Well, last Monday my Mother, a Jehovah's Witness since her baptism in 1968 died last week because she would not accept a blood transfusion. She was 76 and had lung and skin cancer. I know that the cancer would have gotten her anyway, but she was bleeding internally, and was told that she needs a blood transfusion, as her blood count went all the way down to 3.2 (should be 12-14.)
I am still numb and angry. I told her after the Doctors told us that she will die, but she stood by her misguided faith and said that she will die and wake up in Paradise. The Elder in the #1 position on her blood card (who hadn't seen her in many, many years) was up there as fast as you could blink...to make sure she couldn't be coerced to take blood.
I've been out of the religion (raised in the "truth" but never baptized) since I left home at 18 years of age in 1983. I was not encouraged one bit my all the JW's in and out every day (counting time no doubt) while she was in the hospital for the last week of her life. If I hear one more person say "she is alive in Jehovah's memory" I am going to punch someone.
Well, that was my rant. Thank's for listening.