March 8

Page Two

WHAT comes to your mind when you hear of people sleeping on park benches and sidewalks or huddled in cardboard boxes or under plastic sheets? Pitiable sights like these have been widely publicized in the news media, and city dwellers are only too familiar with them. But the problem of these so-called street people, troubling as it may be, is only a small part of the overall picture of worldwide housing shortage and homelessness. Just what is the real picture, and how serious is it?

The Homeless​—How Serious a Problem?

AROUND the world, millions of people live in what is commonly called substandard quarters. According to a UN publication entitled Building for the Homeless, in developing nations “up to 50 per cent​—in some cities nearly 80 per cent—​of the urban population lives in slums and squatter settlements,” without adequate water, lighting, sanitation, and waste disposal. What is life like in such places? Awake! correspondents make the following on-the-scene reports.

Bombay, India​—The sweltering summer heat in central Bombay is intense. Under a sprawling banyan tree, a man, a woman, and a baby lie sleeping on the sidewalk. Some meager bedding, a few cooking utensils, and the ashes of a small fire indicate they have staked their claim to the spot as a temporary home. There is no place else for them. Shoppers and businesspeople pass by, seemingly oblivious of the family. After all, there are tens of thousands like them in the city. In a country where the estimated housing shortage is 24.7 million dwelling units, people without homes are a common sight.

Nearby, in vacant lots and along highways and railroad tracks, crude tents have sprouted. Used gunnysacks and old rags are layered and shaped into shelters for countless numbers of people dubbed squatters. If such shelters are not cleared away by the authorities, cramped, windowless huts made of scavenged materials will appear. Those living there engage in a daily search for water. Railroad tracks and rubbish dumps become open toilets. Almost enviable by comparison are the “permanent” structures in established slums, where at least a few water taps and latrines can be found.

Johannesburg, South Africa​—For the white South African, housing is not a big problem, provided one can afford the ever-rising cost. However, according to the government’s official yearbook South Africa 1986, “South Africa is at present experiencing an extensive backlog in the supply of Black housing, especially in the urban areas.” With thousands of people on waiting lists for houses, three families must sometimes stay in a four-room house or one family of three or four in one room. When a son gets married, he gets on the waiting list, hoping that in two or three years something may become available. Meanwhile, the newlyweds either share the room with the parents or build a shack with corrugated iron in the backyard​—if there is one.

In some areas, owners build such shanties and ask for exorbitant rents. City councils allow it because they cannot cope with the demand for houses. This creates slums and breeds crime and disease. The radio reported that 136 babies out of every 1,000 die because of being born under such unhygienic conditions​—no running water, perhaps one toilet for four or five families. Older children too are affected. They learn to steal and take drugs at an early age. Drinking is common among the youth.

Shanghai, China​—For this most populous city of the most populous nation in the world, trying to find adequate housing for its more than 12 million inhabitants is a formidable challenge. Although the government is doing what it can to construct new housing units, the majority of the people still live in small homes, built in the ’30’s and ’40’s, that look like toy houses. They are crammed into large city blocks, accessible only by what the Shanghainese call alleys. Many of these houses are without running water, inside kitchen, or toilet, and they are unheated, even though winter temperatures may fall below the freezing point. Larger buildings in former French and British zones are usually divided up with one family to a room, all sharing a common kitchen and bath. Often, three generations live together in such a room.

Better housing for the people is high among the city officials’ priorities. At present, it is estimated that each person has only anywhere from 43 to 58 square feet [4 to 5.4 sq m] of living space. This is below the national goal of 64 square feet [5.9 sq m] per person. Reports show that in Shanghai 6,000 new apartments were built in 1985, and as much as $135 million (U.S.) was spent in 1986 on construction. Still, more than a hundred thousand people are on the official waiting list for new homes, and there is no way of telling how many others are looking for a place to call their own.

São Paulo, Brazil​—Shantytowns have sprung up everywhere in this city. Out of desperation, the homeless invade private properties and vacant lots and put up precarious tin huts and lean-tos, sometimes right next to stately homes and modern apartment buildings. Many traditional family homes have been converted into makeshift, one-room tenements, often with just one bathroom for more than 50 people.

Things took an ugly turn last April when the military police were mobilized to evict illegal squatters in a suburb of São Paulo. According to the newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo, elderly people were beaten, women were dragged out by their hair, and children were knocked down. Many suffered respiratory problems from the tear-gas bombs thrown into their shacks.

Anyone who has not experienced the misery, deprivation, and desperation of life in the slums, squatter areas, and shantytowns (or whatever one chooses to call them) would find it difficult to imagine such conditions. Yet, for hundreds of millions of people, they are the realities of everyday existence.

The Homeless​—A World Problem

THE problem of housing shortage and homelessness, however, knows no national boundaries; it is by no means limited to the poor, developing nations. The great capitals and metropolises of the developed world, almost without exception, also have their skid rows and slums. Along with the sparkling skyscrapers and modern high rises, there are the ghettos and decaying inner cities. What is life like in such places?

Commenting on a study conducted in Chicago, the magazine Science reports that the homeless there are “characterized by extreme poverty and isolation and high rates of dysfunction. Four out of five had been institutionalized in jails, mental hospitals, or for drug detoxification.”

