Transfusion Confusion
The London Times recently ran an article claiming "Jehovah's Witnesses are to be allowed to accept blood transfusions after an extraordinary U-turn by leaders of the controversial religion." It went on to say that this decision was reached at a "secret meeting of the 12-member world governing body."

In a statement issued the same day by the Jehovah's Witnesses New York public affairs office, denomination officials dismissed these assertions. "The Bible commands Christians to 'abstain…from blood.' (Acts 15:20). Jehovah's Witnesses…have consistently refused donor blood ever since transfusions began to be widely used in civilian medical practice in the 1940s, and this scriptural position has not changed."

Ethicists are encouraging doctors to continue respecting the Witnesses's desire to abstain from blood, while urging the Times to abstain from irresponsible reportage.

Nigeria's Virtue Subsidy
In a new twist on the world's oldest profession, Nigerian prostitutes are being paid to give up the trade. Earlier this year the Nigerian state of Zamfara instituted shari'ah, strict Islamic criminal law. Penalties for prostitution under shari'ah include amputation and beheading. But Reuters reports that the state government would rather have prostitutes marry, and is offering cash incentives (25,000 naira, approximately $240) to achieve that end. The money is intended to help them start small businesses.

Education or Evangelization?
In an effort to foster spiritual health among sailors, crew members and officers of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson were ordered to attend "Spiritual Matters," a religious seminar. Jewish, Muslim, and Christian representatives spoke during the two-hour session, reported the Seattle Times. It was designed, according to the ship's brass, to promote respect for other religions.

But some of the sailors complained that the session was "thinly disguised evangelizing," that they were forced to attend against their will, and that it was a clear violation of their constitutional rights. "I had to listen to a man…tell me that I am a sinner, while they had guards posted at the door to keep me from leaving," reported a petty officer third class. The sailors were not unhappy with the rabbi or the Muslim cleric, who explained basic tenets of their faiths and then took questions. But the Protestant pastor and the Roman Catholic priest provoked controversy. Attendees characterized their presentations as "sermons" in which they quoted scripture, argued against tattoos, and lectured on sin.

Captain Bruce Clingan, the ship's commanding officer, justified the initiative by saying that the Navy has recently recognized medical evidence suggesting faith can contribute to a person's well-being. It is therefore the Navy's prerogative, he said, to offer spiritual, as well as physical and mental, training opportunities. He expressed hope that this would be the first of several. It is not known whether the Navy plans to invite pacifist denominations, such as Quakers and Tibetan Buddhists, to speak at future seminars.