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Parents Perspective
 
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then this one speaks volumes. Here we see a Jehovah's Witness mother who is loyal to the Watchtower Society's vacillating blood policy. 

This is not the first time those claiming to serve Jehovah God have felt compelled to offer up their children as a sacrifice. Israelites who also served Molech were no doubt deeply touched when called upon to make their sacrifice. How did God view such child sacrifice. The Bible tells us:

And they have built the high places of To'pheth, which is in the valley of the son of Hin'nom, in order to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire, a thing that I had not commanded and that had not come up into my heart. (Jeremiah 7:31)
We sincerely hope that Jehovah's Witness parents will find the courage to question the basis of a policy that has claimed so many young Witnesses lives.

 
 

Have you given written permission for your child to die, to be offered up upon the the Watchtower Society's alter of blood? If so, why? Would you have ever concluded that the Bible forbids certain kinds of blood transfusions if the Watchtower Society had not taught you this? Do you realize that the WTS no longer issues the "Advanced Directive" to Jehovah's Witness minors in the country of Bulgaria? Why do they continue to expect other Jehovah's Witness children to carry this legal document.

You will note that the card states: "...as Jehovah's Witnesses we do not accept blood transfusions." This statement is not accurate. As Jehovah's Witnesses, we are permitted - by the Society - to accept many types of blood transfusions as well as the use of cell scavenging and hemodilution - which are autologous blood transfusions according to doctors and scientists.

The Watchtower Society is dead serious about Jehovah's Witness parents not giving their children blood transfusions. Sadly, many of the children are just plain dead. Watchtower lawyers and officials have successfully argued that Jehovah's Witness children should not be transfused if they are "mature minors". Do you know any Jehovah's Witness child who truly understands the complexities of this policy?

To those who find it difficult to believe that the leadership of the Watchtower really expect such sacrifices from their members, please consider the following comments from the Kingdom Ministry of September 1992, pages 3-5. Comments from the article are in blue. Our comments are in black:

Safeguarding Your Children From Misuse of Blood

"Look! Sons are an inheritance from Jehovah." (Ps. 127:3) If you have such a precious inheritance from Jehovah, you, as parents, have a happy, although serious, responsibility to train, care for, and protect your children. For example, have you taken every reasonable step to protect your young children from a blood transfusion? How would your children react if faced with the prospects of a transfusion? Have you discussed as a family what you might do to deal effectively with an emergency situation in which a transfusion is threatened?

