Each must resolve the matter personally before God." - 1990WTWR 06 01 30-1

    "He describes blood as 'the most dangerous substance we use in medicine.'" - 1990WTWR 07 15 30

    "Is it proper for a Christian to receive an injection of a blood fraction, such as immune globulin or albumin? Responding to God's law, Christians do not accept blood transfusions of the major blood components - plasma, red cells, white cells, or platelets. Some of Jehovah's Witnesses, however, have conscientiously felt able to receive an injection of one of the small protein fractions of the plasma. Interestingly, some of these proteins naturally pass from the bloodstream of a pregnant woman to the separate blood system of her fetus." - 1990WTWR 08 15 29

    "Individuals with medical problems who are facing the blood issue need special assistance. Even before they enter the hospital, some may need help in making sure that medical and legal papers are fitting and that the necessary medical personnel have been spoken to in order to avoid a transfusion.. Reasons for disfellowshipping .. failure to abstain from blood" - 1991PAYF 021/95

    "Blood in or as Medicine .. 'Those who drag in the use of human blood for internal remedies of diseases appear to misuse it and to sin gravely. Cannibals are condemned. Why do we not abhor those who stain their gullet with human blood? Similar is the receiving of alien blood from a cut vein, either through the mouth or by instruments of transfusion. The authors of this operation are held in terror by the divine law.' Yes, even in centuries past, people saw that God's law ruled out both the taking of blood into the veins and the taking of it through the mouth. Realizing this may help people today to understand the position that Jehovah's Witnesses take, one that accords with God's stand. While highly valuing life and appreciating medical care, true Christians respect life as a gift from the Creator, so they do not try to sustain life by taking in blood.. The reality is that blood transfusions are fraught with many risks. They can even be fatal.. Appreciation for this value helps Jehovah's Witnesses to be resolved not to misuse blood, even if a physician sincerely claims that a transfusion is vital. He may believe that potential benefits of a transfusion outweigh the health risks posed by the blood itself. But the Christian cannot ignore an even graver risk, the risk of losing God's approval by agreeing to a misuse of blood.. If you have children, are you sure that they agree with and can explain the Bible - based stand on transfusions? Do they truly believe this stand to be God's will? Are they convinced that to violate God's law would be so serious that it could put at risk a Christian's prospect for everlasting life? Wise parents will review these matters with their children, whether they be very young or almost adults. Parents may hold practice sessions in which each youth faces questions that might be posed by a judge or a hospital official. The goal is not to have a youth repeat by rote selected facts or answers. It is more important that they know what they believe, and why. Of course, at a court hearing, the parents or others might present information about the risks of blood and the availability of alternative therapies. But what a judge or an official would likely seek to learn from speaking with our children is whether they maturely understand their situation and options and also whether they have their own values and firm convictions." - 1991WTWR 06 15 09-10/15/18

    "How strenuously should a Christian resist a blood transfusion that has been ordered or authorized by a court? God's law must be obeyed!..if a court-authorized transfusion seemed likely, a Christian might choose to avoid being accessible for such a violation of God's law..If a Christian did put forth very strenuous efforts to avoid a violation of God's law on blood, authorities might consider him a lawbreaker or make him liable to prosecution. If punishment did result, the Christian could view it as suffering for the sake of righteousness." - 1991WTWR 06 15 31

    "In another case a 16-month-old baby with meningitis was becoming more anemic. As is often the case, the anemia was due to many blood samples being routinely taken for testing purposes." - 1991YEAR 037

    "beginning in 1961 any who ignored the divine requirement, accepted blood transfusions, and manifested an unrepentant attitude were disfellowshipped from the congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses" - 1993PROC 183-4

    "Overcoming life's challenges in South Asia .. Severely wounded in a motor vehicle accident, a Jehovah's Witness woman who required a major surgery wrote as follows: 'For nine days the battle regarding a blood transfusion continued - my fight to live in harmony with my conscience by refusing it, the doctors' fight to convince me to accept it.'" - 1994AWAK 01 22 21

    "Bloodless Heart Transplant .. Last October, three-year-old Chandra Sharp was admitted to a hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A., with a heart that was not only enlarged but also failing. She was undernourished, her growth stunted, her weight only 19 pounds, and she needed a heart transplant. She was given only a few weeks to live. Her parents agreed to the transplant but not to blood transfusion. They are Jehovah's Witnesses. This was no issue with the surgeon, Dr. Charles Fraser. The Flint Journal of Michigan reported on December 1, 1993: 'Fraser said the Cleveland Clinic and other medical centers are becoming adept at performing many surgeries - including transplants - without the infusion into the patient of other people's blood. 'We have learned more about how to conserve blood, and how to prime the heart-lung machine with solutions other than blood,' said Fraser.' He then added: 'Some specialty hospitals have for decades been doing major cardiovascular operations without blood transfusions.. We always try to do surgery without (transfused) blood.'" - 1994AWAK 05 22 07

    "Youths who have 'power beyond what is normal' .. A Jehovah's Witness girl with leukemia was quoted as saying, she 'would fight and kick the IV pole down and rip out the IV no matter how much it would hurt, and poke holes in the blood.'" - 1994AWAK 05 22 13

