The Watchtower and blood transfusions
The Watchtower organisation teaches that its members must refuse blood transfusions, even in life-threatening situations. This belief is based on their interpretation of biblical passages that they believe prohibit the consumption or transfusion of blood. Below are the key reasons for this doctrine:
“But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.” Genesis 9:4
The Watchtower interprets this as a universal command to avoid consuming blood in any form but note the word used is ‘eat’
“If any one of the house of Israel or of the strangers who sojourn among them eats any blood, I will set my face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off from among his people. For the life of the flesh is in the blood.” Leviticus 17:10-11
This became one way that the Jews were to be identified as God’s people. Blood is holy because it is only by blood that people can be put right with God. When the Christian church started and the question of Jewish laws were discussed it was decided that when people are in christ rules do not apply as there is a higher standard, what pleases Jesus. However they still wanted God’s people to abstain from eating blood as this showed a willingness to try and please Jewish people amongst whom the Christians lived.
“For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality.” Acts 15:28-29
The Watchtower argues that the phrase “abstain from blood” means avoiding not only eating blood but also receiving it via transfusion. The Watchtower’s official publications state:
“We do not donate or store our blood for transfusion, nor do we accept transfusions of whole blood, red cells, white cells, platelets, or plasma.” Watchtower, June 15, 2004, p. 22
“A faithful Christian does not try to find ways around God’s commands regarding blood just to save his own life.” Awake! October 2000, p. 11
They consider refusing blood a test of loyalty to God, even in medical emergencies.. If a Jehovah’s Witness willingly accepts a blood transfusion, they are considered to have violated God’s law. The consequences may include disfellowshipping (exclusion from the congregation), social ostracism, even from family members and being told that they have displeased God and risk losing eternal life.
“If someone willingly accepts a blood transfusion, knowing that it violates God’s law, he may no longer be viewed as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.” Watchtower, June 15, 2004, p. 23
What is strange is that they allow intravenous infusions of certain blood fractions (components derived from blood), including albumin, clotting factors (e.g. for haemophiliacs) and immunoglobulins (antibodies, such as in vaccines). They also permit organ transplants which is inconsistent as organs contain blood, and transplants involve foreign tissue, just like transfusions. If transfusing blood is “eating” blood, then wouldn’t a kidney transplant be “eating” a kidney?
Many medical and biblical scholars criticise the Watchtower’s stance on the grounds that the Bible does not mention blood transfusions, only dietary blood consumption. The early church did not apply Acts 15:29 to medical procedures. Blood transfusions do not involve “eating” blood, and modern science distinguishes transfusion from digestion.
What is most concerning is that thousands of Jehovah’s Witnesses have died refusing blood when safe medical alternatives did not exist transfusions, thinking this was being godly. Jehovah’s Witnesses who accept blood transfusions are shunned and disfellowshipped, losing contact with family and friends. Parents have let their children die rather than accept a blood transfusion. Many ex-Jehovah’s Witnesses later realise they were misled by a man-made rule that cost lives and social disharmony.
God values life over legalism. Jesus said:
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10
Nowhere does Scripture teach that people should die by denying life-saving medical treatment. The Watchtower’s doctrine is based on misinterpretation and causes unnecessary suffering. Jehovah’s Witnesses deserve to know the truth that accepting a blood transfusion is not a sin and does not separate them from God.
