Why Do Jehovah's Witnesses Refuse Blood Transfusions?
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the Bible prohibits the eating of blood. They believe that injecting blood into their veins is the same thing as eating it. They believe they are showing respect for blood by refusing blood transfusions.
However are they showing respect for human life and God by refusing blood transfusions? Critics say they are disrespecting human life. Has the Watchtower distorted and twisted God's Word? Or do they teach the truth? Jehovah's Witnesses believe their religious leaders are God's channel of communication. 'God's organization' would never lead them astray. That's why Jehovah's Witnesses are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice if necessary.
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that eternal life in God's Kingdom is dependent upon strict obedience to God's laws as explained by their religious leaders (also referred to as God's faithful slave).
Blood Transfusions For Emergency Situations.
Jehovah's Witnesses point to evidence that even in emergency situations Jehovah's ancient people were not to eat blood. 1 Samuel 14:31-35. Jehovah's Witnesses believe God wants them to abstain from blood, even in life threatening situations.
Are blood transfusions a test of our loyalty to God? Does God want us to refuse blood transfusions, even if it means death? Or is this understanding of the Bible a gross distortion of the truth? What does the Bible really say?
What Did Jesus and Jehovah Say About Blood Transfusions?
The Bible says that Jesus was willing to break the rules, - even in non-emergency situations! Certainly in life or death situations Jesus would have broken Jehovah's laws in a heart beat, - without giving it a second thought. See Jehovah vs Jesus
It was the Pharisees who attempted to keep the law at all costs. However the Jewish leaders were not monsters. There is evidence that even the Pharisees would have broken God's law in emergency situations when the life of a human or animal was at risk. Luke 13:15,17;
Jesus loved people. He put the welfare of people first and rules second. e.g. The Bible says that 'the ruler of the Synagogue' was angered because Jesus healed someone on the Sabbath day. Luke 13:10-17; Since it was not an emergency, the Pharisees were concerned that Jesus broke God's law. Working on the Sabbath was a serious crime punishable by death. Exodus 31:15
Jesus said that "The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath." Mark 2:27. Couldn't we apply this same principle to the prohibition on eating blood? The law was an attempt to bless people, not put their life in danger.
According to Jewish tradition, a sick person could be given aid on the Sabbath only if their life was threatened. (i.e. an emergency situation.) e.g. The Pharisees had no problem breaking the Sabbath law to give their animals water. Luke 13:15,17; Clearly then, if the Sabbath law could be broken to save a life or to be humane to an animal, the law on blood could be broken as well when someone's life was threatened. God's laws could be broken to do good. However Jesus took it one step farther. Jesus broke the Sabbath law to heal people who could have waited until another day. Luke 13:14-17 This angered the Pharisees and they plotted to put him to death. Mark 3:6
Jesus explained God's love for all people, - 'good' people (according to your definition), 'enemies', 'the ungrateful and the wicked'. Luke 6:35. Jesus is the path to eternal life. 1 John 5:11; Jude 1:21; John 3:36; John 17:3; John 6:68. All authority in heaven and on earth was given to Jesus. Matthew 28:18.
2000 years ago the Jews were able to bend the Sabbath law to provide water for their animals. Luke 13:14-17; Certainly then the Jews could have broken the law on eating blood if it meant life or death.
As for the so-called 'emergency' situation in 1 Samuel 14:31-35, it is not likely that people would have died. The Bible says that the Israelites 'were exhausted' and that's why they didn't take the time to drain the blood out of the animals they killed for food. There is no evidence whatsoever that this was an emergency life or death situation.
Therefore, according to the Bible, followers of Jesus and Jehovah can break the rules to save a life and do good. That's what Jesus did. God's son put love first. He had compassion for people. He healed them at every opportunity and put love ahead of the law.
The law was made for the people. The people were not made to meet the requirements of the law. Mark 2:27; Mark 3:1-6
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