Nur 369 group project moon trapp_complete

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Jehovah’s Witnesses and Their Culture

Steven MoonTyler Trapp

Prepared for NUR 369 Transcultural Health Care

August 7 2016

What Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe? • Jehovah’s Witnesses worship God whose name

is Jehovah (Psalm 83:18)• Jehovah’s Witnesses study and use the Bible as

God’s inspired message to humans. • Jehovah’s Witnesses follow the teachings of

Jesus Christ and view him as their savior and as the Son of God.

• Jehovah’s Witnesses believe God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit to be three separate entities, and are not part of a trinity. They believe the holy spirit to be God’s active will, or active force.

• Jehovah’s Witnesses view the kingdom of god to be a real government in heaven, and not ”condition in the hearts of Christians”.

• Jehovah’s Witnesses also believe that salvation from death is possible through Jesus Christ ransom death and that people will benefit by exercising their faith in Jesus and becoming baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

2(Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania(2016))

(Personal interviews #1 & #2)

What Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe? (continued)

• Heaven is ruled by Jehovah God, Jesus, and faithful angels in a spirit realm and only 144,000 people will be resurrected to live in heaven and rule with God and Jesus.

• Earth will become humans eternal home. After Armageddon man will be resurrected to a perfect eternal earthly paradise.

• Humans do not have a spirit, or turn to spirit form when they die, but become nothing until resurrected again.

• The structural head of their organization is located in New York City, New York which consists of the Watchtower Bible and tract society. The men there are referred to as the Governing Body and oversee and guide the worldwide work of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

• They are organized into congregations throughout the world and meet regularly 2-3 times per week (called meetings) to discuss bible topics and go preach their message of God’s kingdom to those in their neighborhoods (called service).

• Medically the are instructed to abstain from taking blood stemming from their understanding of 3 Biblical scriptures. (Genesis 9:4, Leviticus 17:14, Acts 15:20) However, through interview it was mentioned that they are allowed to receive blood components and that it is a conscience matter to be decided personally by each individual.

(Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania (2016)) (Personal Interviews #1 & #2)

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What Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe? (continued)

• During meetings their Elders (men who are appointed to an authority and responsibility position through god by the Governing Body) and Brothers (other men who have responsibilities or teaching duties in the congregation) will lead topics of study or discussion on bible based topics and material. Women are referred to as Sisters. When addressing others they will use first names or Brother/Sister “last name”

• Songs will be sang by those in attendance before, at intermission, and at the end of each “meeting”, along with prayer.

• Jehovah’s Witnesses will excommunicate, shun, and forbid anyone from contact with those who were once Jehovah's witnesses that do not continue to follow their doctrine, or who have “errored in sin” and not practiced what god commands them to do. This practice is called disfellowshipping.

• Examples of disfellowshipping offenses include sexual misconduct (sexual relations before marriage, adultery, fornication, observation of pornographic materials), apostasy, drunkenness, thievery, deliberate or malicious lying, slander, obscene speech (swearing), failure to abstain from blood, use of tobacco or addictive drugs, along with other offenses .

4(The List of 15 Disfellowshipping Offenses. (2008))

(Personal Interviews #1 & #2)

Here is one of the songs that Jehovah’s Witness regularly sing during meetings

• Possibly Embed Youtube Song video on separate slide? I can’t embed youtube on a mac.

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmfgGsGnUAI&list=PLC460752A5F993EF7

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmfgGsGnUAI&list=PLC460752A5F993EF7



http://youtube.com/v/rmfgGsGnUAI

Ethno Demographics• The ethnic demographics of interview

”A” include the following:

• She is Caucasian and identifies as white. She was born a Jehovah’s Witness and believes in the Christian Philosophy of Jehovah’s witnesses with Jehovah (God) and Jesus creating the universe and all things in it.

