The Watchtower Society's Loyalty Test Over Blood by Doug Mason - 2006
The Watchtower Society's Loyalty Test Over Blood by Doug Mason - 2006
The Watchtower Society's Loyalty Test Over Blood by Doug Mason - 2006
Doug Mason
A Guide to
Understanding and Handling
The REAL reason JWs refuse some blood products and some medical
procedures involving blood.
The WTS, which is not a No Blood organization, says it is ok to withhold the
truth and to be evasive with the truth.
The WTS expects JWs to break the law by passing on confidential patient
information to their Elders.
Help a JW patient make their own decision on the medical use of blood.
Manage the information available to the WTSs Hospital Liaison Committees.
Information to help formulate laws on managing JW patients.
Difficulties that thinking JWs have with the WTSs teachings on blood.
Always observe procedures that fully accord with the requirements of all
locally applicable legislation.
Keep in mind that Jehovahs Witnesses (JWs) are known to disobey the
Watchtower Bible and Tract Societys (WTSs) edicts concerning the
medical use of blood. The official voice of the organization does not
represent the views held by every JW.
This Guide is not an advocate for the WTS, hence the Guide does not
detail the current conditions under which the WTS permits or denies the
use of blood or any of its components.
CONTENTS
Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1
Theocracy ........................................................................................................................ 6
Theocratic War Strategy.................................................................................................. 10
Marking, disfellowshiping and shunning .......................................................................... 14
WTS: Patient confidentiality can be broken ...................................................................... 17
Past decisions create present dilemmas............................................................................. 20
Management of prepared documentation .......................................................................... 26
Relating with a Hospital Liaison Committee ..................................................................... 31
A decision of conscience ................................................................................................. 34
Practical considerations................................................................................................... 40
Real-life communications: The Jensen letters ................................................................ 44
Appendices .................................................................................................................... 62
DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS
As the author, I own the rights to this Guide. I therefore give permission for this Guide to be
copied and distributed, provided nothing is altered.
When distributing the Guide, whether as a soft copy or in printed form, it must be provided
without cost.
COPYRIGHT OF ILLUSTRATIONS
I created the diagrams on pages 7 and 8. These are based on the diagram in The Watchtower,
December 15, 1971, page 749.
All other illustrations are NVTech, and are used with permission.
INTRODUCTION
The first book of the Hebrew Scriptures records that Noah, his family and the animals on his
boat survived a Great Flood. After land reappeared, they stepped on it and Noah gave thanks.
Noah built an altar to [YHWH] and, taking some of all the clean animals
and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it. [YHWH] smelled the
pleasing aroma. 1
Then God (ELOHIM) blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them,
Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth. The fear and dread of
you will fall upon all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air,
upon every creature that moves along the ground, and upon all the fish of
the sea; they are given into your hands. Everything that lives and moves
will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you
everything. But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it.2
This dietary instruction was aimed at ensuring a beast was dead before its flesh was eaten.
The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (WTS) extends this dietary instruction to include
human blood, although God did not intend for a humans flesh to be eaten, nor for hu mans to
be killed for that purpose. The WTS is aware that a transfusion is not eating but is an organ
transfer, a process it is otherwise not averse to.
Blood is often likened to an organ of the body, Blood is one of the many
organsincredibly wonderful and unique, Dr. Bruce Lenes told Awake!
Unique indeed! One textbook describes blood as the only organ in the
body thats a fluid. 3
The WTS says this dietary instruction to Noah means a Jehovahs Witness (JW) may not
permit the injection of either whole blood or certain parts of blood, whether human or animal,
into their body. The WTS leaves the decision whether to accept the medical use of some parts
of human and animal blood to a JWs conscience.
Such a list is being compiled at NoBlood Guide to Medicines Containing Blood Components and
Fractions at http://www.noblood.org/community/3225-noblood-guidelines-to-medicines-containingblood-components-fractions.html
http://www.jwstudies.com
Introduction
FREEDOM TO CHOOSE
A significant number of non-JWs are choosing to receive medical procedures without the use
of blood. When that is their right, they are perfectly entitled to exercise it. They have
considered the available information and have made a deliberate and reasoned decision.
One objective of this Guide is to provide medical care facilities with information that helps
them develop systems that ensure a JW patient is freely able to make their own decisions
concerning the medical use of blood.
Relevant objective information about JWs that should help in the counseling process
and in the management of a JW patient, to the genuine benefit of the Counselor and
the patient.
An understanding of the causes for a JWs struggle and hence hopefully help a
professional to better manage a situation.
Information that should be considered when formal Procedures and Laws are
formulated or reviewed.
http://www.jwstudies.com
Introduction
T HEOCRACY (page 6)
The WTS tells its followers that it alone occupies the unique position of being Gods direct
voice towards humankind. To doubt the WTS is to doubt God himself. The WTS says that
holy spirit is an impersonal force available only to a select small group (The Elect) within
their organization.
The WTS moved from a democracy to theocracy in 1938. The term theocracy means a
rule by God or by priests. For the WTS, this means direct personal involvement by Jehovah
God in the WTSs operations, with a strictly enforced top-down control.
Being under theocratic control means a JW always defers to it, and will ignore any
contradictory advice given by a person who represents another organization.
http://www.jwstudies.com
Introduction
When a JW is removed from the organization, they are denied social contact with current
members. While this may not impact within an ex-JWs direct family (spouse and children) in
terms of legal relationship, spouses are required to avoid all spiritual interaction with their
mate. Adult children living independently are taught to avoid any and all social interchange
except for essential family business. The ex-member is treated as dead by all other
believers, including their loved relations. All contact is broken, members walk on the other
side of a road, there can be no greeting or acknowledgement. The effects of this organized
shunning are powerful and life altering.
Because Witnesses' social life generally revolves around association with
fellow believers, being shunned can isolate a member in a very powerful
way. Being disfellowshipped can be devastating if everyone in a member's
social circle participates in the shunning. Witnesses are expected to shun
family members, except those living in the same household.
Once the person has moved out from home, shunning is generally
practiced. The organization discourages association with disfellowshipped
family members living outside the home. 6
It is critically important for a Counselor to carefully understand the pressure that this teachin g
is likely to have on their efforts. But a Counselor has no right to initiate a discussion with a
patient on the merits of the WTSs disfellowshiping process.
http://experts.about.com/e/p/pr/Practices_of_Jehovah's_Witnesses.htm
http://www.jwstudies.com
Introduction
THEOCRACY
A Counselors work should be greatly assisted when they understand the Jehovahs Witnesss
(JWs) religious environment, since this impacts every decision a JW makes.
This does not mean that a Counselor should become involved in discussing the merits of the
JWs religious system nor should they discuss the meaning or application of passages in the
Bible. Rather, an understanding of the JWs religious environment helps a Counselor to better
understand the difficulties a JW has in accepting guidance from a Counselor.
T WO SPIRITUAL CLASSES
There are two religious Classes:
The Faithful and Discreet Slave (FDS) class
This Class numbers just 144,000, and includes worthy people from the past 2000
years. Today, only a small number claim to be members of this elite group. Virtually
all are already in heaven, ruling the earth with Christ, on behalf of the Kingdom of
God.
This Class is known variously as Brothers (of Christ), Little Flock, Elect,
Anointed servant of Jehovah, and so on. Only this Class is born again of the
spirit, only this Class has the heavenly hope. Jesus Christ died for only these
144,000.
The millions of adherents
These are the Publishers, known as Jehovahs Witnesses 7 or more correctly as
Christian witnesses of Jehovah, or simply Christians. These form the Class
known as The Great Crowd.
They are not born again. Since Jesus did not die for this class and since they do not
have holy spirit, it is incumbent on JWs to exercise unquestioning loyalty to
anything the organization requires.
Their hope is to survive the imminent Armageddon and to live thereafter on earth,
where they will exert authority over those who currently rule the earth.
T HE GOVERNING BODY
The Governing Body (GB) is the sole representative on earth of the Kingdoms Faithfu l
and Discreet Slave class that is already ruling in heaven.
The GB alone is responsible for passing on Jehovah Gods instructions towards humankind.
