I was pressured into refusing a blood transfusion aged 11. The Jehovah's Witnesses' new policy changes nothing

I was pressured into refusing a blood transfusion aged 11. The Jehovah's Witnesses' new policy changes nothing1 day agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleRobbie KalusBBCFormer Jehovah's Witness Beatrice Jones felt pressure to refuse a blood transfusion, despite her doctor's wishesWhen Beatrice Jones was told at the age of 11 she needed a potentially life-saving blood transfusion, she felt "a wave of nausea" as her "whole world suddenly collapsed".Doctrine forbids Jehovah's Witnesses, as Jones was then, from receiving blood transfusions in almost all circumstances.In March, the Christian-based movement updated its long-standing policy on receiving blood.Followers are now allowed to have their own blood removed, stored, and "given back", in a process called autologous donation, but are still forbidden from accepting donations from others.Former members have told the BBC the new rules are "nonsense" and are still putting lives at risk.Jehovah's Witnesses spokesman Andrew Basoo disputed that, saying: "Individual Witnesses make informed medical decisions that reflect their understanding of the Bible, while placing great value on the expertise of the medical professionals caring for them."'Would I lose my chance of entering paradise?'"I remember that moment, 18 years ago, in the GP surgery as if it happened yesterday," said Jones, 29, who had been suffering with severe anaemia.She had been taught that "Jehovah must always come first", and that accepting blood was something she must refuse – even if it meant death.Jones, of Brentwood, Essex, grew up in the Christian-based religious movement, probably best known for its door-to-door evangelism.It claims about 144,000 active members in the UK and about nine million worldwide."When the doctor said I needed a transfusion, I was terrified," she said."I hid in my room and cried because I didn't know i...