Jehovah's Witnesses are known for their believe that accepting a blood transfusion is in direct contradiction with the commands of God as can be found, for example, in Acts 15:28-29: "For the holy spirit and we ourselves have favored adding no further burden to you, except these necessary things, to keep abstaining.from blood."

To help us accepting this point of view the Watchtower has published several means. You may think of, for example, the brochure "How Can Blood Save Your Live?", a videotape "Meeting Patient Needs and Rights" and also a variety of articles published in the Watchtower , Questions from Readers, discussions in "Our Kingdom Ministry" and public talks in our local Kingdom Hall.

Although these means can be helpful in adapting an attitude against blood transfusion, a well considered decision that might be in direct correlation with life or death, needs more. If we want to make a well-informed decision it will be necessary to consider all scriptural proof and its coherence as well as to what extent medical facts may influence this decision.

Although this website is virtually empty at the time this article is being written, we still want to outline a complete overview on the diverse facets of the blood issue, such as: articles about the history of the blood issue among Jehovah's Witnesses, articles about the scriptural aspects of the blood issue (in which scriptures such as Acts 15:28,29, Leviticus 17:10-16, Deuteronomium 14:21 and Genesis 9:4-7 will be discussed), as well as articles discussing the current viewpoint that is being taught by Jehovah's Witnesses. But why this website?

WHY BLOOD ISSUE.INFO?

There is a simple answer to the above question: Due to the weighty character of the blood issue we hold the opinion that every brother or sister not only has the right, but is also under an obligation to oneself and Jehovah to have full understanding of the matter. Yes, the blood issue has directly to do with life or death. The decisions we make in this issue can have far-reaching consequences to ourselves and the ones that are close to us. The authors of this website have asked themselves whether such decisions can or may be based upon unilateral information. As stated before: the published books, brochures and videotapes of the Watchtower c an be helpful in reaching the decision not to accept a blood transfusion. However, these aids will never contain scriptural or medical arguments/considerations by which a Christian might come to a conscientious decision to actually accept a blood transfusion or blood components.

The Watchtower issue of September 1st 1999 , in an article for youngsters entitled "Youths-Train Your Perceptive Powers" stated, among other things, the following:

"Note that your perceptive powers - your ability to discern right from wrong- are trained "through use." When you must make a decision, guessing, acting on impulse, or simply following the crowd will rarely result in a wise choice. To make wise decisions, you must use your perceptive powers. How? First of all, by thoroughly investigating the situation and getting all the facts. Ask questions if necessary. Determine what your options are. Proverbs 13:16 says: "Everyone shrewd will act with knowledge." Next, try to determine which Bible laws or principles bear on the subject. (Proverbs 3:5) To do this, of course, you must have a knowledge of the Bible. That is why Paul encourages us to take in "solid food"-to learn "the breadth and length and height and depth" of the truth.-Ephesians 3:18 ." (Italics ours)

When we encourage our youths to 'first of all.thoroughly investigate the situation and get all the facts', then it would be reasonable in all respects that we apply this advice to ourselves too. And we certainly have the opinion that this advice applies to the blood issue. Before we can possibly reach a well-informed decision we have to know "all facts". Yes, we need to find the answers to "questions" and determine "which options" we have. Most important, however, is to ascertain "which Bible laws or principles bear" on the blood issue. This website tries, in addition to the published teaching aids of the Society, to examine all facts and questions.

However, there is one important question that should not be left unanswered: Are the authors of this website promoters of blood transfusion? We do realize that the articles presented on this website may raise this question. Nevertheless, the definite answer to that question is No . The Society has often pointed out the medical hazards, i.e. by infected donor blood, of blood transfusions. Although, certainly in western countries like The Netherlands, procedures in giving and processing blood have to comply with stern demands, there are several articles in the press that demonstrate there are indeed severe risks to transfusions. (Among others AIDS, hepatitis or immunoreactions) So, we are certainly not promoters of blood transfusion, but at the same time we realize that, in some cases, the reverse might be true: R efusing a blood transfusion may also cause medical risks, and in some cases blood transfusion may well be the only salvation! In the whole package of "all facts" these risks should be considered too, to come to a conscientious decision on this issue.

WHAT IS THE PERSONAL VIEW OF THE AUTHORS?

This question also deserves attention in this article: What is the personal view of the authors of Blood Issue.info? Related to the decision whether one should accept a blood transfusion or not, this differs from one person to another. This is hardly surprising, because such a decision has everything to do with our personal conscience and our personal, scriptural based deductions.

As a result of our investigation of all facts and scriptural arguments we do agree to the following: The whole blood issue should become a matter of own conscience. Every Christian should be able to come to a personal decision on the blood issue. I n articles about the history of the blood issue and the discussion of our present view, it will become apparent that the view of Jehovah's Witnesses has been subject to changes over the years. For example, the usage of more and more blood components are left to the conscience of an individual Christian (a development which we positively embrace). This very moment however, brothers and sisters are being disfellowshipped for conscientious accepting certain blood components, while others are to be respected as a full member of the congregation, for making a n identical decision.

The Scriptures encourage us 'not to go beyond the things that are written.' (1 Corinthians 4:6) However, the difference between 'forbidden' and 'acceptable' blood components doesn't have its origins in the Bible. Also the arguments for accepting certain blood components are applicable in exactly the same way on forbidden blood components (this subject will be discussed in another article). Furthermore a consideration of all relevant scriptures indicates that a different conclusion is possible ( that means: not obligatory!). This all has lead to our opinion that the entire issue should be left to our own conscience.

IN CONCLUSION

We do express the sincere hope that by means of the articles on this website you will be given a more complete picture of the blood issue and that the consideration of the scriptural arguments as well as the history of the blood issue and discussion of our present view and other relevant articles may contribute to your knowing "all facts".

Is it our goal that all of us accept a blood transfusion if necessary? No. Our goal is expressed by the words on the front page of the website: "How Well-Informed Are You?" That question offers no opinion on the decision you should or shouldn't make based on the given information. It is our hope that our articles may be of any help in your personal, conscientious and prayerful decision--- whatever that decision may be .