There came a knock on the door last yesterday morning and on opening the door, there stood two very pleasant looking young women. They politely introduced themselves, but I had already guessed that they were from the Jehovah’s Witnesses.
I immediately asked them if they were the religion that refuses blood transfusions for themselves and their loved ones? I’ve always found this fact to be concerning, if not somewhat barbaric. They grimaced a bit, but acknowledged the fact – but quickly followed up with showing me the scripture that explains their case and a comment that there were alternatives to “blood” transfusions. This latter comment was news to me.
After a pleasant exchange of opinions, the ladies wished me a pleasant day and departed. It then occurred to me that the Jehovah’s Witnesses could improve their negative brand from that of those anti-blood transfusion people to something more powerful. No longer would they be compared to people who let a child die for lack of enough blood.
The Jehovah’s Witnesses should take it upon themselves to fund and research “alternatives” to traditional blood transfusions. They should undertake this in a major way. They should become the poster boy for this effort. It would put them in a position to be a leader in medical research and not compromise their beliefs. What a tremendous brand story. They effectively become a solution and admired much like the Salvation Army for their non-partisan efforts. They lose the stigma of the “blood transfusion” controversy.
The question is – are they up to it? I think it’s an opportunity they should consider and it also goes a long in helping their fellow citizen who may have reasons other than scripture for not being able to respond favourably to blood transfusions.
If you know the leadership with The Jehovah’s Witnesses, please forward this article to them, it might inspire something great.
What you don’t realize is that for the past 30+ years JWs have made a impressive positive impact in the medical industry. There have been Bloodless Medical treatment centers opened up for the treatment of JW without the use of blood transfusions and any other informed people who realize the dangers involved with transfusions. There are also numerous treatment procedures and protocols that have been developed in the ERs and ORs to provide ‘upgraded’ treatment to those who choose not to receive dangerous blood. JWs have had a great influence on the medical industry but don’t choose to take all the credit. They are WAY ahead of you.
@jagmanatl. I must agree with jagmanatl , that JWs made big impact in the medical industry and rebranding may be needed just to present that fact to wider masses nothing more.
regards
Pedro
@HowToLoseWeight Jagmanati and HowToLoseWeight,
While I’m glad that JWs are ahead of what I was suggesting, they don’t seem to have expressed it to the public at large. Even the advocates at the door, didn’t counter my comment with any mention of the treatment centres, so with that, I still think they have the opportunity to become leaders in that particular area. Their brand has to change the mindset of those (myself included) who are ignorant of their progress in the area, so that mis-truths and rumors are not associated with their brand.
@Ed Roach@HowToLoseWeight Of course, JWs need to present that fact , and in yours example by educating their own advocates.I think that will benefit them dearly, because of the way their faith spreading function at the first place.
@HowToLoseWeight@Ed Roach 100% agree with you. But it’s surprising to me why they haven’t done that yet. I’m sure it would be much more effective compared to what they’re doing now to promote their religion.
Exactly Kate. many see coming to their door step as invasive. Taking a positive step like what I’m suggesting is much better than getting a door slammed in your face.
In fairness they are promoting bloodless transfusions, they are just not taking the effort to the next level and championing it – what an opportunity for them.
@HowToLoseWeight @Ed Roach I think we are missing the point here. The refusal to accept blood transfusion is not their main message. It is a result of their faith. They have to be respected for standing up for their faith. Many religious organizations have turned into a ‘business’ and have become so commercialized that we don’t know what they are. All the JWs that I have come into contact have a clear understanding of their standing on the transfusion issue. It is not their main message…. As a result they don’t make it their main topic of discussion. But it is impressive what they have done and they don’t even brag about it.
@jagmanatl@HowToLoseWeight@Ed I do get your point Jagmanati and it is true. But I am only saying from a non-JW that it’s a darn shame that at the doors of North America among other non-JWs they are greeted with distain over what is essentially a misunderstanding of their position. I just think they should start bragging a little and turn a negative into a positive. It also puts them in a leadership position regarding research in the area.
I agree with you. But it’s surprising to me why they haven’t done that yet.
hahaha! Brilliant! I’ll be sure to tell my local witnesses when they come to the door.
Bravo Blood donors!J
ehovah’s Witnesses blood transfusion confusion.
Tens of thousands of Jehovah’s Witnesses including countless children that have perished since the 1940s when the no blood doctrine was enforced. Simple fact-The Bible does not prohibit Blood transfusions.If you are bleeding to death it is more dangerous to refuse a blood transfusions than to take one. Bloodless surgeries are great if they can be elective.1/3rd of all trauma deaths are from blood loss.
1) Jehovah’s Witness do use many parts ‘fractions’ components of blood,so if it’s ‘sacred’ to God why the hypocritical contradiction flip-flop?
2) They use blood collections that are donated by Red Cross and others but don’t donate back,more hypocrisy.
3) The Watchtower promotes and praises bloodless elective surgeries,this is a great advancement indeed, it’s no good to me if I am bleeding to death from a car crash and lose much of my blood volume and need EMERGENCY blood transfusion.
The Watchtower society leaders of Jehovah’s Witnesses will not allow a follower to pre store their OWN blood called autologous blood,yet allows the transfusion of so-called Hemopure made from Bovine cow blood. —Danny Haszard
FMI dannyhaszard(dot)com
Bravo Blood donors!
Jehovah’s Witnesses blood transfusion confusion.
Tens of thousands of Jehovah’s Witnesses including countless children that have perished since the 1940s when the no blood doctrine was enforced. Simple fact-The Bible does not prohibit Blood transfusions.If you are bleeding to death it is more dangerous to refuse a blood transfusions than to take one. Bloodless surgeries are great if they can be elective.1/3rd of all trauma deaths are from blood loss.
1) Jehovah’s Witness do use many parts ‘fractions’ components of blood,so if it’s ‘sacred’ to God why the hypocritical contradiction flip-flop?
2) They use blood collections that are donated by Red Cross and others but don’t donate back,more hypocrisy.
3) The Watchtower promotes and praises bloodless elective surgeries,this is a great advancement indeed, it’s no good to me if I am bleeding to death from a car crash and lose much of my blood volume and need EMERGENCY blood transfusion The Watchtower society leaders of Jehovah’s Witnesses will not allow a follower to pre store their OWN blood called autologous blood,yet allows the transfusion of so-called Hemopure made from Bovine cow blood. –
–Danny Haszard FMI
dannyhaszard(dot)com