Most U.S. cities have some public facilities for the homeless. New York City, for example, places single homeless people in public shelters and families in welfare hotels. It was expected that when winter came, 12,200 singles and 20,500 family members would be seeking help, and the authorities were hoping that somehow enough space would be available to house them.

What life is like in such places is quite another matter. The overnight public shelters in New York are usually converted gymnasiums or armories. Hundreds of people sleep in rows of beds in one large open space. Some street people refuse to go to the shelters. “The shelters are unsafe, and often they have bedbugs or lice,” said one unfortunate. “You sleep there with your eyes open.” Life is especially hard for children. “In the barracks-like shelters and cramped hotels that the city eventually sends them to, the children are exposed to a brutal array of problems​—disease, dysfunction, drugs, delinquency and despair,” reports the New York Daily News. “These children are in danger of becoming a lost generation.”

Because of the transient nature of homeless people, accurate figures are often difficult to come by. The National Coalition for the Homeless maintains that the number of homeless people in the United States is between two and three million. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, on the other hand, reports that “as best as can be determined from all available data, the most reliable range is 250,000 to 350,000 homeless persons.” Whatever the actual number of the homeless, however, everyone agrees it is growing.

“A Scourge of Our Time”

Countries in the European Community are also faced with serious housing problems. The Times of London reports that in the United Kingdom “the number of people living in bed-and-breakfast accommodation increased from 49,000 to 160,000 between 1979-84, there are 1 1/4 million people on council waiting lists and one million homes officially classified as unfit for human habitation.”

Across the English Channel, “in Paris, private groups say at least 10,000 people are living on the streets,” according to an article in The New York Times entitled “The Homeless of Europe: A Scourge of Our Time.” The Italian government estimates that 20 percent of newlyweds “have no alternative but to live with relatives, even after the birth of their first child.” Among the estimated 20,000 homeless Danes, “the number who are less than 30 years old has increased dramatically since 1980.”

Ironically, all of this is occurring, according to Peter Sutherland, Commissioner of Social Affairs for the European Communities Commission, just as these nations “had begun to believe that [they] were in sight of abolishing for good the scourges of poverty and homelessness.”

An Alarming Trend

In recent years, however, authorities dealing with the homeless have noted a new trend. The New York Times quoted a member of the Coalition for the Homeless in Chicago as saying: “We’re seeing the trend of needs change drastically from just ‘the poor’ to ‘middle class suddenly poor.’ They lose their jobs, their credit cards and their mortgage. It’s definitely not your stereotypical wino in the alley anymore.”

Similarly, the director of a social service agency in Connecticut observed: “Unfortunately, there is a misconception about who homeless people are. It’s not the bag person who drifts from one city to the next. It’s actually families who can’t afford to rent anymore because of high rents, lack of jobs, divorces.” According to a report released by the U.S. Conference of Mayors last May, a survey of 29 major cities revealed that families with children made up over one third of the homeless, and that was a 31-percent increase over the previous year.

Perplexing Questions

Although the severity of the housing shortage and homeless problem varies from country to country and from place to place, it is safe to say that there are few people today who are totally unaware of it or completely unaffected by it. And what is most perplexing is that in spite of the efforts and funds expended by the governments, there is no sign that the problem is abating. Why is this so? Where do all the homeless people come from? And, above all, what hope is there for solving the housing problem?

The Homeless​—What Are the Causes?

IT WAS a cold winter night. Louise and her family were rudely awakened by several piercing screams. A fire had broken out in a neighbor’s apartment. The fierce winter gusts whipped up the flames and propelled them through the six-story building. In the panic and confusion of trying to get out of their fifth-floor apartment, Louise’s mother fell to her death from the fire escape. Moments later, the flames gutted the building, and all the homes were destroyed.

The loss of her mother and her home overnight was a shattering blow to Louise. Fortunately, she had relatives and friends who took her in until she could work things out. This is what sociologists call a community support network, which for generations has served as a safety net in times of emergency.

Then why does every big city have its street people and its shelters for the homeless? Why all the squatters, slums, and shantytowns? And, indeed, why the bad housing situation and homeless problem?

When the Safety Net Breaks

Under normal circumstances, the network of relatives and friends works well enough to provide the help needed during any personal crisis. However, the network is fragile. What if the need is so great or so costly that it is beyond what the network can provide? Or what if some large-scale social upheaval should disrupt the network itself? When the safety net breaks, people fall into dire straits.

This is what is happening in many developing countries. In India, for example, the annual monsoon rains have proved inadequate in the past several years. By the summer of 1987, one out of every three Indians lacked enough water to drink. Shortage of water also meant that crops did not grow, and cattle could not survive. With no crops, field laborers had no work and no means to feed their families. The only choice for them was to leave the villages and go into the cities where some work might still be found.

The effect of this migration proves to be a real burden to the cities, which are already plagued with rapid population growth. Without money or work, these incoming migrants cannot afford even a small room in a slum colony. And since they have transplanted themselves into a totally new environment, few of them have anyone to turn to. So they must join countless other pavement dwellers, and the housing crisis intensifies.

Other developing nations are faced with similar problems. “In 1950, there was only one city in Africa of over one million people: Cairo,” says the book Africa in Crisis. “In 1980, there were 19 cities of over a million. By the year 2000, there are expected to be more than 60 such cities.” The rural population flocks into the cities in hopes of finding a better livelihood. But what has resulted is slums and degradation, often worse than what they left behind.

