Belief, Society, and Blood Transfusions
On November’s bloggers gathering, a fellow blogger suggested campaigning for a blood donation rally. Obviously, we would all think that it would one of the most humane things to do; saving lives. Right?
Not very much so, well, not by everyone at least. This story reports a healthy young Jehovah’s witness, 22 years of age, gave birth to twins (a healthy boy and a healthy girl), however, she did not make it outside the operating room. It is said that she died as a result of refusing a blood transfusion. This is believed to be due to her faith (read possible explanation).
I heard a debate on the BBC (radio) world service a couple of days ago, and I was left with many ethical dilemmas.
The Jehovah’s witness reason the refusal of blood transfusion on the basis of biblical texts which mainly portray the sacredness of blood to the creator and therefore one should abstain from blood.
Such cases lead to prolonged discussions - heated, emotionally grounded, discussion - about grand theological questions of life and death, about sin and atonement, about freewill and freedom of being. I will leave such discussions to be initiated by those who are further interested (you can comment, or you can buy me coffee).
However, I will leave you with one to tickle your magnificent matter (that is your brain, by the way).
The woman, in the reported story, decided to practically take her own life. This brings the issue of one’s ownership over his or her own life. Suicide is religiously considered a sin and socially frowned upon. Also, giving informed consent (in general) is a preserved right.
If we have ownership over our lives, then suicide should not be problematic at all, and we are fully rightful to give consent (to anything). Here we are shunned by societal beliefs.
If we do not have ownership over our lives, then we are not fully rightful to give consent. However, suicide and euthanasia can be dealt with.Here we are shunned by theological beliefs.
4 Comments >>
ammaro.com
lets look at this specific issue; she can’t take blood as it isn’t allowed by her religion, but again, she isn’t allowed to commit suicide either, which would happen by not taking the blood. what a predicament.
suicide shouldn’t be a problem as long as you don’t bother anyone else. for example, you do it when no other people are around, you dig your own hole, bury yourself and just die. that way, no one will have to clean up your mess after you.
Nov 7th, 2007
Yagoob's Dome
That evening after the blogger’s gathering I was at my uncle’s and I brought up the topic of donating blood and all of a sudden one of the older men in the majlis became quite angry telling me off that blood is an امانة and one shouldn’t go giving his blood to anyone and on his own free will unless it was an extreme emergency!
But this is the first time that I’ve heard that people refuse blood transfusions, and also for religious reasons.
Concerning euthanasia and suicide, I’m obviously against both for religious reasons. I believe that suicide shouldn’t be taken lightly or casually in our society like the crime shows we watch on TV. You never know what could happen in the future, maybe things would have been better for that depressed person if he lived one for literally one more hour.
Even those who are sick and on their death bed, did their life mean anything to them to decide that he/she should end it by themselves?
As for ownership of life, everyone on this planet wasn’t born here on their free will, nor their parents will, but from the will of Allah سبحانه و تعالى so giving the ownership of life to us humans doesn’t add up for me.
Great post by the way, at last a post where I don’t need to copy paste words in dictionary.com to understand what’s going on
Just pulling your leg
Nov 7th, 2007
H.
@Ammar: I will have to disagree with you. Its quite ruthless to say that suicide is not a problem as long as one doesn’t bother anyone. Its not even plausible anyway. We are social beings and there’s no one who’s without companions or friends or family (although the lack of thereof doesn’t make it alright anyway). It is inevitable to affect those around us in life, let alone in death.
@Yagoob: Thanks for your input. But, even though I respect religious views on the issue, I can’t possibly comment within the religious guidelines, and that is why I tried tailoring the post with a secular voice, from a philosophical viewpoint. Either way, I’m glad you found it a good and easier read, sometimes I can’t help my choice of words
Nov 8th, 2007
Redbelt
Interesting indeed.
But wouldn’t many of us refuse a heart transplant if it came from a pig?
I do understand the reasons. I however do not agree with them.
And Yagoob, I’m glad you were thinking of what I said! ^_^
I mentioned in one of my posts of a young girl called Reem who desperately sought that precious blood. I’d wager that the old man you speak of would be very quite if he met that girl.
Away from sight, away from mind. How true.
Nov 19th, 2007
Reply to “Belief, Society, and Blood Transfusions”