Jehovah's Witnesses & Healthcare

Many people see Jehovah's Witnesses in their public ministry but do not know much about their beliefs and activities.

Overview

The name Jehovah is derived from YHWH (a Latinized form of four Hebrew letters), which Jehovah's Witnesses consider God's name (see Exodus 9:16).

Topic

• Jehovah's Witnesses, also known as the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, its an offshoot of mainstream Protestantism.

• They go door to door knocking to advertise their religion

guilt

duty & job

What should the doctor do?

The doctor is split between obeying his duty as a doctor to treat patients and be penalized, or to uphold the patient's beliefs.

Genesis 9:4 (ESV)

The Dilemma

OF THOUGHT

DOCTOR TRAIN

But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.

Acts 12:29 (ESV)

could possibly lose license

or be fined for denying

patient's consent

that you abstain (...) from blood, (...).

If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.

• a sickly child requires a blood transfusion to survive

• the patient is a Jehovah's Witness - they do not want to accept the blood

• the parents also oppose the action, but the child will die without it

Goals of the Doctor

> has to balance occupational duty to

prioritize others' wellbeing over all

Deuteronomy 12;23 (ESV)

Only be sure that you do not eat the blood, for the blood is the life, and you shall not eat the life with the flesh.

Should the doctor administer the treatment or not?

not doing so would be akin to intentionally killing a patient, consent or not

v

= what to do?

he would be neglecting a patient who could clearly

be saved

the law values life over beliefs

taking the transfusion is sinning against God

The doctor

it is a doctor's duty to save people

Topic

The doctor has to weigh his responsibility against his moral beliefs.

Considering the options

lack of actual consent; PGT's rejected

the child has not

given explicit consent

The Doctor

Sick Child and Parents

vs

[No] to transfusion

[Yes] to transfusion

• Religious doctrine

• Professional obligation

• Legal duty

• Explicit lack of consent

• Freedom of belief

• Saving a life

Upholding both patient's and parents' personal freedom of religious belief.

Fulfilling duty to save a life through obligations as a professional doctor.

child would die otherwise

the child cannot decide for themselves

denied freedom of religion

strongly desirous; eager

honour? what's that?

Denying the patient their religious rights

as well as ignoring the patient's consent.

Unmeritorious | Ambitious

Deliberately causing the death of a patient who can clearly be saved.

(!!!)

Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown, (...) Thence to be wrenched with an unlineal hand,

No son of mine succeeding.

3.1.65, 67-68

In Canada, medical practitioners should generally adhere to the patient's wishes regarding their treatment. However, in dire situations the doctor can overrule the patient's decision.

OF THOUGHT

MACBETH TRAIN

Witches promise me "title of king"

LIFE > BELIEFS

I became said king

Banquo's kids will take my spot?

WHO ARE JEHOVAH'S

WITNESSES?

Topic

The Jehovah's Witness society is a Christian movement that was established 140 years ago. It has around 7 million members worldwide who believe that the bible is God’s inspired message to humans. When many people hear the word Jehovah's Witness they immediately think of those people who come knocking on your door trying to educate, and ultimately convert you. Although this is something Jehovah’s Witness practice often, their religion is much more than that. They believe in heaven, family, and strive to show unselfish love in all actions. They avoid actions that displease god such as blood transfusions and follow strict guidelines interpreted from the bible such as no sex before marriage. Most people are born into this religion, however many people choose to convert after hearing a Jehovah’s witness speak about their religion with passion and pure belief. Many people also convert for their loved ones in order to marry and create a future with them. People within this society use their faith to maintain and enhance their mental wellness and happiness by meeting with other group members to pray, study the bible, sing, encourage each other, and educate and help others.