Jehovah's Witness
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- Jaline0
Their beliefs regarding blood transfusion, which were not stated publicly until 1945, are based on a literal interpretation of the Old Testament. One commonly cited reference used to explain their refusal of blood transfusions states, "For it [the blood] is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof; therefore I say unto the children of Israel, ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof. Whoever eateth it shall be cut off." (Leviticus 17:14)
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that God has forbidden them to "eat blood," and blood transfusions are analogous to eating blood. While opposing blood transfusions on religious grounds, they are eloquent in their discussions of blood transfusion hazards, yet fail to mention the benefits of transfusion.[2] Interestingly, their faith permits the consumption of animal meat. Jehovah's Witnesses usually will refuse all whole blood and blood component transfusions, such as red blood cells, platelets, fresh frozen plasma, cryoprecipitate, or stem cells.