    "Contaminated Blood Given to Hemophiliacs .. 'Blood has become a two-billion-dollar-a-year business. The pursuit of profits from it has resulted in a gigantic tragedy in France. HIV-contaminated blood caused the death of 250 hemophiliacs in AIDS-related illnesses, with hundreds more infected.' -The Boston Globe, October 28, 1992, page 4. 'An 'unholy alliance' of medical negligence and commercial greed led to the death of some 400 German hemophiliacs, with at least 2,000 additional ones infected with HIV-contaminated blood.' -Guardian Weekly, August 22, 1993, page 7. Canada had its own blood scandal. 'It is estimated that more than 700 Canadian hemophiliacs were treated with HIV-infected blood. The government was warned in July 1984 that the Red Cross was distributing AIDS-contaminated blood to Canadian hemophiliacs, but the contaminated blood products were not withdrawn from the market until a year later, August 1985.' -The Globe and Mail, July 22, 1993, page A21, and The Medical Post, March 30, 1993, page 26." - 1994AWAK 05 22 31

    "Is the RhIG shot made from blood? Yes. The antibodies that make up the shot are harvested from the blood of individuals who have become immunized or sensitized to the Rh factor.. Genetically-engineered RhIG not derived from blood may become available in the future. Can the Christian conscientiously take RhIG?.. This journal and its companion, The Watchtower, have commented consistently on the matter* .. some Christians have concluded that to them it does not seem a violation of Bible law..' The decision whether to take RhIG remains finally, though, a matter for each Christian couple to decide conscientiously.. * See The Watchtower of June 1, 1990, pages 30,31; June 15, 1978, pages 30,31; and How Can Blood Save Your Life?, published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc." - 1994AWAK 12 08 23-7

    "Would it be proper to accept a vaccination or some other medical injection containing albumin derived from human blood? Frankly, each Christian must personally decide on this. God's servants rightly want to obey the directive found at Acts 15:28,29, to abstain from blood. Accordingly, Christians will not eat unbled meat or products such as blood sausage. But God's law also applies in the medical area. Jehovah's Witnesses carry a document stating that they refuse 'blood transfusions, whole blood, red cells, white cells, platelets, or blood plasma.' What, though, about serum injections containing a tiny amount of a blood protein? Witnesses have long realized that this is a matter for private decision in accord with each one's Bible-trained conscience. This was pointed out in 'Questions From Readers' of The Watchtower of June 1, 1990, which discussed serum injections that a physician may recommend if one is exposed to certain diseases. The active components of such injections are not blood plasma per se but antibodies from the blood plasma of those who have developed resistance. Some Christians who feel that they can in good conscience accept such injections have noted that antibodies from the blood of a pregnant woman cross into the blood of the baby in her womb. 'Questions From Readers' mentioned this, as well as the fact that some albumin passes from a pregnant woman to her baby. Many find this noteworthy, since some vaccines that are not prepared from blood may contain a relatively small amount of plasma albumin that was used or added to stabilize the ingredients in the preparation. Currently a small amount of albumin is also used in injections of the synthetic hormone EPO (erythropoietin). Some Witnesses have accepted injections of EPO because it can hasten red blood cell production and so may relieve a physician of a feeling that a blood transfusion might be needed. Other medical preparations may come into use in the future that involve a comparatively small amount of albumin, since pharmaceutical companies develop new products or change the formulas of existing ones. Christians may thus want to consider whether albumin is part of a vaccination or other injection that a doctor recommends. If they have doubts or have reason to believe that albumin is a component, they can inquire of their physician. As noted, many Witnesses have not objected to accepting an injection that contains a small quantity of albumin. Still, anyone wanting to study the matter more thoroughly before making a personal decision should review the information presented in 'Questions From Readers' of The Watchtower of June 1, 1990." - 1994WTWR 10 01 31

    "'The doctors decided to provide alternative treatment. Plasma was extracted from the blood, and thus antibodies attacking my blood cells and kidney tissues were removed. I was then given injections of Ringer's solution together with albumin. I had discussed this treatment with the doctors and gave them written permission to administer it.'" - 1995AWAK 02 22 21

    "Seminars to Improve Relations Between Doctors and Jehovah's Witnesses .. The liaison committee members have been trained to handle many common questions raised by both hospitals and physicians, occasionally even Witnesses themselves. This might include issues like the acceptability of immunoglobulins or albumin, the use of cryoprecipitate or medical techniques such as hemodilution, extracorporeal circulation, the cell saver, or hemodialysis." - 1995AWAK 03 22 20

    "In contrast with the disheartening evidence, a happier account was put before Justice Krever on May 25, 1994, in Regina, Saskatchewan. William J. Hall, a 75-year-old man with severe hemophilia, told how he successfully manages his condition using alternatives to blood products. And he does not have AIDS. As one of Jehovah's Witnesses, Mr. Hall has avoided blood and blood factors because of his religious conscience." - 1995AWAK 06 08 21

