View on the Cross

Jehovah's Witness don't believe in using the cross as a means of worship. The first reason this is true is because they do not actually believe that Jesus was crucified on a cross but instead more of a pole like structure that the Roman's were using during this time. Also they believe that the cross has become an idol, and that we are supposed to protect ourselves from them because Jehovah's Witnesses believe they should only be worshipping Jehovah. This shows that Jehovah's Witness want their members to be reminded that they should be focusing their thoughts and energy believing in their actual God rather than some symbol. Also I find that because as Americans we are forced to pledge allegiance to the flag which is symbolic of our country, it makes since why Jehovah's Witnesses stand strongly against organized government because they don't pledge allegiance to anything but God. God is the only symbol that Jehovah's believe is important and this is provided for by their message to the congregations that they should stick soley to their text and that scripture is the only symbol they should be looking to. They feel that a normally we wouldn't look at a cross favorably if it was used to kill our own brother, sister, or mother. In the same way they feel that we shouldn't look at a cross favorably for killing God.

Blood Transfusion

Jehovah's believe that taking blood is against the bible, which in turn means taking blood at a hospital or in a medical emergency. They believe that blood is sacred to God, blood means life in Gods eyes, blood must not be taken or transfused, and blood was used only for the atonement of sins.

Jehovah's seem to be taking the bible literally in order to protect themselves from reading what might be a metaphorical meaning for blood. They are defending their beliefs because blood is sacred to them and the Jehovah's Witness pride themselves in living in God's word and will even refuse a blood transfusion till death. Such as a 14 year old boy named Dennis Lindberg. Jehovah's want to show that their movement is strong and that they are not the ones who are in total control of their bodies but instead teach that their bodies belong to God. They think that by making decisions such as taking blood goes against his teaching. Bible tells Christians to 'abstain from blood.' (Acts 15:28, 29). Jehovah's Witnesses want people to know that God will bless you and there are alternatives to blood transfusions. Jehovah's are pushing for the spread of knowledge that bloodless surgeries have provided the evidence of avoiding blood transfusions. Jehovah's want people to know that the only blood that saves lives is Jesus Christ's blood.