Primum non nocere is a Latin phrase that means "first, do no harm." The phrase is sometimes recorded as primum nil nocere.Some businesses have adopted this aphorism into their day to day psyche, one such example being the airline industry. This is so deeply ingrained that here in the UK, many observers opine that the UK's National Health Service ought to adopt the same psyche as the airline industry and incorporate the "first, do no harm" into day to day practice as a priority.
But what about non-medical and non-airline organisations? Is there scope for the adoption of this way of thinking too? I have in mind the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society aka the International Bible Students Association aka the Jehovah's Witnesses. In that this organisation purports to be exemplary of "True Christianity" then they may well not need to adopt such a way of thinking. Surely "True Christianity" could only be discerned as beneficient to individuals rather than maleficient?
1. Do people loose their lives as a result of yielding to the direction of the GB of Jehovah's Witnesses regarding the prohibition of blood transfusions?
But then again, the GB would articulate that such is a free individual choice. Therefore, it is not the WTBTS / GB etc who inflict harm they would argue. However, if an individual did accept a blood transfusion (s)he would be disfellowshipped or regarded as having disassociated themselves from the "congregation". Thus, the choice is not a free one as the GB articulates. So there is harm if you decline medical advice to have a transfusion (life may be in jeopardy), and harm if you accept the medical advice (risk of isolation following discovery of the event by your local BoE). This is perhaps the greatest wrong perpetrated by a leadership which purports to be "faithful" to God's Word yet shows a lengthy history of nihilism, doctrinal capriciousness, and narcissism - hardly fruitage which Jesus would extol.
2. Do people suffer unnecessary economic hardship as a result of becoming a Jehovah's Witness?
Well in the UK, many of the brothers and sisters I know have opted not to subscribe to a pension plan. Thus, when they enter the the years of "silver hair", it may be the case that others will "rise up" in respect of such seniors, but their income troughs rather than rises. The income of a significant number is at a level which engenders stress and which could have been avoided had they subscribed to a pension plan. Many individuals in the "silver hair" bracket have to continue working as a consequence. Their quality of life is not what it might have been otherwise. Many were not expecting "this system of things" to be continuing into 2015. However the GB continues to publish information which would have many believe that the kingdom is imminent. They trusted the GB, the FDS, and now meet with bitter disappointment.
Even for many younger ones for whom "silver hair" is still far off, they have to contend with employment which is not so financially rewarding due to the GB's stern deprecation of higher education. Many yield to this despite their being no Biblical authority for the position. Consider Daniel and his three friends who were taken captive into Babylon. They had a course of education lasting about three years (equivalent of a BA deg). They were educated in the law, customs, culture, and language of the Chaldeans. According to Professor John C. Lennox in his book - "Against The Flow - The Inspiration of Daniel In An Age of Relativism" - he describes the institution of learning in Daniel's time as the "University of Babylon". Indeed, Daniel 1:17 states - "To these young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning." (NIV) So almighty God does not seem to view higher education in the way that their eminences of the GB do!
I have not touched on the subject of child abuse/molestation here as there is much documented already about this ghastly state of affairs. Suffice it to say that the stand of the GB in protecting it's own interests above that of the interests of innocent children is truly unchristian. Their refusal to refer such cases to the clinical and forensic expertise which is so merited is a most eggregious outrage. They demonstate that they are being guided by corporate legal advocates rather than the Word of God which they falsely claim.
Similarly, the GB disdains any BoE who would recommend seeking professional help by an individual suffering from depression or other type of psychiatric ailment. This betrays an uncaring and uneducated outlook on their part. In many many ways, the GB and the organisation of Jehovah's Witnesses are remote in their thinking from the thought of "primum non nocere" and if anything, demonstrate to the contrary.
It is to be hoped that the present state of financial affairs which the GB finds itself in, is due to many electing to desist from contributing as they previously did, rather than the financial difficulties being solely due to increasing costs / over expansion. Who in all conscience could financially support an organisation exemplifying Peter Principle on the one hand, and which is inimical to the health, safety and welfare of so many?