    "Treasure the Real Life .. The Law given to the Israelites required abstinence from blood. (Leviticus 17:13, 14) Christians are not under the Mosaic Law. But they realize that the command not to eat blood predated the Law; it had earlier been given to Noah after the Deluge. (Genesis 9:3,4; Colossians 2:13,14) This command applied to all the offspring of Noah, from whom all nations of the earth have descended. (Genesis 10:32) In addition, the Mosaic Law helps us to see the reason for God's insistence on the sanctity of blood. After forbidding the Israelites to consume blood of any kind, God said: 'The soul of the flesh is in the blood, and I myself have put it upon the altar for you to make atonement for your souls, because it is the blood that makes atonement by the soul in it.' (Leviticus 17:11) Blood was reserved by God for sacrificial use upon the altar. His law on the sanctity of blood reveals his authority over all life on the earth. (Ezekiel 18:4; Revelation 4:11) Seeing our life from Jehovah's standpoint, we realize that it does not belong to us but is only entrusted to us by God.. To 15-year-old Kumiko, a blood transfusion to treat her deadly leukemia was the worst possible option. Trying to lengthen her life by this means for a few weeks, months, or even years was not worth what it would cost her in the long run. Having dedicated her present life to Jehovah God as one of his Witnesses, she respected the sanctity of life and blood. Although her father and other relatives strongly opposed her stand, Kumiko stood firm. Her doctor once asked her: 'If your God forgives failures, wouldn't he forgive you even if you accepted a blood transfusion?' Kumiko refused to compromise and thus repudiate her Bible-based belief. 'Keeping a tight grip on the word of life,' she maintained her stand. (Philippians 2:16) As her unbelieving grandmother said, 'Kumiko would not abandon her faith.' Soon the attitude of her father and her grandmother as well as that of the attending doctors changed. Kumiko's strong faith in Jehovah God, who can resurrect her from the dead, moved many hearts. While still alive, she entreated her father: 'Even if I die, I will be resurrected in the Paradise. But if you are destroyed at Har-Magedon, I won't see you. So please study the Bible.' Her father just kept saying: 'When you get well, I will.' But when Kumiko died from her relentless illness, her father put into her casket a note that said: 'I'll see you in Paradise, Kumiko.' After the funeral service, he spoke to those who attended the service and said: 'I promised Kumiko that I would see her in Paradise. Although I still can't believe it because I have not studied enough, I am determined to look into it. Please help me.' Others in her family also started to study the Bible. Kumiko had true respect for life and wanted to live. She appreciated all that her doctors did to save her present life. By complying with instructions in the Creator's manual, however, she proved that she treasured the real life. For millions, that will be everlasting life on a paradise earth. Will you be among them?" - 1995WTWR 01 15 06-7

    "Because of such dangers, the Center for Bloodless Surgery utilizes alternatives to blood transfusions, including the reinfusion of a patient's own blood, a technique that some Witnesses may find unobjectionable under certain circumstances." - 1995WTWR 08 01 30

    "OBEDIENCE TO GOD'S LAW ON BLOOD REWARDED .. Recently a viral fever broke out in epidemic form in some parts of the state of Kerala (India). This disease severely damages the kidneys and leads to the need for dialysis. Blood transfusions are commonly administered. In one city 14 people were admitted to the hospital with this disease. One of these patients was a Witness, an elder in the local congregation. He was told that blood transfusion was the only available treatment. The elder explained his Scriptural beliefs and firmly refused blood. (Acts 15:28,29) After much argument the doctors said that he would die because of his rejection of a blood transfusion. The other 13 patients received blood. Tragically, all of them died within a few days. The brother was the only survivor! Hospital authorities were very surprised. The medical staff was greatly impressed by the regular visits made by members of the congregation. After he was discharged from the hospital, the brother went to thank the doctors, but they said: 'Why do you thank us? Thank your God, Jehovah. He is the One who saved you. Please pray for us also to your God, Jehovah.' BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS RECONSIDERED .. In this gloomy age of AIDS, the greatest threat to a hospital patient's health may lurk in the operating room. 'There is no way we can make the blood supply completely sterile,' says Dr. Richard Spence, who for more than a decade has directed the Center for Bloodless Surgery at Cooper Hospital-University Medical Center in Camden, New Jersey, U.S.A. Not surprisingly, the center treats many of Jehovah's Witnesses, whose Bible-based refusal of blood transfusions is well-known. (Leviticus 17:11; Acts 15:28,29) However, a number of non-Witness patients are showing up at the center as well, concerned about the potential dangers of transfusing blood, which include the contracting of hepatitis, AIDS, and other diseases. 'The rise of AIDS has shown the need for screening blood,' notes the Courier-Post Weekly Report on Science and Medicine. 'But some cases can still slip through the screening process because someone could have the virus before it would show up on a test.' Because of such dangers, the Center for Bloodless Surgery utilizes alternatives to blood transfusions, including the reinfusion of a patient's own blood-a technique that some Witnesses may find unobjectionable under certain circumstances. Another treatment involves the use of drugs that stimulate the patient's blood production. Additionally, a synthetic blood substitute is occasionally employed to bolster the delivery of oxygen without the need for transfused blood. 'Jehovah's Witnesses want the best medical care,' says Dr. Spence, 'but they want alternatives to transfusions.' Jehovah's Witnesses are thankful for the cooperation and assistance they have received from doctors who respect their religious convictions. As a result, they have indeed received 'the best medical care' and have maintained a clean conscience before Jehovah God. -2 Timothy 1:3." - 1995WTWR 09 15 24-5

    "Near Death - I am writing regarding the article 'Doctors Learned From My Near Death.' (December 22, 1995) Is not erythropoietin buffered with a small percentage of albumin, a blood protein? -R.P., United States In some cases, yes, and each Christian must personally decide whether or not to accept medications that contain small amounts of albumin. For a detailed discussion, please see 'Questions From Readers' in the October 1, 1994, and June 1, 1990, issues of 'The Watchtower." - 1996AWAK 11 08 30

