#4 Talk on Tues Sept 25 - Blood

by still_in74 43 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  Rabbit

  I'd remind them about all the JW's who have died...confused...not understanding what their Watchtower trained, re-trained & re-trained consciences required of them.

  For instance, when my JW mom died needing a blood transfusion, she had no idea the WT had changed their minds again. Hemoglobin, that makes up 97% of a red blood cell was now OK'd by the WT as a "conscience matter." She did not have to die.

  Maybe you can educate them on these "allowed fractions" and stress the positive..."So, if ya' don't wanna die..."

  *sigh* I hate this religion.

  Rabbit

  Edited to add: If any current JW reading this believes they are in 'safe hands', if the Elite Hospital Liason Comm. is there to guide them through all the confusing medical terms...don't bet your life on it. The HLC was there...and they killed my mom. Through malice, arrogance or ignorance...she's still dead and hemoglobin was available to prevent her smothering to death.
• 

  yknot

  I am so sorry Rabbit for your loss.
• 

  sspo

  Make sure you mention that in the past we could not take any blood but today it's up to our conscience to take all kinds of fractions of blood and no one should judge us.

  You need to remind the congr. that this is our present understanding and because of the pressure from governments on the watchtower concerning blood policy, we might receive new light and eventually drop this ungodly policy.

  Let us know how the elders will respond.
• 

  rebel8

  "Edited to add: If any current JW reading this believes they are in 'safe hands', if the Elite Hospital Liason Comm. is there to guide them through all the confusing medical terms...don't bet your life on it. The HLC was there...and they killed my mom. Through malice, arrogance or ignorance...she's still dead and hemoglobin was available to prevent her smothering to death."
  
  As always, the rabbit makes a good point!
  
  Of course you'd have to put a proper borg spin on that point. How about, "Some Xians feel they do not need to make a decision about these matters ahead of time. When an emergency or other unforeseen situation happens, they do not know what to decide; such delays can cost a Xian his life. Jehoho wants us to value life and not throw it away just for the sake of not bothering to prepare oneself.
  
  "Others avoid making the effort because they think it's easier to just let the HLC handle it. Is this the proper course of action? Let's see what the scriptures/litter-ature says about a Xian's responsibility to handle his life force with great care and to develop his OWN bible-trained conscience. (insert whatever citation fits here)
  
  "You see, brothers and sisters, Jehomer lovingly provides the HLC arrangement to support us, not to exempt us from taking personal responsibility for our decisions, health, lives. HLC members have full schedules already, some with ministerial duties and family responsibilities. Is it fair for Xians to expect HLC members to drop everything at a moment's notice and to make decisions for him and his family when they have a medical issue? No. According to Witchtower blah blah blah date, the HLC arrangement is in place to SUPPORT Xians, not to fulfill each Xian's obligation to understand scriptural issues related to medical treatments and to prayerfully consider his own conscience's dictates on the nuances of treatments such as organ transplants, blood fractions, vaccinations, and dialysis.
  
  "Now let's see what the FDS tells us about these treatments. (then proceed with quoting statements saying all these things are ok)
• 

  erandir

  Hmm...you don't want to give the talk? So don't give the talk. It's not that hard to say no. Practice that a couple times. And you don't have to give a reason, either. But to be polite, if that is what floats your boat, you could say you can't for personal reasons and leave it at that. Kind of like this:

  You: Brother, I can't give that talk Thursday night. I'm letting you know now so you can reschedule me or find a replacement, whatever you think is best.

  Brother: Ok, but why can't you give the talk?

  You: Something came up, something personal.

  Brother: Oh? Can you tell me about it?

  You: Sorry, Brother, it's personal.

  Brother: Very well.

  Or you could resort to a more passive stance. Just don't attend that meeting. Don't call the school coordinator, don't show up. Easy.

  Or if you feel comfortable lying to an organization that lies to you, just make up an excuse.

  Or if you wish for a more long term solution, just resign your enrollment in the completely "voluntary" school (yeah...just like blood fractions are completely up to your conscience...whatever).

  Hmm...that give me an idea. If you do decide to give the talk, focus on the blood fractions and how they are a matter of conscience even if the book study overseer tries to tell you otherwise just so he can get done with helping his group fill out those annoying DPA "No Blood" forms.
• 

  Frequent_Fader_Miles

  While true Christains may not take whole blood, they may take any of a number of blood fractions that the Faithful and Discreet Slave has determined through their communications with those who have been resurrected to heaven (as seen in the vision given to John by JesusChrist.)

  And just to illustrate the above point, let's say your doctor places you on a sugar-free diet. He may then consult with a specialist who would allow you to consume fruits as a part of your diet. Fruits do not contain processed sugar, but fructose. Surely your doctor and the specialist also see the need for you to have other important nutrients that fruit contains e.g water, vitamins, and fiber. This allowance would be out of genuine concern for your health.

  P.S - Fructose IS sugar. This illustration is really a load of crap, but so is all the information for the talk too.
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  wha happened?

  Although my Mom is not a JW she required many transfusions before they figured out the blood loss. Did I ever discourage her? no way! She's around today as the result of her transfusions. It kept her blood count up high enough and bought the Dr.'s enough time to get her taken care of.

  If the situation happened to me I would do the same. BTW this is when I learned to my horror that we don't "eat" blood with a transfusion. The staff explained it to me in a medically correct manner. I was so freakin clueless untill then
• 

  still_in74

  True Christian Witnesses of Jehovah will not accept blood transfusions but Jews will.

  Moshe, excellent post!
• 

  still_in74

  Rabbit, I am truly sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing........
• 

  NewYork44M

  By now the talk is over. Hopefully you made the point that if you chop blood up into small enough pieces it is fine for true christians.