A former member of Jehovah’s Witnesses has shared shocking insights into the severe consequences followers face if they accept blood transfusions.
“Life-or-Death” Card Carried by Members
The woman, known on X (formerly Twitter) as @carrotxbt, revealed that during her time in the religious group, she carried a card explicitly stating that in the event of an accident requiring a blood transfusion, she should be left to die. She explained that the true psychological impact of these teachings only becomes clear after leaving the organization.
Strict Social and Family Penalties
According to @carrotxbt, any member who accepts a blood transfusion is immediately disfellowshipped, losing all contact with family, friends, and the congregation. She added that violators can become complete outcasts, and those living with parents may even be thrown out of the house. Members who marry outside the denomination face similar consequences.
She recounted her personal experience, saying:
“I carried a card all my life stating that in case of an accident requiring a blood transfusion, I should be left to die. Only after leaving the organization did I realize the psychological damage it caused. Anyone who goes against this is disfellowshipped, cut off from everyone they knew, and if living with their parents, thrown out. The same applies if they marry a Christian from another denomination. This religion destroyed my family. I had to run away.”
Context: Aunty Esther’s Case Sparks Debate
Her revelation comes amid discussions about a current member, Aunty Esther, who recently refused a blood transfusion while battling cancer—a decision that sparked widespread attention on social media and renewed debates over religious beliefs versus medical care.
About Jehovah’s Witnesses
Jehovah’s Witnesses is a Christian sect that emerged from the Adventist movement in the United States in the late 1800s. The group is well-known for its strict teachings on blood transfusions and other religious practices.
