LogFAQs > #911715846

spanky1 posted...

Dash_Harber posted...

Yeah, I was born and raised as one. I left when I was 14 or so, but they have incredibly strict rules about transfusions. Most aren't stupid enough to actually let it go far enough to kill them, but there are a few who have died over it. The problem is that the organization spreads propaganda about blood diseases and how there is all sorts of alternatives to transfusions like devices that 'clean' your own blood and put it back.

Honestly, though, this isn't a twist on their doctrine or anything. They regularly promote martyrdom for the cause. At least when it comes to your rank and file members. I'm not so sure the nebulous 'governing body' would be so self-sacrificing.

I think most are stupid enough, actually.

Here's the cover of a watchtower magazine praising the deaths of the children pictured:

http://www.answerjw.com/cftf/comments/deadkids.gif

They all refused blood and died for it.

And I don't know how long ago you left, but the governing body isn't nebulous at all anymore. Back in the day they were, I remember, but now they appear on their broadcasts shows and in videos shown at the meetings and all that stuff. Everyone knows their names and faces and who they are now. It's really different from back in the 90s.

Keeping up with the JWs is a masochistic hobby of mine.

I mean, you don't have to tell me that they praise the martyrdom of people who refuse blood, especially since I already said that, but yeah, the governing body is pictured and named, but it's still pretty nebulous, at least in the sense that they aren't really reachable by anyone or held accountable for anything, and every prophecy or thing that they say is not tied to any individual.

In fact, they've actually closed ranks more as far as I can tell. There used to be a doctrine about the 144,000 who would be part of a heavenly government after the apocalypse ("The Faithful and Discreet Slave"). Anyone could be part of it and they were the only ones who could partake of the ceremonial wine and bread during The Memorial. You were supposed to just know if you part of it.

Now they've changed it so that the only people who can be part of it are in the governing body. It's all pretty fucking sketchy.