Rising Cost and Dwindling Supply

In the more affluent or developed nations, the causes of homelessness may be quite different. Advocates of the homeless usually point to economics as the prime factor. In Canada, for example, “while rising construction costs over the past two decades have pushed up the price of new houses,” reports the Canadian newsmagazine Maclean’s, “the arrival of two-income families on the housing market in recent years has driven prices even higher​—by as much as 50 per cent last year alone in some urban neighborhoods.”

Contributing to the rising cost of housing in many cities is the process called gentrification. Increasingly, older, low-cost housing in the inner city is being renovated or converted into high-cost units with all the modern amenities that cater to the newly rich or the young professionals who prefer city living to life in suburbia. This not only drives up the cost but also greatly reduces the supply of affordable housing for low- or even middle-income families.

In the city of New York, for example, a recent study found that a family would have to earn $58,000 a year to afford a new average-priced one-bedroom apartment. A national survey shows that Manhattan also tops the nation’s cities in rent. A 1,400-square-foot [130 sq m], two-bedroom apartment in a good area rents, on the average, for $2,555 a month, and a family would have to earn about $73,000 a year to afford it, assuming they are willing to spend over 40 percent of their income on housing alone.

Housing costs in other cities may be lower, but so is the average wage of workers. With housing eating away such a large chunk of a family’s income, any unfavorable financial turn could easily result in disaster. That was the case with John, who a few years ago moved his family of five from Chicago, Illinois, to Houston, Texas, in search of work. For a while he supported his family by the commissions he earned as a recreational-vehicle salesman. Then, because of the depressed economy, he made no sales for two months. Unable to pay the $595-a-month rent for his apartment, he and his family were evicted. With no one to turn to, they went to a shelter for homeless families. Although assured of a roof over his head, John wondered how he would ever get back on his feet again, since few employers will hire someone without an address.

While most people in large cities may not be homeless, what they live in leaves much to be desired. A survey reveals that even in a city as modern as New York, 10 percent of the housing stock are the so-called “old-law tenements,” houses considered unfit even at the turn of the century because of inadequate air, light, and sanitary provisions. Another 30 percent are “new-law tenements,” somewhat improved, but outmoded even by 1929 standards. Each year, as many as 30,000 people are forced out of their homes when their decaying buildings are finally condemned or abandoned.

A Psychiatric Factor

To complicate matters, many experts believe that economics may be only one side of the homeless problem. They contend that a high percentage of the homeless become so because they are mentally ill and can no longer care for themselves.

Since the mid-1960’s many state mental institutions, in an effort to reduce costs, have adopted what is called the community mental health approach. Mental patients are treated with certain new psychoactive drugs and then released. The theory was that with the more serious symptoms under control by the drugs, the patients would be rehabilitated by living in the community and being supported by it. As a result, in Canada, for example, the total capacity of mental institutions has dropped from 47,600 beds in 1960 to under 10,000 now, and the current population in mental hospitals in the United States is less than one quarter of the 1955 peak of 559,000.

“But the release of mental patients has been to a large degree undermined by the failure of the provinces to provide adequate community services, or living arrangements, for former psychiatric patients,” reports Maclean’s. Many of them are forced to live in run-down hostels and rooming houses. Others, unable to take control of their lives, end up in shelters or on the street. Welfare officials in many Canadian cities estimate that about a third of the homeless suffer some form of psychiatric disorder. A study conducted by Ellen Bassuk of Harvard Medical School found “a 90 percent incidence of diagnosable mental illness” among the residents of a typical shelter for the homeless in Boston.

The situation with homeless families placed in welfare hotels and the like is not much better. Though not many of them had suffered from mental illness, the overcrowding and unsanitary conditions, plus the boredom and hopelessness, often lead to family violence and emotional disturbance, especially for the children.

Tragedy in Search of a Solution

Although the experts cannot agree on whether homelessness is due to economic depression, the high cost of housing, psychiatric problems, or something else, several aspects of the problem remain alarming. First of all, there is no denying that the housing problem is intensifying worldwide. Second, more and more, not just single people but families, are becoming homeless. And finally, the homeless population is of a younger age. These tragic facts cry out for solutions. What is being done to solve the problem? How effective is it? And will there ever be sufficient housing for all?

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Makeshift shelter in the shadow of luxury housing

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Mark Edwards/​UNCHS

The Homeless​—Is There a Hope?

“SHELTER is a human need ranking in priority with food and water and a home is an essential condition of civilized life. Once these truths are seen, homelessness will be recognized for what it is: an affront to human dignity and the denial of a basic human right.”​—Lord Scarman, president of the United Kingdom Council for the International Year of Shelter for the Homeless.

Speeches like this clearly show that officials and governments are well aware of the need for more and better housing, and efforts are being directed to filling that need. The question, however, is: How effective are these efforts? Let us consider a few examples.

