in hidden tragedy
Witnesses
Witnesses
from blood?
Blood transfusions
Watchtower Society's blood policy
A Life-Threatening Upbringing
By Beninu Andersen I am a 4th generation Jehovah's Witness who disassociated 18 years ago in 2001. My father was a major figure in the organization—a computer science professor who developed software for translating the New World Translation into Danish and other...
Blood, Vaccines and Organ Transplants
What follows is a collection of quotes from Watchtower Society literature. This information will help you understand the development of the blood, vaccine, and organ transplant doctrine and document the many changes in policy through the years. Quotes are presented in...
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is AJWRB? AJWRB stands for Advocates for Jehovah’s Witness Reform on Blood. It’s a group founded by current and former Jehovah’s Witnesses—including elders and medical professionals—who advocate for reform of the Watchtower Society’s blood transfusion policy....
Straight from the Doctor
Jehovah's Witnesses and Blood Transfusions: Questions Answered by Dr. John Doyle, MD, PhD This Q&A aims to address common concerns held by Jehovah's Witnesses about blood transfusions, presented with sensitivity to religious beliefs and grounded in medical...
Evaluating Transfusion Risk: Clinical Reality vs. Organizational Narrative
A foundational barrier to informed consent among patients affiliated with Jehovah’s Witnesses is the long-standing, organizationally enforced belief that blood transfusions are inherently unsafe—often described as a form of "Russian Roulette." These fears are deeply...
When Belief Overrules Survival
As told by Charise Mayhay My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, and although medical options were available that could have prolonged—or even saved—her life, she refused surgery. Her decision wasn’t based on a fear of medicine or lack of information. It was...
Organ Transplants
As with blood, the Watchtower Society (WTS) originally had no objections to organ transplants. In a Questions from Readers section in The Watchtower, Aug. 1, 1961, page 480, the question about organ transplants is answered pointedly: "Is there anything in the Bible...
Family Choices, Silent Heroes — Grandpa Gust’s life was saved by his nephew
As a little girl, I observed that my Grandpa Gust had a damaged eye. I was told the story of his accident many times — how he had almost died, but a talented brain surgeon saved his life. However, I never knew the full story … until now. I am a 4th-generation...
Kalila Danisi – The Heartache and History of the Jehovah’s Witness Blood Doctrine
Kalila Danisi Is it truly acceptable for a 20-year-old to die from a potentially preventable cause? This question compels me to stop procrastinating and write about the poignant ethical dilemma faced by Jehovah’s Witnesses regarding blood transfusions. Interestingly,...
Components of Blood are the Issue
By Dieter Parczany During the early 1990's, I was a member of the Hospital Liaison Committee (HLC) in Berlin, Germany. Since I was a Jehovah’s Witness elder with special training and knowledge about Watchtower's blood policies, I served as the chairman of the...
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