How can I convince my Jehovah's Witness mother that she must allow a blood transfusion?

Question

My mother will be going through an open heart surgery(due to severely clogged arteries),the surgery will be from 8-9 hours long,and her doctors have told us that there is a 90% chance she might not make it alive without blood transfussions.My mom has signed a waiver that releases the doctors and surgeons of any legal responsibility if they did not administer blood transfusions,and as a result my mom would die on the surgery table,Three elders have signed the waiver as witnesses to her decision.I no longer know what to do!(All my family is Catholic,my mom became a Jehovah's Witness 5 years ago)

Answer 1

You don't. You respect your mother enough to respect the stand she is taking, which is fully in line with her Bible-based beliefs.



Understandably for a non-Witness it may seem like a strange stand to take, and it is an emotional time for you and your family. But for Jehovah's Witnesses our full obedience to God's laws must take precedence in all aspects of our life, especially so when our life is on the line. To die in the couse of remaining faithful to God is always better than to knowingly disobey God and die anyway. In the instance of serious medical situations, there are always non-blood alternative surgeries and treatments that can be used that have proven to be effective, even with heart surgeries.



Hopefully you can understand that your mother's faith is with Jehovah God. He is the source of life. He gave her life to begin with, and will certainly be moved to restore that life at his chosen time, particularly if her life is lost while she is being faithful to him.



** The answer by David is full of lies and hateful propaganda. He is telling you to disrespect your mother and the Bible. No Christian would tell you to do such a thing.



** Unsilenced has NEVER had any kind of association with Jehovah's Witnesses. Claims to the contrary are lies.

Answer 2

There are much safer and more effective alternatives to blood transfusions. And too, the Bible is clear on the fact that God views blood as sacred, representing the person's life. This is made clear througout the Bible. (Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 17:10-14; Acts 15:28, 29). Jehovah's Witnesses don't accept blood simply because they follow what the Bible says. Those who say that blood transfusions are the only alternative have been misinformed. There are several alternatives, such as volume expanders, that actually have proven safer, having a lower mortality rate. Nonetheless, Jesus said 'whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but he that loses his life for my sake will find it'. *Update* In cases where accidents occur and time is of the essence, medical teams nearly always use non-blood volume expanders, regardless of the person's beliefs or preferences because they do not have time to perform blood tests to find what type they need. A person goes into shock, not from loss of blood, but from loss of volume.

Answer 3

Why are you just now getting to know what your mothers JW beilefs are?



You cannot impose your will on your mother just like she cannot convince you of her beilefs.



Its a medical fact that bloodless surgery is healthier and recovery times are less. Blood is big business in the medical industry and you might want to further reasearch through the proper channels first before taking to heart answers you get at a place like YA from people who

1- are not medical Dr.s (myself included)

2- Know nothing of the Jehovah's Wittness religion.



Jehovahs wittnesses do want the best medical care and medicine but they will not break *any* of Jehovah Gods laws to do so which inlcudes the COMMANDMENT



Deuteronomy 12:23-25;



"Simply be firmly resolved not to eat the blood, because the blood is the soul and you must not eat the soul with the flesh. 24 You must not eat it. You should pour it out upon the ground as water. 25 You must not eat it, in order that it may go well with you and your sons after you, because you will do what is right in Jehovah’s eyes."







Satan said: “Everything that a man has he will give in behalf of his soul.” (Job 2:4) By saying “a man,” Satan made it clear that his charge applied not just to Job but to all humans. That is a very important point. Satan has called into question your integrity to God.



So basically satan was calling us ALL Weasels who only cared about our own skin.



Proverbs 27:11, where Jehovah’s Word says: “Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice, that I may make a reply to him that is taunting me.” was written way after the situation with Job so even now Satan in trying to get people to break their intergrity.



I say respect your moms wishes, she is an adult and will be resurrected if she does pass away and if she does get thru this maybe you can find out what is so different about her religion that she would be willing to *die* for it unlike other religions who compromise on a daily basis.

