Current Teachings On Blood

[Candace]

Hello everyone, I'm a newbie. I found this forum recently, and really appreciate a place where I can safely see discussions going on among thinking people.

I feel like this website is an answer to my prayers because I really needed to find people that 1) believe Jehovah is God, Jesus is his son and King designate, and agree with all the basic teachings taught by Jehovah's Witnesses and 2) are troubled by certain things going on in the organization.

Several years before the "this generation" teaching was done away with, I realized in my heart that that teaching was not accurate. I resolved that if this system of things was still going on and all the people from the generation of 1914 were dead, that I would still believe in Jehovah and his wonderful promises. When the GB came out with their new understanding it was not a surprise to me. For some reason that particular change in understanding did not have any kind of negative affect on me.

The e-watchman.com site has really helped me to put it all in perspective.

Candace

[Candace]

I don't know how my topic ended up in this discussion forum, but if anybody wants to move it to a more appropriate forum, be my guest!

[Jeshurun]

Hi Candace

Don't worry about which topic you posted on, the NGO forum was lonely and needed posts!

I admire that you have a "tendency to state how you feel", as this is obviously a sign that you're a free thinker. We're glad you ended up here. There are quite a few websites out there that can get you into a bit of trouble, especially right now that you are discovering a whole new world of truths.

Your husband's in the Watchtower's grips, and if you want to stay happily married and in good standing, you'll have to toe the company line.

As world events unfold, and they are indeed accelerating, you will be a great asset to your husband and all those around you.

Love,

Lou

[eyes&ears]

WELCOME CANDACE :D ,

Glad you found e-watchman.

Finding out so many things can be an eye opener.

Unfortunately, I had already left the org, before I found E-Watchman site. Had I found the site first, I would have done things a lot different than what I did.

When I left, I had no idea what was going on, I just knew something was amiss, and I started searching because certain things did not add up.

Now I am on the outside looking in and working towards reinstatement because I was angry and appalled, and in spiritual shock. I did not handle what I knew well at all.

My only suggestions to you regarding your new found information and how you share it with others is:

First pray to Jehovah for direction He will let you know what to do

Be extremely careful with whom you share this information with because if you do not YOU WILL BE MEETING WITH A JUDICIAL COMMITTEE, AND IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH WHAT IS CURRENTLY TAUGHT BY THE SOCIETY YOU WILL BE DF'D AS AN APOSTATE.

I would like to suggest that you take your time after praying and do not make any moves until you feel Jehovah is directing you. You have to make a decision as to whether or not YOU PERSONALLY BELIEVE THAT THIS IS JEHOVAH'S ORGANIZATION and take into consideration where we are in the stream of time, and do your homework via research as to why these things are happening.

This is a powerful site, and there are many here who can be a great deal more helpful. They may pm you to give you other info they may not wish to post on the public board because we do have lurkers who just want to gather ammo for whatever disgusting hidden agenda they may have.

One of my favorite scriptures regarding how to deal with the information I have learned is Matthew 10:16, Be cautious as serpents and loving as doves.

I shared some info with my mate but that was not smart. The info was not taken as I would have liked it to be received. So I had to stop sharing information with my mate. Everyone is not ready to receive just because we have some new understanding.

I hope I have been able to help a little. I am just a little pea brain. We have others here who are really HEAVY DUTY, they can be of more help.

Glad you found us Candance. Hope you find what you need here. OKEY DOKEY.


Best to you and your family

[Kenneth]

Hi Candace

It's been a long road for some here including myself as countless have been disfellowship over the NGO affair and other such matters. E&E makes a valid point though "Now I am on the outside looking in and working towards reinstatement because I was angry and appalled, and in spiritual shock. I did not handle what I knew well at all." We have every right to be enraged, however we need to step back and take a deep breath and get the big picture. The society is seriously in the wrong and only Jehovah will put it right in the end as the sin is theirs. As for blood well bloods blood, and the bible is quite clear on the matter.

http://e-watchman.com/commentaries/jehovah...gery-blood.html

Carrying the blood card is not compulsory and you cannot be disfellowship for it. It's probably best to keep a low profile and go about your business in the congregation without drawing to much attention to yourself. We are certainly happy you are here and we look forward to your input.

Kenneth :wave:

[Candace]

Thanks for your replies. I feel like I did when I first learned the truth, and had a hard time keeping my mouth shut, lol! Now that I'm older, and hopefully a little wiser, maybe I can find a way to follow my conscience, serve Jehovah loyally, and not get kicked out for being an apostate.