    "Kingdom Proclaimers Report .. 'Shining as Illuminators in the World' .. JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES stand out as unique and often receive bad publicity because of their not accepting blood transfusions. This position, however, is solidly based on the Bible. It shows that God condemns the misuse of blood, since blood is precious in his eyes. (Genesis 9:3,4; Leviticus 17:14) As a result of examining the Scriptures on this subject, Jehovah's Witnesses conclude that the Bible's directive to 'abstain from blood' would clearly include the modern practice of transfusing blood. -Acts 15:19,20,28,29. In recent years members of the medical community, as well as the courts in some countries, have come to support Jehovah's Witnesses on this issue. For example, in Denmark a young mother who was acquainted with the Bible's view of blood died as a result of an automobile accident. Because of her refusal to accept a blood transfusion, her doctors fueled a month-long campaign of hostility by the media against Jehovah's Witnesses. The young woman's parents requested an inquiry, and in April 1994 a decision was announced by Denmark's Commission of Patients' Complaints. It stated that the patient died, not because she refused blood, but because of medical malpractice. The decision was based on investigations by the Board of Forensic Medicine and the health authorities. In a circular to all health-care facilities in Denmark, the National Board of Health stated that doctors have an obligation to give Jehovah's Witnesses the best available alternative treatment, taking into consideration their refusal to accept blood. Another case involved Dan, a 15-year-old Witness who died of leukemia. In this case doctors respected Dan's brave decision to reject a blood transfusion. This resulted in a widespread press campaign in which the media blamed the doctors for Dan's death. Many, however, did not agree with the negative propaganda. For example, the headmaster at the school that Dan had attended was present at the Kingdom Hall for the funeral. He expressed shock over the unfair news coverage of Dan's death. After approaching a Witness coworker with several questions about Jehovah's Witnesses, he accepted a copy of the video Jehovah's Witnesses-The Organization Behind the Name. The video so impressed him that he arranged for all the teachers in the school to view it. Later, the video was shown to all the students, one class at a time. Denmark's minister of health also disagreed with the bad publicity Dan's doctors received. He stated that the doctors had done the right thing in respecting Dan's mature decision and well-founded faith. There are millions of Kingdom proclaimers who render obedience to God's laws. Because of their obedience, they stand out, 'shining as illuminators in the world.' -Philippians 2:12,15." - 1996WTWR 02 01 15

    "As regards the alleged involvement of children, the [WTBTS] submits that children cannot become members of the association but only participate, together with their parents, in the religious activities of the community. In respect of the refusal of blood transfusion, the applicant association submits that there are no religious sanctions for a Jehovah's Witness who chooses to accept blood transfusion and that, therefore, the fact that the religious doctrine of Jehovah's Witnesses is against blood transfusion cannot amount to a threat to public health." - Sworn testimony submitted by the WTBTS in evidence before the European Commission of Human Rights on 7/3/1997, Application No. 28626/95

    "Show Respect for Life and Blood .. As you bring your life into harmony with God's standards, you come to appreciate how precious life truly is. Let us now discuss a third requirement of God. We must show respect for life and blood. Life is sacred to Jehovah. It should be, for he is the Source of life. (Psalm 36:9) Why, even the life of an unborn child inside its mother is precious to Jehovah! (Exodus 21:22,23) Blood represents life. Therefore, blood too is sacred in God's eyes. (Leviticus 17:14) It should come as no surprise, then, that God expects us to view life and blood as he does. What does respect for life and blood require of us? As Christians, we do not take unnecessary risks with our lives just for excitement. We are safety conscious and therefore make sure that our cars and homes are safe. (Deuteronomy 22:8)" - 1997WTWR 01 15 21

    "Another question on the minds of several doctors related to group pressure. What would happen, the wondered, if a Witness wavered and accepted a blood transfusion? Would he be ostracized by the Witness Community? .. disobeying God's law certainly is a serious matter, something for the congregation's elders to examine.. Doubtless such a Witness would feel very bad and be concerned about his relationship with God.. elders wound want, as in all judicial cases, to temper firmness with mercy. -Matt. 9:12,13; John 7:24. The stand of the Witnesses respecting the sanctity of blood is a doctrinal belief rather than an ethical viewpoint subject to periodic review, he was told. The clear Biblical command leaves no room for compromise. (Acts 15:28,29) Violating such a divine law would be as unacceptable to a Witness as condoning idolatry or fornication." - 1997WTWR 02 15 19

    "By works and example, Christianity's Founder, Jesus Christ, encouraged love of God and love of neighbor, not intolerance and fanaticism.. Does it strike you as odd that something as potentially elevating and ennobling as the teachings of the Bible should be misused to promote intolerance, bigotry, and hatred? Actually, it is not those teachings of the Bible that make religion unpalatable to many. Rather, it is a corruption of them.. misunderstandings today often result in estrangement and even prejudice. For example, a few people have viewed Jehovah's Witnesses as religious fanatics because of reports about their refusal to take blood transfusions." - 1999AWAK 02 22 04-6

