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Some Concluding Thoughts

Although this matter can seem complex, it really isn't. In the final analysis, for the society's blood ban to be correct, they must be able to demonstrate with certainty that a blood transfusion is the equivalent of eating blood. As we have seen, they cannot. Such a notion finds no support from the scientific or medical community.

If you are a Jehovah's Witness, you may be inclined to talk with another Witness at this point. In fact, you may find it hard to contain yourself. Please be cautious, and don't overwhelm others with the information.

Please understand, this doctrine has cost many lives. We wish there were some hard numbers available, but are unaware of any. If the society possesses such statistics, they are carefully guarded. We can personally document numerous deaths, some among close family members. Perhaps you have had a similar experience, or you are just now being confronted with this issue. Perhaps this challenge will face you or a loved one in the future.

One can certainly imagine the society eventually reversing it's prohibition on blood. This will most likely happen in gradual steps over the next five to ten years, unless we can successfully use the courts or the governments to effect change. The Society may feel that this slow process is necessary to avoid costly litigation and a mass exodus from the organization. They may also be hoping that developments with artificial blood will save them from their present dilemma. Should such treatments become available, we could only rejoice. Unfortunately, this will come too late for many of Jehovah's Witnesses. It doesn't have to come too late for you and your loved ones.

When you complete your research, and assuming you reach the same conclusions as we have, you will then find yourself in a dilemma. To openly question or challenge this doctrine could result in a judicial action leading to disfellowshiping if you are a Witness. In any event, we urge you to be cautious, for you risk much.

Some brothers and sisters have decided that they cannot in good conscience remain associated with the organization, and have left, or are leaving. Others feel they must stay to help their friends and loved ones, and work for reforms. You must decide the proper course of action for you and your family. Additionally, most feel some responsibility to try and help other Jehovah's Witnesses to understand and evaluate the blood policy.

Is it possible for you to disagree with this doctrine and continue being one of Jehovah's Witnesses? Perhaps. To a large extent this will depend upon your conscience, your personal circumstances, and your ability to harmonize various Bible principles with your situation. If you decide to stay, and are at some point questioned by organizational representatives, what should you do?

Is it necessary for you to admit to the elders what you believe about the society's blood doctrine? Does Jehovah require this of you. Consider the following quotation from the Watchtower publication, "Insight on the Scriptures:"

While malicious lying is definitely condemned in the Bible, this does not mean that a person is under obligation to divulge truthful information to people who are not entitled to it. Jesus Christ counseled: Do not give what is holy to dogs, neither throw your pearls before swine, that they may never trample them under their feet and turn around and rip you open. (Mt 7:6) That is why Jesus on certain occasions refrained from giving full information or direct answers to certain questions when doing so could have brought unnecessary harm. (Mt 15:1-6; 21:23-27; Joh 7:3-10) Evidently the course of Abraham, Isaac, Rahab, and Elisha in misdirecting or in withholding full facts from nonworshipers of Jehovah must be viewed in the same light.Ge 12:10-19; chap 20; 26:1-10; Jos 2:1-6; Jas 2:25; 2Ki 6:11-23.

"Therefore prove yourselves cautious as serpents and yet innocent as doves. Be on your guard against men." (Matt. 10:16, 17)

"Isaac likewise spoke of his wife Rebekah as his sister to the men of the city of Gerar...Isaac explained his strategy, saying: I said it [that she is my sister] for fear I should die on her account."
-- W56 2/1 80

You might simply state that you have been doing some research in the publications on blood, and that some of the changes over the years confuse you. Remember Jude counseled that mercy should be shown to those who have doubts. The key here is to stay away from strong dogmatic statements like: "The Society's position on blood is wrong." You could tell the brothers that you will be careful to discuss your questions with the elders in the future, and apologize for any disturbance you may have caused. Assure them that you value being a part of the congregation.

Then there is the matter of carrying a blood card. This document could cost you your life in an emergency situation. In trauma cases, Witnesses commonly die as a result of massive hemorrhage. Volume expanders can't carry oxygen to your brain and other tissues, that takes red blood cells. We suggest that you go ahead and fill the card out at your bookstudy with the rest of the group, then tuck it away for safe keeping. If you are summoned before a judicial committee, you can always go get it before the meeting and put it in your wallet once you get to the Kingdom Hall. This alone may be enough to deflect any judicial action. We suggest you don't get involved in trying to convince a committee of elders that the doctrine is wrong. Not unless you want to be disfellowshipped. You also may want to make up your own medical document that states what your wishes are and put this in your wallet. Get it witnessed or notarized. This may help you get life saving treatment in the event a well meaning friend, relative or elder shows up at the hospital and you are unconscious.