Survey of Current Efforts

To meet the needs of Bombay’s growing population, reports The Times of India, 125 new housing units are needed each day. While this may not seem to be a large figure, it amounts to over 45,000 units a year, and that is only to contain the growth. What about the more than 800,000 substandard, unsanitary slum huts in the city? To replace them in 20 years, another 110 units would have to be erected daily. That brings the total to over 85,000 units a year. To do so, “our production rate needs to jump fourfold,” says the report. Similarly, between 1961 and 1981, New Delhi, India’s capital, achieved less than one tenth of its goal of building 450,000 units of housing.

In Africa governments are hard-pressed by the housing crisis because of the influx of the rural population into the cities. In some countries, “unemployed city dwellers have simply been deported to the countryside,” reports The Star, a Johannesburg, South Africa, newspaper. In others, only established residents in the city are allowed to work there. Despite international outcry of discrimination, especially where racial factors are involved, have such strong-arm measures been successful? “The problem of providing jobs and homes for rural refugees is one that threatens to get out of hand in much of Africa​—and, indeed, throughout the Third World,” says the report. “It has been predicted that major African cities will face the collapse of their social and educational systems and their water, power and sewerage services.”

In Britain housing for the poor and repair or replacement of deteriorating housing stock are two major problems that call for urgent attention. “Yet at the same time as we are told that as a nation we ‘can’t afford’ to spend any more money in tackling these horrific problems, there is no restriction of any kind on the subsidy we pay to people who are buying their houses,” says the Catholic Herald. Because of the cutback on funds for low-cost housing, construction has dropped to less than a fifth of the level of ten years ago. To add to that, “we also have a massive repair bill, for both public and private housing, estimated at £50 million,” says the report. How the government plans to deal with these expenses is unclear.

“The problem of homelessness in America is more than the problem of housing the desperate and the helpless,” says an editorial in the New York Post. For example, the city of New York pays an average of $1,800 a month to keep one homeless family in a welfare hotel, and the annual bill for this service comes to $125 million. In addition, it spends $250 million a year operating 28 public shelters. Still, the number of homeless people in the city continues to rise. Why? “No one knows how to best reach the homeless,” concludes a special article on the homeless in U.S.News & World Report. “Better housing, more jobs and easier access to food stamps won’t help those who are mentally disturbed or hooked on drugs or alcohol.”

Treating the Symptoms

Clearly, solving today’s housing problems and meeting tomorrow’s housing needs prove to be an overwhelming task for governments around the world. Why? Because the problem of housing shortage and homelessness is not an isolated issue. It is deeply interwoven with other equally massive problems, such as population explosion, poverty, unemployment, and inflation. Without successfully tackling these other problems, it is unlikely that there will be much hope for housing. But is there a nation on earth today that is free from any of the problems mentioned? In fact, is there a government that is having genuine success in dealing with these problems? No, there is not.

In light of this, the efforts being put forth to solve the problems of the homeless may be likened to attempts to patch up cracks and leaks in a crumbling house. Though the intentions may be honorable, the effect is that of treating the symptoms only. What is needed is to tear down the rotten structure and build a new house from the foundation up.

This view certainly is not new. It was taught 19 centuries ago, and it was so far ahead of its time that the tradition-bound leaders of those days found it difficult to accept. “No one patches up an old coat with a piece of new cloth, for the new patch will shrink and make an even bigger hole in the coat,” said Jesus Christ. (Matthew 9:16, Today’s English Version) What did he have in mind?

The Permanent Solution

Rather than treating the symptoms, Jesus dealt with the root cause. He taught his disciples to look to God’s Kingdom for the permanent solution not only to the housing problems but also to all the ills that are plaguing mankind today. “Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth,” he urged them to pray. (Matthew 6:10) That Kingdom, which will carry out God’s purpose on earth, will not just patch up the present worn-out and broken-down system of things. It will replace it.

What will all of this mean for you? Listen to what the ancient Hebrew prophet Isaiah was inspired to say: “They will build houses and inhabit them, plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They will not build for others to live in, or plant so that others can eat. For my people shall live as long as trees, and my chosen ones wear out what their hands have made.”​—Isaiah 65:21, 22, The Jerusalem Bible.

Did you notice that the emphasis is not on just building more houses? Rather, it is on fairness, equality, and justice. Do you not long to live under such a government? Not only will you be able to have a house of your own, which is more than what most people today can ever hope to have, but you will live in peaceful surroundings, with plenty of food, clean air and water, and good neighbors. All of these, and more, are things that the righteous administration of God’s Kingdom will accomplish.

In obedience to Jesus’ command, Jehovah’s Witnesses today are telling people everywhere about “this good news of the kingdom.” (Matthew 24:14) Through the pages of this magazine and its companion, The Watchtower, as well as by personal visits, they are endeavoring to bring to your attention the marvelous prospects just ahead. We urge you to take the time to find out how you can be among those who will live under that righteous government that will restore the whole earth to be mankind’s eternal Paradise home.

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“They will build houses and inhabit them.”​—Isaiah 65:21, JB

The Universe​—Creation or Chance Event?

IN THE continuing debate on whether the universe was created or came about by chance, the following comments by Paul Davies, professor of theoretical physics at the University of Newcastle in Great Britain, in his book God and the New Physics are very thought provoking:

“If the universe is simply an accident, the odds against it containing any appreciable order are ludicrously small. . . . As this was clearly not the case, it appears hard to escape the conclusion that the actual state of the universe has been ‘chosen’ or selected somehow from the huge number of available states, all but an infinitesimal fraction of which are totally disordered. And if such an exceedingly improbable initial state was selected, there surely had to be a selector or designer to ‘choose’ it.”