All doctrinal control thus lies with the GB.
The GB teaches that it is the only voice on earth through whom Gods government (The
Kingdom) speaks to mankind. All other governments and all other institutions belong to
Satan, and must not be heeded.
T HEOCRATIC RULE
The organization declares that in 1938 it moved from a democracy to a theocracy (a rule by
god or by priests). Since that time, every JW must remain in step with all instructions comin g
down through the leadership.
http://www.jwstudies.com
Theocracy
http://www.jwstudies.com
Theocracy
organization is paramount. All other voices are of Satans kingdom, who may appear as an
angel of light.
10
JWs know the organization as The Truth, but it appears to be concerned with loyalty, rather than
with absolute truth.
11
The Watchtower, May 1, 1957, page 281 Trust your proved, Faithful Brothers
12
The Watchtower, May 1, 1957, page 284 Trust your proved, Faithful Brothers
13
The Watchtower, June 15, 1957, page 370 Overseers of Jehovahs People: Jehovahs Channel of
Communication
http://www.jwstudies.com
Theocracy
14
The Watchtower, May 1, 1957, page 284 Trust your proved, Faithful Brothers
15
The Watchtower, May 1, 1957, page 285 Trust your proved, Faithful Brothers
16
Use Theocratic War Strategy, The Watchtower May 1 1957, page 285
17
18
19
20
Assembly Realizations Exceed Anticipations The Watchtower, May 15 1960, p. 295 (emphases
supplied).
10
http://www.jwstudies.com
When faced with the alternative of speaking and betraying his brothers or
not speaking and being held in contempt of court, the mature Christian
will put the welfare of his brothers ahead of his own. 21
Hiding the truth, which he is not entitled to know, from an enemy does not
harm him, especially when he would use such information to harm others
who are innocent. In time of spiritual warfare it is proper to misdirect
the enemy by hiding the truth.
Gods servants need to exercise the extreme caution of serpents so as to
protect properly the interests of Gods kingdom At all times they must
be very careful not to divulge any information to the enemy that he could
use to hamper the preaching work. 22
The above statement appears in the same issue of The Watchtower magazine that calls the
organization our mother and the beloved wife of our heavenly Father, Jehovah God.
21
Questions from Readers, The Watchtower June 1 1960, page 351 (emphases supplied).
22
23
Letter of April 25, 2001 from The Christian Congregation of Jehovahs Witnesses, Patterson, NY.
11
http://www.jwstudies.com
The WTS is acknowledging that an objective survey of beliefs obtained from firsthand, direct
contact with individual JWs would reveal that seriously divergent beliefs are held, with many
holding views that do not accord with official WTS teaching. Efforts by the WTS to have its
own views accepted as representing the views of all JWs would be seriously undermined if
such a research effort was documented.
In its January 2002 monthly leaflet outlining congregation meetings (the Kingdom Ministry),
the Watchtower published the following announcement:
Researchers and others have contacted a number of brothers, seeking
information about Jehovahs Witnesses and our organization. They have
requested that survey forms be completed, supplying answers to questions
related to our beliefs and teachings. If such individuals approach a
congregation publisher, he should provide the name of the presiding
overseer. The Elders can handle such inquiries and make an appropriate
response based on a letter addressed to all bodies of Elders, dated April 25,
2001
24
25
Journal Of Church And State, Autumn 2005, Vol. 47, Baylor University
26
12
http://www.jwstudies.com
HALF-TRUTHS TOLD
The WTS says that a JWs decision to refuse blood affects the quality of treatment they
receive. While this may be true, it is only half the story.
[JWs] obey the Bible command to keep abstaining from blood, insisting
on nonblood medical management. And this choice often results in a
higher quality of treatment. 27
Since the refusal to accept blood means the outcomes for JWs is invariably made worse,
medical managers have to raise the level of treatment being provided.
The WTS does not provide JWs with the statistical and medical reports, freely available on
the www, that show the added burden and greater risks that are the outcome of its position on
blood.
It is being evasive, withholding all the facts from their own followers.
27
13
MARKING
Marking means that JWs minimize social involvement with a JW who is said by the Elders to
be deviating from the WTSs teachings. The supposed intention is to shame that JW.
What if there is someone who is significantly deviating from Gods
principles? The Elders [try] to help him, but he [might] persist and may
be affecting others in the congregation or presenting a danger to others.
[JWs] might feel obliged to mark the person. That would mean your
curtailing social involvement with the marked person. You personally
would avoid the company of the marked person. It is to be hoped that
the marked individual will become ashamed. He may realize that you
are avoiding his social company. 29
SHUNNING
The JWs greatest fear is the WTSs policy of shunning. With this policy, JWs includin g
friends, family and loved ones, are forbidden from making any contact or acknowledging a
disfellowshiped ex-JW. The only JWs who may still communicate with an ex-member are
their spouse and children while they are living in the same home.
28
Happy Are Those Whom God Corrects, Watchtower September 1, 1981 pp. 21
29
Happy Are Those Whom God Corrects, Watchtower September 1, 1981 pp. 20-21
30
14
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31
32
33
34
DisfellowshipingHow to View It, Watchtower September 15, 1981 p. 24. (For a detailed analysis of
this Watchtower article see Watchtower Destroys Families at
http://www.escapefromwatchtower.com/shun.html)
15
http://www.jwstudies.com
EX-JWS FURIOUS
It is possible that the WTS disfellowshiped certain JWs for not following its teachings on the
medical use of blood but in later years the WTS might alter its position and then agreed with
those JWs. But this does not permit those who had been cast out to return. They had
demonstrated independent thought and had gone ahead of the Governing Body, and it is this
that is not acceptable. Loyalty is the key.
Previously disfellowshiped JWS are furious when their stance is later accepted. They have
suffered the unnecessary heartbreak of shunning, and although the WTS might later agree
with their dissent, the heartbreak continues.
35
36
37
16
DILEMMA FACING A JW
Using a hypothetical person named Mary to represent any Jehovahs Witness 38 (JW), the
Watchtower Society (WTS) illustrates the dilemma they might be faced with.
Mary works as a medical assistant at a hospital. One requirement she has
to abide by in her work is confidentiality. She must keep documents and
information pertaining to her work from going to unauthorized persons.
Law codes in her state also regulate the disclosure of confidential
information on patients.
One day Mary faced a dilemma. In processing medical records, she came
upon information indicating that a patient, a fellow [JW], had submitted to
an abortion 39. Did [Mary] have a Scriptural responsibility to expose this
information to Elders in the congregation, even though it might lead to her
losing her job, to her being sued, or to her employers having legal
problems?
When there seems to be serious wrongdoing, should a loyal [JW] reveal
what he knows so that the apparent sinner can receive help and the
congregations purity be preserved? 40
INDEPENDENT ADVICE
The following advice was obtained in response to an enquiry regarding release of a patients
medical record without the knowledge or permission of that patient. The advice relates to the
laws of Victoria, Australia as they stood in October 2006. The professional counselor is
advised to obtain local advice.
It would be a breach of the Health Records Act 2001 for a medical service
to disclose health information to a church elder without the consent of the
patient/client of the health service. It would also be in breach of accepted
professional ethics to disclose health information to a non-health service
without the patient's consent except in very limited circumstances such as
threat to life of the patient or other persons. 41
38
39
41
Email dated 17 October 2006 from the Office of the Health Services Commissioner, a statutory
authority of the Government of Victoria, Australia.
17
http://www.jwstudies.com
42
43
44
18
http://www.jwstudies.com
45
46
47
48
19
49
The Watchtower November 1 1961 p. 670, Questions from Readers. The Watchtower November 15
1964 p. 682, Employment and Your Conscience
50
51
20
http://www.jwstudies.com
Certainly, the Bible does not comment on the various fractions derived from (red cells,
plasma, white cells, and platelets). But where does the Bible comment on any part of blood?
Jehovahs Witnesses are allo wed to accept some products made from blood
The WS permits a Jehovahs Witness (JW) to at times use their own conscience, making this
a most difficult position for JWs and for the providers of their medical needs.
