Blood and Belief

As a one-time Jehovah’s Witness I never questioned the Watchtower Society’s firm stance on Blood. I took it as the God-inspired direction that came through the conduit of the Governing Body. As a Witness, no one dares to question direction from the Governing Body, since doing so would be questioning the word of God himself. What’s more, it would show your ’spiritual weakness’ and at worst you may be deemed to be working against God’s Holy Spirit - the most serious unforgivable sin. The thing most Witnesses do, is simply embrace the doctrine that they are taught and view it as a challenging way to prove their loyalty to God.

In this article we will consider what the Jehovah’s Witness’ stance is on the ‘blood issue’ referencing their own source material. Following this we will study the biology of blood based on modern science before we investigate some of the ancient beliefs and practices with reference to blood; those ancient practices which were perhaps present at the time of the authorship of the Bible book of Leviticus.

Jehovah’s Witnesses Stance on Blood and Blood Transfusions

It is clear that Jehovah’s Witnesses in all cases will deny any type of blood therapy and/or blood transfusions even when facing death. I encourage you of course to read this information directly from its source. The Watchtower Society at www.Watchtower.org lists over 400 results when you search the word “blood” on their website; many of them in reference to the ‘blood issue’ or more properly defined as their stance on blood and blood transfusions. In particular, I will be referencing an article from their website at http://www.watchtower.org/e/hb/article_01.htm. This article is titled “Blood–Vital for Life”.

The article begins by making the dogmatic claim that blood is more than just a “complex biological fluid” eluding to the superstitious belief or teaching that there is some other-worldly significance to blood. To be fair, I will quote directly from the article:

“the Bible shows clearly that blood is more than a complex biologic fluid…”

“…you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it… For your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting,”… He said that to Noah… All humanity was thus notified that in the Creator’s view, blood stands for life… Clearly a moral principle was involved. Human blood has great significance and should not be misused.”

This except which is derived from Genesis chapter nine speaks of what appears to be a very blood thirsty God. Please read the full extent of verses one through five (you may read the verses here). Paying particular attention to verse five which reads, “And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man.” (King James Version). No doubt, based on this Old Testament God; blood stood for life itself in His eyes. It is apparent that He was very jealous of any who would think to consume blood of [some dead thing] instead of it belonging solely to Him.

The Watchtower article continues to say:

“…While the law about blood had health aspects, much more was involved. Blood had a symbolic meaning. It stood for life provided by the Creator. By treating blood as special, the people showed dependence on him for life. Yes, the chief reason why they were not to take in blood was, not that it was unhealthy, but that it had special meaning to God.”

Again if one reads the preceding verses of Leviticus 17 (from which their information is based) you will see that this God was very exacting and jealous with respects to blood sacrifices being made upon only His altar. Specific guidelines are described for the procedure which was to be followed and that in fact if one killed an animal within (or outside of) the camp but did not bring it to be sacrificed (blood sprinkled upon the altar) that he would have blood guilt and he would be cut off from God. Verse seven stands out as the motivation behind this serious command and punishment, “And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a whoring.” Strong words indeed!

Needless to say it is interesting to see that the Jehovah’s Witnesses select which doctrine from Leviticus that they will continue to follow down into the present day. They no longer sacrifice lambs, goats or other animals to God; believing that this practice became null and void with the sacrifice of Jesus. However, they still hold fast to their doctrine which prohibits life-saving blood transfusions to it’s members. Not only do they not literally ‘eat’ blood (which no one can really blame them for, that would be kind of yucky), but they interpret and articulate this Old Testament law so minutely that they will not accept blood via vein to save their lives. Surely this is not eating blood. Nor is it stealing the blood from some other dead animal or victim. If one interprets the scriptures precisely it would seem that God is jealous of you consuming the blood from a dead animal or other creature, claiming that the life belongs to him. However, the willing donation of blood from a live source does not seem to be denying God his claims of owning the ‘life blood’ of dead beings or animals. This is all just too weird isn’t it?

But wait, the article at Watchtower.org continues on to admit that the ‘old law’ of Moses as we read in part in Leviticus does no longer need to be observed, with the exception of a few key points. Note the following excerpt from the article:

“Christians need not keep the code given to Moses, but it is “necessary” for them to “keep abstaining from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled [unbled meat] and from fornication.” (Acts 15:22-29)”

This verse is said to nullify the old law. Let’s read it the verse leading up to this: “For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;… from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.” What, no warnings of punishments for breaking these ‘laws’? Nope, that’s it. Compared to any other command issued for God’s people in the Bible this is surely unique in that it is mentioned in such a light and almost casual manner.

Later in the article the Watchtower society tries to show the reader that centuries past when modern blood medicine was beginning to take shape that many were disgusted with the concept, likening it to cannibalism even though the blood was not to be consumed orally. A critically thinking individual can dismiss this concept off hand since the transplantation of human organs is a commonly accepted medical procedure. The dying donate their organs and even a Jehovah’s witness would not deny a new liver or kidney should there be a need. Perhaps what they truly need is a brain transplant. That was a bit off-side wasn’t it?

Biology 101, de-mystifying Blood

This information has been taken from MSN Encarta online encyclopedia and can be found at www.encarta.msn.com.
Blood is a vital fluid found in humans and other animals that provides important nourishment to all body organs and tissues and carries away waste materials. Blood is pumped from the heart through a network of blood vessels collectively known as the circulatory system. An adult human has about 5 to 6 liters (1 to 2 gal) of blood, which is roughly 7 to 8 percent of total body weight. Infants and children have comparably lower volumes of blood, roughly proportionate to their smaller size.

