Blood is extremely sacred in their beliefs. Respect for one’s body and all that kind of thing. They don’t believe in tattooing, piercing or anything like that either.
I can get hold of info as to exactly why they don’t allow blood - they have exact biblical reasons for everything. But really, they have alot of rules that are just so hard to explain.
Originally posted by inaudible:
Not exactly. The prohibition on blood is based on several specific scriptures. It doesn’t really have to do with a general respect for the body; blood itself is sacred. (It is true that Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t smoke because of the respect for the body thing.)
Earlobe piercing on females, OTOH, is quite common (at least in the US), although you would not be likely to find a Witness at your door with a pierced tongue or eyebrow. Basically, when you’re at someone’s door talking with him/her about a subject of great importance, you don’t want the person to be distracted–or, in the case of older or more conservative people, actually offended–by your appearance, especially since you are acting as a representative of our Creator. The way Witnesses dress is partially determined by the part of the world in which they live and the time in which they live; the goal in dressing is to look nice and presentable without appearing disrespectful to the vast majority of people.
First, sorry I didn’t check the links. I was literally running out the door while posting. 
There is a biblical passage that forbids eating blood. JWs consider transfusions to be a form of “eating” it, and when I questioned this, I was referred to the term “feeding intravenously.” I couldn’t really argue the semantics of that.
The do, incidentally, accept blood “parts” though. Everything but red/white cells and platelets, I believe.
Here’s a site of JWs who support blood transfusions:
FYI: For JWs, organ transplants are a conscience matter. That is, if you (the hypothetical Witness) feel they are wrong, you shouldn’t accept one and should instead pursue other medical treatment. If, however, you don’t think organ transplants fall under the blood prohibition, then you should accept one if necessary. Either way, the point is to take God’s wishes into consideration first, and also act in a way that respects life and your body.
As far as God needing helpers: well, when you get right down to it, he doesn’t need anything humans can provide, does he? Yet, we are here. Plants, animals, our very existence … everything he originally put on the Earth was for our benefit, not his. His motivations are different from ours in some respects.
Correct. It is a conscience matter. At least as of 1980. Prior to that is was equated with cannibalism and was a disfellowshipping aka shunning offense. For those who died, sorry bout that.
Here’s another gem:
Taken from the 11-15-64 Watchtower p.682,3
“The use of blood in adhesives for manufacturing plywood and other commonly used materials has now come to the attention of Christians, and we use plywood as an example. Much plywood is made using blood glue, but some plywood is blood-free. A Christian purchaser or contractor may seek
to obtain blood-free plywood if he can do so; however, if he decides to use all types of plywood, it must be left to his conscience. It is not always possible to determine just how the plywood has been made. Because
blood may be used in some plywood, this does not mean that a Christian could not buy, sell or rent a home or purchase a trailer in which plywood is found. The extent to which he would check on such matters is for him to decide.”
Correct. It is a conscience matter. At least as of 1980. Prior to that is was equated with cannibalism and was a disfellowshipping aka shunning offense. For those who died, sorry bout that.
Here’s another gem:
Taken from the 11-15-64 Watchtower p.682,3
“The use of blood in adhesives for manufacturing plywood and other commonly used materials has now come to the attention of Christians, and we use plywood as an example. Much plywood is made using blood glue, but some plywood is blood-free. A Christian purchaser or contractor may seek
to obtain blood-free plywood if he can do so; however, if he decides to use all types of plywood, it must be left to his conscience. It is not always possible to determine just how the plywood has been made. Because
blood may be used in some plywood, this does not mean that a Christian could not buy, sell or rent a home or purchase a trailer in which plywood is found. The extent to which he would check on such matters is for him to decide.”
How gracious of you to allow me to choose the wood I use. lol
ME!!
Hell no, I am multiply pierced in the ears, facial pierced, have been known to suck on a bleeding finger, only reason I don’t donate blood is high blood pressure, and I have way better things to do than worry about the glue used in plywood… clearly not salvational material.
Thank Buddha!
That was a joke, Krisfer. See, convention … lotsa Witnesses … long bathroom lines … sigh. Never mind. I’ve really gotta remember to use those smilies.
The glue in plywood thing is new to me, but that was way before I was born.
ev I knew that. I was just having some fun wich you as we say out here. Actually we have conventions here on a regular basis in Ogden. Why, I have no freakin clue… but maybe its how nice our porches look 'cause at least twice a month I am turning them away. This last time tho I wasn’t sure the two old folks would make it down the block. I about gave her cardiac and I am sure she killed him after I shut the door!
Old gent: We are here to…
Me: No thank you
Old woman: Well what religion are you dear?
Me: I am Buddhist.
Old woman looking like she just swallowed her gum: Is that the one that doesn’t believe in God?
Me: Ummmm
Old gent: No wait I seem to remember something about Buddha. Wasn’t he born from his mother’s side or something?
Me: Weellll if you think about it it does make a DAMNED more sense than being born from a virgin!
Old gent laughs as old woman has cardiac on my porch.
Me: Thank you goodbye.
Closes door and falls over couch arm laughing.