There came a knock on the door last yesterday morning and on opening the door, there stood two very pleasant looking young women. They politely introduced themselves, but I had already guessed that they were from the Jehovah's Witnesses.
I immediately asked them if they were the religion that refuses blood transfusions for themselves and their loved ones? I've always found this fact to be concerning, if not somewhat barbaric. They grimaced a bit, but acknowledged the fact - but quickly followed up with showing me the scripture that explains their case and a comment that there were alternatives to "blood" transfusions. This latter comment was news to me.
After a pleasant exchange of opinions, the ladies wished me a pleasant day and departed. It then occurred to me that the Jehovah's Witnesses could improve their negative brand from that of those anti-blood transfusion people to something more powerful. No longer would they be compared to people who let a child die for lack of enough blood.
The Jehovah's Witnesses should take it upon themselves to fund and research "alternatives" to traditional blood transfusions. They should undertake this in a major way. They should become the poster boy for this effort. It would put them in a position to be a leader in medical research and not compromise their beliefs. What a tremendous brand story. They effectively become a solution and admired much like the Salvation Army for their non-partisan efforts. They lose the stigma of the "blood transfusion" controversy.
The question is - are they up to it? I think it's an opportunity they should consider and it also goes a long in helping their fellow citizen who may have reasons other than scripture for not being able to respond favourably to blood transfusions.
If you know the leadership with The Jehovah's Witnesses, please forward this article to them, it might inspire something great.
