Sangue e Testemunhas de Jeová: um tabu ainda existente no mundo cristão

Abstract

In the christian community, a group called Jehovah's Witnesses (JW) has a different position about blood. They treat the matter like Christians before the Carolingian treaty period : a taboo. The aim of this paper is to answer two questions: who are the JW? And how they manage this food restriction between their members? Material was collected in the JW's official website, created and maintained by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, the group's legal entity. In addition to this, during one year, three hours per week, in one brazilian congregation in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, a minimum interference technique observation (Shadowing) was used. Results shows that the JW' basis to keep with the taboo are verses of Bible's New and Old Testament where Jehovah forbids any use of blood: to eat or transfuse. To sin against Jehovah by using blood, administered orally or intravenously, is a serious act of disobedience that might result in the expulsion of the impure member