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There are several verses in the Old Testament that prohibit the eating of blood. Both Jews and Muslims agree on this and have their own method of slaughter called kosher and Halal respectively that allows blood to drain from an animal. Interestingly Jews and Muslims who are agreed on the issue of not eating blood are similarly agreed on the acceptability of Blood Transfusion along with Christians et al.
Only Jehovah Witnesses are out of step on this issue and what makes their position ludicrous is that they do not follow the Old Testament laws themselves. Consequently many people have died unnecessarily due to their erroneous teaching. Here is what they say :
"Jehovah's Witnesses have no such religious dietary restrictions. The reason is that, as Christians, we are under the "Law of the Christ."-(Galations 6:2) According to the Bible, the Mosaic Law, with it's dietary restrictions, was "nailed to the stake"(Colosians 2:13,14) along with Jesus, when he sacrificed his life for all those exercising faith in him. So the Bible also says: "Christ is the end of the Law."-(Romans 10:4; 6:14) Therefore, JW's do not practice the Mosiac Law which includes these dietary restrictions."
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Do_Jehovah...ods_if_not_why
Below is a statement from a Jew who will undoubtedly follow the Old Testament dietary laws so obviously he does not see a conflict :
“There is nothing in Jewish law that would preclude a person from benefiting from a blood transfusion (or donating blood, for that matter). Furthermore, according to Jewish belief, saving a life is one of the most important mitzvot (commandments), overriding nearly all of the others. Therefore, if a blood transfusion is deemed medically necessary, then it is not only permissible but obligatory.
All the best,
Rochel Chein for Chabad.org
http://www.chabad.org/library/articl...ish-belief.htm
Here are the relevant verses that Jehovah Witnesses quote but do not follow.
[Genesis 9:4] "But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it.
[Leviticus 3:17] 'This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live: You must not eat any fat or any blood."
[Leviticus 17:10-14] "And whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people."
[Deuteronomy 12:23] “But be sure you do not eat the blood, because the blood is the life, and you must not eat the life with the meat. You must not eat the blood; pour it out on the ground like water.”
[1 Samuel 14] “Do not sin against the LORD by eating meat with blood still in it."
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