Question for JWs

[SaraElise]

Christian is the belief that Jesus is God, so Catholics are Christians

We sometimes use the name Jehovah, but not exclusively. We also just say God or God the Father (to distinguish from Son and Holy Spirit) . We don't have a set way to always refer to God.

[babylove921]

I call him Jehovah. I call him God, Prince of Peace and a whole lot of other names. I'm a Christian.

[kushie tushie]

Originally Posted by JustSomeChickVee very interesting. thanks for your response! I'm also curious how CPS comes into play here. Say you have a premature baby and the only chance to save them is by a transfusion (and I am talking about the very rare situation where that really is the only chance to save them barring religious saving.) If you refuse to allow the transfusion and they pass away or are severely injured as a result, does CPS have a case here or does the right to religious freedom prevent them from being able to charge the parents?

I know a JW and her friend (also a JW) had a premie that needed surgery. The docs wanted them to allow tranfusion if needed. The parents denied. The NICU filed a CPS report and had temporary custody of the child taken away and given to the state so they could do the tranfusion if needed. Custody was given back when the child was stable.

Amanda . Blaming my phone for typos and crap.

[eguisgirl]

Originally Posted by SaraElise Christian is the belief that Jesus is God, so Catholics are Christians We sometimes use the name Jehovah, but not exclusively. We also just say God or God the Father (to distinguish from Son and Holy Spirit) . We don't have a set way to always refer to God.

Thank you to the bolded. That drives me batty. Totally off topic but there are 3 branches of Christianity: Catholicism, Protestantism and Orthodoxy.

I am a Christian (Catholic to be exact) and I sometimes call God Jehovah, amongst many other names.

[eco-mum]

Originally Posted by kushie tushie I know a JW and her friend (also a JW) had a premie that needed surgery. The docs wanted them to allow tranfusion if needed. The parents denied. The NICU filed a CPS report and had temporary custody of the child taken away and given to the state so they could do the tranfusion if needed. Custody was given back when the child was stable. Amanda . Blaming my phone for typos and crap.

Well I'm glad that they take it into their own hands if necessary.

[3 ladybugs]

I am sorry if I offend but I feel I must weigh in on this topic.

My mother's family is all Jehovah's Witness. It was brought in by my great aunt and quickly took over that side of the family except for my mother, my eldest aunt, and my uncle (long story with him why it didn't happen). My younger aunt married a future Elder of the church that has been leading Watchtower studies for as long as I can remember. Everyone else was JW. My mother had me when she was 19 but she married my dad when she was 18. My parents were married in a JW Kingdom hall, however I joke that it was the last time my father was in a church till my wedding day.

Well when my mother was pregnant with me (so I have been told) she fainted and "broke her head open". I don't know exactly what this meant and I haven't been able to ask my older aunt (she informed me of another huge event in my early childhood). However I do know that my mother almost needed a blood transfusion because of this fall. My understanding (from my father) was that it was down to him signing the paperwork for the said transfusion and all of my mother's family was fighting him on it. Ultimately he signed it after all his whole world was sitting in the hospital bed. It turned out mom didn't need the transfusion.

However the point of my story is that this can cause HUGE issues for families of mixed religions like mine. I have been told this story from an early age even though I grew up being very close to the aunt in question. Her daughter was my only bride's maid and she is also listed as my children's guardian (I should also mention that she has been disfellowshipped as an adult). So I grew up hearing both sides of this story. This has made it so I had to tell all of my employers when I was a live-in nanny my wishes in the hopes that if the need arose, they would fight for me. I even had a document notarized for this purpose for fear that my wishes wouldn't be recognized.

I know that JW feel that what they are doing is for the best however I can't help but really not like them for this very issue. They nearly killed me and my mom and that to me is unforgivable. Now that I am an adult and had 3 critically ill NICU babies, 2 of which had repeated blood transfusions, I really don't understand their stance. Yes my 2 children that got the blood transfusions died ultimately, however what would you give for 5 more days (or more) with a loved one that passed? To me that makes it worth it.

For me I just pray for what I see as my misguided relatives and pray that when my grandmother passes, the family doesn't fall apart because of this religion being in it.

[jen_batten]

Originally Posted by kushie tushie I know a JW and her friend (also a JW) had a premie that needed surgery. The docs wanted them to allow tranfusion if needed. The parents denied. The NICU filed a CPS report and had temporary custody of the child taken away and given to the state so they could do the tranfusion if needed. Custody was given back when the child was stable. Amanda . Blaming my phone for typos and crap.

I think this is so sad. I think it is the parents place to decide medical treatment of their children. I don't think anything should be forced. The parents would have suffered more than anyone on this issue if the child passed away...if it is something they feel strongly about and feel like it is best I think their wishes should be respected. I do not think the government should ever have control over a situation like this.

There is a local family that refuses any and all medical treatment. They believe that God almighty is the only true healer, and they believe in the power of prayer. They show an outstanding amount of faith. It may not be what I would practice and it is not what I choose for my children, but I do think if that is their beliefs then they should have that right. I don't know what has happened to the land of the free. And in case you are wondering....that family has raised 4 children into adulthood, all are alive and well with no medical issues.

[kushie tushie]

Originally Posted by jen_batten I think this is so sad. I think it is the parents place to decide medical treatment of their children. I don't think anything should be forced. The parents would have suffered more than anyone on this issue if the child passed away...if it is something they feel strongly about and feel like it is best I think their wishes should be respected. I do not think the government should ever have control over a situation like this. There is a local family that refuses any and all medical treatment. They believe that God almighty is the only true healer, and they believe in the power of prayer. They show an outstanding amount of faith. It may not be what I would practice and it is not what I choose for my children, but I do think if that is their beliefs then they should have that right. I don't know what has happened to the land of the free. And in case you are wondering....that family has raised 4 children into adulthood, all are alive and well with no medical issues.

I didnt say it was right or wrong. Thats just what happened.
I understand your second point but dont agree. A child cant make decisions for themselves. Their parents are supposed to keep them safe and when their decisions possibly risk a child's right to live I have a problem with that.
The parents are not the only ones "suffering". So is the child (physically) and the child can possibly lose their life all because they cant speak for themselves.

Amanda . Blaming my phone for typos and crap.

[JustSomeChickVee]

Originally Posted by jen_batten I think this is so sad. I think it is the parents place to decide medical treatment of their children. I don't think anything should be forced. The parents would have suffered more than anyone on this issue if the child passed away...if it is something they feel strongly about and feel like it is best I think their wishes should be respected. I do not think the government should ever have control over a situation like this. There is a local family that refuses any and all medical treatment. They believe that God almighty is the only true healer, and they believe in the power of prayer. They show an outstanding amount of faith. It may not be what I would practice and it is not what I choose for my children, but I do think if that is their beliefs then they should have that right. I don't know what has happened to the land of the free. And in case you are wondering....that family has raised 4 children into adulthood, all are alive and well with no medical issues.

what about the child who has to suffer the loss of their life? not to offend anyone, but i think in a life or death situation the life of a child trumps the parents religion. just my opinion though.

[amegrl520]

Originally Posted by mcpforever What about storing your own blood for a known future surgery?

Curious about this too does anyone know?