Truly, just as a builder selects a design and the materials to construct something to serve his purpose, so the almighty God, whose name is Jehovah, created the universe. (Psalm 83:18; Revelation 4:11) Indeed, Professor Davies’ conclusion reminds us of the apostle Paul’s words at Hebrews 3:4: “He that constructed all things is God.”

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NASA photos

The Steam Age Lingers On

T-O-O-T! A whistle shatters the calm of England’s Sussex countryside. Hiss-ssss! Chug-chug-chug! Then, from a nearby engine shed emerges a mechanical giant bathed in a cloud of steam.

No, I am not dreaming. This is the 1980’s. I am about to travel by train from Sheffield Park to Horsted Keynes, four and a half miles [7.2 km] to the north. A steam locomotive will power the train for my journey!

The Fascination of Steam

Steam engines were at their peak some 50 years ago. Since then, diesel and electric traction have taken over in most countries. Yet, today, steam trains still enthrall ordinary people, and according to the book Railways for Pleasure, Britain has the highest percentage of railway enthusiasts of any country in the world. There are an estimated four million men, women, and children who “take more than a passing interest in railways, particularly steam trains.” Why?

Ever since a Cornishman, Richard Trevithick (1771-1833), harnessed steam power to haul goods, steam-traction devotees have viewed the locomotive as “one of the most romantic and beautiful machines ever built,” “that most evocative of man’s creations.” It provides a “source of excitement to enthusiasts and laymen alike.” From the early days of rail travel in Britain, when the Stockton to Darlington line opened in 1825 with George Stephenson’s Locomotion, enthusiasts traveled the tracks “purely for the enjoyment of the journey.” But what prompts such delight with what is to others an outmoded means of transport?

For those old enough to remember the days of steam trains, nostalgia plays its part. For those too young ever to have experienced steam rail travel, it is the novelty of riding behind the noisy giants of yesterday’s railways. In the foreword to the volume Symphony in Steam, O. S. Nock attributes this interest to “the sentimentality that is in all of us.” Railway World magazine agrees, describing the average railway enthusiast as “an incurable romantic at heart.” But wherein lies the attraction? “You can see and feel the power and strength of a steam locomotive,” explained one steam enthusiast. “It seems to be more of a living thing.” Declared another: “So far as I am concerned, it’s the smell.”

Preserved Steam

August 1968 brought the demise of steam engines to Britain’s national rail system. With thermal efficiency seldom exceeding 6 percent, steam locomotives gave way to more effective traction units. Depots that housed the famous steam trains became obsolete. Hundreds of locomotives were sold for scrap. The age of steam came close to extinction. The rail planners, however, did not reckon with the passionate interest of the enthusiasts. According to writer Brian Hollingsworth, these were people “whose sense of deprivation at the disappearance of the trains they loved inspired them to take up the idea of trying to preserve something of the atmosphere of the old days.” How did they set about this task?

Some purchased disused engine sheds. One of these, at Carnforth in northern England, now houses a steam museum covering 37 acres [15 ha]. A variety of steam engines take turns hauling coaches along a short length of track, to the delight of visitors. But the pleasure of a steam journey along the actual track that such engines used in their regular work is the object of many of Britain’s railway-preservation societies.

The enthusiasts’ attention turned to a South Wales scrapyard that developed into what The Sunday Telegraph calls “a Mecca for steam buffs.” Of the original 400 engines sold for scrap, by 1983 one quarter of them had been salvaged for preservation. Steam Railway magazine reports: “The novelty of locomotive rescues from Barry scrapyard may have diminished in recent years, but the work still goes on.” This is borne out by news that September 1985 saw the total engines unsold down to just 30, and “all but one of those has an intending buyer.”

Refurbishing a steam locomotive is not easy or cheap. At a cost of about $15,000 (U.S.), few individuals can purchase their own locomotive, and restoration work can add another $30,000 to the expense. Undeterred, teams of enthusiasts buy their engines and work on weekends and other free time to restore them. By 1983 they had preserved about a thousand steam locomotives. With the aim of making “preserved steam” working steam, Britain’s one hundred railway-preservation societies now own 229 miles [369 km] of track. Of these, the Bluebell Railway is the pioneer among standard-gauge private lines.

A Journey on the Bluebell Line

The rail ticket I clutch is valid for a round-trip from Sheffield Park to Horsted Keynes. Standing on the station platform, I look down the line to the engine sheds as the 0415-class locomotive No. 488, still swathed in a cloud of steam, eases its way out. All around are memorabilia of the Victorian age. A small museum recaptures the steam age’s heyday with stained-glass pictures of its pioneers, James Watt, George Stephenson, and I. K. Brunel. Old rail tickets, uniforms, timetables, engine lanterns, and guards’ flags are all there.

By now, No. 488, coupled to its coaches, heads the train. The semaphore signal drops. The guard blows his whistle and waves his green flag. From up front comes the engine’s lively response​—T-O-O-T! With gently increasing speed, our train moves away. Imperceptibly at first, and then very rhythmically, the gentle up-and-down movement familiar to steam-train passengers was felt. The rat-a-tat-tat as we cross the rail joints quickens. The engine puffs forward up the gentle gradient.