Parents are asked not only to circumvent any attempt to provide a needed transfusion, but to even be responsible for how their children react to the situation.
What will you do if an attorney or a judge asks you why you are refusing a "lifesaving" transfusion for your child? Although your first inclination might be to explain your belief in the resurrection and express your strong faith that God will bring your child back if he dies, such an answer by itself may do no more than convince the judge, whose paramount concern is the physical welfare of the child, that you are a religious fanatic and that he must step in to protect your child.
Parents are drilled in how they should respond if brought before a judge, and taught what to say and what not to say.
You simply do not agree that the alleged benefits of blood outweigh its potentially lethal hazards and complications....
Here Jehovah's Witness parents are instructed to repeat the Watchtower arguments they have been taught. We can be thankful that at least in the United States most judges have the good sense to realize that doctors are in a better position to evaluate the risk benefit ratio of using blood, than are parents who have been indoctrinated by the Watchtower Society - the pioneers of quack medicine, and the bans of vaccines and organ transplants.
When judges are called upon to issue court orders hastily, often they have not considered or been reminded of the many dangers of blood, including AIDS, hepatitis, and a host of other hazards. You can point these out to the judge...
It never ceases to amaze how the Watchtower Society continually emphasizes the risks of blood transfusions, when this is supposed to be a religious issue. Jehovah's Witnesses are well advised to independently evaluate the risks associated with blood transfusions.
But it should be made clear to all concerned that you, as parents, feel an obligation to continue to do all that you can to avoid a transfusion. This is your God-given responsibility.
Here the Kingdom Ministry pulls out the big gun. Fear, guilt and intimidation.
If a court order is issued despite your best efforts, continue to implore the physician not to transfuse......
This statement pretty much says it all.
So, even after a court order has been issued, never give up, regardless!-See June 15, 1991, issue of The Watchtower, "Questions From Readers."
Here are highlights from that WT article:
W91 6/15 31 Questions From Readers
"Jesus withdrew from the area when a crowd wanted to make him king. Similarly, if a court-authorized transfusion seemed likely, a Christian might choose to avoid being accessible for such a violation of God's law. (Matthew 10:16; John 6:15) ....If a Christian did put forth very strenuous efforts to avoid a violation of God's law on blood, authorities might consider him a lawbreaker or make him liable to prosecution. If punishment did result, the Christian could view it as suffering for the sake of righteousness. "
It seems clear that Witness parents should get the message that they should remove their child from the hospital, even if a court order exists to transfuse the child. This is in fact what sometimes happens. If the child should die in the process, the parents must be prepared to accept punishment from the secular authorities according to the Watchtower.
Parents, make the necessary preparations in advance to protect your child from a spiritually contaminating blood transfusion. (Prov. 22:3) Children, respond to the training of your parents in making these preparations and apply them to your heart. As a family, "be firmly resolved not to eat the blood . . . that it may go well with you" because of having Jehovah's blessing and smile of approval.-Deut. 12:23-25.
It can be amply demonstrated that, a blood transfusion is not the equivalent of "eating blood," as is implied above. It is a transplantation of a liquid tissue.

As you can see, the pressure placed upon both Jehovah's Witness parents, and their children is formidable. Therefore, what may appear to be a strong stand based upon conscience may in reality be nothing more than an organizational position that has been forced upon them through intense indoctrination and group pressure. One that they may have never even seriously questioned. Consider this: Can you as one of Jehovah's Witness offer a reasonable explanation of why the Watchtower selectively allows some types of blood components but not others? When AJWRB members question other H.L.C. members, or branch representatives about these contradictions they usually state: "I don't agree with the Society's position on blood fractions." If the WTS can't explain the doctrine, if it doesn't make sense, then why should parents stand by and watch their children die when the non-blood alternatives are exhausted?

It seems that the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses views the young victims of its blood doctrine as necessary "small sacrifices" that must be made.

If you are a Jehovah's Witness parent, we implore you to give your child the medical treatment they need. Seek non-blood alternative care if appropriate. But don't let your child die over this misguided and tragic policy. When you understand all of the facts - you will see this doctrine for what it truly is.
 
Hundreds, perhaps thousands of children have died already - why? Is this truly a sacifice that God requires of Jehovah's Witness parents? Will you give your child's life as well? Will you let a friend or a relative offer their child upon the WTS Society's alter of blood?

Imagine this: Your child is gasping for air. His blood count is perilously low. His heart rate is at 200, and climbing. The doctors have told you that without a transfusion, he will die of respiratory distress and heart failure. Blood expanders will not help at this point, he needs more red blood cells. He is horribly pale and listless and with wide eyes, he looks at you and whispers "Help me, Daddy, help me Mommy." What should you do? Should you let your child die based on the word of an organization that has changed its mind about organ transplants, vaccinations, civil service, the "sheep and the goats," the "generation", 1799, 1874, 1878, 1881, 1914, 1918, 1920, 1925, 1975, etc., etc., etc.? Should you really let your child die? Is this really what Jehovah and Jesus expect of you? How will you feel if the blood ban finally becomes just one more old Watchtower doctrine that is forgotten? Will you be able to forgive yourself?

Such a scenario is not simply hypothetical. It has happened repeatedly. Don't be a victim, and don't sit back and allow others to be victims. Now that you know the truth, you're in a position to help save lives by helping to educate other Jehovah's Witnesses and the medical community.