Guten Tag Nevaagain,
I was bought up as a JW, my dad was a local Elder. My family were really part of the congregation, for some 20 years, not on the fringes.
Then my daughter was born 3 years ago with severe health problems – and the issue of blood transfusions arose.
From that point on I could not accept that if there is a God, he is willing to let people die because of refusing blood.
I spoke to Surgeons, Paediatricians and Psychiatrists about the issue of blood transfusions and the issue of the mind control used by the Society.
I researched the topic. Looking back through the Watchtower publications over the last century, the Watchtower, Bible and Tract Society (WTBTS) have changed their minds on numerous occasions:
1874 to 1949 - The Society ignored the “abstain from blood”
Why was the rule promulgated in 1945 and not earlier (since blood transfusion were already in use at the beginning of this century)?
1950 - it is basically the transferring of blood that is the key issue and all blood transfusions INCLUDING FRACTIONS AND COMPONENTS to be refused
1984 – Bone marrow transplants (producing red blood cells and containing red blood cells, are up to your conscience.)
1990- Ruling out whole blood, packed red blood cells and plasma, as well as white blood cells and platelets. But now COMPONENTS, such albumin, immune globulins (which contain antibodies extracted from the blood of another person) and haemophiliac preparations are now up to your conscience.
So taking the above into account, consider this as ONE example –
A conscientious JW back in the 1960’s would have refused ALL BLOOD FRACTIONS AND COMPONENTS, believing this to be God’s teaching on the matter. And the chances are that that conscientious JW would have died.
However, if that conscientious JW had lived barely 30 years later, they could reasonably have accepted transfusion of COMPONENTS. They would have a good chance of survival.
Then I asked myself –
IF THIS RELIGION IS REALLY GOD’S ORGANISATION ON THE EARTH, THEN THE BELIEFS AND DOCTRINES THAT THE RELIGION RIGIDLY IMPOSES ON ITS FOLLOWERS WOULD BE RIGHT FIRST TIME?
THERE WOULD BE NO MISTAKES.
THERE WOULD BE NO NEED FOR “NEW LIGHT”.
I decided that I could not in all conscience remain as a Jehovah’s Witness, nor allow my daughter to be brought up as a Jehovah’s Witness. My parents decided the same.
Unfortunately, my husband and his family did not agree – saw nothing wrong in the JW teachings. My marriage ended. I lost people that I thought were my friends within the organisation.
However, I am happier now that I have left the organisation, I am free of the mind control that I CANNOT agree with. I have found new REAL friends outside of the organisation, that show unconditional friendship.
So yes, there will repercussions from those within the organisation.
But you will find that you are a happier person once you have made the decision and taken the step of leaving the organisation.
Don’t ignore the doubts that are nagging away inside your heard. Listen to them. Do some real research into the organisation, and not just using Society publications. They do NOT give the true picture.
DO NOT LET THE ELDERS WITHIN YOUR CONGREGATION OR YOUR FAMILY MAKE YOU FEEL GUILTY ABOUT ASKING INTELLIGENT QUESTIONS.
And well done for even starting to have doubts!! You are almost free.
Nowfree
