It is irrefutable that the WTS (Watchtower Society) NEVER prohibited organ transplants. And there was never a danger of anyone being disfellowshipped for accepting an organ transplant. ...There is not a single article written in our literature which stated that avoiding transplants was a doctrine for JWs (Jehovah's Witnesses) or forbidden as a personal choice. It was always clear that it was a conscience matter.
Yes, one Watchtower (11/15/67) compared accepting a transplanted organ to cannibalism. However, even in this article the matter was left entirely up to the personal choice of the individual, with no mention of disciplinary measures!
But... this opinion was taken from the article “Medical cannibalism” appearing in a NON-Witness religious dictionary! (Hastings’ Encyclopœdia of Religion and Ethics)
How dishonest and hypocritical for anyone to criticize the WTS for printing this view of transplants when it was equally the view of other religions and medical authorities at the time!!
For a complete examination regarding transplants see:
The Position on Organ Transplants
http://onlytruegod.org/jwstrs/MCB-transp.htm
Source: This is an answer given by Bar_Anerges to a question from Yahoo! Answers.
Also see:
"Jehovah’s Witnesses view organ transplant operations as a matter of individual conscience."
- Footnote to Pioneers in Medicine
(g00 1/8 p. 3; Watchtower Online Library): http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/fn/r1/lp-e/102000001/0
Pioneers in Medicine (g00 1/8 p. 3; Watchtower Online Library)
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Also see:
"Jehovah’s Witnesses view organ transplant operations as a matter of individual conscience."
- Footnote to Pioneers in Medicine
(g00 1/8 p. 3; Watchtower Online Library): http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/fn/r1/lp-e/102000001/0
Pioneers in Medicine (g00 1/8 p. 3; Watchtower Online Library)
