Magyar Egyház, 1985 (64. évfolyam, 1-5. szám)
1985-09-01 / 5. szám
I. oldal MAGYAR EGYHÁZ JAPANESE DEBATING BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS (Ecumenical Press Serice 85.08.29.) [Material for this item was translated and prepared by Franlin Ishida.] KAWASAKI (Japan) (EPS) — Last June 6, a primary-school student was involved in a traffic accident here. He was immediately rushed to the nearby St. Marianna's Hospital for treatment, but, since his parents are Jehovah’s Witnesses and refused to have their son receive a blood transfusion, he died during the night from loss of blood. The case has stirred debate throughout the country, in which Christians play a major role, at least in part because Jehovah’s Witnesses are popularly classified as a Christian denomination. Primary among ethical and legal issues raised are the right to life, the right to control one’s body, and the state’s responsibility for the welfare of its citizens. The question this incident poses for Japanese society is whether protection of life or religious freedom takes priority. Staff of the hospital, a Roman Catholic institution, held an emergency meeting immediately after the incident and decided that in the future, such requests to prevent blood transfusions would be denied. However, not even all medical authorities agree that a doctor’s decision ought to override beliefs of a patient. A doctor at an Adventist hospital, while disagreeing with the belief of Jehovah’s Witnesses about blood transfusions, wrote in an independent Christian newspaper that he would first attempt to convince the patient of the need for a blood transfusion, but if the patient still refused, he would respect the patient’s wishes. The doctor argued that for many, one’s religion is even more important than earthly life, and that respect for religious freedom is of fundamental importance. With an estimated 100,000 members, and increasing by 1,000 a month, Jehovah’s Witnesses are a large group in a country where the Christian population is estimated at less than one percent of the country’s 120 million people. Some Jehovah’s Witnesses say that if doctors or hospitals force blood transfusions on them, they could press charges of violence or of medical malpractice. Witnesses justify their refusal of transfusions by citing several biblical passages, notably an injunction from the Council of Jerusalem to Gentile Christians (Acts 15:20) to “abstain .. . from blood.” Witnesses add that it is up to individuals to decide about this interpretation, and that government sanction for overriding their beliefs is a step on the road to totalitarianism. Representatives of the church in Japan seem divided on the issue. Some agree with the Witnesses that their religious freedom must be respected, even if it means some may die because they refuse certain forms of medical treatment. Others, however, point out that the Witnesses are not part of the usual Christian groupings, and fault what they consider Witnesses’ errors in biblical interpretation, and contradictions of the Christian gospel. They argue that no Bible passage prohibits blood transfusion, that the Old Testament passages the Witnesses use, in fact, relate to food restrictions, and that those from the New Testament deal with principles of first century evangelization. EPS AMERICAN HUNGARIAN REFORMED PRESBYTERS' ASSOCIATION The American Hungarian Reformed Presbyters’ Association held its 39th annual meeting in Ligonier, PA, on Labor Day Weekend, September 1 and 2, 1985. Anthony C. Beke was elected President to complete the unexpired term of Frank Demes who resigned for personal reasons. Also elected and installed was Ernest Virgulák as Eastern Area Vice President to complete the unexpired term vacated by Anthony C. Beke. During the meeting the attendees received a report on the Bethlen Home by Rev. P. Kovács, a report on the fund-raising for the Statue of Liberty by P. Hunyady, a report on the Ministerial Association’s plans to have the Debreceni Choir tour the U.S.A. by Rev. I. Bertalan, and a slide presentation by Rev. Dr. A. Havadtoy of his trip to South America, highlighting the conditions under which our churches exist in that part of the world. During the two day meeting, we were the guests of the Bethlen Home for lunch on Sunday and Monday. In behalf of the Association, I wish to express my deepest appreciation to the Bethlen Home for their hospitality. As the new president, I plan to periodically bring news to you through this publication regarding the various topics discussed at the meeting. I hope you will look for these articles, discuss them among yourselves, and bring them to the attention of the elders in your respective congregations. Of the elders and ministers, I request that they include these topics as part of their regular Elders’ Mect’ngs and act on those items which they feel would be of merit within their own congregations. A. C. Beke ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MINISTER'S ASSOCIATION The American, Canadian Hungarian Minister’s Association met again this year during the Labor Day Holiday in Ligonier, PA. Hungarian Reformed Pastors from around this great land had gathered to share their work with each other and to grow through each others faith. The meeting began on September 2nd with a Divine Worship Service with the Presbyter’s Association in the Ligonier Chapel on Mount Moriah. Pastors participating in the Service were as follows: Rev. Gabor Csordás, President of the Minister’s Association, Rev. Paul Kovács, Superintendent of the Bethlen Home, Rev. Imre Andrew Bertalan, Pastor of the Toledo, Ohio congregation, who delivered the Word of God, Rev. Pal Mezo, President of the Canadian Ministerial Association and Rev. Gabor Nitsch, Pastor of the Carteret, NJ Congregation who administered the Holy Communion according to the Erdély, Transylvanian Book of Order. Following the Church Service all were invited to the Bethlen Home for a delicious Lunch. The meeting was opened by the President Rev. Gabor Csordás, who made his remarks on the work and accomplishment of the organization. In his report the president reported that seven pastors have entered into eternal rest during the past year. Participants of the meeting paid honor to the fallen pastors with a minute of silent prayer. Greetings were extended to the meeting by Mr. Anthony