Blood carries oxygen from the lungs to all the other tissues in the body and, in turn, carries waste products back to the lungs where they are released into the air. Food that has been processed by the digestive system is also delivered to the tissues by the blood. Waste products are carried by the blood to the kidneys. In addition, blood also transports special chemicals, called hormones, that regulate certain body functions.

The blood is also responsible for the activities of the immune system, helping to fend off infection and fight disease. It also carries the means for stopping itself from leaking out of the body after an injury by starting to form clots within a matter of seconds after injury. It is also vital to maintaining a stable body temperature.

About 55 percent of the blood is composed of a liquid known as plasma. The rest of the blood is made of three major types of cells: red blood cells (also known as erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and platelets (thrombocytes).

Blood is produced in the bone marrow, a tissue in the central cavity inside almost all of the bones in the body. In infants, the marrow in most of the bones is actively involved in blood cell formation. By later adult life, active blood cell formation gradually ceases in the bones of the arms and legs and concentrates in the skull, spine, ribs, and pelvis. Red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets grow from a single precursor cell, known as a hematopoietic stem cell.

Did you know that one-celled organisms and simple multi-celled marine animals, such as sponges, jellyfishes, and anemones, also do not have blood. They use the seawater that bathes their cells to perform the required functions. In some invertebrates, there are no cells analogous to red blood cells. Instead, hemoglobin, or a related copper compound circulates. The blood of complex multicellular animals tends to be similar to human blood, but there are also some significant differences, typically at the cellular level.

Blood: Ancient Beliefs and Practices

There have always been cultures throughout history that have made sacrifices to their Gods or idols, all in order to please them and gain Their favor. As is very apparent there were countless times throughout the Bible that sacrificial offerings were made to God. In most cases it was a virginal lamb since these were deemed to be pure. You will also note that God only found blood sacrifice to be pleasing.

We have the story of Cain and Abel where Abel used a blood sacrifice and found the favor of God. Cain on the other hand used vegetables and did not find such favor. This led to a jealous Cain who ended up killing his brother. I guess he would have been better to make sure he had sacrificed the blood of an animal instead. A lesson we should all learn from Let’s face it, the Bible is full of blood sacrifice and killing all in the name of God. But what about other cultures and religions?

Going back into ancient history, the sacrifice of the first born child was prominent. It was practiced by various cultures. One example is that the nobility of Carthage during the Punic Wars sacrificed hundreds of children to the god Baal.

Recently archaeologists discovered ancient burial sites dating back as far as 24,000 years ago. What they found was evidence to suggest that human sacrifices had been an important ritual activity for the Upper Paleolithic hunters of the time. Their findings indicate a developed complex system of beliefs, symbols and rituals and yes human sacrifice. But wait, we have to count this out because according to the Bible, man did not set foot on earth until 6000 years ago!

Indeed the rituals of blood sacrifices are ancient. The practice of draining an animal’s blood for a sacrifice was not a Jewish idea. It was common among the oriental worshipers to offer the blood to the Great Earth Mother and retain the meat for themselves. The ancient Aztecs who were very big on animal and yes particularly human sacrifice found this to be an integral part of their religion. They had not one but many blood thirsty Gods that needed to be pleased with blood sacrifices. The Celts and Druids also drank the blood of their sacrificed human victims, whose throats were often cut over cauldrons.

Modern Thoughts on the Blood Issue

It is without a doubt that the majority of modern day people are flabbergasted if not discusted with the Jehovah’s Witnesses refusal of life saving blood transfusions. But keep in mind that these people are not truly given a choice in the matter. The Governing Body of the Watchtower Society sets out this doctrine in such specific terms that should a member of Jehovah’s Witnesses have a blood transfusion or indeed challenge the concept, they will most likely be disfellowshipped. We have examined the Watchtower Society’s reasoning behind the blood issue, the scientific biology of blood as well as ancient practices of blood sacrifice which pre-date the Bible itself. What has all this accomplished?

I hope to have shown that the scriptural source for the modern day Jehovah’s Witnesses refusal of blood transfusions is a feeble and manipulative interpretation forced upon these innocent and helpless individuals. The bible states that a dead animals blood should not be eaten but should be poured out. It condemns the practice of generally consuming blood orally. Their arguments are based admittedly not on health reasons, but on God’s jealous nature and His desire to have the blood. Indeed throughout the Bible does he not reveal himself to be the most blood thirsty of all documented historical and ancient Gods?

Both advanced theologians and religious laymen can see that this interpretation and brutal enforcement of a so-called Biblical law is unfounded. To prohibit the life saving transfusion of blood from a willing and live donor is not only a sin, it is murder and should be viewed as such. After all we are not Vampires gorging ourselves on the blood of helpless victims. Blood being transfused is not served orally but rather delivered into a sickly patient through the vein. Lives are preserved rather than destroyed. Does this not honor God, or is he as blood thirsty for the deaths and sacrifices of modern day humans as he was for virginal lambs in ancient times?

There are many ancient cultures and religions that pre-date Christianity even in its own ancient form. Many of these also shared reverence for blood or some type of blood sacrifice practices. That means that God unique in this, nor is he the first, just the one with the best PR.

In conclusion my personal belief is that refusal of Blood Transfusions is lunacy. I blame not the individuals who refuse, but those who enforce this doctrinal teaching to millions of Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world. Surely the deaths of those who have refused blood treatment on this basis are on their hands; I’m speaking about the Governing Body of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.

Further, I believe that National, State and Provincial governments everywhere have a responsibility to step in (as many are beginning to do) with the goal of outlawing refusal of blood treatment specifically for the children of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

If you are interested in learning more or reading about this in the news, please Google Jehovah’s Witnesses and Blood Transfusions.