52
Jehovah's Witnesses and artificial blood Osamu Muramoto 164 (7): 969 -- Canadian Medical
Association Journal at http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/164/7/969-a.
21
http://www.jwstudies.com
Regarding this and similar products, then, [JWs] face a very serious
decision.
53
54
Such a list is being compiled at NoBlood Guide to Medicines Containing Blood Components and
Fractions at http://www.noblood.org/community/3225-noblood-guidelines-to-medicines-containingblood-components-fractions.html
22
http://www.jwstudies.com
55
56
57
23
http://www.jwstudies.com
WTS INCONSISTENCIES
Some of the WTSs decisions appear neither logical nor rational. This is particularly evident
with its preparedness to allow some blood fractions, many of which are produced usin g
processes that the WTS does not tolerate, yet it denies the use of other blood fractions. JWs
rightly ask: When is blood no longer blood?
While forbidding the transfusion of blood and major blood components,
the Society has long allowed the consumption of such minor blood
components as albumin and immunoglobulins; these components are
permissible because blood is thus used in small quantities (Awake!, June
22, 1982, pp. 25-27). This policy is contradictory. Dr. Lowell Dixon,
former staff physician for the Brooklyn headquarters, explains, If a
person needs a particular blood element to save his life then that element is
a major one for him (quoted in In Search of Christian Freedom, p. 287).
A further inconsistency in the doctrine can be found in the allowance of
the minor components. A person suffering from third degree burns over
forty percent of her body would need to receive approximately 600 grams
of albumin. In order to extract this amount of albumin, from eleven to
sixteen quarts of blood would be needed; this is certainly not a small
quantity of blood (In Search of Christian Freedom, p. 290). Similarly,
extracting the immunoglobulins needed for a single cholera vaccination
requires over three quarts of blood (Ibid.).
Witness hemophiliacs are allowed to take preparations that include Factor
VIII, a blood component that assists in clotting (Watchtower, June 15,
58
See The Meaning of the Word Blood in Scripture, Rev. A. M. Stibbs, available for download at
http://www.jwstudies.com/blood.html
59
Genesis 9:6
24
http://www.jwstudies.com
1978, pp. 3031). The amount of blood required to extract enough Factor
VIII for a hemophiliac to live 16.5 years is over 100,000 quarts (In Search
of Christian Freedom, p. 290). Interestingly, while Witness hemophiliacs
are allowed to take preparations with Factor VIII, a non-hemophiliac who
is involved in an accident may not take this clotting agent (Comments from
the Friends, Winter 1994, p. 4). The rationale seems to be that hemophiliacs are only using a small amount of the blood component at one
time, whereas an accident victim requires a large quantity of Factor VIII to
increase clotting. 60
60
25
T YPES OF FORMS
Official forms are employed to indicate a persons wishes covering the delivery of medica l
services should they become too incapacitated in the future to make their wishes known.
Advance directives
An Advance Directive instructs family members, medical providers and others about the
medical and nursing care that the person wants when they are no longer competent to make
their wishes known. An Advance Directive is completed and validated while a person is still
able to give their instructions and must be completed before the directions are needed.
A living will is one type of advance directive. A living will gives specific or genera l
instructions as to the kinds of care to provide or withhold, and the type of conditions in which
it should apply. Some states have very specific requirements for a living will to be valid. The
rules for signing an Advance Directive vary among the states.
Health care power of attorney
A health care power of attorney 62 is different from a living will, because it names one or
more persons to make medical decisions for the signer in the event of incapacity.
While a living will gives instructions about care choices, a health care power of attorney
empowers an individual to take actions on behalf of the patient such as: s ign consents, discuss
health care issues with the care team, and secure second medical opinions.
Some states formally recognize only one or the other kind of document, but most states
expressly permit both kinds.
Some administrations combine the two documents into one. This allows a single signature to
satisfy the formal requirements and ensures health care providers see all of the patients
instructions at the one time.
61
62
26
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(see, for example: The Watchtower of December 1, 1984 and the first issue of Kingdom
Ministry for each calendar year).
Conducting the renewal annually can be seen as a means of constantly refreshing the WTSs
stance in the mind of each JW. It can also be seen as providing the Elders with a means for
checking JWs who remains loyal to the organization, with family and the congregation
directly involved in the verification process.
The WTS writes of its Advance Directive:
In the event that you are rendered unconscious in an emergency, the card
will:
Identify you as one of Jehovah's Witnesses
Alert medical personnel to your refusal of blood
Indicate that you have filled out a DPA form
Identify your emergency contacts. 63
The identification of the bearer as a JW helps a medical care provider, since the JWs stance
is known about by the general community.
The early cards completely eliminated all use of blood:
63
LOVING PROVISIONS FOR OUR HEALTH CARE (Outline for Service Meeting part for the
week of January 8, 2001), page 1
27
http://www.jwstudies.com
28
http://www.jwstudies.com
64
Jehovahs Witnesses and Blood Transfusions, OPA Practice Guidelines, page 7-4, Office of the
Public Advocate, www.publicadvocate.vic.gov.au
65
The Watchtower Society redefines the guidelines for use of blood products, Osamu Muramoto, M.D.
http://www.jwic.com/wt-blood-6-15-04.htm
Also Recent developments in medical care of Jehovah's Witnesses, O Muramoto, Western Journal of
Medicine, Vol 170, May 1999, pages 297 301, at www.jwic.com/wjm-1999.htm and
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1305593
67
LOVING PROVISIONS FOR OUR HEALTH CARE (Outline for Service Meeting part for the
week of January 8, 2001), page 1
29
http://www.jwstudies.com
68
Jehovahs Witnesses and Blood Transfusions, OPA Practice Guidelines, page 7-2, Office of the
Public Advocate, www.publicadvocate.vic.gov.au,
30
69
Bridging the Gap Between Doctors and Witness Patients, Awake!, 22 Nov 1990, p.21 (bullets added)
70
31
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OPERATION OF AN HLC
An HLC only provides a service to Jehovahs Witnesses [JWs] in good standing and their
children who are under threat of a blood transfusion. The HLC do not get involved in other
situations.
The patients information in passed on to the HLC by the Elders. The names of the members
of an HLC are known only by the Elders, and are not provided to the congregation. Before
deciding whether to call the HLC, the Elders must know the full details of the JW patients
condition.
Listen long enough and ask enough questions to try to determine whether
the HLC should be involved or not. For example, it is important to
determine exactly what the medical problem is, such as leukemia, surgery
for an aneurysm, open-heart surgery, etc. Ask if they know what the blood
count of the patient is, since that information is often vital. If you are
going to follow through and call the HLC, be sure to obtain the name and
phone number of the [JW] so that you can give them to the HLC. 72
The HLC becomes active in the treatment that a doctor is trying to provide. Writing to the
Elders, the WTS says:
If in some critical emergency situation the HLC asks you to stay with the
patient in the hospital because the doctors are threatening to give blood, do
your best to cooperate. You may have to organize other elders and mature
ones to assist you so that you always have someone present until the
patient stabilizes and the threat of a blood transfusion has been
eliminated. 73
71
72
73
32
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They have no medical training. They have total faith in the utterances of the WTS, which has
been shown to be less than upright or forthright. (See Louderback-Wood under Theocratic
War Strategy earlier in this Guide.)
The people of an HLC do not know when a change in WTS policy might occur, or the
reasons. The instructions from the WTS are subject to change, even reversals.
An HLCs understanding of the WTSs current stance might be incorrect, with fata l
consequences. In her article Jehovahs Witnesses, Blood Transfusions, and the Tort of
Misrepresentation, attorney Kerry Louderback-Wood writes:
Doctors warned [Kerry Louderback-Woods] mother that she was at great
risk for heart failure because of her severe anaemia and low blood
pressure, and recommended a blood transfusion. Her mother refused, and
she suffered a fatal heart attack within 48 hours of that warning.
The doctors, hospital, relatives, and visiting members from the local
congregation were not aware that the Society allowed followers to accept
blood-derived hemoglobin, and thus did not offer it.
Instead, a relative ordered the hospital to administer an erythropoietin
injection, relying on the Societys literature which stated it worked very
quickly to produce red blood cells. The doctors explained that this
injection would not work as quickly as the relative thought. 74
74
Journal Of Church And State, Autumn 2005, Vol. 47, page 118.
