Jehovah's Witnesses

This week's topic is on Jehovah's Witnesses. In this reflection entry I will talk about some things I learned while researching this culture and how it applies to me.

Lesson's learned: What do Jehovah's Witnesses believe? 

Jehovah's Witnesses are Christians who believe in God and Jesus Christ. They recognize the bible to be the word of God, and its contents are messages to all human beings. Within the 66 books of the bible they find guidance on how to live their lives. One common thing Jehovah's Witnesses are known for is their disbelief in receiving blood transfusions. Because of their belief and respect for God as the "Giver of life" they will not accept blood transfusions to try to sustain life. These beliefs are based on scriptural interpretations.

Leviticus 17:10 

 “‘If any man of the house of Israel or any foreigner who is residing in your midst eats any sort of blood, I will certainly set my face against the one who is eating the blood, and I will cut him off from among his people." 

Witnesses have since revised some of the interpretations of doctrine, and now allow certain fractions of blood such as: clotting factors, albumin, immunoglobulin vaccines, non-blood volume expanders, and the re-use of their own blood is acceptable. However members who willingly receive blood transfusions are shunned and considered un-repentant. 

#nursingbyCOURTNEY: How to APPLY the Jehovah's Witnesses culture into your nursing practice...

As individuals we are free to make our own choices. Each person has the right to live how he or she wants. Throughout our lives we are going to run into people whose choices differ from our own. And that's A-OK. The trick is accepting those differences of lifestyle, religious, and cultural choices. This point is especially important in health care. We must care for all people regardless of their personal choices and beliefs. Jehovah's Witnesses are no exception. As health-care providers we must learn to quickly accept and ADAPT to each patient's needs. 

Courtney's "Two-Cent's" 

I can see how the Jehovah's Witness culture could conflict with common medical practices and life saving techniques. I also can see why many health professional disagree with these practices. Personally, I don't see "eye-to-eye" with these beliefs either, but my personal views must not get in the way of how I treat others. I like to think of it in this perspective.... If expect others to respect my religious views and how I choose to practice those beliefs, I'm then expected to show the same respect for others and how they choose to practice their beliefs. 

References: 

Scriptural quote taken from: https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/jehovahs-witnesses-why-no-blood-transfusions/

Picture taken from: http://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/brisbane-judge-allows-blood-transfusion-jehovah-s-witnesses-boy

Picture taken from: http://www.bioedge.org/bioethics/bioethics_article/10117

Picture taken from: http://drivingresultsthroughculture.com/want-engaged-performance-show-respect/