I have already endured years of mental and emotional abuse for speaking up about my husband's abuse of alcohol, and physical abuse of our child when "disciplining" her. These trials have made my faith in Jehovah stronger, while leaving me disenchanted with men in positions of responsibility. Being unjustly labeled as "rebellious" and spiritually weak is not new territory for me. I always comforted myself with the fact that Jehovah was reading my heart and that he knew the truth of what was really going on behind closed doors. I guess this new situation is really no different. Just a bit harder.

Thanks for your encouragement and advice, it is much appreciated.

Candace

[Candace]

Thanks for the link (http://e-watchman.com/commentaries/jehovahs-witnesses-bloodless-surgery-blood.html) Kenneth. What a lot of food for thought! I guess I have a lot of rethinking to do on this particular issue. Thanks for bringing that to my attention, it may save me a lot of needless grief.

Candace

[Jeshurun]

Being unjustly labeled as "rebellious" and spiritually weak is not new territory for me. I always comforted myself with the fact that Jehovah was reading my heart and that he knew the truth of what was really going on behind closed doors.[/b]

That was the word the elders always used on me. It was embedded in my brain until the day I found e-Watchman 4 1/2 months ago. What a wonderful thing to learn that "rebellious" does not necessarily mean against Jehovah. Your words above may have just as well come out of my own keyboard.

re·bel·lious [ ri béllyəss (http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/dictionary/Pronounce.aspx?search=rebellious) ]

adjective Definition: 1. opposing or defying authority: opposing or defying authority, accepted moral codes, or social conventions


Lou

[Nambo]

Hi Candace!
And a great big welcome!

I have to say though that I think the JWs used to be right on blood and now they are wtering it down so to speak. Thats certainly no concellation to those that have died faithfull mind.

It does make you question everything you learnt and thought was built on a solid foundation mind.

Maybe its a test to be passed that your faith in Jehovah remains standing even if the whole of mankinds religion washes away with the sand.

[Juan]

Hello everyone, I'm a newbie. I found this forum recently, and really appreciate a place where I can safely see discussions going on among thinking people.

Earlier this year I was doing research on the blood issue when I came across the ajwb.org website. At first, the things I read shattered my faith. I felt like I had just wasted my whole adult life believing in something that wasn't true. This had a domino effect, and called into question anything I was taught or believed as a Witness. I cried for days over my loss and prayed really hard for Jehovah to make sense of everything. I reminded myself of the basic teachings of the Bible. I contemplated how Jehovah dealt with his people in the past. I gave serious thought to how a sincere worshipper of Jehovah would have felt if they lived during the first century and had to deal with all the pharasaical (sp?) teachings.

I feel like this website is an answer to my prayers because I really needed to find people that 1) believe Jehovah is God, Jesus is his son and King designate, and agree with all the basic teachings taught by Jehovah's Witnesses and 2) are aware of the hypocrital behavior of certain men in authority and the pharasaic teachings being pushed on Jehovah's sheep.

...

Candace[/b]

Hi Candace,

Just wanted to add my welcome to all the others. Just like you I was shocked by the information I read at the e-W site. I thought he must be wrong, because I believed that the JWs, and specially the leadership cannot be in error. So I "spoke" out. To make a long story short, I came to the attention of the elders and I was disfellowshipped. To say that the whole thing was grossly unjust would be a bit of an understatement.

I've been reinstated a few month's back. At the moment I'm just trying not to attract undue attention. Smile and nod is my answer to most conversations with the brothers.

I think shortly the time will come when we might be able to help some of the brothers when they will have to confront these uncomfortable truths. At less I hope so.

I don't talk about the things I have learned here with my wife as she thinks any religious topic not from the society is "apostate".

[Candace]

What a relief it is to be able to discuss these serious matters with other believers! I really appreciate the replies. I can't discuss anything with my spouse without him getting angry and abusive towards me.

I think members of this forum would do well to consider the discussions on this page (http://e-watchman.com/commentaries/jehovahs-witnesses-bloodless-surgery-blood.html), in light of the information we may have read at the ajwrb.org site.

At a time when Jehovah's organization seems to be under attack from many different angles, it is comforting to know that I'm not the only Witness with legitimate questions and concerns.

I realize now that attempting to discuss anything with my spouse is futile, and that learning how to smile and nod will be a protection for the time being. I truly believe Jehovah and Jesus are in control of the whole situation and that they allow certain things to develop so they can be taken care of on Jehovah's timetable. We know Jehovah tests and refines his people. I have the utmost confidence in Jehovah that he will set matters straight, the hard part is being human and wanting justice now! I know Jehovah and Jesus can read our hearts, and will supply what we need in order to survive the last days.

