Gene Smalley is a longtime Watchtower insider known for representing the organization’s views on medical use of blood.
In year 1997 a secular authority published an article by Smalley offered as an authoritative presentation of positions held by Jehovah’s Witnesses. Regarding blood, Smalley wrote[1]:
Given Smalley’s tenure and position at Watchtower headquarters, it is difficult to think him unaware of the following information sent to tens of thousands of congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses only a few years previous[2]:
Why would Smalley suggest to readers of a secular publication that each one of Jehovah’s Witnesses carries an annually updated document when it is known such is not the case?
Ironically, Watchtower’s 1993 letter to elders complains the lack of Witnesses carrying what Smalley suggests they all carry could cause misinterpretation! Why should Watchtower worry about misinterpretation of documentation when its spokesperson is willing to suggest misrepresentation of that documentation?
Contrary to what Smalley suggests, all Jehovah's Witnesses do not carry or abide by the documentation he speaks of, and there is a reason for this: All Jehovah's Witnesses do not agree with the Watchtower organization's position on medical use of blood.[3-5] This piece of fundamental information is something Watchtower and its spokespersons want to steer medical authorities away from embracing as a fact of the matter.
Marvin Shilmer
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References
1. Gene M. Smalley, “Jehovah’s Witnesses Help with Bioethical Issues,” in Bioethics Yearbook: Volume 5 - Theological Developments in Bioethics: 1992-1994, ed. Andrew Lusting (Houston, Texas, The Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Baylor University, 1997), pp. 259-267
2. Watchtower letter to its appointed elders in the United States, dated December 1, 1993, p. 1.
3. Blood — How Resolute?.
4. Blood — What Happened at Watchtower in 1945?.
5. 80% Accept Blood Transfusion.
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