    "Do Jehovah's Witnesses accept any medical products derived from blood? The fundamental answer is that Jehovah's Witnesses do not accept blood. We firmly believe that God's law on blood is not open to reform to fit shifting opinions. Still, new issues arise because blood can now be processed into four primary components. In deciding whether to accept such, a Christian should look beyond possible medical benefits and risks. His concern should be what the Bible says and the potential effect on his relationship with Almighty God. The key issues are quite simple. As an aid to seeing why that is some consider some Biblical, historical, and medical background. Jehovah God told our common ancestor Noah that blood must be treated as something special. (Genesis 9:3,4) Later, God's laws to Israel reflected the sacredness of blood: 'As for any man of the house of Israel or some alien resident..who says any sort of blood, I shall certainly set my face against the soul that is eating the blood.' By rejecting God's law, an Israelite could contaminate other; thus, God added: 'I shall indeed cut him off from among his people.' (Leviticus 17:10) Later, at a meeting in Jerusalem, the apostles and older men decreed that we must 'abstain from blood.' Doing so is as vital as abstaining from sexual immorality and idolatry. -Acts 15:28,29. What would 'abstaining' have meant back then? Christians did not consume blood, whether fresh or coagulated: nor did they eat meat from an unbled animal. Also ruled out would be foods to which blood was added, such as blood sausage. Taking in blood in any of those ways would violate God's law. -1 Samuel 14:32,33. Most people in ancient times would not have been troubled over the consuming of blood, as we can see from the writings of Tertullian (second and third centuries C.E.). Responding to false charges that Christians consumed blood, Tertullian mentioned tribes that sealed treaties by tasting blood. He also noted that ' when a show is given in the arena, (some) with greedy thirst have caught the fresh blood of the guilty..as a cure for their epilepsy.' Those practices (even if some Romans did them for health reasons) were wrong for Christians: 'We do not include even animals' blood in our natural diet,' wrote Tertullian. The Romans used food containing blood as a test of the integrity of real Christians. Tertullian added: 'Now, I ask you, what sort of a thing is it, that when you are confident (that Christians) will turn with horror from animals' blood, you should suppose them greedy for human blood?' Today, few people would think that the laws of Almighty God are at issue if a physician suggested their taking blood. While Jehovah's Witnesses certainly want to keep living, we are committed to obey Jehovah's law on blood. What does this mean in the light of current medical practice? As transfusions of whole blood became common after World War II, Jehovah's Witnesses saw that this was contrary to God's law - and we still believe that. Yet, medicine has changed over time. Today, most transfusions are not of whole blood but of one of its primary components: (1) red cells; (2) white cells; (3) platelets; (4) plasma (serum), the fluid part. Depending on the condition of the patient, physicians might prescribe red cells, white cells, platelets, or plasma. Transfusing these major components allows a single unit of blood to be divided among more patients. Jehovah's Witnesses hold that accepting whole blood or any of those four primary components violates God's law. Significantly, keeping to this Bible-based position has protected them from many risks, including such diseases as hepatitis and AIDS that can be contracted from blood. However, since blood can be processed beyond those primary components, questions arise about fractions derived from the primary blood components. How are such fractions used, and what should a Christian consider when deciding on them? Blood is complex. Even the plasma - which is 90 percent water - carries scores of hormones, inorganic salts, enzymes, and nutrients, including minerals and sugar. Plasma also carries such proteins as albumin, clotting factors, and antibodies to fight diseases. Technicians isolate and use many plasma proteins. For example, clotting factor VIII has been given to hemophiliacs, who bleed easily. Or if someone is exposed to certain diseases, doctors might prescribe injections of gamma globulin, extracted from the blood plasma of people who already had immunity. Other plasma proteins are used medically, but the above mentioned illustrate how a primary blood component (plasma) may be processed to obtain fractions. * Footnote: See 'Questions From Readers' in The Watchtower of June 15, 1978, and October 1, 1994. Pharmaceutical firms have developed recombinant products that are not taken from blood and that may prescribed in place of some blood fractions used in the past. Just as blood plasma can be a source of various fractions, the other primary components (red cells, white cells, platelets) can be processed to isolate smaller parts. For example, white blood cells may be a source of interferons and interleukins, used to treat some viral infections and cancers. Platelets can be processed to extract a wound healing factor. And other medicines are coming along that involved (at least initially) extracts from blood components. Such therapies are not transfusions of those primary components; they usually involve parts or fractions thereof. Should Christians accept these fractions in medical treatment? We cannot say. The Bible does not give details, so a Christian must make his own conscientious decision before God. Some would refuse anything derived from blood (even fractions intended to provide temporary passive immunity). That is how they understand God's command to 'abstain from blood.' They reason that his law to Israel required that blood removed from a creature be 'poured out on the ground.' (Deuteronomy 12:22-24) Why is that relevant? Well, to prepare gamma globulin, blood-based clotting factors, and so on, requires that blood be collected and processed. Hence, some Christians reject such products, just as they reject transfusions of whole blood or of its four primary components. Their sincere, conscientious stand should be respected. Other Christians decide differently. They too refuse transfusions of whole blood, red cells, white cells, platelets, or plasma. Yet, they might allow a physician to treat them with a fraction extracted from the primary components. Even here there may be differences. One Christian may accept a gamma globulin injection, but he may or may not agree to an injection containing something extracted from red or white cells. Overall, though, what might lead some Christians to conclude that they could accept blood fractions? SUGGESTED QUESTIONS FOR THE DOCTOR .. If you face surgery or a treatment that might involve a blood product, ask: Do all the medical personnel involved know that, as one of Jehovah's Witnesses, I direct that no blood transfusions (whole blood, red cells, white cells, platelets, or blood plasma) be given to me under any circumstances? If any medicine to be prescribed may be made from blood plasma, red or white cells, or platelets, ask: Has the medicine been made from one of the four primary blood components? If so, would you explain its makeup? How much of this blood-derived medicine might be administered, and in what way? If my conscience permits me to accept this fraction, what medical risks are there? If my conscience moves me to decline this fraction, what other therapy might be used? After I have considered this matter further, when may I inform you of my decision? 'Questions From Readers' in The Watchtower of June 1, 1990, noted that plasma proteins (fractions) move from a pregnant woman's blood to the separate blood system of her fetus. Thus a mother passes immunoglobulins to her child, providing valuable immunity. Separately, as a fetus' red cells complete their normal life span, their oxygen-carrying portion is processed. Some of it becomes bilirubin, which crosses the placenta to the mother and is eliminated with her body wastes. Some Christians may conclude that since blood fractions can pass to another person in this natural setting, they could accept blood fraction derived from blood plasma or cells. Does the fact that opinions and conscientious decisions may differ mean that the issue inconsequential? No. It is serious. Yet, there is a basic simplicity. The above material shows that Jehovah's Witnesses refuse transfusions of both whole blood and its primary blood components. The Bible directs Christians to 'abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from fornication'. (Acts 15:29) Beyond that, when it comes to fractions of any of the primary components, each Christian, after careful and prayerful meditation, must conscientiously decide for himself. Many people would be willing accept any therapy that seems to offer immediate benefit, even a therapy have know health risks, as is true of blood products. The sincere Christian endeavors to have a broader, more balanced view that involves more than just the physical aspects. Jehovah's Witnesses appreciate efforts to provide quality medical care, and they weight the risk/benefit ratio of any treatment. However, when it comes to products derived from blood, they carefully weigh what God says and their personal relationship with our Life-Giver. -Psalm 36:9. What a blessing for a Christian to have such confidence as the psalmist who wrote: 'Jehovah God is a sun and a shield; favor and glory are what he gives. Jehovah himself will not hold back anything good from those waking in faultlessness. O Jehovah .. happy is the man that is trusting in you'! Psalm 84:11,12." - 2000WTWR 06 15 29-31