Leaving the station behind, our train takes a route through the spring countryside, slowing with a steeper gradient as it pulls through growing cornfields. On it goes, under a brick bridge, over a road. Its whistle sounding an alert as it rounds a bend, it plunges through a wood, the plume of steam indicating the direction. Now we ride alongside a beautiful carpet of bluebells and buttercups, which explains the name, the Bluebell Line. Next, a to-and-fro movement as the engine strains up the final bank on the approach to Horsted Keynes station. Passing another semaphore signal, we make a stately entry between the two main platforms, arriving some 20 minutes after we began.

There is time now for a quick look around the restored station buildings, a brief stop in the “Refreshments” room, then back on board the train for our return journey. The engine has successfully negotiated the shunting and is now coupled to the other end of our train for the quick descent back to Sheffield Park.

Visiting schoolchildren awaiting their first steam-powered train ride crowd around the alighting passengers. Among them are adults carrying still and video cameras, bent on capturing evidence of the continuing steam age.

Main-Line Steam Again?

The success of the privately run lines has influenced the thinking of the state-run rail system, British Rail. Some of the old steam giants now parade in their colorful livery to head special excursion trains on the regular main-line tracks. The garter-blue Mallard, for example, famed for its record-breaking 126-miles-per-hour [203 km/​hr] run in 1938, recently hauled a train from its National Railway Museum home in York, under steam for the first time since 1963.

The preservation of main-line steam has won a place in the heart of every enthusiast. On weekends, hundreds line station platforms to await the thrilling roar of a steam express. Necks crane and twist as trains thunder through, proof that the steam age lingers on.​—By Awake! correspondent in Britain.

[Picture on page 17]

Above: Replica of Locomotion built by George Stephenson & Co. in 1825 for the first public railway with steam traction

[Credit Line]

Beamish North of England Open-Air Museum

[Picture Credit Line on page 15]

Beamish North of England Open-Air Museum

[Picture Credit Line on page 16]

Photos: The Bluebell Railway, England

The Bible’s Viewpoint

Is Your Religion Good Enough for God?

“HERE everyone can get saved in his own fashion,” bragged Frederick the Great of Prussia about the religious tolerance in his country. Now, two centuries later, Germans quote his words as though they were Holy Writ, to prove that all religions are just different avenues of approach to the same God.

‘After all,’ they argue, ‘there’s only one God, isn’t there?’ But if so, why do these various ways supposedly to the same God teach such contradictory things about him? How does this harmonize with his being “a God, not of disorder, but of peace”?​—1 Corinthians 14:33.

Many “Gods” and Many “Lords”?

True, the Christian apostle Paul did say: “We know that . . . there is no God but one.” But notice his explanation: “For even though there are those who are called ‘gods,’ whether in heaven or on earth, just as there are many ‘gods’ and many ‘lords,’ there is actually to us one God the Father.” (1 Corinthians 8:4-6) Clearly, Paul’s argument is that some people worship nonexistent gods. But Christians consider only one God deserving of worship, the one “whose name is Jehovah.”​—Psalm 83:18.

“One God the Father”

A human father interested in the welfare of his children and desirous of protecting them from danger sets down guidelines and principles for them to follow. While lovingly taking into consideration their individual needs and limitations, he will nevertheless require all of them to obey the same set of standards.

While viewing each person as a different individual, mankind’s heavenly Father requires all his creatures to obey the same laws and to live according to the same principles. These principles do not vary from person to person or from country to country. After all, if it is a sin for a Catholic to have an abortion, is it any less so for a member of a liberal Protestant church? Or if it is a sin for an American fundamentalist to drink alcoholic beverages, is it any less so for the European Catholic who drinks beer or wine with meals?

Fruitage Determines the True Religion

After the ten-tribe northern kingdom of Israel fell to Assyria in the eighth century B.C.E., people from other parts of the Assyrian realm were transplanted into Samaria. These new residents continued “doing according to their former religions.” But were these religions different avenues of approach to the true God Jehovah? No, for the text plainly states: “There were none fearing Jehovah and none doing according to his statutes and his judicial decisions.”​—2 Kings 17:34.

Logically, religions that ignore God’s laws cannot be pleasing to God. This includes the principle expressed by Jesus: “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves.” How can a religion possibly represent the “God [who] is love” if its members lack this identifying fruit of true religion?​—John 13:35; 1 John 4:8.

A religion that really represents the one true God must produce people that are like him: loving, joyful, peaceable, long-suffering, kind, good, mild, and possessing self-control. (Galatians 5:22, 23) It must produce people with strong faith who firmly uphold his standards of conduct and morality. “By their fruits you will recognize them,” said Jesus, using the example of a tree. ‘Only those doing the will of God can enter the kingdom of the heavens.’ If a religion produces people who bring forth bad fruitage, what recommends it as being good?​—Matthew 7:16-23.

Ask yourself: Most religions teach that it is wrong to kill, but what do their members do in time of war? Most teach that marriage is a sacred institution, but what record do their members have as regards divorce and premarital and extramarital sex?