33
A DECISION OF CONSCIENCE
T HE TYPICAL JEHOVAHS WITNESS
It might be very difficult to understand how a person could accept the Watchtower Societys
[WTSs] teaching on the medical use of blood, given its inconsistenc ies, mishandling of facts,
doctrinal reversals, and so on.
A Jehovahs Witness [JW] accepts anything the WTS says, because it is Gods only voice on
earth. There is no other access to God.
The following analysis was written by a person who remained faithfu l to the WTS until her
adulthood. She should know.
Witnesses Strongly Rely on Watchtower Literature
The Society nicknames its religion the Truth and its followers refer to
each other as Friends who study the Truth.
The Watchtower Societys books are read and discussed in church
meetings in a classroom manner where the written material, presented
by a speaker, is directly followed with written questions, orally answered
by individual audience members upon raising their hands. Individual
Witnesses interviewed by this author stated that they rely on the Societys
literature because they trust the Society to give them good information,
as the Society stays on top of things and is so well read.
Individual Witnesses often demonstrate lack of ability to critically analyze,
which may correspond to the average followers lack of advanced
education. One study found that [of] thirty groups surveyed, Witnesses
ranked last in education only 4.7 percent have college degrees as
compared to 49.5 percent of Unitarians and 46.7 percent of Jews.
The Society does not ban its members from reading outside, general
literature or news articles, but it strongly steers its followers away from
material that questions the religion.
The Society warns its followers to avoid independent thinking ...
[including] questioning the counsel that is provided by Gods visible
organization [the Society]. The Society deeply believes that they are the
only religion on earth today that God is directing.
The average followers lack of higher education, combined with the
classroom atmosphere and loyal adherence to the Societys literature seem
to be compelling reasons why the Society has a duty to not misrepresent or
omit facts, especially when the religious belief to be followed concerns
potentially life-threatening decisions. 75
Jehovahs Witnesses, Blood Transfusions, and the Tort of Misrepresentation pages 105 107, by
Kerry Louderback-Wood, in Journal of Church and State, Autumn 2005, Vol. 47, Baylor University
34
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A decision of conscience
decision of conscience on those parts of blood that are parts of those major components.
This means that some JWs might elect to accept some parts of blood while others might
decide to reject all parts.
Today, most transfusions are not of whole blood but of one of its primary
components: (1) red cells; (2) white cells; (3) platelets; (4) plasma (serum),
the fluid part. Jehovahs Witnesses hold that accepting whole blood or
any of those four primary components violates Gods law.
Since blood can be processed beyond those primary components,
questions arise about fractions derived from the primary blood
components.
Plasma carries such proteins as albumin, clotting factors, and antibodies
to fight diseases. Technicians isolate and use many plasma proteins. For
example, clotting factor VIII has been given to hemophiliacs, who bleed
easily. Or if someone is exposed to certain diseases, doctors might
prescribe injections of gamma globulin, extracted from the blood plasma
of people who already had immunity. Other plasma proteins are used
medically.
Just as blood plasma can be a source of various fractions, the other
primary components (red cells, white cells, platelets) can be processed to
isolate smaller parts. For example, white blood cells may be a source of
interferons and interleukins, used to treat some viral infections and
cancers. Platelets can be processed to extract a wound-healing factor. And
other medicines are coming along that involve (at least initially) extracts
from blood components. Such therapies are not transfusions of those
primary components; they usually involve parts or fractions thereof.
Should [JWs] accept these fractions in medical treatment? We cannot say.
The Bible does not give details, so a [JW] must make his own
conscientious decision.
Some would refuse anything derived from blood (even fractions intended
to provide temporary passive immunity). That is how they understand
Gods command to abstain from blood. Some [JWs] reject such
products, just as they reject transfusions of whole blood or of its four
primary components. Their sincere, conscientious stand should be
respected.
Other [JWs] decide differently. They too refuse transfusions of whole
blood, red cells, white cells, platelets, or plasma. Yet, they might allow a
physician to treat them with a fraction extracted from the primary
components. Even here there may be differences. One [JW] may accept a
gamma globulin injection, but he may or may not agree to an injection
containing something extracted from red or white cells.
Jehovahs Witnesses refuse transfusions of both whole blood and its
primary blood components. The Bible directs [JWs] to abstain from
things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from fornication. (Acts
15:29) Beyond that, when it comes to fractions of any of the primary
components, each [JW], must conscientiously decide for himself. 76
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A decision of conscience
A RANGE OF CONVICTION
Within any faith there is a range of adherence to the stated precepts of the
religion by the members. No person is wholly defined by their
membership of a church and membership of the Jehovah's Witnesses
should be considered as only one, albeit important, influence in forming a
person's views. Verification of a persons adherence to the faith, especially
in circumstances where there is no available card, requires investigation
and verification. In cases where there is dispute or disagreement as to the
persons commitment to the faith and their opposition to blood
transfusions, an application for guardianship should be made when the
person has a cognitive disability. 78
Obstet Gynecol 2004; Vol 104, No 3:September 2005, pages 541544. 2004 by The American
College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
78
Jehovahs Witnesses and Blood Transfusions, OPA Practice Guidelines, page 7-4, Office of the
Public Advocate, www.publicadvocate.vic.gov.au
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A decision of conscience
decided. Meanwhile you must wait. Never does the WTS involve itself in a proper debate in
such correspondence.
The WTS does not initially discipline JWs directly when they write questions to the WTS
regarding their position on blood. However, a persistent correspondent soon discovers the
WTS employing its Theocratic War Strategy.
79
The Watchtower, May 1, 1957, page 284 Trust your proved, Faithful Brothers
80
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A decision of conscience
T HE JENSEN LETTERS
JWs continue writing to the WTS to express their deep concerns with the organizations
teachings concerning the medical use of blood.
In February 1998, Elder R. Jensen of Alabama wrote to the WTS of New York, the JWs
main controlling body. The full text of their correspondence is available at
http://www.jwtruth.com/articles/BloodJensenLettersText.aspx A synopsis and analysis of
their correspondence appears later in this Guide.
The Jensen letters provide a case study, supporting assertions made in this Guide. They show
the grave difficulties that the Elder has with the organizations stance on blood, and his
reasoning. In their letters, the WTS evades direct questions, fails to provide all of the relevant
facts, does not give Scriptural reasons for its decisions, tells the Elder to wait on the
organization, and so on. These are clear examples of its Theocratic War Strategy in action
applied internally, and in the direct context of blood.
Throughout the years covered by the correspondence, Elder Jensen maintained his lifelon g
ongoing deep and sincere devotion to the organization. But he was so concerned with the
teachings concerning the medical use of blood that he felt he had no option but to
communicate directly with the controlling body.
The letters sho w that JWs as high as Elders have grave reservations with the teachings
and they provide substantial reasons for those concerns.
Although the JW Elder asked for scriptural and/or scientific reasons for the WTSs stance,
none was forthcoming. He was told to heed whatever the faithful and discreet slave class
(Governing Body) said, and to wait.
The letters also show that the WTS permits the use of some constituents of blood while it
denies the use of other constituents. Some decisions rely on a JWs personal convictions, and
the WTS did not provide Scriptural explanations to show which fractions were acceptable and
which were not. 81
The WTS starts with a teaching and then looks for Scripture for support of that teaching, rather than
starting with Scripture, determining the principles and then extracting a teaching. (The Society is
using its doctrine to interpret the Bible, rather than using the Bible to inform its doctrine..
http://www.watchman.org/jw/bloodbulgaria.htm )
82
Bioethics of the refusal of blood by Jehovah's Witnesses: part 3, Osamu Muramoto, Journal of
Medical Ethics; Dec99, Vol. 25 Issue 6, p463, 6p, http://www.jwic.com/JME1999.htm
http://www.jwic.com/JME1999.htm. Also: Medical Confidentiality and the protection of Jehovahs
Witnesses autonomous refusal of blood, Osamu Muramoto, Journal of Medical Ethics, 2000 British
Medical Association
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A decision of conscience
83
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PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
ALWAYS FOLLOW LEGAL PROCEDURES
Always observe procedures that fully accord with the requirements of all locally applicable
legislation. Be fully aware of all formal Guidelines and Procedures produced through
government agencies that describe and support all relevant laws. Ensure all actions can be
MAINTAIN OBJECTIVITY
Never allow personal religious beliefs to impede the making and execution of a
decision.84 Do not enter into a discussion on the Watchtower Societys (WTSs)
interpretation of Scripture. Only discuss the merits of the proposed treatment.
