Cochineal ~ Red Dye

[pucca]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cochineal

The cochineal (/kɒtʃɨˈniːl/ koch-i-NEEL or /ˈkɒtʃɨniːl/ KOCH-i-neel; Dactylopius coccus) is a scale insect in the suborder Sternorrhyncha, from which the crimson-coloured dye carmine is derived. A primarily sessile parasite native to tropical and subtropical South America and Mexico, this insect lives on cacti in the genus Opuntia, feeding on plant moisture and nutrients.

I have a question friends: As servants of Jehovah we must abstain from blood from any source. Now we all know food/drink contains red dyes. Most of the dye comes from this bug. This bug is squished to make the dye. It's blood would be included in the dye. How does Jehovah feel when we eat/drink of these products. And if you are wondering...even Coke has this dye inside.

Thank you!

[bohemian]

Were insects like locusts, which were a permitted food under the Law, to be bled before consumption? How do you bleed them? How would you bleed a cochineal insect?

Just some questions that come to my mind.

[Musky]

Since we had a good article on the cochineal in the July 8th, 2002 Awake, I'm sure something would have been mentioned about consuming the insect's blood if the slave felt it was an issue:

http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102002486?q=red+dye&p=par

[trottigy]

Interesting locust was considered a clean food and there is no way to "bleed" them before eating.

http://m.wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200002763?q=locust&p=par

The blood of bugs, as the blood of plants / sap, was not included in the prohibition on blood given to Noah.

[Greenfield]

It isn't possible to bleed insects, so there is no need to. Even bled animals have residual blood. The important thing is to pour out the blood, not making use of it, in creatures where this is possible.

[rocket]

Another thought is the prohibition of eating things strangled. Now how would you strangle a bug? The Jews had the Talmud, a book of do this but don't do that, as Christians we live by Bible principles and a Bible trained conscience. If it bothers your conscience, don't do it.

[GrumpysWife]

We could drive ourselves crazy trying to follow the letter of the law. Jehovah wants obedient people, not crazy people.

When my oldest boy was 5 or 6 he had a conscience that was out of wack. He drove me crazy with his worries. What if a bug gets in my mouth, what if I swallow when my nose bleeds etc. He was taking all of his joy away. After a couple of years he calmed down. I was almost at my wits end with him.

[pinkpopcorn]

I have known some witnesses who agonize over tiny little things. And yes, I know the scripture that says that he who is faithful in what is least is comparable to one faithful in much. Noah was told to bleed the animal not wring it out. Bleeding an insect? Huh?

[Brother_Bliss]

Jehovah wants obedient people, not crazy people.

Did you hear that, Facebooker's and Net Witnesses? LOL!

[Brother_Bliss]

Noah was told to bleed the animal not wring it out.

Yes! I am adding that to my collection of illustrations and keepsakes.

[Blueyedchanel]

Jehovah wants obedient people, not crazy people.

Did you hear that, Facebooker's and Net Witnesses? LOL!

Facebooker's????? Haha! Is that the same thing as a "Net Witness"?

[Musky]

Jehovah wants obedient people, not crazy people.

Did you hear that, Facebooker's and Net Witnesses? LOL!

Facebooker's????? Haha! Is that the same thing as a "Net Witness"?

They are often interchangeable

[pinkpopcorn]

Bob I had this visual once of Noah and his sons killing an animal, say, a cow. Then they hoist it over a branch by a rope to let the blood drain properly. Then, as if that is not enough work, Noah tells two sons to take the lower legs while he and the other son take the upper legs and turn the carcass in opposite directions to 'wring out' the animal.