"We put a lot of emphasis on the prospect of seeing a new administration under God's government, under God's kingdom which probably is different from the Heaven or Hell alternative generated by Christian churches." Witnesses also believe the world is going to end soon. "We have a support system in hospital liaison committees throughout NZ who act on behalf of the patient when a difficult situation arises." How different are the Witnesses from mainstream Christians? Their central belief was that "Earth is man's home", Mr Wills said. Mr Wills said NZ Witnesses refused blood transfusions quite frequently. The movement accepted non-blood alternatives, and advances in bloodless surgery in the US had also reduced medical dangers for Witnesses. Mr Wills said many doctors now acknowledged the dangers of blood transfusions, and more bloodless surgery was being done. In London in November 2007, a young mother died after giving birth to twins because her faith prevented her from accepting a blood transfusion. Last year, a judge in Vancouver ruled against a Jehovah's Witnesses couple who opposed blood transfusions for their premature sextuplets, saying children's rights overruled their parents' beliefs when lives were in danger. ![]() However, the United States and Canadian courts have ruled against the Witnesses in cases involving life-threatening situations. Blood products like red cells, white cells, platelets and plasma have also been forbidden. The Witnesses have been rejecting transfusions of whole blood since 1945. "The Christian congregation was required to avoid the taking in of blood even to eat it, drink it or when transfusion was involved, so we hold it sacred and treat it that way," Mr Wills told NZPA. National convenor John Wills said they believed blood was sacred and was to be used in the way that God intended. The most controversial of their beliefs is their refusal to allow followers blood transfusions even when patients' lives are at stake, claiming God forbids it. ![]() They believe their faith teaches the only true interpretation of the Bible, that Jesus is not God and the world will end soon. ![]() Jehovah's Witnesses have long been a tightly knit and secretive movement and have been accused of unorthodox teachings, which have often angered mainstream Christians. Jehovah's Witnesses known for their door-to-door thumping evangelism - chances are you might have had a visit from them on Christmas Day. Jehovah's Witness family stands firm on blood transfusions.Who are the Jehovah's Witnesses and why are they resented by mainstream Christians? Reg Ponniah of NZPA reports on the movement in New Zealand.
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