JWS DO DISOBEY THE WTS
Keep in mind that JWs are known to disobey the Watchtower Bible and Tract Societys
(WTSs) edicts concerning the medical use of blood. The official voice of the organization
does not represent the views held by every JW.
Within any faith there is a range of adherence to the stated precepts of the religion by
the members. No person is wholly defined by their membership of a church and
membership of the Jehovah's Witnesses should be considered as only one, albeit
85
important, influence in forming a person's views.
84
While the community is concerned for the wellbeing of each individual, its objectivity is affected
since the WTS expresses faith in the Jewish/Christian Bible.
85
Jehovahs Witnesses and Blood Transfusions, OPA Practice Guidelines, page 7-4, Office of the
Public Advocate, www.publicadvocate.vic.gov.au,
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Practical considerations
advisable that a Jehovahs Witness patient does NOT contact their organization at any level. 86
Such a move is likely to be counterproductive for the patients well-being.
Bioethical aspects of the recent changes in the policy of refusal of blood by Jehovah's Witnesses,
Osamu Muramoto, BMJ Volume 322, 6 January 2001 pages 37 39 (bmj.com) at:
http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/322/7277/37
87
Most already have a medical Code of Conduct for responding to a JW patients expressed refusal of
some parts of blood (for example: WITNESS.PDF from the Royal College of Surgeons of England at
www.rcseng.ac.uk/publications/docs/jehovahs_witness.html).
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Practical considerations
T RAGIC OUTCOMES
Some estimate that 1000 Jehovahs Witnesses die each year because of the WTSs edicts
concerning the medical use of blood 88. That would amount to 3 each day. By following the
WTSs edicts, the health and welfare of countless more JWs is seriously compromised, with
longer recovery periods and less satisfactory outcomes.
Also, JWs exhibit mental illnesses ranging from three to forty times the norm of the genera l
community. 89 It is not known if the movement attracts people having a greater propensity to
88
http://www.ajwrb.org/science/risks1.shtml
89
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Practical considerations
mental instability or if the environment is the dominating factor. Regardless, the professiona l
Counselor needs to maintain vigilance in this respect.
BURNING QUESTIONS
*
Through its legislators, the community needs to decide whether, by acceding to the
WTSs demands regarding the medical use of blood, the community is agreeing with
the strategies employed by the WTS. That is, if the community accepts the ends, is it
then complicit in the means employed to arrive at that conclusion?
To protect the vulnerable, should the community legislature remove the right to reject
specific medical procedures?
Should an HLC be made responsible for the outcomes resulting from their
interventions?
How culpable are the members of the Governing Body for any unnecessary deaths,
illness and poorer outcomes resulting from their ongoing teachings and strategies?
XXIV, 1977/1, pages 135-147; A psychological and sociological study of Jehovahs Witnesses, a
paper read by Prof. Gsta Rylander on March 8, 1946 to Nordisk Medicin (Scandinavian Medicine)
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REAL-LIFE COMMUNICATIONS:
THE JENSEN LETTERS
In Elder Jensens February 1998 letter to the WTS, he explains to the WTS the
circumstances that caused him to write to them:
Dear Brothers
The contents [of this letter are the outcome of] my own activity in the
ministry with persons in the health care industry. These individuals
have heard expressions of my faith on opportune occasions, and beliefs of
Jehovahs Witnesses have been the subject of friendly and meaningful
conversation.
In the last few months questions have been presented for which I have no
answer.
Elder Jensen describes himself
I am an Elder in the C-------- congregation in C-------- Alabama I have
understood and appreciated the [JW] directive to abstain from blood for
most of my life, and as an Elder have several times assisted friends under
stressful and even life threatening circumstances. Reading and studying
further into this subject has only strengthened my resolve to abstain from
blood, consequentially.
The concerns that Elder Jensens health care contacts have
Physicians are interested in knowing how to deal with patients who
happen to be Jehovahs Witnesses. Of interest to the physicians is how
our organization deals with persons who decide to accept blood
components.
They begin having the questions (about which I write) when we discuss
how Jehovahs Witnesses deal with [JWs] differently due to particular
blood components accepted. They question why we do not deal
judicially with [JWs] accepting injections of blood components as long as
they are from the fractions of protein, hormone, salts or enzyme
components of blood, when we do deal judicially with [JWs] accepting
any components of red cells, white cells, platelets or plasma
The most direct difference these physicians see between the two is in the
relatively small measure of some blood components compared to other
blood components and the amounts usually administered (they see all as
being of blood), and that it appears our organizational tolerance (referring
to actions left to conscience and not dealt with judicially) is somehow
determined by individual conscience. They thus wonder why the entire
matter is not left to personal conscience by our organization.
Questions asked by the physicians
They ask the following:
Regarding judicial / non-judicial status:
Is it the amount of blood or the particular components of blood one
accepts that measures when we deal judicially with someone?
If its the amount, what is the amount?
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First:
Doctors will admit that transfusion of plasma or red cells may save
someones life, but so does factor VIII. Both save lives, both are life
sustaining. Without factor VIII hemophiliacs would be certain
candidates for extremely short life. Since both save lives how can
one be singled out for judicial action and the other ignored? Also
there is the use of albumin for burn victims, this administered blood
component certainly saves lives.
Second:
The italicized portion also indicates that individual consciences play
a determining role in our decision about what we tolerate morally.
What if someones conscience allowed acceptance of components
like plasma, concluding that their decision rests primarily with
accepting health risks?
With this information how can Elders show individuals Scripturally why
we tolerate acceptance of some blood components while dealing judicially
with acceptance of other components? I have read countless articles on
these issues and find no answer, nor could the Elders I asked.
Additionally the w89 3/1 30 comments that Jehovahs Witnesses DO
NOT accept certain autologous procedures. The reason for this is well
stated: We have long appreciated that such stored blood certainly is no
longer part of the person. It has been completely removed from him, so it
should be disposed of in line with Gods Law: You should pour it out
upon the ground as water.Deuteronomy 12:24. With this bottom
line scriptural law in mind it seems of importance that all blood fractions
for medical use come from whole blood which has been intentionally:
donated (or even sold), stored, processed, sold for commercial profit, and
finally introduced into another person. How can it be Scripturally
reasoned that all of this misuse of blood, explicitly to sell, buy or use
blood fractions, can possibly be accepted by any [JWs] conscience?
My question arises because in the case of blood fractions administered
medically there must first have occur several procedures which we DO
NOT accept, leading intentionally and directly to the product offered.
Would not acceptance (and purchase) of the intentional end product be
directly supportive of the process when there is no obligation on our part
to accept such? Is the described process acceptable? (reference: w81 10/15
30, w90 6/1 30)
Elder Jensen needs assistance to provide him understanding
I look forward to reading your reply. I look forward to your response.
I seek only understanding.
I just cant nail down the scriptural answers to the questions above and
need your assistance. I thank you in advance for your kind spiritual aid in
this matter. Keep up the good work!
Your brother in Jehovahs service,
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A few weeks later, in March 1998 the WTS (Desk ECC:ECO) responded to Elde r
Jensens letter.
They initially provided their own summary of his letter.
