Do Jehovah’s Witnesses accept blood transfusion? (Why don’t Jehovah’s Witnesses accept blood transfusions?)

Ever since I was young, Medical practitioners have always handled patients of the Jehovah’s Witnesses religion with care and caution.

Days ago, I visited a hospital, and along the corridors, I overheard a doctor telling a nurse that his patient refused to be blood transfused because it is against Jehovah’s Witnesses’ doctrines.

This intrigued me to learn more about this religion and why they disapprove of blood transfusion.

I consulted my theology professor regarding why a Jehovah’s Witness member would refuse blood transition and did extensive research by visiting the library and reading through the scriptures of the bible.

Days later, I uncovered the answer and decided to write an article. Based on my research and understanding, I came up with answers to this question: “Do Jehovah’s Witnesses accept blood transfusion?”

Jehovah’s Witnesses do not approve or accept blood transfusions. Their stance is based on various interpretations and understandings of the bible. According to them, blood is sacred, and God prohibits its consumption. They derive this belief from scriptures such as Leviticus 17:10-14 which states that those who eat blood will be cut off from the people of Israel.

In this article, I welcome you to join me in exploring Jehovah’s Witnesses’ stand on blood transfusion.

We will uncover answers to questions such as whether blood transfusion is biblical for Jehovah’s Witness and whether there are Jehovah’s Witnesses who accept blood transfusion, among other interesting topics.

Read along to learn more.

Do Jehovah’s Witnesses accept blood transfusion?

No, they don’t. According to Jehovah’s Witnesses, it is prohibited to accept a blood transfusion. They believe that blood symbolizes life and that indulging in blood transfusion is a sin that calls for participants to be excommunicated.

They say that Acts 15:28-29 apostles in Jerusalem advised Christians to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality.

What happens if a Jehovah Witness gets a blood transfusion?

Do Jehovah’s Witnesses accept blood transfusion? 
What happens if a Jehovah Witness gets a blood transfusion? Image source: Pixabay

Jehovah’s Witnesses associate getting a blood transfusion with dishonesty towards their beliefs and doctrine.

They believe if a member willingly accepts a blood transfusion, then they are subjected to consequences such as

Disfellowshipping

Accepting blood transfusion is seen as a severe sin within the Jehovah’s Witness faith .

According to them, members who are guilty of participating in this act should be cut off from their religion as they bring impurity to the congregation.

Loss of religious positions

According to Jehovah’s Witnesses, those who accept blood transfusions must be stripped of any leadership position and given no religious privileges.

They believe anyone holding a religious position must lead by example by practicing what their faith requires of them when matters of blood transfusion arise.

Repentance and reconciliation process

Jehovah’s Witness says that if a member accepts a blood transfusion, they may undergo a reconciliation procedure.

According to them, this process requires the participant to express remorse, repent for their actions, and vow to adhere to Jehovah Witness doctrine once they are accepted back to the religion.

Relationship strains

Suppose a member of Jehovah’s Witnesses participates in a blood transfusion.

In that case, they believe it may affect how others interact with them because their doctrine does not allow anyone to relate with participants of blood transfusion in any way, including family members.

Are there some Jehovah’s Witness who accept blood transfusion?

While the doctrines of Jehovah’s Witnesses do not allow them to approve blood transfusions, some members do accept them.

It is believed that these are some of the reasons some accept blood transfusions.

Personal understanding

It is believed that Jehovah’s Witnesses are allowed to decide, depending on their understanding, whether or not to accept blood transfusion when a medical procedure that requires blood fractals or involves their own blood is to be performed.

New believers

It is believed that New Jehovah’s Witness converts may not fully know the doctrines and consequences of not following them. Due to this factor, some may end up accepting blood transfusions.

Family or social pressure

It is also believed that those engaged to non-Jehovah’s Witness believers may experience pressure from family or spouses to approve blood transfusion.

Is blood transfusion biblical for Jehovah’s Witness?

Why don’t Jehovah’s Witnesses accept blood transfusions?
Is blood transfusion biblical for Jehovah’s Witness? Image source: Pixabay

Yes, it is Biblical. It is believed that Jehovah’s Witness base their belief in blood transfusion based on their understanding and interpretation of the bible.

They support their stance in relation to these two scriptures from the bible.

Acts 15:

In this chapter, there is a decree by the apostles in Jerusalem telling Christians that it seemed right by the Holy Spirit if they “abstain from all things sacrificed from idols, from blood, from strangled animal and sexual immorality.”

Therefore, Jehovah’s Witnesses believe this is a clear biblical warning from participating in a blood transfusion.

Leviticus 17

In this chapter, God tells Moses that He commands Israelites not to eat blood.

Jehovah’s Witnesses cite and interpret this chapter as a clear command from God not to participate in any form of blood donation and blood transfusion.

Genesis 9:4

In this verse, the bible mentions that you must not eat meat that still has its lifeblood in it. Therefore, Jehovah’s Witnesses believe blood is sacred and should not be shared between people.

They interpret this verse as a doctrine prohibiting believers from blood transfusion.

What are the medical rules for Jehovah Witnesses?

The primary medical rules revolve around blood transfusion, and here are some rules.

No blood transfusion

This is believed to be the primary medical rule for Jehovah’s Witnesses. They believe God prohibits the consumption of blood and extend this belief to blood transfusion.

No blood components and fractals

Jehovah’s Witnesses are believed to be against transfusion of blood components such as platelets, red blood cells, etc. They say that since they are connected to the blood, accepting their transfusion is against their doctrine.

Advanced medical directives

Also, it is believed that Jehovah’s Witnesses have clear, advanced medical directives that explain their refusal of blood transfusion.

These directives might provide other alternatives where possible.

Advocacy

According to Jehovah’s Witnesses, they are encouraged to educate themselves about various medical conditions and procedures and advocate for their beliefs in healthcare.

They are advised to carry a durable power of attorney for their healthcare card (DPAHC) and present it to the medical practitioners.

Leave a Comment