Answer 4

I must admit my initial reaction was anger over your not wanting to allow your mom to make her own educated decision on this (and I assure you that Witnesses now more about blood transfusions than most), but then I realized that wouldn't help anyone.



There are 3 videos at jw-media.org that discuss blood transfusions, alternatives, and why Witnesses don't take them. That would be step number 1 if I were you. My second step would be to find a Dr. who is familiar with bloodless surgery. There are many. It seems to me like that would allow both of you to feel comfortable.

Answer 5

Scott: I lost my beloved Grandmother in the same way.

This may be a life or death situation so be prepared here is a link to prove that the WBS had dramatically changed their views on blood transfusions

http://ajwrb.org/basics/change.shtml

Also Witnesses in Bulgaria are allowed blood transfusions

http://www.watchman.org/jw/bloodbulgaria.htm



Keep the elders away from your mom..you are her family protect her from this cult



The Blood Issue: The Faulty Life Threatening Teaching of Jehovah's Witnesses 1

« on: March 28, 2010, 03:21:51 AM »

Important, if you have lost loved ones due to this teaching, then you may want to look at this article and take it to your lawyers.



http://www.gracecentered.com/christian_forums/apologetics-and-faith/has-evil-always-existed-will-evil-always-exist/?prev_next=next





Edit: Even though I did not in this post state that I was a Witness, just that I lost my Grandmother to this wretched blood ban...DOT ...Pipes in with his usual blather about me never being a witness.....I can assure you I was A Witness and I am so glad to be saved out of it by the grace of the Lord....NO one in their right mind would ever claim to be a Witness if they hadn't been.

Answer 6

Perhaps, your mom needs to go to the hospital that knows what they are doing. Did the doctor guarantee 100% your mom will live and be free from diseases contracted from blood transfusion? Even the US military recognized the important of performing bloodless surgery. Click on the link below.



http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/287219

Answer 7

Scott, quite simply, your mother is following God's Law. Please allow her this dignity. Has she shown you why taking blood is forbidden?

Also, is this hospital not up to date enough to have blood alternatives? Blood transfusions are not necessary, the doctors are either behind the times or trying to scare your mother because of their own religious agendas. Taking other's blood into your own body is not only against God's Law, it is quite filthy and can have many other diseases. Your mother is trying to stay clean and healthy.

Answer 8

I certainly don't envy your situation; It's a truly appalling example of how the nonsense peddled by the JWs can have really serious consequences, not just for your mother but for your entire family.



Unfortunately, as your mother is an adult and not mentally incompetent, I don't think you have very many options.



Short of going to her and giving the most heart-felt and impassioned talk of your life - pulling every possible emotional card from the bottom of the deck - in an effort to persuade her to change her mind, I can't think of any way of stopping this from happening.



[To those who've chosen to give me the 'thumbs down', I refuse to apologise for my criticism of a cult whose members' ignorant and wilful misinterpretation of the Bible has actually killed people]

Answer 9

Its her choice and your NOT GOD, let her decide. You cannot force your will upon another its wrong and enslavement and its Egyptian not catholic. stupid romans.



If you knew the truth that the soul is eternal then flesh death would not concern you so much and you'd truthfully trust God. But your lack of faith makes you fear death. Showing you do not truly beleive in an after life which is better than being here with ignorant people who dont know any better.

Answer 10

She has to make you Power of Attorney. As power of attorney, you might be able to reverse the decision, but only during a life threatening occurrence.



In all honesty, her chances of survival could be higher without the surgery at all than without getting the blood during. What about a stent? Is bypass surgery absolutely necessary? A 90% chance of dying is probably higher than not having the surgery at all.

Answer 11

Scott, most of the answers you received were from people who have limited knowlege and less respect for God and His laws...pay them no attention.

Your mother is a capable and mature human being, who is abiding by God's laws and putting her hope and trust and life in His hands....she knows what she's doing....please don't pressure her to do otherwise. she does not need to be stressed out at this time, but she needs all of the love and support that her family can give her.