    "In the light of Bible commands about the proper use of blood, how do Jehovah's Witness view medical procedures using one's own blood? Rather than deciding solely on the basis of personal preference or some medical recommendation, each Christian ought to consider seriously what the Bible says. It is a matter between him & Jehovah. Jehovah, to whom we owe our lives, decreed that blood should not be consumed. (Genesis 9:3-4).. In the Law for ancient Israel, God limited the use of blood because it represented life. He decreed: 'The soul (or life) of the flesh is in the blood, and I myself have put it upon the altar for you to make atonement for your souls.' What if a man killed an animal for food? God said: 'He must in that case pour its blood out and cover it with dust.' (Professor Frank H. Gorman writes: 'The pouring out of the blood is best understood as an act of reverence that demonstrates respect for the life of the animal and, thus, respect for God, who created & continues to care for that life.') (Leviticus 17:11,13) Jehovah repeated this command again and again. (Deuteronomy 12:16; 24:15-23) The Jewish Soncion Chumash notes: 'The blood must not be stored but rendered unfit for consumption by pouring itout on the ground.' No Israelite was to appropriate, store, and use the blood of another creature whose life belonged to God. The obligation to keep the Mosaic Law ended when Messiah died. Yet, God's view of the sacredness of blood remains. Moved by God's holy spirit, the apostles directed to 'abstain from blood.' That command was not to be taken lightly. It was as important morally as abstaining from sexual immorality or idolatry. (Acts 15:28,29; 29:21-25). When donating and transfusing blood became common in the 20th century, Jehovah's Witness understood that this practice conflicted with God's Word. (The Watchtower of July 1, 1951, answered key questions about this subject, showing why transfusions of donated blood are not appropriate.) Occasionally, a doctor will urge a patient to deposit his own blood weeks before surgery (preoperative autologous blood donation, or PAD) so that if the need arises, he could transfuse the patient with his own blood. However, such collecting, storing, and transfusing of blood directly contradicts what is said in Leviticus and Deuteronomy. Blood is not to be stored; it is to be poured out - returned to God, as it were. Granted, the Mosaic Law is not in force now. Nevertheless, Jehovah's Witnesses respect the principles God included in it, and they are determined to 'abstain from blood'. Hence, we do not donate blood, nor do we store for transfusions our blood that should be 'poured out.' That practice conflicts with God's law. Other procedures or tests involving an individual's own blood are not so clearly in conflict with God's stated principles. For instance, many Christians have allowed some of their blood to be withdrawn from testing or analysis, after which the sample is discarded. Other more complex procedures involving one's blood may also be recommended. For example, during certain surgical procedures, some blood may be derived from the body in a process called hemodilution. The blood remaining in the patient diluted. later his (what about hers) blood in the external circuit is directed back into him, thus bringing his blood count closer to normal. Similarly, blood that flows into a wound may be captured and filtered so that the red cells can be returned to the patient; this is called cell salvage. In different process, blood may be directed to a machine that temporarily carries on a function normally handled by body organs (for example, the heart, lungs, or kidneys). The blood from the machine is then returned to the patient. In other procedures, blood is diverted to a separator (centrifuge) so that damaging of defective portions of it can be eliminated. Or the goal may be to isolate some of a blood component and apply that elsewhere on the body. There are also tests in which a quantity of the blood is withdrawn in order to tag it or to mix it with medicine, where upon it is put back into the patient. The details may vary, and new procedures, treatments, and tests will certainly be developed. It is not our place to analyze each variation and render decision.' 'A Christian must decide for himself how his own blood will be handled in the course of a surgical procedure, medical test, or current therapy. Ahead of time, he should obtain from the doctor or technician the facts about what might be done with his blood during the procedure. Then he must decide according to what his conscience permits. QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF .. If some of my blood will be diverted outside my body and the flow might even be interrupted for a time, will my conscience allow me to view this blood as still part of me, thus not requiring that it will be 'poured out on the ground'? Would my Bible-trained conscience be troubled if during a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure some of my own blood was withdrawn, modified, and directed back into (or onto) my body? Christians should bear in mind their dedication to God and obligation 'to love him with their whole heart, whole soul, whole strength, and whole mind.' (Luke 10:27) Unlike most in the world, Jehovah's Witnesses highly treasure their good relationship with God. The Life-Giver urges all to trust in Jesus' shed blood. We read; 'By means of him (Jesus Christ) we have the release by ransom through the blood of that one, yes, the forgiveness of our trespasses.' -Ephesians 1:7" - 2000WTWR 10 15 30-1

