mother dies after refusing blood transfusion

weezledawg · Nov 20, 2007

Hi , I am just new to this thread, but I sometimes wonder if all options were explored. Often JW's will accept cell salvaging, as it is their own blood being transfused back into their system via a closed circuit. Perhaps other options should be more readily available to patients who fall under this category.

A previous poster said this must be approved by one of their clergy and this occurrence is rare.

jujumama · Nov 20, 2007

I know that the refusal of blood is very hard for some to accept, but it is also very important not to recieve it if you are the patient. I too am a Jehovahs Witness and a nurse. If my life depends on the blood to save me then I would choose to die also. I know in my faith that I will be ressurected at a later time but if I choose the blood to save my life now I would not have the prospect of everlasting life later. I hope those in the medical field will continue to honor the patients belief even if it is not their own or what they might do in a similar situation.

okinawadreaming · Nov 20, 2007

First and foremost what caused her death? She just gave birth to twins. Was there a problem with the delivery? What other medical help was given to her other than blood? Bloodless treatment has come leaps and bounds in the 21 century. The article only stated that refused blood due to her faith no other reason was given as to what happened that called for her to have a blood transfusion. I am sure that she would have discussed this with her OB/GYN well before twins were delivered. We are only getting a small bit of information and to form a theory solely on the fact that she refused blood is not logical. Open heart surgeries have been done without the use of blood. So the question is was she offered any alternatives other than a blood transfusion?

The bigger picture is that she choose to obey God. The scripture to abstain from blood is found in Acts 15:28,29 This isn't a blind faith. Her faith was based on scripture and fact. Consider this point, if a doctor told a person to abstain from alcohol but took it through an IV be abstaining from it? Moreover her unwavering faith showed that her complete trust in God and that she acknowledges that all life including hers is in His hands. The only blood that give humans everlasting life is that of Jesus Christ. She will soon see her babies when she is resurrected back to life on this earth under the rule of Chirst Jesus. It is very sad that she died but she died knowing she was faithful to the end.

You see I am one of Jehovah's Witness and am studying to be a nurse. Not everyone shares my faith and I respect that. Not all will understand this point of refusing blood. We are not refusing medical treatment just one aspect of it. Is it really so hard to find another solution other than blood transfusions should a patient refuse this treatment. I think not. People at times refuse

any kind of treatment. If people refuse our help as a trained medical person our ultimate job is to make them comfortable and safe. We can't do that if we don't respect who and what they are.

Sincerely,

Miya

okinawadreaming · Nov 20, 2007

Just so that everyone knows this belief in refusing blood is not new. The book "Terullian, Apologetical Works and Minucius Felix, Octavius" quotes Tuerullian " Let your unnatural ways blush before the Christians. We do not even have the blood of animals at our meals for these consist of ordinary food. At the trials of Christians you (pagan Romans) offer them sausages filled with blood. You are convinced, of course, that the very thing with which you try to make them deviate from the right way is unlawful for them. How is that, when you are confident that they will shudder at the blood of an animal, you believe they will pant eagerly after human blood?" This order to abstain from blood was followed by the first century Christians, many who were the first 12 apostles of Jesus Christ. Likely the apostle Peter was there at this meeting in Jerusalem when this command was given to the Christians. Are Jehovah's Witnesses a cult? Cult is defined as "persons and rites associated with an object of worship or veneration." The only things Jehovah's Witness worship is Christ Jesus and Jehovah God. Are we brainwashed? No because we are encouraged to study the Bible and prove to ourselves if what we are learning is true. We don't take anything for face value. We are always educating ourselves.

Sincerley,

Miya

cmo421 · Nov 20, 2007

Why are so many so damn judgemental. Let these deeply religious people do their thing. They r not abusive,child herding,marrying children,forcing woman into multiple marrages,killing or stealing. They r choosing do have faith in a higher being and belief. Could I be that strong? I really doubt it. Can I understand it,no. But then do any of us really understand the Holy Trinity and such? Sometimes u just have to believe to believe. We also have to practice our profession without prejudice to race,religion,sexuality,or gender or we should not be in practice.