Thanks to all for participating in this discussion. It will be interesting to see how events unfold in the days ahead. May we all have the peace of God that excels all thought.

Candace

[eyes&ears]

Hi Juan,

Congratulations on hanging in there for your reinstatement.

I also think you are doing the best thing by what you stated here:

I've been reinstated a few month's back. At the moment I'm just trying not to attract undue attention. Smile and nod is my answer to most conversations with the brothers.

I had said to myself when I am reinstated, I will keep my mouth shut, and my EYES & EARS OPEN. I will also not draw any undue attention to myself, because I KNOW I WILL BE UNDER THEIR SPIRITUAL MICROSCOPE, NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

Keep strong Juan and love and peace to you and your wife and family.

Eyes & Ears

[eyes&ears]

Hi there Nambo,


I sometimes wonder about what you say here also:

"Maybe its a test to be passed that your faith in Jehovah remains standing even if the whole of mankinds religion washes away with the sand. "

What I have come to learn through my spiritual journey after looking back and seeing where I am now, is TO NEVER EVER GO BEYOND WHAT JEHOVAH HAS WRITTEN, AND NOT TO EAT ANY FOOD FROM ANYONE WHO HAS GONE BEYOND WHAT JEHOVAH HAS WRITTEN.

So now that I understand what I understand..... as has been said, there most likely will come a time when JEHOVAH SAYS TO ALL OF US THAT KNOW: OK THIS IS THE TIME TO SPEAK, GO FORTH. Until then, I will certainly be Faithful to ONLY JEHOVAH AND DISCREET IN HOW I USE WHAT HE HAS REVEALED TO ME. Ecclesiastes 3 There is a time and place for everything. I will wait for his Holy Spirt to direct these LIPS OF MINE BEFORE I OPEN THEM UP TO SPEAK IN WHAT I HAVE LEARNED THIS TIME. BEFORE I DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON, I JUST KNEW SOMETHING WAS COO COO, BUT NOW I UNDERSTAND.

In the meantime I will continue to keep MY EYES & EARS on Alert as I Keep on the watch and Make sure of all things as much as possible.

My Main focus is my Relationship with Jehovah and walking in the example of his son Jesus. I will never ever allow anyone to interfere with that again EVER!!

So if we are being tested, good thing it is happening now, and that we are able to recognize it if that is so. Thanks Nambo, I always enjoy your expressions.

Lots of hugs to you and your family OKEY DOKEY.

EVERYONE HOLD ON TIGHT

Eyes & Ears

[Dorcas]

First of all, welcome Candace,
You have found a place of comfort at this site. We're so happy to have you.
On the issue of blood: Gen. 9:3,4 Noah was warned about the use of blood. The life of the soul is in the blood. That warning was never recinded. Under the old Law Covenent, a use was given: blood could be used sacrifically by the priests and to initiate the covenant. Nothing was mentioned about any other use for the blood. When Jesus inaugerated the New Covenant, his blood was offered up. Later, when the issue arose in the congregations, Paul reminded the brothers to avoid any use of blood. You may want to review the information in the "Reasoning Book". We have to use the Bible to train our consciences, not the opinions of imperfect men. If you use scripture to back-up your position, you can't go wrong. We are involved in a war, the issue is still the same -- are we loyal to Jehovah. Are we letting the Watchtower publications guide our lives, or are we making the extra effort to read the scriptures, pray on the matter, Jehovah will help you make the correct decision should the issue arise. The issue of blood use can arise unexpectedly, so we need to be firm in our hearts.
Candace, taking a stand for your beliefs can tear at your heart. Our loyalty can (and will) undergo severe testing. Coming to this board can give you extra strength. Again, welcome aboard!
This brings my love...http://e-jehovahs-witnesses.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/MSN%20Vlinder.gif Dorcas

[Candace]

Thanks Dorcas. I did go over the RS book again, it was very helpful. I think what got me tripped up was when I read on a medical site that virtually all components of blood have natural movement between a mother and her fetus. The WT makes reference to natural movement in several different QFR articles, when reasoning on why a Christian may accept certain blood fractions. I have to put that idea of natural movement out of my mind in order for the scriptures to make sense to me. Being a very imperfect human, I realized trying to reason on this issue (natural movement) was beyond my ability, therefore I have to stick to the basic command to abstain from blood and not wonder about any other issues.