Jehovah’s Witnesses
Abortion Forbidden Artificial insemination Forbidden Autopsy Acceptable if required by law Birth control Sterilization forbidden
Other methods; individual choice Blood and blood products
Forbidden
Diet Abstain from tobacco, moderate use of alcohol Euthanasia Forbidden Healing beliefs Faith healing forbidden
Table 6–1 continued
(continued)
134 ■ Chapter 6
Healing practices Reading Scriptures can comfort the individual and lead to mental and spiritual healing
Medications Accepted except if derived from blood products Organ donations Forbidden Right-to-die issues Use of extraordinary means is an individual’s choice Surgical procedures Not opposed, but administration of blood during surgery is
strictly prohibited Visitors Members of congregation and elders pray for the sick person
Judaism “O Lord, my God, I cried to Thee for help and Thou has healed me.”
Abortion Therapeutic permitted; some groups accept abortion on demand; seek rabbinical consultation
Artificial insemination Permitted Autopsy Permitted under certain circumstances
All body parts must be buried together—seek rabbinical consultation
Birth control Permissible, except with orthodox Jews—seek rabbinical consultation