WindyhillBSN · Nov 21, 2007

I agree with you. This whole subject of religious rights just sickens me. I don't care about their religion when they come in for me to care for them. I have two children of my own and I can't imagine leaving them behind because I refused treatment that could save my life. I would do anything for my children and that includes saving my own life so that I could be here to take care of them. Thank you for your comment. I am glad that someone had the nerve to say what everyone is really thinking.

Not EVERYONE. I know I wasn't thinking this.

WindyhillBSN · Nov 21, 2007

A lot of JWs refuse blood because they do not understand the WTS's convoluted watering-down of their blood transfusion ideology.
The WTS currently leaves treatments involving blood fractions up to the individual JW's conscience. Infusions of the four major components (plasma, RBCs, WBCs, platelets) are not allowed, however fractions of those components are permitted.
This has changed from the original "NO BLOOD" position from the 50's and 60's.
There have been numerous changes in this policy over the years, and many JWs are ignorant of these changes, or are so overwhelmed by the medical terminology that their "default position" is NO BLOOD, just to be on the safe side. They are more concerned about offending their god, than they are about leaving a child without a mother.
The Historical Perspective documents these changes or "clarifications" to the WTS's blood transfusion position.
An analogy that I have used with colleagues with a measure of success is that JWs value the symbol of life that blood represents over life itself. The mindset is similar to the hypothetical man who is confronted by a bandit who threatens to shoot the man's wife if he doesn't surrender his wedding ring. But rather than give up the ring (the symbol of the marriage) he allows his wife (the other party in his marriage, the woman he loves) to be harmed or even killed. The framework just doesn't make sense.
Would god expect anyone to sacrifice another person's life to satisfy a rule or principle? According to the Mosaic Law, if a life was at stake whether it was human or animal, it was permissible to suspend the Ten Commandments or any of the other laws in the Pentateuch.
Human sacrifice was considered by God to be a repugnant practice, "a thing that I had not commanded and that had not come up into my heart", is it any less repugnant now, even in the medical arena, if we believe that God's standards never change? (Jeremiah 7:31; 19:5; 32:35)[/quote
It should be noted that some of the statements made here are personal opinions/interpretation.

WindyhillBSN · Nov 21, 2007

A previous poster said this must be approved by one of their clergy and this occurrence is rare.

This is also not true if a previous poster said it. It's funny how many have all of the sudden become experts on what Jehovah's Witnesses believe and why. I may be reaching to say it but, I bet many of the posters that seem to be "experts" are included in the ones that hide and pretend they're not home when they knock on the door.

AgentOrange · Nov 21, 2007

No because we are encouraged to study the Bible and prove to ourselves if what we are learning is true. We don't take anything for face value. We are always educating ourselves.

Are you encouraged to educate yourself from all sources (even anti-Jehovah Witness sources), or solely from Watchtower approved sources? To truely be educated, one must study the arguments of detractors as well as the arguments of supporters. It's a common known principle in debate clubs that the best debater can also argue the size of their opponents--because they are that familiar with their arguments. The (admittedly very few) Jehovah Witnesses I know say they risk excommunication if they read a known anti-Jehovah Witness book. They are also told that they can only read the Jehovah Witness approved translation of the Bible. To really study what the Bible says, one must look at the original copies of the Bible, not on human translations. (thanks to the internet and sites such as www.searchgodsword.com , it is easier than ever to see what the original Greek & Hebrew words were, and how those words were translated in various Bible verses.)

okinawadreaming · Nov 21, 2007

Are you encouraged to educate yourself from all sources (even anti-Jehovah Witness sources), or solely from Watchtower approved sources? To truely be educated, one must study the arguments of detractors as well as the arguments of supporters. It's a common known principle in debate clubs that the best debater can also argue the size of their opponents--because they are that familiar with their arguments. The (admittedly very few) Jehovah Witnesses I know say they risk excommunication if they read a known anti-Jehovah Witness book. They are also told that they can only read the Jehovah Witness approved translation of the Bible. To really study what the Bible says, one must look at the original copies of the Bible, not on human translations. (thanks to the internet and sites such as www.searchgodsword.com , it is easier than ever to see what the original Greek & Hebrew words were, and how those words were translated in various Bible verses.)