Words Versus Actions

In 1982 a professor of physics at an Eastern European university said upon becoming one of Jehovah’s Witnesses: “I have discovered that there is only one religious organization on earth capable of clearly defining the boundaries of relative freedom. What particularly convinced me during my study with Jehovah’s Witnesses is the fact that this organization has the strength to require of its members that they stay within these boundaries.”

Can other religions say as much? For example, during his 1986 Christmas message, Pope John Paul II called for an end to hatred, saying that “love alone can change the face of our planet.” But how successful has the Catholic Church been in accomplishing this within its own ranks? And if all religions are only different avenues leading to “the God of peace,” why is so little peace to be found among their members?​—Philippians 4:9.

They Found the Answer

Kurt became discouraged with his religion because it “condoned almost everything and neglected serious study of God’s Word.” Dieter was shocked to discover that his pastor does not even believe the Bible. Günter felt that “serving God must involve more than just listening to sermons and singing hymns.” All three now find satisfaction by participating in the extensive Bible training program carried on by Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Do not allow worldly thinking to mislead you into believing that ‘everyone can get saved his own way.’ Bible study will help you learn more about Jehovah, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, his Son. It will also lead you to the one true religion that worthily represents Him.

Young People Ask . . .

How Can I Fight the Habit of Masturbation?

“THE way I am directing my blows is so as not to be striking the air,” wrote the Christian apostle Paul. (1 Corinthians 9:26) He compared the struggle to control his desires to being in a boxing match. A boxer whose blows hit only air will soon lose the fight. Therefore, to fight successfully against the habit of masturbation, a person must know how properly to direct his efforts, or “blows.”a

“Prepare Your Minds for Action”

The battle against masturbation is fought in our mind. Hence, the Bible recommends: “Prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled.” (1 Peter 1:13, New International Version) For instance, we may happen to notice something that is sexually stimulating. The mind is inclined to dwell on such thoughts and let passion develop. (Matthew 5:28) When that occurs, our bodies tend toward sexual activity. The longer our minds dwell on the wrong thought, the more this physical process escalates to higher phases of excitement. Eventually, the level of arousal may lead to masturbation. But the mind must exert itself and reject the immoral thought. If it does so, then the arousal soon dies down and any discomfort because of body tension fades.

Rejecting bad thoughts, though, is difficult, especially when one is alone at night. A 17-year-old youth thus explains what steps he takes: “First of all, I try to ‘change the subject’ so as to get my mind off the thoughts that cause the stimulation. Also, realizing that the urge is going to go away eventually makes it easier.” “Changing the subject” may require more than just mental effort. One young woman adds: “The best thing to do is get right out of bed and get busy with some type of work, or maybe have a little snack, so that your mind turns to other things.” Yes, force yourself to ‘continue considering whatever things are of serious concern, righteous, chaste, lovable, well spoken of, virtuous, and praiseworthy.’​—Philippians 4:8.

When you have difficulty falling asleep, endeavor to imitate faithful King David, who wrote: “When I have remembered you [God] upon my lounge, during the night watches I meditate on you.” (Psalm 63:6) Forcing our minds to ponder on God and his qualities will often break the spell. “You lovers of Jehovah, hate what is bad,” wrote the psalmist. (Psalm 97:10) It is not easy to hate a practice that brings such momentary fleshly pleasure, but keep thinking of how God views this unclean habit. However, you must also . . .

Take Preventive Measures

“Shrewd is the one that has seen the calamity and proceeds to conceal himself, but the inexperienced have passed along and must suffer the penalty,” wrote the inspired wise man. (Proverbs 22:3) According to the original Hebrew word, “shrewd” in this instance means “quickness, readiness of mind or understanding.” Such a person exercises forethought and knows what will make a situation worse. Therefore, if you find that certain activities, types of clothing, or foods have caused you to become sexually stimulated, then by all means avoid such.b Avoid like the plague any reading matter, TV programs, or movies with sensuous themes. Don’t keep looking at such things. “Make my eyes pass on from seeing what is worthless,” prayed the psalmist. (Psalm 119:37) Such sensuous sights will be stored in your mind and often resurface when you are alone.

Especially is it necessary to take steps to ‘conceal yourself’ from future problems at times when you may be emotionally hurt or down, perhaps depressed. “Have you shown yourself discouraged in the day of distress? Your power will be scanty,” warns Proverbs 24:10. Knowing that during such times your resistance is lowered, or “scanty,” try to arrange your affairs as much as possible to avoid being alone for long periods of time. Plan a full schedule of upbuilding activities that will keep your mind involved in challenging undertakings, giving it less opportunity to gravitate to immoral thoughts. Then be especially careful about what you allow to fill your mind. A woman whose desires become more intense at certain times of the month should likewise use practical wisdom to cope with the added problems.

While applying the foregoing suggestions will help, most individuals who have successfully fought this bad habit found that the real solution was rooted in a strong spiritual offensive.

A Spiritual Offensive

A 27-year-old man who had struggled with the habit since he was 11 finally was able to gain the victory. How? First of all, he carefully avoided pornography. “Then it was a matter of going on the offensive by utilizing all my spiritual tools,” he explained. “I read the Bible, at least two chapters every single day without exception.” He has done this without fail for three years.