    "Disease Free Or Fraught With Danger? Blood-borne disease worries conscientious physicians and many patients. Which disease? Frankly, you cannot limit it just to one; there are indeed many. After discussing the more well-known diseases, Techniques of Blood Transfusion (1982) addresses 'other transfusion-associated infectious diseases,' such as syphilis, cytomegalovirus infection, and malaria. It then says: 'Several other diseases have also been reported to be transmitted by blood transfusion, including herpes virus infections, infectious mononucleosis (Epstein-Barr virus), toxoplasmosis, trypanosomiasis (African sleeping sickness and Chagas' disease), leishmaniasis, brucellosis (undulant fever), typhus, filariasis, measles, salmonellosis, and Colorado tick fever.' The pope survived being shot. After leaving the hospital, he was taken back for two months, 'suffering a great deal.' Why? A potentially fatal cytomegalovirus infection from the blood he received. Actually, the list of such diseases is growing." - Jehovah's Witnesses website at www.watchtower.org, file Transfusions_how_safe.htm, downloaded 1/3/2001

    The Watchtower's measured grasp exhibited above leaves one in no doubt whatsoever as to how reliable, accurate, competent, reasonable, responsible, impartial and consistent it has been as a teacher and guide. This is even more important given that this teacher claims the status of God's sole representative on Earth, prophetlike, uttering words put by God into its very mouth and so on. Accordingly, using the past as a rough guide to the future, one should rightly assess whether the Watchtower will decide - after a few more thousand extra deaths - that its teachings on blood too were entirely in error, and quietly reverse them.

    One quote from Jehovah's Witness apologist author Rolf Furuli:

    "The Watchtower Society .. I view it the same way that my students view me, as a teacher" [3]

    I sincerely hope that statement is incorrect - and not only for the sake of your students, Mr. Furuli.

    As for me, I do not subscribe to the Watchtower's teaching that in God's view:

    "Individual persons are of small importance" - 1939SALV 50

    which institutional attitude lies at the very heart of this tragedy re blood transfusions - for tragedy it is, which has been shown to have cost the lives of many thousands of Jehovah's Witnesses already. I congratulate Doctor Muramoto and others on his efforts to date and urge him to continue - "for the sake of the children, and for those whose voice is not heard" due to the repressive techniques of this distressing cult.

    Love

    Prominent Bethelite.

    JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES' own BIBLICAL "ENCYCLOPEDIA", INSIGHT INTO THE SCRIPTURES, 1988, VOL. I, pp296-7 (capitalization mine):-
    "As a major city of the northern kingdom under Jeroboam, BETHEL .. BECAME RENOWNED AS A CENTER OF FALSE WORSHIP. At Bethel, in the extreme south of the newly formed kingdom of Israel .. Jeroboam set up the GOLDEN CALVES in his effort to dissuade the people of his realm from going to the temple at Jerusalem. (1 Ki 12:27-29) With its own religious house and altar, a SPECIALLY INVENTED FESTIVAL TIME .. BETHEL BECAME A SYMBOL OF RANK APOSTASY FROM TRUE WORSHIP. (1 Ki 12:31-33) Jehovah God did not delay in expressing his disapproval .. to Bethel to pronounce judgment against the ALTAR used in connection with CALF WORSHIP.. The prophets Amos and Hosea .. proclaimed GOD'S CONDEMNATION of the RELIGIOUS CORRUPTION CENTERED AT BETHEL.. Hosea .. warns that ITS CALF IDOL served by foreign-god priests will come to be a CAUSE FOR MOURNING.. The prophet Amos spoke in similar vein, showing that, no matter how frequent the sacrifices offered by the people at Bethel's altars, their pious pilgrimages to that place ONLY CONSTITUTED THE COMMISSION OF TRANSGRESSION, AND WARNING THAT JEHOVAH'S BURNING ANGER WOULD BLAZE AGAINST THEM INEXTINGUISHABLY. (Am 3:14; 4:4; 5:5,6)"
    The international and various national headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses are also all called "BETHEL" - there are none so blind as those who will not see.