I have studied other religions. I did not grow up in the faith of Jehovah's Witnesses. My mother and I practiced ansestor worship before we studied the Bible. She even explored other religions to find the answers she was looking for. Only Jehovah's Witness provided from the Bible answers she was seeking. The Bible has survived many attempts to keep it from common man through the centuries. It has survived but yes I do compare the English to Hebrew and Greek terms. Thanks to wikipedia and many other online sources and boobks written by those who are knowledgeable in that field. As for being excommunitecated just for reading anti Jehovah's Witness material not true. Although I wonder why I would read something that would grossly attempt to distort the truth about what I believe. Would you read something that was anti American? Our military personal are encouraged NOT to read propaganda that would discourage them from their mission. Have you taken the time yourself to objectly study with one of Jehovah's Witnesses? They would happy to do so free of charge with no obligation to join our faith. That is a true person who has compared everything.

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AgentOrange · Nov 21, 2007

>

As I mentioned, it's well known that to fully understand and convince others of ones position, one must study the opposing position. This is commonly taught in debate classes and teams. In fact, it's common practice to practice debating the opposite position, because if someone doesn't understand the opposite position, they are not going to be able to defend their own position.

Yes, if I was in a position where I was debating the virtues of being American or some American policy, I would certainly read the anti-side. I am a Christian, but I have several books on atheism (written by atheists), as well as books on other religion (written by those of other religions), as well as general anti-Christian books (books that attack Christianity, but promote no other viewpoint). There is no way I could confidently talk about Christianity to people in general, without understanding others beliefs (and that understanding can only come by reading others primary sources, not by reading books on other religions by Christian authors.)

As for the military--what is recommended of the common soldier in a stressful situation, is far different than what is recommended of the leaders who are actually planning the missions. Leaders planning military ventures do indeed read and study everything they can from the opposing side. All Jehovah Witnesses engage in missionary work going from door-to-door--therefor they should indeed read and be familiar with the common opposing religious beliefs in their area, as well as the anti-Jehovah Witness arguments that they will be faced with.

My first experience with a Jehovah's Witness, was with 2 ladies who came to my door. I asked them about a particular bible verse and it's apparent contradiction with Jehovah Witness belief. They had no answer--one of the ladies told me they didn't have time to waste with people who weren't sincere seekers (they determined I wasn't a sincere seeker because I asked a thought provoking question?). I assured them I was seeking truth, wherever it may be found. They then promised they would consult with their elder and get back to me with an answer. Fair enough, but they never returned. Now, I'm confident they couldn't give me an answer without admitting that either the Bible or their belief was wrong (which is why I asked that particular question.) But I was surprised that they made no attempt at all to to answer my question--these particular Jehovah Witnesses (as I suspect most are), were trained in their own beliefs, but had absolutely no knowledge of how to respond when people questioned their beliefs. It made them ineffective witnesses. It's unlikely they would have converted me...but if they had been able to answer my question (or at least come up with some plausible possibilities), I would have been willing to talk further with them.

Now LDS Mormons on the other hand (and I'm not a Mormon)--from what I know about their missionary training programs is that their missioniaries are trained in the beliefs of the predominant denominations/religions that they would encounter in their area of witnesses. Not surprisingly, Mormonism is one of the fastest growing religions and has a high level of converts from other religions. The fact is, the person who has studied both sides of an argument, is going to have the upper hand in any debate.

JessicRN · Nov 22, 2007

I was witness to a mother who was aJehovah witness and was 36 weeks pregnant. She developed placenta abruptia developed shock from blood loss and the family refused a transfusion. She lived but the baby died. Have to admit it was hard taking care of her but I knew her faith was strong and she would never have forgiven herself had she had the transfusion. That was 20 years ago and now there are volume expanders like HES and dextran which we use on our patients now and this seems to hold them better.