Dear Brother Jensen:
This is to acknowledge receipt of your letter of February 16, 1998. You
ask about the propriety of a [JW] accepting blood fractions for medical
purposes. You say you have been discussing this matter with various
medical doctors and have found it difficult to answer some of their
questions. We note you have considered what the Society has published on
this subject
The WTS allows an individual to decide whether to accept certain proteins from blood
As indicated, the Society has left it to the individual [JW] to decide
whether he or she can accept blood fractions such as proteins found in the
bloodstream, believing this to be in a gray area
If a [JWs] conscience will not allow him to accept a serum, we would
encourage him to respect the dictates of his conscience. However, as you
know, when we say fractions, it is not meant that a few drops or even a
drop of whole blood is involved. Rather, whole blood is broken down into
its various parts and certain proteins or other minute substances are taken
from the breakdown product, called immunoglobulins
(WTS) The blood derivative is only a small fraction of blood
It might be argued that if blood was properly disposed of, it would not be
possible to make serum injections But if blood is taken from a body
and, before it is disposed of, is broken down by a medical procedure and in
the process a small fraction is extracted, not to eat or to nourish the body,
but to immunize against a disease, could it be said that there is a clear
violation of Gods law not to eat blood? Jehovah is reasonable concerning
his laws and their application.
So, too, the blood derivative is only a small fraction of blood, as
mentioned above. Such can be distinguished from the major components
of the blood, such as the red cells.
(WTS) Accepting a small injection of a breakdown product
Taking a transfusion of blood is clearly contrary to Gods law. But what
about accepting a small injection, not of whole blood or even a primary
component of blood, but of a breakdown product, whether it be salt taken
from blood, sugar taken from blood, iron, calcium, a hormone, or another
fractionalized part?
(WTS) Why disfello wshiped for taking a blood transfusion but not for taking blood
fractions
You also ask why one can be disfellowshiped for taking a blood
transfusion but not for taking blood fractions. While both may affect the
life of an individual, the expression life-sustaining in connection with
blood transfusions is synonymous with the idea of taking in food for
nourishment. In this regard both whole blood and major components of it
carry nutrients, oxygen, and other nourishment to the body. It is this aspect
of taking in blood, that is, to provide nourishment, that links blood
transfusions with the Biblical prohibition.
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(WTS) Blood fractions in certain situations can be lifesaving [but] they do not operate
to feed and nourish
The motive or reason for taking a serum is not to feed the body, as
would be the case if there was an eating of whole blood (or a major
component thereof) by mouth or by having it transfused intravenously.
Rather, the antibodies that have been separated out are administered for
the purpose of immunizing the body against a certain disease. While blood
fractions in certain situations can be lifesaving, they do not operate to feed
and nourish the body and in this way sustain life but, rather, utilize other
mechanisms.
We trust the above comments will be helpful to you in reasoning on this
matter from the Scriptures. We take this occasion to send our warm love
and Christian greetings.
At the end of July 1998, 4 months after the WTS replied, Elder Jensen wrote again.
In your response I found no answer to my questions relative to this issue
In your letter the following statement is made:
It might be argued that if blood was properly disposed of, it would
not be possible to make serum injections
This argument is precisely at the heart of one of my questions.
[JWs] know that use of any blood derivative is dependent on blood not
being poured out as commanded by God. In your response I found no
answer to my questions relative to this issue.
I feel an answer should be possible
Again, can it possibly be scripturally reasoned away that our intentional
buying of products having blood components as a critical element does not
support the wholesale abuse of blood?
Should we view processing of blood for commercial gain as acceptable,
that is, since we support it by voluntarily purchasing some of its end
products?
I feel an answer should be possible and that it would likely have a direct
bearing on [JW] conduct.
It seems the crux of the above quoted reasoning is that blood derivatives are not eaten
to nourish the body.
Further, you state:
But if blood is taken from a body and, before it is disposed of, is
broken down by a medical procedure and in the process a small
fraction is extracted, not to eat or to nourish the body, but to
immunize against a disease, could it be said that there is a clear
violation of Gods law not to eat blood?
From infancy Ive been taught that transfusion of material intravenously is
similar to eating, at least as far as abstention goes. I must conclude that
ingestion of a blood fraction, intravenously or otherwise would be eating.
What if the same medical blood derivative could be given orally? Its still
being given for immunization, would this then be eating?
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It seems the crux of the above quoted reasoning is that blood derivatives
are not eaten to nourish the body. Does the administering of blood
components like white cells nourish the body like a meal? Would they
even be administered as a meal, or would they only be administered for
medical purposes?
I dont see the instances as a matter of amount, but rather a matter of activity
Someone starving could be saved if provided with food for ingestion,
whether this be provided intravenously or by mouth. Would someone
starving survive by having a blood component like white cells transfused
into their veins? It seems white cells are used only for medical purposes,
not to provide nutrition like a meal, but to increase the bodies ability to
fight certain conditions.
Isnt this similar to why other acceptable components are used? I
understand from your letter that major components of blood carry some
type of nourishment, but is it the same as eating a meal?
Would white cells provide nourishing sustenance if given intravenously
similar to its going through the human digestive track?
I am quite sure that the 5% of blood which we tolerate acceptance of could
be eaten for nourishment just as red cells or white cells could. Why does it
become acceptable if this same material is ingested intravenously? Isnt
this similar to eating? After all, some of these components are prescribed
and administered in substantial amounts, especially when they are infused
regularly.
[You seem] to reason that size or amount somehow enters into the picture
with the command to abstain from blood. I dont see the instance above as
a matter of amount, but rather a matter of activity.
God gave explicit prohibitions, and amount had nothing whatsoever to do with the
prohibition
But things God explicitly prohibited were not tolerated, not even when
infringed upon in some minor way. Could Eve had eaten just minor
components from the forbidden tree and been acceptable to God? Would
Achan have lived had he only intentionally taken minor components of
spoil? In these cases God gave explicit prohibitions, and amount had
nothing whatsoever to do with the prohibition.
God has said abstain from blood. Is there something in this command
separating blood components? This prohibition is quite explicit, just as His
commands to take no spoils from Jericho and not to eat from that one tree
in the garden of Eden.
If we view acceptance of blood for medical purposes as breaking Gods
command to abstain from blood, how can we justify acceptance of 5% of
its components based on amount or nutritional value?
Another similar example is of the tree of the knowledge of good and
bad. This tree represented something belonging to God, it was his
property, it was sacred, and humans were forbidden to eat from it. If it
had been possible to take something from this tree and break it down by a
medical procedure thereby obtaining some fraction component able to
fight disease, would it have been acceptable for ingestion? Could we
possibly conclude that this would not be eating from the tree?
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Three weeks later, in August 1998, the WTS (Desk ECC:ECM) replied.
The following is the sum total of their response (bold emphasis supplied):
Dear Brother Jensen:
Your letter of July 31, 1998, has been received, and we note your
response to our recent correspondence to you in connection with the
Biblical view of blood fractions.
This is a matter that you have obviously given much thought to and we
appreciate your concern in this regard. However, it seems that it would be
appropriate at this time to let the matter rest. Of course, you are free to
make your own personal decision in such matters, while at the same time
allowing others to exercise their own freedom in making a personal
choice.
It is a pleasure to be associated with you and our brothers worldwide in
the grand work Jehovah is having done in the earth today. Please accept an
expression of our Christian love and best wishes.
Your brothers,
[Signed: Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of New York, Inc.]
This is a rude, arrogant and uncaring response from the WTS. They did not address any
of Elder Jensens carefully considered concerns, which he clearly finds deeply worrying.
Instead of answering Elder Jensen and providing the scriptural basis fo r thei r
instructions to the wo rldwide body of JWs, the WTS employs its Theocratic Wa r
Strategy to one of its own, telling Elder Jensen nothing more that to let the matte r
rest and make your own decision. No answers were provided, no information given.
A policy of evasion was employed.
Elder Jensen waited 15 months until he could no longer contain his concerns. This was
affecting his work as an Elder and damaging his conscience.
So in a letter date November 15, 1999, Elder Jensen wrote again, first addressing the
WTSs instruction to let the matter rest.
Dear Brothers
On this topic your last correspondence to me dated 8/24/98 said, ...it
would be appropriate at this time to let the matter rest.
I fully realized the gravity of what I had addressed to you and understood
that you perhaps needed some time to consider what I had said. In that
respect I agreed that letting the matter rest was a good idea and thus I was
content to wait for a future consideration of the subject.
In light of that, I confidently expected some forthcoming explanation to
my questions in a Watchtower article or else personal correspondence.
