The cornerstone of dietary practice for Jehovah's Witnesses is the prohibition against consuming blood. This is based on specific biblical commands found in both the Old and New Testaments. For Witnesses, blood represents the sacred life of a creature and is to be respected as such. While this principle is most commonly discussed in the context of refusing medical blood transfusions, it also has direct implications for the foods they consume.
The Biblical Basis for Abstaining from Blood
Jehovah's Witnesses cite several biblical passages to support their position on blood. Key scriptures include:
- Genesis 9:4: After the Flood, God permitted Noah and his family to eat animal flesh but explicitly commanded, “Only flesh with its soul—its blood—you must not eat”.
- Leviticus 17:14: Under the Mosaic Law, God reiterated the sacredness of blood, stating, “The soul of every sort of flesh is its blood. Anyone eating it will be cut off”.
- Acts 15:28, 29: The first-century Christian governing body directed Christians to "keep abstaining from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what is strangled, and from sexual immorality". This command is foundational for the Witnesses' modern-day practice.
These scriptures form the theological bedrock of their stance. The logic is that since God views life as being in the blood, and that life belongs to him, consuming blood is a profound disrespect for the Creator.
Foods Containing Blood That Are Avoided
To adhere to the scriptural command, Jehovah's Witnesses avoid any food products that are known to contain or be made with blood. These include:
- Blood sausage or black pudding: These items are explicitly made from blood and are strictly forbidden.
- Meat from improperly bled animals: If an animal was not properly bled after slaughter (for example, if it was strangled, trapped, or found dead), its meat would not be considered clean for consumption. Witnesses typically ensure the meat they purchase has been processed in a way that respects this biblical requirement.
- Foods with added blood: Some recipes and dishes from various cultures may call for blood as an ingredient. These would be avoided by Jehovah's Witnesses.
Proper Preparation of Meat
For Jehovah's Witnesses, the key is not to avoid meat entirely, but to consume only meat that has been properly drained of blood. The red fluid that is visible in rare or medium-rare meat is not actually blood, but a protein called myoglobin mixed with water. Therefore, eating a rare steak is not a violation of the rule, provided the animal was properly bled during slaughter. Most commercially available meat is processed in a way that is acceptable to Witnesses. Some Jehovah's Witnesses are extra cautious, buying from specific butchers or simply cooking their meat more thoroughly, but this is a personal choice rather than a congregational rule.
Personal Choices Beyond the Blood Prohibition
Outside of the core prohibition on blood, most other dietary choices are left to the individual's conscience. Jehovah's Witnesses are not bound by the extensive dietary laws of the Mosaic covenant, such as those regarding pork or shellfish. This is because they believe Jesus' death fulfilled that Law.
This personal freedom means there can be a wide variety of dietary habits among Witnesses. For instance:
- Alcohol: Consuming alcohol is not forbidden, but drunkenness is condemned. Moderate consumption is a personal decision.
- Vegetarianism: Some Witnesses may choose to be vegetarian, but this is a personal preference, not a religious requirement. It is often driven by health concerns or personal taste.
- Overeating: Gluttony is discouraged as an expression of greed.
- Other foods: There are no other religious prohibitions regarding specific meats like pork, chicken, or seafood, so long as the animal was properly bled.
Comparison of Jehovah's Witness and Other Religious Dietary Laws
| Feature | Jehovah's Witness | Kosher (Judaism) | Halal (Islam) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Prohibition | Consumption of blood in any form. | Prohibition of specific animals (e.g., pork, shellfish) and mixing milk and meat. | Prohibition of specific animals (e.g., pork) and consumption of blood. |
| Meat Preparation | Animal must be properly bled after slaughter. | Requires a specific ritual slaughter (shechita) by a trained individual (shochet), and meat must be salted to draw out any remaining blood. |
Requires Islamic ritual slaughter (dhabihah) with an invocation of God's name, and draining of blood. |
| Pork | Permitted (Mosaic Law no longer applies). | Forbidden. | Forbidden. |
| Blood Products | Strictly forbidden (e.g., blood sausage). | Forbidden. | Forbidden. |
| Alcohol | Permitted in moderation; drunkenness is prohibited. | Permitted, but must be kosher certified. | Forbidden (haram). |
Conclusion
In summary, the single, unyielding dietary restriction for Jehovah's Witnesses is the abstention from blood. This principle is a deeply held tenet based on their interpretation of both Old and New Testament commands and represents respect for the sanctity of life. While this prohibits them from consuming blood-based products and requires care to ensure meat is properly bled, other food choices, such as eating pork or abstaining from alcohol, are left to the individual's conscience. This distinct approach highlights the importance of biblical interpretation in shaping the practices of Jehovah's Witnesses. For more information, visit the official JW.org website at www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/jehovahs-witnesses-why-no-blood-transfusions/.