• She is 4th generation German/ English/Polish

• 28 years old• Female• Married since 19 years old• No Children, and does not plan to have

any.• Her career is an Insurance Agent

The ethnic demographics of interview ”B” include the following:

• Interviewee B identifies as white who was born into a Jehovah’s Witness family but no longer practices as such.

• He is of Danish, German, Spanish, and Australian descent

• Male• 28 years old• In long term relationship• No children• Career as a student studying

journalism

6(Personal Interview #1) (Personal Interview #2)

Ethnohistory

“A” American Female with

German, Polish,English, and Irish ancestry.

English Speaking. No mentioned culture

beliefs based specifically upon ethnic background.

Beliefs and culture reported to stem from interpretation of the bible.

B” American Male of Danish,

German, Spanish, and Australian descent.

Speaks English Current beliefs come from

teaching learned from scientific reading and nature, which has replaced his Jehovah Witness teaching about life.

No specific beliefs based on ethnic background.


Kinship“A”

• Born as one of Jehovah’s witnesses. Married at 19 years old.

• Father died when she was 16. • Strong family relationship with mothers side

of family who are all Jehovah's witnesses.• Fathers side of family only some are JW. Not

as close with them. • Many friends from around the state, and

some in other states, who are all Jehovah’s witnesses.

• "A” reports that they are discouraged from having friends “outside of the congregation”, meaning those who are not Jehovah’s witnesses.

• She works at a business that is owned and operated by other Jehovah’s Witnesses

• When younger she wished to go to College, but that is also discouraged due to it taking away from their Bible Study and ministry work and she is happier with her life this way.

“B”• “B” was born into a Jehovah’s witness

family and was raised as such. Paternal grandmother began practicing JW in the 1950s and maternal grandmother began practicing JW in the 1940s.

• He stated that his parents and family had complete control over his life, activities, and values, and heavily censored anything that did not follow JW belief.

• At 24 “B” decided that he could not stomach the JW beliefs and values anymore and decided to leave the JW society.

• To this day, “B” has no contact with his parents, grandparents, or siblings besides one brother.

• Believes his family still cares about his salvation but is more concerned with their own salvation and what will happen if they do not shun him for not being a JW


Cultural values”A”

•Believes in the “golden rule” to do to others that you would want done to yourself. •Related to medical care, to assist those in need who are close to you, just as you would want them to help you if you were in need. •When “A” father was dying many people in their congregation came to her and her mother’s assistance taking care of them by providing meals, money, and spent time with them during their mourning period. This is common in the worldwide brotherhood. •“A” also has done the same for others that have experienced difficult hardships related to their health, explaining that she wants to help others as much as her family was helped in the past.

“B”•Believed in -”Serve Where the Need is Greater” •Served on mission trips to other countries to help the less fortunate. •No Other cultural values shared


Religious Beliefs and Practices”A”

•Jehovah is the creator the universe with his son Jesus Christ. We are living temporarily in an imperfect world due to Adam and Eve originally sinning in the garden of Eden. Thanks to Jesus ransom sacrifice we have the opportunity to learn about his will and Jehovah’s heavenly kingdom that he will one day establish on a perfect earth. Does not believe that when people die they go to hell – they just cease to exist until they are resurrected by Jehovah. Only 144,000 people go to heaven to help rule over a future earthly paradise with Jehovah and Jesus. •Medically Related they do not take blood. Blood fractions are a conscience matter that all Witnesses must determine on their own. It was brought out “a” heard that JW’s who received bloodless surgeries that commonly use blood had better recovery times and rates. •Regularly during the week and on Sundays they will go to meetings which discuss bible based topics or have a group study of the Watchtower which talk about God’s kingdom and relates the bible for them to use in daily life. They also go door to door teaching others about God’s kingdom, just as Jesus did during his time on earth.

“B”• Was taught that everything in the universe was

created by the Jehovah god to enhance the enjoyment of the universe by humans.

• Was taught that human creation happened 6000 years ago with Adam and eve and the concept of evolution had been fabricated.