The first poster, Sunshine listed links to the watchtower organization with many helps pamphlets that you can get great information from...please take advantage of that website and share it with your family.



p.s. I have had several major surgeries without blood, and I'm here today telling you dear one, that Jehovah God is in control.

You have nothing to fear.

http://www.watchtower.org

Answer 12

You need to explain to her that what she's going to do is equal to suicide, which is a sin to the Lord. God is not going to punish her for staying alive so she can teach people the Gospel. You need to tell her it's our job to stay alive and God will take us home when it's our time. God said not to consume the blood of an animal. She's not consuming blood, if she gets a transfusion she's keeping herself alive so she can keep preaching the word of God.

Answer 13

I'm sorry your family is having to face this trial.



However your mother has a much better chance of recovery if she is not given blood. All kinds of major operations (including heart surgery) are performed successfully without blood and medical research indicates clearly that patients that are not given blood have shorter recovery times and have less chance of actually dying than those that do.



I am sure, as her child you are eagre to learn as much accurate medical information as possible on the subject so I will post some useful links for you to read up on.



On a psychological note, patients that suffer severe depression and trauma are much more likely to die when undergoing major operations, putting undue pressure on your mother to compromise her core beliefs (even going so far as to force her through the courts) to accept something she views as unacceptable medical treatment will be very harmful for her. Plus should she recover, your relationship will no doubt be irrevocably damaged.



It is totally normal, as her child you want the very best for your mother - but as a Witnesses she no doubt has contacted a surgeon with the necessary skills to perform the operation without blood. No surgery is without risk. There are no guarantees, even with blood there could not be a negative outcome. What your mother now needs is a skilled surgeon and a loving family. If you've found the former can you be the latter? Out of love?



Please read up on the subject and respect her wishes. She'll be fine. I don't know her, I've never met her - but she's my sister and I love her.



My prayers are with you all.



******************* ARTICLES ******************************



Heart surgery without loss of blood

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1261767

http://www.cts.usc.edu/tfct-complexheartsurgeries.html



In Depth Interview: Bloodless Transplant

http://www.wctv.tv/medicalminute/interviewheadlines/42271152.html



Bloodless surgery increasing in popularity

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/281102



U.S Military decides to "Abstain from Blood"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5oVLbVnOqU





Noblood.Org Homepage

http://wiki.noblood.org/Main_Page#Patients_Who_Refuse_Blood_Transfusions_-_FAQs

Noblood.Org - Ask a Professional

http://www.noblood.org/ask-professional/







http://web.archive.org/web/20030402062528/wehealny.org/services/bloodless/



Bloodless surgery and medicine:

http://www.swedish.org/body.cfm?id=133

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FSL/is_1998_Nov/ai_53268419/pg_2

Answer 14

You can't convince a religious fanatic of the silliness of their religion in as short a time as you have. I know, I've tried. It takes a long time and lots of hard work. You could try logic...if God doesn't want you to use science to get healed, why are you allowing the use of x-rays, anti-biotics, anesthetic, monitors, etc., but I doubt she would listen. You could take the doctor aside and instruct him that she is not entirely sane on this issue and that she MUST have a transfusion, but she might not ever forgive you for that if she recovers.



You have my sympathies.

Answer 15

She has made her decision - if you tell her genuinely and she still doesn't respond, her fate is her own. It is her choice after all, regardless of the consequences.

Answer 16

Call the law and tell them what is going on. In most states it is against the law. If that doesn't work, try public pressure from the news media.

Answer 17

Dress up in a radiation suit, play some Van Halen and tell you you're Darth Vader from the planet Vulcan, and if she doesn't do what you say you'll melt her brain.

Answer 18

There's no way you can take her rights away from her.



If she dies, she'll die faithfully.

Answer 19

The only thing I can think of is to have her deemed incompetent. It would take going to court.....

Answer 20

she might not but dont worry....if she is saved she will live again...



Ive got a relative in that bunch...I feel for you...OO