You probably know this but...

The JWs had a strict ban on vaccines in the 1930s/40s and i think even later into the 50s, though I don't have the actual dates. (This was all part of their decades-long quack medicine phase which included bans on aluminum cookware or anything that had aluminum in it--I encountered an elder in the 80s who still was adamant that the old thinking was true, he wouldn't touch aluminum and never used aluminum-based deodorant so on some days, whew! I almost fainted. Who knows how his wife put up with it. Anyway, glad that particular conspiracy theory seems to have died, probably because the true believers need foil for their hats).

The point is: Talk about bloodguilt. As if the various and ever-changing restrictions on transfusions, blood products, vaccines, psychotherapy, party cards weren't enough...where does it end--so many things they opposed irrationally led to so many needless deaths. And all out of ignorance and paranoia. I will never, ever forget the young woman I personally knew who died at 19 because a)she didn't trust hospitals because of the propaganda so b) she wouldn't go get checked out despite pregancy and c) couldn't afford insurance regardless so d) got a 'midwife' to help her and is now dead along with her baby--hemorrhaged during her delivery. I blame it squarely on the watchtower. Her husband remarried 2 months later, still an icon of the local cong. Typical idiot asshole. (this is the screechin post isn't it?)

Sadly the appeal of fringe ideas seems to flourish like weeds far beyond just jws, no matter what facts are brought to light. When I encounter folks who cling to such notions, I remind myself it's time to move on: Facts to the contrary only prove to true believers the extent of the huge 'conspiracy'.

Sigh.

Doc