is getting a blood transfusion in itself a DF offense?

by oompa 26 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  thetrueone

  Interesting how a religious organization can change their rules or laws implied to their

  adherents at any time or under any given circumstance. The WTS own BT laws have

  changed not because of new light or new bible interpretations, they have changed

  complacent to legal complications and public image concerns as a outcome of these legal problems.

  From DF to DA, from no blood fractions to blood fractions. In the last 10 years or so the WTS has

  lost in the courts fighting government take over of the health and welfare of children when the

  matter of BTs are involved.

  Oompa you are in a binding predicament with your wife being a devote JW, but I'm wondering if

  your supposed Df or Da had something also to do with your actions or attitude prior to your accident.

  How did the elders find out you had a BT anyways ?

  If your wife gave them all the details, it would be pretty useless trying to deny the whole thing.

  If they used the wording that you are no longer a JWS that usally means a Df.

  Its all really a game of power and control, that religions in America avails to men wanting to start

  and create their own religious order, but also avails the opening the doors to apparent corrption.

  As another poster pointed out human sacrifice was was strictly forbidden in ancient times.

  The other point is Jesus was a compassionate healer of the sick and he left his directions to follow and emulate.

  Just a side note, the WTS. instituted the no BT law back in around 1945 approximately the same time they stated that Jehovah

  lived on a certain planet in a certain galaxy, sometimes corruption can be diversely stupid.

  Take care
• 

  Borgia

  Blondie wrote:

  It wasn't untill the new elder manual came out that there was anything in writing making taking a blood transfusion a DA offense.

  If I'm not mistaken, there was a bulgarian case. THe WBTS was pursuing legal recognition but was denied that status for reason of DF-ing people for taking a bloodtransfusion or a medical treatment that was on the forbidden list. Anyways, they cicumvented that by allowing for auto DA (sounds very much like autodafe). Since they consented to no longer DF people for that, they were granted legal status in Bulgaria. It was a case that was brought before the ECHR court, but I believe they never ruled on it since the "compromise" was struck.

  Cheers

  Borgia
• 

  blondie

  I'll adjust that, Borgia, that there was nothing in writing in the WTS publications until the new elders manual. Rank and file jws still have nothing in writing in WTS publications available to them that taking a blood transfusion is no longer considered a df'ing offense but an act of da'ing oneself. It is very unlikely that jws will accept a non-jw publication as a valid source for a basis of their beliefs.

  -------------------------------

  Following the Watchtower’s agreement with Bulgaria, blood transfusions were removed from being a disfellowshipping offence. This was of little consequence, as the consumption of blood was simply reclassified from being a disfellowshipping offence to one of disassociation. This change was released as a letter to Traveling Overseers dated: 4/26/00: For KS/91 page 95 – Blood Issue. 5/21/00: New procedure for handling cases where ones take a blood transfusion.

  

  In 2010, the new Elders manual outlined that taking blood can lead to being disassociated.

  "Willingly and unrepentantIy taking blood.
  If someone willingly takes blood, perhaps because of being under extreme pressure, the committee should obtain the facts and determine the individual's attitude. If he is repentant, the committee would provide spiritual assistance in the spirit of Galatians 6:1 and Jude 22,23. Since he is spiritually weak, he would not qualify for special privileges for a period of time, and it may be necessary to remove certain basic privileges. Depending on the circumstances, the committee may also need to arrange for an announcement to the congregation: "The elders have handled a matter having to do with [name of person]. You will be glad to know that spiritual shepherds are endeavoring to render assistance." On the other hand, if the eIders on the committee determine that he is unrepentant, they should announce his disassociation." Shepherd the Flock of God pp.111,112 http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/bulgaria-blood-transfusions.php
• 

  JRK

  Yes.

  JK
• 

  bats in the belfry

  No.

  The documents are still online - check them out.
  
  Without the head honchos in NY giving it the thumbs up there never would have been an amicable settlement.

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   In respect of the refusal of blood transfusion, the applicant association submits that while this is part of the religious doctrine of Jehovah's Witnesses, its acceptance depends on the personal choice of the individual concerned. There are no religious sanctions for a Jehovah's Witness who chooses to accept blood transfusion. Therefore, the fact that the religious doctrine of Jehovah's Witnesses is against blood transfusion cannot amount to a threat to "public health", every individual being free in his or her choice.

  ---

  Two documents:

  http://cmiskp.echr.coe.int/tkp197/view.asp?action=html&documentId=667970&portal=hbkm&source=externalbydocnumber&table=F69A27FD8FB86142BF01C1166DEA398649

  http://cmiskp.echr.coe.int/tkp197/view.asp?action=html&documentId=683878&portal=hbkm&source=externalbydocnumber&table=F69A27FD8FB86142BF01C1166DEA398649
• 

  DesirousOfChange

  There are no religious sanctions for a
  Jehovah's Witness who chooses to accept blood transfusion.

  BATS: That is their "official" PUBLIC stand, however, it is a LIE. the reality is that any JW who knowingly accepts blood is considered to have DA themselves by agreeing to something that is condemned in the Bible (according to JW doctrine).
• 

  bigmac

  reading stuff like this reminds me how glad i got out 30 years back--& now my son (35) is DF--his kids should be spared being murdered by this cult.