Jehovah's Witnesses believe that a human must not sustain his life with another creature's blood, and they recognize no distinction "between taking blood into the mouth and taking it into the blood vessels." It is their deep-seated religious conviction that Jehovah will turn his back on anyone who receives blood ...
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.
Abstract. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that an individual's life is contained within blood, and that accepting transfusion of blood and blood products is sinful. The administration of blood to a Jehovah's Witness who has refused to accept transfusion may lead to criminal or civil proceedings.
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.
They believe that it is God's will to “abstain from blood” (Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 17:10; Deuteronomy 12:23; Acts 15:28,29) [3] and that God has forbidden this.
In particular, when the patient is a minor, consent must be given by both parents or legal guardian. If parents are not in agreement or refuse the blood transfusion, consent must be requested at the probate judge; taking into account the degree of maturity of the minor, it is advisable to obtain his/ her assent.
Some Jehovah's Witnesses may be vegetarian and others may abstain from alcohol, but this is a personal choice. Jehovah's Witnesses do not smoke or use other tobacco products.
Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe that the Bible comments directly on organ transplants; hence: decisions made regarding cornea, kidney, and other tissue transplants must be made by the individual. The same is true regarding bone transplants.
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that when a person dies, their existence completely stops. This is because the Bible makes it clear that human beings do not have an immortal soul that survives when the body dies. Witnesses believe that Hell (as traditionally portrayed) does not exist.
Christian dietary laws vary between denominations. The general dietary restrictions specified for Christians in the New Testament are to "abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meat of strangled animals".
They also do not celebrate traditional Christian holy days, such as Christmas, or birthdays. Jehovah's Witnesses accept medial and surgical treatment. They do not adhere to so-called “faith healing” and are not opposed to the practice of medicine.
Jehovah's Witnesses have also been criticized because they reject blood transfusions, even in life-threatening medical situations, and for failing to report cases of sexual abuse to the authorities. Many of the claims are denied by Jehovah's Witnesses and some have also been disputed by courts and religious scholars.
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.
Most Jehovah's Witnesses will decline transfusion of whole blood products, but if possible, discuss the specifics alone with the patient. Some will accept a blood transfusion privately.
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that exactly 144,000 faithful Christians from Pentecost of 33 AD until the present day will be resurrected to heaven as immortal spirit beings to spend eternity with God and Christ. They believe that these people are "anointed" by God to become part of the spiritual "Israel of God".
According to Jehovah's Witnesses, cremation is permissible. Whether a dead person is cremated or not, Jehovah is not limited in his ability to restore the person to life with a new body.
Jehova's Witnesses and Cremation
Some people are under the impression that Jehovah's Witnesses don't get cremated, but that's not the case. The relatives of the person that has died are expected to carry out the wishes of the deceased with regard to the type of funeral they have.
They limit contact with non-Jehovah's Witnesses
Followers are discouraged from having close relationships with those who are not part of the faith. People who are “worldly” are seen as bad influences or “bad associations.”
Jehovah's Witnesses allow married couples to use birth control: Jesus did not command his followers to have or not to have children. Neither did any of Jesus' disciples issue any such directive. Nowhere does the Bible explicitly condemn birth control.
Patients who are Jehovah's Witnesses are typically well informed both doctrinally and regarding their right to determine their own treatment. Although not opposed to surgery or medicine, Jehovah's Witnesses decline allogenic blood transfusion for reasons of religious faith.
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.
Smoking, including electronic cigarettes, abuse of drugs, and drunkenness are prohibited. Alcohol is permitted in moderation.
Jehovah's Witness members have been imprisoned in many countries for their refusal of conscription or compulsory military service. Their religious activities are banned or restricted in some countries, including Singapore, China, Vietnam, Russia and many Muslim-majority countries.
Songs are used at assemblies and conventions, and sometimes at different events at Watch Tower Society branch offices. Jehovah's Witnesses' publications suggest that Witnesses listen to this music in their personal time.