I do not expect that letting a matter rest means letting it die nor do I think
that was your intention. For that reason I have patiently waited. At this
time I again ask for your consideration of my questions in those letters.
How can I teach with conviction?
As an Elder I am expected to teach with conviction and to impart
understanding. How can I teach with conviction and imp art
understanding without reasons for the answers?
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Please be assured of my love for you and accept my appreciation for all
your hard work in behalf of our neighbors, our brothers, my family and
myself.
Your fellow servant,
[Signed: R. Jensen]
On February 21, 2000, the WTS (Desk ECA:ECN) responded. In part, the WTS wrote:
(WTS) [Do] not seek to impose your deductions and conscience on others
Care needs to be exercised, Brother Jensen, that you not seek to impose
your deductions and conscience on others.
The WTS calls on the authority of the faithful and discreet slave operating on earth
through its visible representative the Governing Body.
For some decades now, the faithful and discreet slave [the use of
quotation marks indicates the WTS actually means the Governing Body
of Jehovahs Witnesses] has been giving the matter of blood usage in
medical procedures careful and prayerful consideration
Acceptance or nonacceptance of small fractions of blood is left for each
one to decide conscientiously after weighing all factors having a bearing.
In your case, if you find no basis for accepting any component from blood,
no matter how small or for what purpose, in treating a medical condition,
then that would be your decision before Jehovah.
The WTS then tells Elder Jensen that no matter what his decision is, he must still teach
what the Governing Body is teaching
Whatever ones decision is, this should not prevent him from helping
others to understand what has been published by the faithful and discreet
slave 90 on the subject.
(WTS) Non-JWs should respect the WTSs religious teachings
Regarding those in the health-care field who do not always understand our
position, we are sure you will agree that this is not unexpected.
(WTS) This almost invariably absorbs any implicit demand that we explain what
appear to be inconsistencies
While individuals may not see the logic of a particular position or agree
with our reasoning, we ask that they respect our religious position on this
matter, which includes letting each one decide whether or not to accept a
minor fraction of blood. This almost invariably absorbs any implicit
demand that we explain what appear to be inconsistencies or why some of
Jehovahs Witnesses feel they can conscientiously accept certain small
fractions while others do not.
Your brothers,
[Signed: Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of New York, Inc.]
90
The WTS publishes what the faithful and discreet slave class teaches through the utterances of the
Governing Body.
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Two weeks later, on 1 March 2000 Elder Jensen responded with another letter, carefully
detailing his concerns.
You brothers [in the WTS] do not understand my concern
I fear that you brothers do not understand the full measureindeed specific
requestsof my concern.
I am not seeking to impose anything since I cannot explain scripturally the
distinctions of our stance
I am not seeking to impose anything on anyone, indeed I try hard to avoid
such, nor am I inclined to do so. At this point I am not sure I could impose
anything regarding medical use of blood components because I am unable
to do so, which is part of my problem. For example, if a local friend chose
to accept white corpuscles to bolster their immune system then as an Elder
I would be expected to impose our stance, which prohibits acceptance of
white corpuscles. Since I cannot explain scripturally the distinctions of our
stance I could not impose that stance.
My concerns have existed for some time now, they are not new or short lived
I am not seeking scriptural clarifications regarding a new teaching, but
rather one that has existed for decades. Is it unreasonable to request
clarification of reasons/views offered regarding teachings decades old?
Is it unreasonable that someone asked to teach asks for an understanding
of the reasons behind [the] answers or the Scriptural reasons for [the]
explanations? (See Organized To Accomplish Our Ministry page 44; Our
Kingdom Ministry, February 2000 page 8)
My concerns have existed for some time now, they are not new or short
lived.
I have asked for corresponding scriptural explanations
I have asked you for scriptural clarifications. I have also waited, allowing
time for your thorough consideration of my request. Regarding new
views, we usually do give corresponding scriptural reasons for them.
Whether we understand or not has more to do with our understanding of
those scriptural reasons not just a new idea itself. What I have asked
is for corresponding scriptural explanations regarding certain pertinent
details of our stance.
Contradictions/inconsistencies that appear indefensible
Our stance on blood exhibits certain other contradictions/inconsistencies
that appear indefensible. For example:
1. The contradiction of our utilizing donated and stored blood while
simultaneously condemning the donation and storage of blood for medical
use.
2. Saying that we abstain from blood when in fact our stance tolerates
acceptance of some components of blood. Physicians or anyone else can
simply say, Jehovahs Witnesses abstain from some parts of blood and but
not all parts of blood.
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My specific concerns are not addressed in your February 21, 2000 response
In your February 21, 2000 reply you stated, Your concern is why the
accepting of some fractions of blood for medical treatment has been left as
a matter of conscience. Actually, regarding fractions, more accurately my
concern is Why is accepting certain fractions considered a matter of
conscience while acceptance of other fractions is not considered a matter
of conscience? I see no such distinction that can be made scripturally
and my specific concernsdetailed aboveare not addressed in your
February 21, 2000 response.
I fear now that my concerns and questions raised about our present stance
have no scriptural answers. If they existed I feel you brothers would have
already shared them with me. This is very disheartening.
Acts 15, Acts 21 do not require taking of a life
The apostolic decree (Acts 15, Acts 21) does not require abstaining fro m
medical transfusions of blood as practiced today because such does not
require any taking of life.
Gods permission to eat flesh likewise poses significant health risks
We have imputed wisdom to refraining from medical transfusion of blood
based upon dangers inherent to the practice. However, considering that
Gods permission to eat flesh likewise poses significant health risks, such
reasoning becomes problematic. Like blood, if flesh is exposed to virulent
organisms or is not prepared or selected correctly it canand hascaused
significant loss of health and even death. Today even in developed lands
thousands die annually from food poisoning. Since food poisoning
victimizes health and causes death just as can medical use of blood then
we cannot impute any unique wisdom associated with abstention of one
versus the other based upon risk to health.
The WTS did not reply to this letter or to a subsequent letter of clarification.
This inaction displays elements of the WTSs Theocratic War Strategy, such as being
evasive, failing to provide all of the facts, withholding information, and so on.
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Elder Jensen wrote three months later in a letter dated April 6, 2001.
It has been three months since I last wrote you on the subject of blood
where I again addressed serious concerns and suggested a course that is
scripturally reasoned.
On February 23, 2001 I called Brooklyn Bethel and asked to speak with
someone in the Writing Department about my letter. I was transferred to
the Writing Correspondence Department at Patterson. The brother taking
the call said my letter had been received and that someone was working
on it.
Effects of the WTSs Theocratic War Strategy on Elder Jensen
To date I have not heard back from you. That hurts, and it leaves me
bewildered.
My sincere concerns are very serious ones, and your replies have not
resolved them with the Bible.
it hurts that I now feel practically ignored. It seems completely
fitting and reasonable that I ask for your answers to questionsand a
suggestionthat I have patiently waited over a year for. After allowing that
length of time for your consideration, if I cannot talk back and forth with
you brothers about these concerns then who should I go to?
The hurt and bewilderment is exacerbated because I have offered to
answer any questions you may have; yet none have been asked of me.
I have even offered to visit you brothers in person if that would help. That
you have made no inquires to me leads to the belief that my concerns and
suggestion are understood by you, or at least that you do not believe you
misunderstand them, or me.
The result is that my confidence is eroding. My faith and confidence in
Jehovah and his holy word, the Bible feels strong.
What is suffering is my confidence that brothers who I look to for help
will give a scripturally reasoned answer to the details of my concerns and
suggestion; and I do not understand that because it goes contrary to my
experience. This is very hurting and disconcerting.
This letter is not sent to aggravate or discourage anyone. If I thought my
questions could be resolved another way I would do that instead of asking
for your time and attention.
Only you men know why I have not already received scriptural answers
from you on specifics.
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As a spiritual man I work hard at helping all those asking for it, and do not
understand why I am being made to feel as I do.
I continue to welcome any questions or concerns you may have on this
matter.
A resolution is needed
I need some resolution on this subject, and it is hard to believe that need is
unique to me. Surely all our brothers would benefit from seeing addressed
the same serious and specific concerns I have raised.