    KEY TO WATCHTOWER SOCIETY PUBLICATIONS QUOTED

    NAME
    AWAK - Awake! periodical
    BMLG - Blood, Medicine and the Law of God
    COND - Consolation (Dutch) periodical [translated]
    CONS - Consolation periodical (replaced by Awake!)
    DIEA - Demons Infest Earth's Atmosphere
    FOTM - Faith On The March (written by WTBTS Vice-President, endorsed in 1957WTWR 05 15 302-4, foreword by WTBTS President)
    GAGE - The Golden Age periodical (replaced by Consolation)
    GAGM - Luz Y Verdad periodical (The Golden Age of Mexico) [translated]
    HCBS - How Can Blood Save Your Life?
    JWQB - Jehovah's Witnesses and the Question of Blood
    KMIN - Our Kingdom Ministry periodical (U.S.)
    MSAT - Make Sure of All Things
    PAYF - Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock: Acts 20:28 [Circulation strictly restricted to Jehovah's Witness "Elders"]
    PROC - Jehovah's Witnesses, Proclaimers of God's Kingdom
    RFTS - Reasoning From The Scriptures
    SALV - Salvation; disclosing God's provision for man's protection from disaster and salvation to life everlasting in complete happiness; a text book for the Jonadabs
    SV13 - Souvenir Notes of the Bible Students' Conventions, Asheville, NC [quoted in What Pastor Russell Said, 1917, Q666-3]
    TSMF - The Truth Shall Make You Free
    UWTG - United in Worship of the Only True God
    WTWR - The Watchtower, Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom (includes Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence (July 1879 - December 15 1907) and The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence (January 1 1908 - February 15 1939; 'Watch Tower' made into one word on October 15 1931, 'Presence' replaced by 'Kingdom' January 1 1939)) periodical
    YCLF - You Can Live Forever In Paradise on Earth
    YEAR - Yearbook of the Jehovah's Witnesses annual
    YYGB - Your Youth - Getting the Best Out of It

    FORMAT
    The format is 'yyyyNAME mm dd page' for periodicals and 'yyyyNAME page' for other publications, where the date of publication is mm/dd/yyyy. ".." is used to show that text is omitted, without loss of context or compromise to fairness. Material inserted within square brackets is not commentary but is to facilitate abbreviation.

    NOTES

    [1] The conscience of the individual Jehovah's Witness as a basis for refusing blood - Rolf J. Furuli, 23 February 2001 http://bmj.com/cgi/eletters/322/7277/37#EL52 ; Re: Muramoto's reply R. Furuli, The conscience of the individual Jehovah's Witness - Rolf J. Furuli, 4 March 2001 http://bmj.com/cgi/eletters/322/7277/37#EL66 ; Muramoto's new interpretation of the meaning of the concept "informed consent" - Rolf J. Furuli, 13 March 2001 http://bmj.com/cgi/eletters/322/7277/37#EL87
    [2] For example, in many of the quotes provided in this material, and elsewhere too e.g. in 1993WTWR 10 15 32.
    [3] Re:Muramoto: Questions unanswered by Furuli - Rolf J. Furuli, 5 March 2001 http://www.bmj.com/cgi/eletters/322/7277/37#EL74

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------
    Material forwarded by the Prominent Bethelite.

  • BadAssociate
    BadAssociate

    Folk us - point taken - have begun re-arranging personal library - filing wtbts "literature" on shelf beside hans christian anderson, brothers GRIMM etc

    thanks

    BADASSOCIATE

    PS what does the society recommend for headache?

    PPS light ammo day today is it?

    Bad Associates Make Better Lovers

  • outnfree
    outnfree

    Boy, Focus!
    What an enormous amount of time spent on research! So much, in fact, that my eyes were glazing over whenever I wasn't shaking my head in disbelief!
    From Russell to Rutherford to Knorr to NOW -- the nonsense just continues... How is it that so many were duped?
    Some day I'll tell you how I was stupid enough to allow those men in Brooklyn to control my reproductive system.
    Please thank Prominent Bethelite for the forward.

    Outnfree

  • Focus
    Focus

    And of course we must not forget the wise counsel from Brooklyn.

    *** w91 12/1 7
    A religion that teaches lies cannot be true.

    --
    Focus
    (How many more DEATHS? Class)

  • BadAssociate
    BadAssociate

    focus - thanks for the reminder

    BADASSOCIATE
    (As If I'd Forgotten Class)

  • Agape
    Agape

    Dear Focus,

    What a nice job of compiling the...ah...record of medical expertise that has so adorned the pages of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society's publications over the years. Were it not so serious a matter it would be laughable. The Society is by far responsible for more deaths-perhaps per year- than David Koresh (sp?) and Jim Jones-perhaps combined.

    What pray tell is your position regarding the deity of Christ Jesus. I have a anecdotal theory that there has not been a single accurate portrayal of the orthodox position on this matter from the Society in any of its anti-trinitarian writings. Hence, straw-man argumentation, and your ending quote about a religion that lies is not to be trusted is appropriate.

    Anxious to hear from you.

    David Solberg
    "Agape"
    [email protected]

  • Agape
    Agape

    Focus,
    I just noticed that the material you posted (above) was submitted from one "Prominent Bethelite". In any case, have you posted any other of his writings? Will you in the future? Thanks again for this most interesting reading. Not knowing its length, I pushed print, and 59 pages later.....

    Agape

  • orbison
    orbison

    everytime is see 42 pages of script i tend to fly right past it all

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