It is possible that you will encounter situations that will call on you to act. How can you stand by and watch innocent people lose their lives for nothing? Of course, you will have to decide how to handle these situations. Perhaps you could anonymously contact them by letter, giving them the address to this website. If it is an emergency, perhaps you could give them a copy of the information that is presented on this site through a third party like a nurse or volunteer at the hospital. In some cases, AJWRB members may be able to intervene so you are welcome to contact us in this regard.

If you find yourself in a situation where you need blood, you will have to be very cautious. Discuss this with your doctor, and tell him you need complete confidentiality. If your surgery is elective you may want to consider an autologous transfusion. Your own blood can be stored for up to 42 days, and some specialized facilities can store your blood for as long as ten years.

Do not advise other witnesses you are having surgery, etc. This will likely invite a visit from them or HLC, and make it much more difficult for you to get the treatment you need. Perhaps you could arrange for a short vacation, and have the treatment in a nearby city. If so, don't sign in as one of Jehovah's Witnesses as this could lead to a visit from a member of the Hospital Visitation Committee.

If you find yourself, or a family member in a situation where you need blood, and other Witnesses are present, we suggest you enlist the aid of the hospital. They can inform other Witnesses, including elders and HLC members, that the patient is too sick for any visitors, and they can enforce this.

Needless to say, if you get caught you may be disfellowshipped. We personally know some elders who feel there is no choice but to disfellowship a witness who takes blood. Of course this is an unscriptural position, but it appears to be pretty common. Hopefully, the WTS will cease investigating reports of blood  transfusions as judicial matters in the near future but for now, that is the reality of the situation.

At some point many Jehovah's Witnesses will ask themselves: "If the Society is wrong about blood how can they be God's channel for providing "spiritual food at the proper time?"

Perhaps one of the greatest dilemmas many of us have faced is coming to grips with this question. The answers are unsettling, and if you spend much time on the Internet, you will quickly learn that the WTS has other problems in addition to its doctrine on blood. Perhaps you are already aware of this. Many Witnesses write to AJWRB concerning other issues related to chronology, shunning, etc. We have no position on these other issues as a group although individual members have their own views concerning these points.

AJWRB has a very focused agenda. The blood prohibition causes us more concern than any other teaching or doctrine of the WTS. The Watchtower's blood policy can cost you your life or the life of your mate or your children, and it's does not have a solid scriptural basis. Your death or the death of others will bring no honor to Jehovah for "the dead do not praise God." Based upon the society's reform's and posturing, we are convinced that the doctrine is already in the process of being discarded ala the "sheep and the goats," "the generation of 1914," "civilian service," "organ transplants," "vaccines," etc., etc., etc. So those who die likely do so in order for the society to save face. Imagine how you would feel if your loved one died over this issue and a few months or years later the Society finally gets around to revising their position. You might be so angry that you would consider suing the Society, and this is probably the main reason that the Society is yet to abandon this dangerous teaching.

As for our other beliefs, if there is one constant, it is change. Can you imagine if Br. Russell or Br. Rutherford (1st and 2nd presidents of the Watchtower Society) were alive today? If they conscientiously held to their beliefs, they would be disfellowshipped as apostates, yet today we believe that they are reigning with Christ in heaven. How ironic.

Some on becoming aware of this information may decide to walk away from the organization. This is certainly their choice to make. For some, walking away from our friends and families is not an option. They feel they must find a way to make things better for their brother, sisters and JW family members. We hope that you find this information helpful and that you will consider doing what you can to help bring about reform on this vital issue.

NOTE: It has come to our attention that the material in this section has come under heavy criticism from some high level Bethel staff members. This was inevitable, and is an indication that many WTS officials are aware of our activity. In any event, let us for the record state that we are not advising individuals to leave the organization, nor are we advising them to stay. This is a choice they must make. Either choice has serious ramifications, and "each must render an account to God." To assist those who decide to stay, we have made some suggestions that we believe might be in harmony with scriptural principles. In the final analysis, however, each individual must decide how to handle the various situations discussed, and should act so as to maintain a good conscience.