• Acted as a “Good JW” when at home and meetings but was atheist outside of the home and meetings.

• Taught that all life's lessons and answers were in the bible and doctrines created by the WTBTS.

• The act of trying to understand or dig deeper into anything presented by the WTBTS was considered unfaithful, sinful, and unloyal with ground for disfellowship from the JW’s

• Does not wish to have any religious practices incorporated into his healthcare.


Professional Care Practices• ”A” reports to following

allopathic or biomedicine for professional care regarding health issues. She will go see her family practice doctor when illnesses arise and take medicines as prescribed.

• “A” also reports to seeing a chiropractor on occasion when musculoskeletal issues occur.

• “B” does not report any alternative therapy or care aside from seeking normal medical care practices like any other person when illness strikes.


Generic Care Practices• Along with one of our interviewees, it was mentioned that many Jehovah’s

Witnesses they know or have known use complementary medicine and dietary supplements such as natural herbs and vitamins, homeopathic remedies, essential oils, and chiropractic or osteopathic therapies. It was brought out that some people they knew only rely on these types of therapies.

• They do not utilize faith healing, however they do rely on prayer to god to help them to manage and overcome any illnesses.

• “A” reports that utilizing different methods of health care do work for her personally and others, and in fact make her feel more healthy than only seeing her primary care physician.


Culture Care Preservation and/or Maintenance

• Nurses can provide culturally congruent care by learning the beliefs and medical requirements that Jehovah’s Witnesses have regarding the direction to abstain from blood and following their wishes in order to provide the best possible holistic and overall care to the clients.

• It is important to show empathy and concern to Jehovah’s Witness clients by discussing their wishes with them and following the requirements and medical directives that they determine to be appropriate for them.

• Nurses and healthcare workers should respect their beliefs and decisions, and also allow them time to pray and study the bible.

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Culture Care Accommodation and/or Negotiation

• Nurses and other healthcare personnel can also discuss and determine how their clients may personally feel about receiving blood components if there may be a need for blood, or blood components. Do so prior to surgery or treatment will facilitate a better treatment plan, and better outcome for the client.

• We can accommodate Jehovah’s Witness clients by adhering to their self determined wishes of what components of blood, if any, they wish to receive or not receive. We can be advocates for them when they are possibly not able (unconscious, surgery, etc.)

• By accommodating and following their wishes regarding treatments and blood, Nurses and healthcare workers can provide better overall care for Jehovah’s Witness patients.

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Culture care Restructuring and/or Repatterning

• Some Jehovah’s witness rely very strongly on, or only on alternative “natural” therapies (homeopathic, herbal, vitamins, supplements, essential oils, etc.) and may avoid allopathic medical based treatment.

• This can possibly be very harmful to those who avoid all allopathic, or mainstream medical treatments due to the side-effects that these natural supplements can cause, especially when healthcare personnel are not notified while on other medications.

• In order to better treat those Jehovah’s witnesses, Nurses at first can do their best to question respectfully and understand why they hold these beliefs. It would be best for nurses then to talk to their patients and educate them on the possibilities for harm that can occur from some of theses treatments and encourage them to follow medical orders that do not conflict with their belief and culture.

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Comparing Findings to Research Article

• During the cultural interview, one of our interviewees had mentioned that Elders had told them that Jehovah’s Witnesses that go through surgeries without blood where normally patients would receive blood have better outcomes and shorter hospital stays. “Possibly due to God’s blessing, or more careful practice by healthcare workers.”

• Our research found this comment to possibly be true. • In a study by Reyes et. al (2007) The hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were

in fact higher in Jehovah’s Witness patients before and after surgeries. Jehovah’s Witness patients were also intubated for fewer hours, experienced less bleeding, and had shorter hospital stays.

