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To All Appointed Servants in the Organization

We call upon you to summon up the courage to carefully investigate the blood issue. We believe that you will find, as we have, that there is little if any biblical basis for the current policies. The evidence will show that the Bible may forbid the eating of blood, but not the taking of it in to "sustain life." The scriptures must be re-worded to arrive at such a conclusion. In this regard, the following scriptures come to mind:
*** Rbi8 Galatians 1:8 ***
However, even if we or an angel out of heaven were to declare to YOU as good news something beyond what we declared to YOU as good news, let him be accursed.

*** Rbi8 Revelation 22:18-19 ***
If anyone makes an addition to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this scroll; 19 and if anyone takes anything away from the words of the scroll of this prophecy, God will take his portion away from the trees of life and out of the holy city, things which are written about in this scroll.

You should be aware that numerous efforts have been made by other appointed servants in this association to bring these matters to the attention of the organization in more traditional ways. The Governing Body is well aware of the inconsistencies, and lack of scriptural support for the blood policy. Thus far their position has been to proceed with reform at a snail's pace. It is true that the WTS now permits Jehovah's Witnesses to accept all blood fractions of the primary components but this does not go far enough and many lives are still being lost unnecessarily.

It must be acknowledged that there are a number of reform minded brothers at Bethel, and we realize that ultimately these ones must come forward at the appropriate time to bring about the necessary reforms. For them to come forward before a large base of support for reform exists would simply result in their being disfellowshipped as apostates.

We view our efforts as "loyal opposition." We do not seek control of the society, we seek control of our consciences and our lives. We simply want to see the needless deaths stop.

If the society acknowledges our concerns and establishes a reasonable timetable for reform, we will gladly pull this site down and work with them. The WTS has thus far largely ignored our concerns but this tactic is unlikely to succeed on this issue for a number of reasons least of which is the intense interest the medical community is beginning to focus on this issue.

We urge you to question this policy and consider working for scripturally based reforms. Additionally, it is important that the WTS realizes that you support recent changes made to the blood policy and that you believe the reforms need to go further.

Our objectives:

1. Jehovah's Witnesses should be allowed to determine whether or not they will accept various forms of blood therapy or products without fear of being disfellowshipped or shunned.

2. The Watchtower should acknowledge that at least some Jehovah's Witnesses, after carefully studying the scriptures and medical science, have concluded that it is not a violation of God's law to accept blood or blood products since these do not serve as food in the body.

3. The Watchtower should end it's campaign of propaganda regarding the use of blood and openly acknowledge the risks of both accepting and rejecting blood or blood products.

AJWRB is committed to achieving these objectives. Some have expressed concern that if the WTS reforms the blood policy it will become a cause for stumbling. While this is possible, it should not be feared. What should be feared is the enormous blood guilt that the society has likely incurred, and that some of us may share in. By joining in our efforts to reform this doctrine, you have an opportunity to demonstrate your sincere interest in serving as a shepherd in fulfillment of Isa. 32:2:
And each one must prove to be like a hiding place from the wind and a place of concealment from the rainstorm, like streams of water in a waterless country, like the shadow of a heavy crag in an exhausted land.
AJWRB position on the use of blood  products is supported by the Bible. Additionally, we have observed that of those Jehovah's Witnesses who take the time to carefully consider this doctrine, approximately 80% believe the WTS policy to be in error. In any event, all of the brothers and sisters friends deserve to have all of the facts about blood, and the freedom to make their own conscientious choice. God will judge them, we as elders don't need to. (See Gal. 5:1; Romans 14:12,13)

It would naive for us to think that Jehovah God will excuse those of us from responsibility on the basis that "we were only following orders." Additionally, those who have ventured this far cannot even feign ignorance. Knowledge brings responsibility.

The following excerpts/quotations provide much food for thought:

The primary goal of all institutions and subcultures is self-preservation. Preserving the faith is central to God's plan for human history; preserving particular religious institutions is not. Do not expect those who run the institutions to be sensitive to the difference. God needs no particular person, church, denomination, creed or organization to accomplish his purpose. He will make use of those, in all their diversity, who are ready to be used, but will leave to themselves those who labor for their own ends.

Nonetheless, questioning the institutions is synonymous, for many, with attacking God - something not long to be tolerated. . . . Actually, they are protecting themselves, their view of the world, and their sense of security. The religious institution has given them meaning, a sense of purpose, and, in some cases, careers. Anyone perceived as a threat to these things is a threat indeed.

This threat is often met, or suppressed even before it arises, with power. . Institutions express their power most clearly by enunciating, interpreting and enforcing the rules of the subculture.

Every institution has its rules and ways of enforcing them, some clearly stated, others unstated but no less real.

--Daniel Taylor, The Myth of Certainty
 

"When a member expresses his private doubts or unbelief as a public chastisement of the leadership or the doctrine of the church, or a confrontation with those seeking eternal light, he has entered upon sacred ground. Those who complain about the doctrine or leadership of the church but who lack the faith or desire to keep God's commandments risk separating themselves from the divine source of learning."

--Elder James E. Frost, Council of the Twelve Apostles (The Mormon Governing Body)

As appointed servants we quickly recognize the similarities between the Watchtower organization procedures, and those employed by others. Here we are living in the twenty-first century, in some of the freest countries in the world, and we must speak in anonymity or risk the loss of association with our friends and loved ones, simply for speaking the truth, or for giving our children a blood transfusion to save their life. Brothers, can this be Jehovah's will? We think not.

Some have objected to the anonymous nature of this site, but who is it that makes such anonymity necessary? In this regard, we cite the following:

Anonymity is a shield from the tyranny of the majority. It thus exemplifies the purpose behind the Bill of Rights and of the First Amendment in particular: to protect unpopular individuals from retaliation -- and their ideas from suppression -- at the hand of an intolerant society.

--Justice John Stevens, United States Supreme Court

Please join us in our efforts to encourage reform of the Watchtower's blood policies.

The Associated Jehovah's Witnesses for Reform on Blood