In a reply dated May 30, 2001, the WTS wrote (in part here):
This letter follows a telephone conversation with you on May 17, 2001.
When you first wrote and shared your observations with us, you did not
ask for a reply. Nevertheless, what you wrote was not ignored. All of your
letters have been carefully considered.
(WTS) Decisions are made by the Governing Body
Each time this matter has come up for review by the slave class
(Governing Body), taking all pertinent factors into consideration,
including those discussed in your letters, the basic conclusion has been the
same, that accepting a transfusion of whole blood, or of its four recognized
primary componentsred cells, white cells, platelets, or whole plasma
would clearly be contrary to the Scriptures.
(WTS) As to accepting minor fractions of blood
As to accepting minor fractions of blood, Questions From Readers in the
June 1, 1974, issue of The Watchtower, states: While refraining from
approving or condemning in such areas where we believe the decision
must be left to individual conscience, we do, nevertheless, urge all to seek
to maintain their conscience clear before God, never showing de liberate
disrespect for his Word.
(WTS) Decide matters in accord with the dictates of their consciences
You contend that using even a small extract of a blood component would
be tantamount to using whole blood. Some [JWs] draw this conclusion
conscientiously and we encourage them to decide matters in accord with
the dictates of their consciences.
Others reason differently, feeling beyond a certain point a blood fraction
does not remain a significant part of ones life blood. The faithful and
discreet slave (Governing Body) has not felt that it can be dogmatic on
this point but has left that as something each [JW] must decide for himself
before God.Galatians 6:5.
The WTS admits it did not deal completely with Elder Jensens concerns
While we have not dealt with all the details discussed in your letters, we
trust that these additional comments will be helpful.
It is evident that matters pertaining to blood have caused you much
concern. You have come to the point where you question seriously
whether the position of Jehovahs Witnesses is correct. You have
presented your reasoning for consideration.
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Once more Elder Jensen is told to wait on Jehovah (instructing the Governing Body).
When we have questions on matters that are not immediately resolved
after doing research and seeking answers, the wise course is to wait
humbly upon Jehovah. In our previous letter, we encouraged you to do
that, as you continue to serve Jehovah conscientiously.
All the way through, WTS is concerned with loyalty, rather than with Scriptural Truth
Proceeding in this way, in some respects, will put to the test your faith
and trust in Jehovah and the way he is directing his organization
today through the faithful and discreet slave.
Two weeks later, on June 9, 2001, Elder Jensen wrote one last letter on the subject.
The letter opens with their perceived Law of Noah. That discussion relates to the
internal doctrines of the JWs and their controlling body.
Continuing
I noticed that your letter does not comment on the conflict ing matter
addressed in my letter, and discussed on the telephone, about us using
from the donated and stored blood supply but forbidding the replenishing
of the very same thing we deplete.
In conversation it was stated to me that it is a personal conscience matter
whether a [JW] decides to donate blood that will be used in fractionated
forms, the same fractionated forms that we likewise leave to personal
conscience as to acceptance. I was told that this act being left up to each
[JWs] conscience naturally follows from what we have already published
about decisions to accept fractions of blood.
If put on the spot and asked about this issue, I will repeat the same thing
told me, that each one must decide this matter for themselves before God
as a matter of personal conscience. If asked for verification on this point, I
can only show what our publications have stated, and what naturally
follows from that.
On January 10, 2003, Elder Jensen submitted his letter of resignation as an Elder.
Dear Brothers
By now you know this letter is about my resignation as an Elder.
Starting in February 1998 I expressed specific and important questions to
you brothers about important aspects of what we teach on blood. After a
few letters my correspondence dated March 1, 2000 explained in
painstaking detail why my questions had not been soundly answered.
My questions have asked for sound biblical reasons for important details of what we
teach and impose
In spite of this letter and future pleas begging for help and answers to
important questions neither was forthcoming beyond mere recognition by
sentences like:
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Each time this matter comes up for review by the slave class,
taking pertinent factors into consideration, including those discussed
in your letters, the basic conclusion has been the same, that
accepting a transfusion of whole blood, or of its four recognized
primary componentsred cells, white cells, platelets, or whole
plasmawould be contrary to scripture.
Replies like this from you brothers do not answer important requests for
detailed and sound scriptural reasons for what we teach, nor does saying
that some feel one way and others feel differently provide a biblical
answer for imposing what we do. Statements such as that only say what I
already know, that we teach what we teach, that our stance is what our
stance is. I know what our religious position is. My questions have asked
for sound biblical reasons for important details of what we teach and
impose. Alluding to pertinent factors without identification and logical
construction of those factors to a sound conclusion is no answer.
Being given no better replies until no w has simply exasperated me
Given the time, attention and patience I have afforded this subject and you
brothers, the inherent importance of the subject, and my sincere and
pleading expression of need on the subject, being given no better replies
until now has simply exasperated me on this very important subject, one
that has often had life sacrificing consequences. Resulting disappointment
is something unfamiliar to me given the source, but this only intensifies
the distress.
The continued absence of sound scriptural answers to questions asked has begun
hurting my conscience as an Elder.
There is no way for me to know why things have happened as they have. I
only know my questions and concerns are sincere and were presented
honestly and out of loyalty to Jehovah. With one important exception
circumstances now remain the same as when I wrote of my inability to
teach without knowing reasons for answers. The exception is that the
continued absence of sound scriptural answers to questions asked has
begun hurting my conscience as an Elder since publishers expect us to
have reasons for our answers, and teachers should know the reasons for
answers to the same detail they teach them, and certainly to the extent they
impose them. I do not know those reasons on very important and telling
aspects of our stance on blood though I have sought very hard for them.
It is inappropriate to ask people to wait.
It is my conviction that today we should have reasons for answers we
teach today. Furthermore, we should have reasons for those answers to the
same detail that we teach and impose them. Otherwise we should wait
before we teach those answers or details. This is waiting on Jehovah. It is
inappropriate to ask people to wait for reasons to answers we are already
teaching.
1 Corinthians 12:14-26
The following rendition of 1 Corinthians 12:14-26 illustrates this and
offers guidance regarding independent members.
For the blood, indeed, is not one member, but many. 15 If the
water [of blood] should say: Because I am not hemoglobin, I am
no part of the blood, it is not for this reason no part of the blood. 16
And if the platelets should say: Because I am not a white cell, I am
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no part of the blood, it is not for this reason no part of the blood. 17
If the whole blood were white cells, where would the platelets be?
If it were all platelets, where would the protein factors be? 18 But
now God has set the members in the blood, each one of them, just
as he pleased. 19 If they were all one member, where would the
blood be? 20 But now they are many members, yet one blood. 21 The
white cells cannot say to the hemoglobin: I have no need of you;
or, again, the red cells [cannot say] to the water: I have no need of
YOU. 22 But much rather is it the case that the members of the
blood which seem to be weaker are necessary, 23 and the parts of
the blood which we think to be less honorable, these we surround
with more abundant honor, and so bloods unseemly parts have the
more abundant comeliness, 24 whereas bloods comely parts do not
need anything. Nevertheless, God compounded the blood, givin g
honor more abundant to the part which had a lack, 25 so that there
should be no division in the blood, but that its members should have
the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the
other members suffer with it; or if a member is glorified, all the
other members rejoice with it.
Just as a fleshly body consists of members functioning together to make a
body, so too blood consists of members that function together to make
blood.
The rendering above therefore demonstrates how no member of blood
equals blood just as no member of the body equals a body. Verse 19 even
asks the question, If they were all one member, where would the blood
be? In view of verse 14 the answer is, if there was only one of the many
necessary members then there would be no body, or in this case no blood.
There would be only an independent member, not a body, or blood in this
case.
Just as each member of the body is necessary to the functioning of the
body as Jehovah intended likewise each member of blood is necessary for
blood to be what it is. Just as with the body, no matter the size or
distinction of members of blood, all of them are just as much part of the
blood as every other part.
[Signed R. Jensen]
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APPENDICES
APPENDIX 1: 1984 MEDICAL ALERT CARD
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Appendices
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