I know I am probably opening 'a can of worms' but I just feel so distraught reading this story, I know that people can justify anything these days in the name of religion and many faiths have good reasonings, but I can't help wondering if I would choose to sacrifice my place in Heaven to be able to raise my children and give all that I can on this earth to and for them?

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1291543,00.html?f=vg

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I do not now and never will understand anybody taking such a medieval  stance. To chose to die rather than live is so against anything that the bible teaches. It is tantamount to suicide.There is no way it could have been banned in the bible as Blood Transfusions are a modern not an old procedure so how can it have been thought of at the time of the writing of either the old or the new testaments. How any religious organisation can justify such a stand is beyond me.

 

 

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Ceedee

alive well and always kicking

It is a very sad story indeed. I think that, from memory, the Jehovah's Witnesses believe that when blood is removed from the body it becomes unclean, and they don't want to be unclean when they meet their God. (the passages in the Bible they interpret in respect to this talk about blood as such and not using it but discarding it ). And being deeply religious, its enough reason for them. They therefore can't accept blood or blood products from others, nor from an autologous infusion (ie. from blood collected from themselves prior to or during surgery.) I remember, though,  once giving a post-operative heart bypass patient an autologous infusion collected during surgery but I'm not sure why that was allowed. They can,however, have autologous blood during surgery, if it is removed during surgery on bypass so never leaving a clean circuit. But once it goes into a bag, and the circuit is broken it cant be used. Or so I remember hearing. They can also accept some blood products that have been manufactured such as some protein products and "factors". Interesting to know why. The thing is, that there are lots of fluids that can be given to expand blood volume and therefore increase blood pressure and perfusion, and some drugs that can be given to help the patient make more red blood cells, which is what is needed to deliver oxygen to the tissues, so most dont need blood.  They may be very sick but most recover. This lady must have been in a very bad way for her to die from actually needing blood.  Only a few months ago I rocked up to work and all my collegues were very down. The previous day they had a 25 year old girl die also (can't remember what from). She'd had a very slow and painful death and most of my friends thought it was totally unnecessary. To make things worse, there were always two people in the room with her, even when the nursing staff were doing procedures, and also an "elder" who was there to make sure no-one tried to give her anything prohibited or to make her change her mind.  There was no way in the world the staff would have tried anything like that as we are a highly ethical bunch, and respect everyone's right to choose with informed consent, but one of them heard the "elder" talking to someone on his mobile and he said "they're trying to undermine us but we wont let them near her. We're winning".  This is what got my collegues down more than anything. Anyway, I dont understand the mindset also, but for them its a decision based on their beliefs and the way they live their lives. I suppose what I'm trying to say is, my collegues were respectful of the patient's beliefs, even though they weren't trusted to obey the patient's wishes. And that story demonstrates just how serious they are about the afterlife and meeting their God.

This is such a hard topic to talk about - you all make very valid points.  Paola, since you work in the nursing field, you probably have strong feelings - you are there to make patients well and it has to be an awful feeling when they won't let you.  How sad for that man who said they were "winning".  No one wins when a young woman dies in pain.  I respect their beliefs, but I have trouble relating to that.  The God I believe in wants us to be happy and I feel like He hurts when we hurt.  He gifted people with the ability to heal - that is how He provides for us.  At least that has been my experience. 

I have worked with our healing ministry for about 4 years and I have seen some amazing things happen.  Sometimes God heals by taking the sick one home and we all know that can be difficult to accept for the ones left. However, in my mind, the person who passes is indeed healed.  I Have some difficulty believing some of the preachers on TV who do wholesale healing - I sometimes feel that is showmanship.  But I do truly believe that we have a great ability to bring peace and healing to our own bodies.  And for me, that strength comes from God.  One of the first things I ask God for everyday is that today NOT be the day I go back to the hospital.  I admit, I don't want to go through that again.  But I also ask for the strength to take whatever He gives me. 

But again, this is a sad story.  I work with 3 guys who are all of that faith and they are some of the nicest young men you ever knew.  I respect their beliefs, but I don't agree with them.  We don't argue about it as they respect mine as well.  I can't imagine any one of them would want one of their wives or sisters to go through this.  And I would never want to have to make that kind of decision, but it is their way and as Paola said, "this demonstrates how serious they are about the afterlife and meeting their God."

I thank God for the people who gave the blood that saved my life.  Blood is precious and giving it to another person is a wonderful gift. 

Oh my, sorry to get so preachy, but that story, as well as P's really touched a nerve.  Thanks for posting, ladies.

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Julie

I will carry you, be your strength, pull you through.

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You are not 'Preachy' Julie you make lovely and wonderfully valid points. Like you I thank God each day for the blood that saved my life in a situation similar to that of the twins mother.

 

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Ceedee

alive well and always kicking