"No one was forced"

On October 19, 2023, in Mombasa, Kenya, Judge Diana Kavedza Mochache sentenced Paul Mackenzie and 28 associates for the murder of 191 people, primarily children, who died from starvation due to extreme fasting teachings. Mackenzie claimed individuals chose to fast, but the court found a systematic approach that coerced followers into these actions. This case raises broader questions about religious leaders' accountability when followers die under their influence. The article draws parallels with the Jehovah's Witnesses' blood doctrine, highlighting how faith can lead to fatal consequences. Recent changes in the organization's stance on blood transfusions reflect evolving interpretations of doctrine, yet the historical impact of these beliefs remains significant, with estimates of thousands of deaths linked to the refusal of blood treatments.