Reference(Reyes, G., Nuche, J. M., Sarraj, A., Cobiella, J., Orts, M., Martín, G.. . Duarte, J. (2007). Bloodless cardiac surgery in jehovah's witnesses: Outcomes compared with a control group. Revista Española De Cardiología (English Edition), 60(7), 727-731. doi:10.1016/S1885-5857(08)60008-0)

http://www.sciencedirect.com.libproxy.umflint.edu/science/article/pii/S1885585708600080

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http://www.sciencedirect.com.libproxy.umflint.edu/science/article/pii/S1885585708600080

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Conclusion• In summary we have learned that Jehovah’s Witnesses have

a strong belief system and convictions that results in a substantial and tight knit community, or brotherhood worldwide.

• Their medical beliefs may vary from person to person to some extent based upon guidance from their Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses, however whole blood is completely forbidden and should never be taken by a member of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

• As nurses we need to show concern and compassion for Jehovah’s Witness patients personally in order to empathetically understand their individual beliefs and provide them with the best culturally congruent care possible.

Multiple Choice Questions• Include cited slide and/or research article for the reference• Jehovah’s Witnesses believe how many people go to heaven after they die?

A. Everyone. B. 144,000. C. No one. • Who are Jehovah’s Witnesses encouraged associate with or make friends

with? A. Everyone. B. Only those with similar beliefs. C. Those that they may work or go to school with.

• Jehovah’s Witnesses often assist others that are going through health issues, illnesses or deaths in the family. Choose practices that those in their congregations may do to comfort and assist them? A. Meals. B. Money. C. Spend time with them. D. All of the above.

• Jehovah’s Witnesses believe what about blood? A. They can take it only in emergencies. B. That it is forbidden to take and holy or precious to God. C. They must donate it to blood banks regularly.

• One research article showed what about Jehovah's Witnesses hospitals stays with accompanied with their stance on blood? A. They were shorter. B. They were Longer. C. They stayed the same.

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Questions & Answers Pagewith references

•Jehovah’s Witnesses believe how many people go to heaven after they die? A. Everyone. B. 144,000. C. No one. (slide 3) (What Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe?)

•Who are Jehovah’s Witnesses encouraged associate with or make friends with? A. Everyone. B. Only those with similar beliefs. C. Those that they may work or go to school with. (slide 8) (Personal Interviews)

•Jehovah’s Witnesses often assist others that are going through health issues, illnesses or deaths in the family. Choose practices that those in their congregations may do to comfort and assist them? A. Meals. B. Money. C. Spend time with them. D. All of the above. (slide 9) (Personal Interviews)

•Jehovah’s Witnesses believe what about blood? A. They can take it only in emergencies. B. That it is forbidden to take and holy or precious to God. C. They must donate it to blood banks regularly. (Slide 3) (What Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe?)

•One research article showed what about Jehovah's Witnesses hospitals stays with accompanied with their stance on blood? A. They were shorter. B. They were Longer. C. They stayed the same. (slide 16) (Reyes et al., 2007)

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References and Citations• Interviewee #1

• Interviewee #2

• Reyes, G., Nuche, J. M., Sarraj, A., Cobiella, J., Orts, M., Martín, G.. . Duarte, J. (2007).Bloodless cardiac surgery in jehovah's witnesses: Outcomes compared with a control group. Revista Española De Cardiología (English Edition), 60(7), 727-731. doi:10.1016/S1885-5857(08)60008-0)

• The Oracle (2016).The List of 15 disfellowshipping Offenses. [Online forum comment]. Retrieved July 28, 2016, from https://www.jehovahs-

witness.com/topic/153096/list-15-disfellowshipping-offenses

• Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania (2016). What do jehovah's witnesses believe? Retrieved July 28, 2016, from https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-

witnesses/faq/jehovah-witness-beliefs/ • Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania (2016). What does the bible say

about blood transfusions? | Bible Questions.Retrieved July 28, 2016, from https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/bible-about-blood-

transfusion/#?insight[search_id]=4787816e-9fa6-4733-b637-09a6556468cf

Questions?

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Nur 369 group project moon trapp_complete

Healthcare