Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Beliefs on Blood Transfusions Julia Argentati First-Year Seminar: The Big Theological Question Dr. Sadd In the nineteenth century, a new religion called Jehovah's Witness was founded by Charles Taze Russell. Russell and a group of students began to analyze the Bible, and through their studies, believed it was saying something different than what people were being taught in Church (JW.org). Russell believed these differences were significant, so he and his students decided to branch off from Christianity and make their own religion. According to JW.org, the official website of Jehovah’s Witnesses, followers believe that they should “strive to adhere to the form of Christianity that …show more content…
• Jehovah’s Witnesses believe Jesus is the only direct creation of God and that the Holy Trinity, that Catholicism believes, does not exist. • Jehovah’s Witnesses will not allow themselves or their children to receive blood transfusions. It is estimated by the American Red Cross that someone in the United States needs blood every two seconds. This need has resulted in blood and plasma donation centers appearing on large college campuses around the country. Young and healthy college students can earn $30-$50 by donating their blood and/or plasma several times per month to help meet the critical need for blood in hospitals. Donating blood and receiving money is contradictory to itself, but Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that banking and using their own blood is not allowed, let alone receiving someone else’s blood. Although Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe in receiving blood transfusions, they still believe in medicine and medical treatments. Jehovah's Witnesses' beliefs regarding blood transfusions will be explored based on four perspectives; religious beliefs and values, health/wellbeing, medical/ethical issues, and legal …show more content…
Bock in his explanation of Jehovah’s Witnesses’ interpretation of this scripture states, “JWs believe that blood is symbolic of life and that life is sacred” therefore, they will not accept transfusions” (xxxxxxx). It also states that those who obey this scripture will have good health and will thrive in life. The interpretation of scripture, particularly Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 17:10; Deuteronomy 12:23; Acts 15:28, 29, are the basis for Jehovah’s Witnesses’ beliefs and values as it relates to them refusing blood transfusions. Despite skepticism from other Christians on the interpretation of these scriptures, these values and beliefs are significant when considering an individual’s health and well-being, medical/ethical and legal issues. HEALTH AND WELL-BEING Although there are medical and legal issues surrounding the Jehovah's Witnesses beliefs about blood transfusions, there is no stronger evidence of the "health and well being" of an individual to support the fact that this belief is more about religion than medicine. It is estimated by the American Red Cross that someone needs a blood transfusion every two seconds and that up to 4.5 million people will die each year if not for life-saving blood transfusions. On their website the American Red Cross states, "blood transfusions are a very common medical procedure. A total of 21 million blood components are transfused each year in the United States alone". Despite these numbers, Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe