Jehovah Witnesseses please...

GM Taw

I have a friend (kt) who is a witness; and please understand that even though your friend has made the decision to not accept blood; you need to accept how she feels. Basically agree to disagree; but don't argue.   It seems like your angry with her husband and even though she converted during the marriage now she should adapt a different lifestyle because they are no longer together.  No.  As others have said regardless born into it or converted into it; it's her belief and you can't force her to stray from it.  Also regardless of when the religion was formed; you STILL have to respect her decision and stay by her AS HER FRIEND.  As Donna has said take the religion out of the equation; she's human we all fall short; something at some point in your/our life is going to displease God.  I am sure there are other ways for your friend to have the surgery w/o needing a blood transfusion. 

Thanks Nikki. You and I have been friends since we were teenagers and we are two different religeons. You have never tried to convert me and I have never tried to convert you. We can have an open dialog about religeon and I like the fact that you respect my point of view like I respect yours.

Nikki,

I respect her beliefs, am not trying to convert her nor am I disrespecting KT's beliefs...

but at some point and we are at this point (because this is the last option, they've tried to other things to get the bleeding issues under control from the surgery)...

I as a parent would have to go with the man who God just might have placed here to save my life and accept the transfusion.

Furthermore, I've been reading and the Watchtower in 2000 advised that members will not be ex-communicated if they accept a transfusion under life-or death conditions.

When she called me this morning, it was to say please come see me before I die.

For me and I am knocking no one's faith, I have to at some point and step out on faith that the God who brought me to the hospital also brought the man who is going to save my life.

If it was her time to go, she would have never found the clot--she would have just died then. 

Taw if you respect her beliefs why not just go see her without any judgement, without any reservations, without any anger.   She has made her decision and her death just gives her a opportunity to live in a paradise on earth.   

Her desire is the next life at this point.  I guarantee she is scared to death and wants to live more than anything because God put it in us to live not to die, but it reaches a point where we have to let our faith guide us and if you have strong enough faith to turn something down that could save your life, that is commendable.

I see your point Taw but she is trying to save her soul and you have to admire her faith.   Not many people can do it, it's hard saying ok, let me die.

Most witnesses that carry that blood directive card in their wallets pray that they never have to make the decision to use it, but when they are confronted with it they pray for the strength to be able to do what they believe are the right thing.

About the being disfellowshiped.  It all boils down to a matter of conscience.  I'm sure her liason has been at the hospital guiding her but it ultimately is her decision based on her relationship with Jehovah.

 

Just wanted to say, I agree with you Lee.  Now is not the time to ask the friend to explain her beliefs or justify them.  They are HER beliefs --- a personal matter.  There are things worse than physical death. To the friend, it would be worse than physical death to violate her principles.  Every day, all over the world, people die for principle.   

Taw

My heart goes out to you and your friend! You and her although friends come from two different world (religious belief wise) and at this point all I can tell you is let go and let God...allow him to ease your mind and you heart regarding your friends beliefs. I am a Christian (Non-denominational) and if in your situation I would be thinking the same thing...so be strong and I will be praying for you and your friend!

 

taw...Im sorry i wasnt avalible earlier to answer your question.....

I am one of Jehovah's Witness...

as for the reason why your friend wont accept blood is because of the scriptuer found at Acts 15:28, 29 which says...."28 For the holy spirit and we ourselves have favored adding no further burden to YOU, except these necessary things, 29 to keep abstaining from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication. If YOU carefully keep yourselves from these things, YOU will prosper. Good health to YOU!"

so as an example if your doctor told you due to your health you need to abstain from alcohol, you would know to stay away from it. You wouldnt drink it or even shot it up your veins. Jehovah's witnesses live their life strictly by the bible. all of the teachings and decsions we make our based on the bible. the bible specifically says ABSTAIN FROM BLOOD!!

now i know this can be something hard to accept but just know that your frined is making the right decsion. there are many new ways surgery can be perfomed without the use of blood. And if something does happen to your friend, just know she is in jehovahs memory and the bible holds out a hope for her to be ressurected onto a paradise earth. Acts 24:15 says " and I have hope toward God, which hope these [men] themselves also entertain, that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous."

any other questions feel free to talk to your local group of Jehovah's witnesses or visit the website at www.watchtower.org  or you can send me messages...

as a true friend of hers, you will help support her during this difficult time and help her to continue to remain faithful.

I agree w/ you on this completely...

TAW, thats your girl and as wild or crazy  as you think it is support your girl and be there for her. I know its hard to do but TRUE friendship never leaves.

God gives us all WISDOM....it's up to us to use it!  This is why God puts doctors in place to heal us and give us direction.  This is why you have to know HIM for yourself and have the personal relationship with HIM so you will know what to do in times as such.  I pray that she gets a wake up call. 

I'm not a JW but for her to lay her life on the line for what she believes in is amazing to me. I think that speaks to her faith and for me I admire that. I think it is amazing and beautiful...