Why don't Jehovah's Witnesses accept blood transfusions?

In 2000, the Watchtower Society no longer took a position against members accepting hemoglobin from blood. (The Watchtower, Questions from Readers, June 15, 2000, pp. 29-31; Awake! The Real Value of Blood, August 2006, pp. 10-12)

Today, members are taught they can “accept all fractions derived from any primary component of blood.” What they are allowed to accept works out to 97% of full blood, although they often refer to it as “non-blood” or “alternative” medical management. (Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, January 2001)

I've heard so many stories of rank and file Jehovah’s Witnesses and their children dying due to refusal of blood, but not one single instance of a higher-up dying such as a CO, DO or GB. How is that possible? Do you think these higher-ups may secretly accept blood transfusions? Could it be that the changes in Watchtower blood doctrine came about due to the illness of a GB member? Hmmmm….

I believe they have their reasons stated on articles on their website www.watchtower.org

Or next time ones at your door ask them.

As far as I'm aware it's not just them who don't accept blood transfusions. I know many people who don't and prefer bloodless surgery for various reasons.

There are quite a few organizations out there who campaign for wider use of blood-transfusion alternatives and bloodless surgery.

Many doctors say it is safer, cleaner and more cost effective to use blood-transfusion alternatives so in that sense they would be respecting Jesus wanting them to have a 'full life'.

Btw. . . I doubt they would agree with the 'Jesus taking you away bit'

although blood transfusions are screened, they are not totally safe. It is a precaution. Doctors have even stated that bloodless surgeries are recommended now more then ever. Those who have surgery without blood tend to heal faster and healthier then those who chose to go with the transfusions. It isn't suicide by any means...that would be like saying a person who chooses to not be resuscitated would be committing suicide, but people don't view it that way. The risks of catching disease, aids, hiv, and any other infections is very high. Not taking blood is a safeguard.

Of course, in Bulgaria, and potentially the rest of the EU, they CAN receive blood with no repercussions from the organization.

The :"governing body" entered into an agreement with the government on it...

To my knowledge, no one has pushed the EU bureaucracy to apply the agreement across all EU nations, but it is presumed that that would happen if someone pushed for it.

As you said, blood is sacred.

And because it is, it is treated differently. Jehovah God asks us to recognize this sacredness by not giving or ingesting someone else's blood into our bodies.

Genesis chapter 9, Leviticus chapter 17, and Acts chapter 15 covers this information for those who accept God's standards.

One person stated that we don't take some else's blood because we would be getting their "sins". That is NOT what we believe.

Perhaps I am misunderstanding what they are TRYING to say.

We don't take them because the Bible says God says not to in many places here is one Acts 15:22, 28, 29

But I found this interesting.

“A growing number of hospitals are offering an alternative: ‘bloodless’ surgery,” reported The Wall Street Journal. “Originally developed to accommodate Jehovah’s Witnesses,” states the journal, “the practice has gone mainstream, with many hospitals promoting their bloodless-surgery programs to the general public.” Hospitals around the world are discovering numerous benefits, particularly to patients, when implementing strategies that curtail the use of blood transfusions. Currently, thousands of doctors are treating patients without resorting to transfusions.

In a short, basic answer, Jehovah Witnesses believe that blood carries your sins, and that in accepting a blood transfusion, you are also accepting the other person's sins.

Again, this is a short, basic answer. I did a debate about whether the government should legally be allowed to force parents of dying children to give their children blood transfusions. But, this was about 4 years ago now, and you'd be better off to research the topic yourself.

I don't understand it. Shouldn't you be able to give a loved one a sacred gift of blood to save their life?

Most likely because the bible bot in the OT & NT say not to take blood but as usual you Christians like to bring in emotional reasons for not following your bible . I am sure Christians can twist what the bible says to make it fit what they want to believe.

Why are you worried if you die ? Don't you trust Jesus to bring you back later ?

Christian a never ending source of fun

Atheist.

Im not a Jehovah's Witnesses and I dont give or take anyone elses blood either.