It is frequently stated, in popular websites and in the scholarly literature, that when blood transfusion was first developed it was banned by the Pope. However, careful analysis of the sources cited shows this claim to be without historical foundation. There was never any papal prohibition of blood transfusion.
There was never any papal prohibition of blood transfusion. It is a myth that needs to be dispelled if the full extent of the Catholic Church's support for blood and organ donation is to be appreciated.
A small group of people belonging to a certain religion, called Jehovah's witness do not accept blood transfusion or blood products, based on biblical readings.
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the Bible (Genesis 9:4, Leviticus 17:10, and Acts 15:29) prohibits ingesting blood and that Christians should therefore not accept blood transfusions or donate or store their own blood for transfusion. Specifically, their beliefs include: Blood represents life and is sacred to God.
Differing beliefs
However, a minority of Jehovah's Witnesses do not agree that the Bible prohibits blood transfusions, and will therefore accept transfusions. Some Jehovah's Witnesses may also believe that it is acceptable to receive blood plasma fractions or the reinfusion of their own blood.
Thus, Jehovah's Witnesses regularly refuse transfusions for themselves and their children because they believe the procedure creates a risk of losing eternal salvation.
Christians neither drink human blood nor eat animals' blood. Blood donation or transfusion is not a religious matter, but purely a medical issue. God has never referred to it as sinful; instead He has given to man the wisdom, knowledge and understanding to administer same to save the lives of His people.
THE BIBLICAL TEXTS The scriptural bases of the Jehovah's Witnesses' prohibition against the use of blood and blood transfusions are primarily located in three interrelated passages in the Bible: Genesis (Gen.) 9:4; Leviticus (Lev.) 17:10-14; and Acts 15:28-29.
Many Witnesses accept the transfusion of derivatives of primary blood components such as albumin solutions, cryoprecipitate, clotting factor concentrates (including fibrinogen concentrate) and immunoglobulins.
There are no particular issues relating to blood transfusions, but although organ donation has been permitted it is a complicated issue for Muslims and will often be met with reluctance. The decision would lie with the individual and their family in consultation with their local religious leader.
Erythrocyte survival and lifespan measurements obtained with transfused erythrocytes are in good accordance with those obtained using metabolic labeling studies, indicating an overall good survival with a maximum of 135 days after transfusion (Mollison et al., 1987; Luten et al., 2004).
Since Jehovah's Witness (JW) patients diagnosed with leukaemia refuse blood transfusions, they are often denied intensive chemotherapy for fear they could not survive myeloablation without blood transfusion support.
The denomination requires adherence to a strict moral code, which forbids premarital sex, homosexuality, gender transitioning, adultery, smoking, drunkenness and drug abuse, and blood transfusions.
Can Catholics Donate Organs and Tissues? Yes, organ, eye and tissue donation and transplantation is permissible within the Catholic faith. Moreover, the Vatican supports organ donation for all Catholics and considers it a selfless act of compassion.
In Christian theology, baptism of blood (Latin: baptismus sanguinis) or baptism by blood, also called martyred baptism, is a doctrine which holds that a Christian is able to attain through martyrdom the grace of justification normally attained through baptism by water, without needing to receive baptism by water.
Family members or friends can donate blood specifically for one another if the recipient's and donor's blood types and Rh factors are compatible.
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that it is against God's will to receive blood and, therefore, they refuse blood transfusions, often even if it is their own blood. The willing acceptance of blood transfusions by Jehovah's Witnesses has in some cases led to expulsion from and ostracisation by their religious community.
The Witnesses refrain from celebrating birthdays because they believe that birthday feasts have pagan roots. Jehovah's witnesses believe that evil influences and spirits get the opportunity to attack the celebrant during birthdays. Also, Jehovah's witnesses argue that early believers never celebrated their birthdays.
17:11) – the blood contains life. Thus, blood may not be eaten, even though an animal's flesh may be. Although this does not actually help the animal, it indicates a kind of humanization – a reminder that animals were not created to be consumed, that they were once living creatures.
Jehovah's Witnesses – According to the Watch Tower Society, the legal corporation for the religion, Jehovah's Witnesses do not encourage organ donation but believe it is a matter best left to an individual's conscience. All organs and tissues, however, must be completely drained of blood before transplantation.
DIET - Jehovah Witnesses believe it is forbidden to eat blood or blood products. Although meat is usually acceptable, because animals are bled after slaughter, some Jehovah Witnesses may be vegetarian. Patients may wish to pray silently before eating and at other times.
According to most Biblical study websites, there is no explicit scriptural command for or against cremation. There are no passages that forbid cremation, according to most Biblical scholars.
But in the ancient Middle East, the writers of the Hebrew Bible forbade tattooing. Per Leviticus 19:28, “You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves.”
For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life. Therefore I say to the Israelites, "None of you may eat blood, nor may an alien living among you eat blood."