Would you respect a relatives wish to refuse a blood transfusion?
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Written by michael michael
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Category: Blood Blood
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Published: 22 December 2018 22 December 2018
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Hits: 683 683
A few years after I quit JW meetings my Mum needed her Medical Directive signed and witnessed and she asked if I'd do it. I was surprised to say the least! I think she was just angling to include me and maybe find some lever to get me involved again. I told her that even though I didn't agree with the policy I'd respect her wishes because I knew how important it was to her. I wasn't calling her bluff, I meant it.
She thought it over for a few days but went with my Elder brother in law instead, I wasn't as upset as you might think. Fast forward a dozen or so years and now I'm not sure I could back that policy at all. If my signature was required to authorise a blood transfusion for my 72 year old JW Mother I'd sign. She'd live to resent me, even to shun me, but she'd live. What else could I do?
Really, it’s a simple question with no simple answers;
In the case of a patient who lacks the consciousness or cognition to authorise or deny treatment for themselves, who’s choice is it when difficult decisions need to be made?
Let’s consider a few scenarios.
The Polite Terrorists
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Written by undubbed undubbed
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Category: Blood Blood
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Published: 06 November 2018 06 November 2018
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Hits: 440 440
On 22 May 2017 a shrapnel-laden bomb was detonated in Manchester Arena following an Ariana Grande concert. Twenty-three people were killed, including the attacker, and over 500 were injured. [1] Images like the one above were published in many media reports once the 22 victims of the islamist bomber had been identified.[2][3]
The loss of so many young lives for the sake of a fundamentalists interpretation of a holy text is rightly called ‘senseless’. No rational person can justify it.
Read more: The Polite Terrorists
The Monster
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Written by michael michael
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Category: Ethics Ethics
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Published: 30 December 2018 30 December 2018
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Hits: 396 396
The Monster sat by the towpath and watched the water ripple. He was a handsome, smartly dressed young man but he was a Monster all the same. A family, laughing and enjoying a walk together, ignored him as they walked on by.
The Monster watched a film of diesel spin colours on the water. He watched hover flies with spindly legs zigzagging in some pointless search and he watched as the small, exhausted child slid quietly beneath the surface of the water. Her little body descended and settled on the silt just four feet below.
She'd run by so closely her dress had brushed the Monster's leg. The shock as she hit cold water sucked the air from her lungs. Breathless and full of fear she locked her gaze onto the Monster just an arm's length away on the safety of the towpath. For nearly a minute her eyes begged him before her strength failed and her face turned to the sky.
It wasn't the Monster's fault. The little girl had become separated from her family, squealing as she’d chased the ducks that plopped into the canal. But Emma, running at full pelt, couldn't stop herself. The Monster watched but did nothing and if he’d done nothing then surely he’d done nothing wrong.
No, it really wasn't the Monster's fault.
The moral high ground
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Written by nicolaou nicolaou
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Category: Ethics Ethics
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Published: 11 November 2018 11 November 2018
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Hits: 369 369
Regardless of doctrine or whether JW'S have 'The Truth', at least they are living to a high moral standard right? Well let’s consider that in the light of several key Watchtower policies and common practices of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
