AIBU to want JW leaders to be held accountable for blood transfusion deaths.

Exjw1975 · 2026-09-21T19:12:06+00:00

On Friday Jehovahs Witnesses announced a u-turn on their ban on blood transfusions. Over the years thousands have died following this rule and the change came with no apology or acknowledgment of all the lives lost. I was raised in this cult and we all carried cards saying we didn’t want a blood transfusion. It’s hard to explain to people who haven’t been raised in it the amount of brainwashing used by these high-control religions. While the rule change is obviously a good thing for the existing JWs, I am so angry that there will be no accountability for the men who make these rules. They have blood on their hands.

Merrybandofpirates · 21/09/2026 20:16

The change only allows for them to have their own blood taken and stored, to be given back if needed. Most people won’t do that. So… it’s not really going to make a huge difference and they aren’t going to allow blood transfusions in general, so why would they apologise for not allowing them in the past?

Anothercake · 21/09/2026 20:31

Children still have transfusion as parents get overruled. Adults have capacity and can make their own choices. There are plenty of people who are grateful for donated blood, if a grown adult can't see the benefit it can go to someone who can.

Original poster

Exjw1975 · 21/09/2026 20:32

Merrybandofpirates · 21/09/2026 20:16

The change only allows for them to have their own blood taken and stored, to be given back if needed. Most people won’t do that. So… it’s not really going to make a huge difference and they aren’t going to allow blood transfusions in general, so why would they apologise for not allowing them in the past?

Fridays rule change now allows them to have a transfusion of Red blood cells, Plasma, Platelets or White cells. This covers about 90% of blood transfusions.

OP posts:

hardshoulderr · 21/09/2026 20:32

I think it's a strange thing to worry about

Original poster

Exjw1975 · 21/09/2026 20:33

Anothercake · 21/09/2026 20:31

Children still have transfusion as parents get overruled. Adults have capacity and can make their own choices. There are plenty of people who are grateful for donated blood, if a grown adult can't see the benefit it can go to someone who can.

Children still die -they are coached what to say when it goes to court.

OP posts:

Wasywasydoodah · 21/09/2026 20:35

I hear you, OP. It’s something most people don’t take much time to consider, but ultimately is a form of coercive and controlling behaviour on a massive scale, which has caused many to lose their lives unnecessarily. You’d think there should be some kind of law against it, but I’m not sure that currently there is

Original poster

Exjw1975 · 21/09/2026 20:35

hardshoulderr · 21/09/2026 20:32

I think it's a strange thing to worry about

I grew up in this cult. A family member died refusing a blood transfusion. I’ve seen first hand how they brainwash members and don’t allow research or critical thinking.

OP posts:

Italiangreyhound · 21/09/2026 20:36

@Exjw1975
I think you are completely right.

However, there will be comparisons with other religions and other rules, which is also sad.

Gengha · 21/09/2026 20:38

Exjw1975 · 21/09/2026 20:33

Children still die -they are coached what to say when it goes to court.

Show quote history

do you think the courts go by the child’s say so?

IronEverything · 21/09/2026 20:40

If a grown adults refuses a blood transfusion and dies then surely that's no-ones fault but their own?

cannynotsay · 21/09/2026 20:45

Woahhhhh can’t believe this, nearly refused one myself till I almost died!

ExquisiteSocialSkills · 21/09/2026 20:48

Some types of surgery can be performed without blood transfusions but it takes a much larger surgical team to carry out, as I understand it.

Original poster

Exjw1975 · 21/09/2026 20:50

www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/may/18/jehovahs-witness-dies-refuse-blood-transfusion

OP posts:

Somethinggg · 21/09/2026 20:55

I can see why you'd want this given your experiences OP, but practically I don't think it sounds a very good idea.

SoSoLong · 21/09/2026 20:56

Yanbu but it's not going to happen. Maybe in 50 years time they will issue a half-hearted apology.

HowardTJMoon · 21/09/2026 20:56

I do see where you're coming from. However I don't think there's any political will to encourage the prosecution of religious leaders for telling their followers they shouldn't do something they're legally allowed to refuse.

seahorsessky · 21/09/2026 21:03

I'm not JW and obviously would never have been in this situation, but I suppose you could ask where the line should be drawn. Should parents who don't vaccinate be prosecuted? Women who won't allow interventions in childbirth (ok, you could say the unborn child has not yet taken an independent breath, but is there a massive amount of moral difference between your baby when you go into labour, and a few hours later when she's travelled down the birth canal)? What of those who don't feed their child well, or leave them on ipads all day and never get them exercise, so they get serious illnesses they wouldn't otherwise have had?

Somethinggg · 21/09/2026 21:08

HowardTJMoon · 21/09/2026 20:56

I do see where you're coming from. However I don't think there's any political will to encourage the prosecution of religious leaders for telling their followers they shouldn't do something they're legally allowed to refuse.

Not least as once established, no reason that principle would stop at religious leaders only.

Hedgehogforshort · 21/09/2026 21:10

There is a really good novel by Ian McEwan called the “children act”

covering this from a female judges perspective and her relationship with the boy who was a teenager

a thought provoking book and a good read

Grumpyoldcat · 21/09/2026 21:11

Exjw1975 · 21/09/2026 20:33

Children still die -they are coached what to say when it goes to court.

Show quote history

How many cases are you talking about here. Im sorry but I dont accept a court would rule in favour of family rights over childs right to life.

Hedgehogforshort · 21/09/2026 21:15

Grumpyoldcat · 21/09/2026 21:11

How many cases are you talking about here. Im sorry but I dont accept a court would rule in favour of family rights over childs right to life.

Show quote history

I am interested in this thread as my dads sister and her family are or were JW

and you are correct that it is taken to court if the child is under 16, and the best interest of the child is consistent in enforcement.

Foesmal · 21/09/2026 21:15

I put yabu as all religions are full of crap like this which may or may not change over centuries.
Obviously i think everyone should get blood transfusions. But while i think you can ask the apologise i think they wont because religious people all somewhat blindly follow

Ablushingcrow · 21/09/2026 21:16

hardshoulderr · 21/09/2026 20:32

I think it's a strange thing to worry about

I think it's strange that you are ok with thousands of people including children that died unnecessarily because of a controlling man made cult, and those responsible being made accountable, is a 'strange thing to worry about'.

Username7258 · 21/09/2026 21:17

I think with cults the best approach is to accept they're absolutely batshit and adjust expectations accordingly.

hardshoulderr · 21/09/2026 21:20

Yeah, but do you know what? There's loads of people dying everywhere? I can't care about all of them