Other Christians who have had difficulty overcoming this habit have admitted that their waning personal study of God’s Word was definitely a contributing factor. “During one period, I had an especially strong desire to masturbate,” reported one Christian whose problem with masturbation continued after marriage. “There was pressure from my job and from so many other things that my personal study began to suffer. I saw the need to study more. This helped, and thankfully I overcame the desire with no relapse.”

“Having plenty to do in the work of the Lord,” such as in the work of teaching others the Bible, also helps. (1 Corinthians 15:58) One woman who overcame masturbation stated: “One thing that now really helps me to avoid this habit is that as a full-time evangelizer my mind and energies are all turned toward helping others to gain an approved relationship with God.”

Finally, to assist in maintaining self-control during the nighttime, one Christian advises: “Before going to bed, read something related to spiritual things. It is very important that the last thought of the day be a spiritual one. Prayer at this time is also extremely helpful.”

The Vital Role of Prayer

Yes, successfully fighting this bad habit requires “power beyond what is normal.” This comes from God. (2 Corinthians 4:7) By heartfelt prayers, you can beg God for this power. “Before him [God] pour out your heart,” wrote the psalmist. (Psalm 62:8) God promises that those who approach him with “freeness of speech” will find that he will give them “help at the right time.” (Hebrews 4:16) One young Christian woman who was troubled with this habit reported: “Prayer is an instant tower of strength. Praying at the time the desire arises definitely helps.” Also, upon rising and throughout the day, express your resolve to God and plead for his strengthening holy spirit.​—Luke 11:13.

Earnest prayers will draw you closer to God, and then God becomes very real and a personal Helper. Reflecting on your friendship with God and desiring to maintain “freeness of speech” is essential. However, at times a person will hold back from prayer either out of shame or because he finds the sexual arousal so pleasing that he does not want to stop. That is when such feelings must be resisted. The Bible says: “Persevere in prayer.” By supplicating God​—begging for help at that moment—​a person will usually find that the wrong impulse will fade.​—Romans 12:12.

Help From Others

If your personal efforts are not successful and you really want to win, then speak to someone who can help, such as a parent or a person who is spiritually qualified. One young man who was losing his struggle with masturbation reached the point of total despair. “I talked privately with my father one evening about it,” he revealed. “It took everything I had to tell him. I cried as I told him, I was so ashamed. But I’ll never forget what he said. With a reassuring smile on his face, he said: ‘You make me so proud of you.’ He knew what I had to go through to get to that point. No words could have lifted my spirits and determination more.

“My father then showed me a few scriptures to help me see that I was not ‘too far gone,’” continued the youth, “and then some more scriptures to be sure I understood the seriousness of my wrong course. He said to ‘keep the slate clean’ until a certain time, and we would discuss it again then. He told me not to let it crush me if I relapsed, just go a longer period of time without giving in the next time.” After overcoming the problem fully, the young man added: “Having someone else aware of my problem and helping me was the greatest benefit.”

Seeking the help of an elder in the Christian congregation has also been a great help to many. Women who may feel uncomfortable discussing such intimate problems with a male have often found it helpful to confide in a mature Christian woman. (Titus 2:3, 4) The helpful knowledge of these individuals will reinforce your own efforts to wage a successful fight against masturbation. How true is the Bible proverb: “A man [or woman] of knowledge is reinforcing power. For by skillful direction you will carry on your war, and in the multitude of counselors there is salvation”!​—Proverbs 24:5, 6.

Dealing With a Relapse

After working hard to overcome the habit, one youth suffered a relapse. He admitted: “It was like a crushing weight on me. I felt so unworthy. I then rationalized: ‘I’m too far gone. I don’t have Jehovah’s favor anyhow, so why be tough on myself?’” However, a relapse does not mean that one has lost the fight. One 19-year-old girl who struggled with the habit for five years explained: “At first it happened about every night, but then I began relying on Jehovah more, and with the help of his spirit I now only fail maybe six times a year. I feel very bad afterward, but each time I fail, when the next temptation comes, I’m much stronger.” So gradually she is winning her fight.

When a relapse occurs, analyze what led up to it. One youth, when she had a relapse, admitted: “I pray for forgiveness, and I review what I have been reading or thinking about. Almost always I can pinpoint the reason I slipped. This way I can stop doing that and correct it.” By keeping a check on the frequency of any relapses, an individual can monitor his or her progress.

The Rewards of a Good Fight

When he finally overcame masturbation, one young man said: “It was as if a huge weight had been lifted.” Another Christian youth reported: “Since overcoming the problem, I can keep a clean conscience before Jehovah, and that is something that I wouldn’t trade for anything!”

Yes, a good conscience, an improved sense of personal worth, a better use of your time and emotional energies, a less likely chance of committing sexual immorality, and a closer relationship with God are all rewards of a good fight against masturbation. “I now experience a great joy because I feel ‘in control’ of myself after such a long struggle with myself,” stated one young woman who had considered herself “addicted” to masturbation. “I now know the importance of hating what Jehovah hates. The biggest help was to reflect on my relationship with him. I saw how foolish it would be to let masturbation ruin the most worthwhile relationship I’ve ever had. Believe me, the victory over this habit is well worth the effort put forth.” In this way, too, one should follow the counsel of the apostle Paul at 1 Corinthians 9:25-27, which says, in part: “I pummel my body and lead it as a slave, that, after I have preached to others, I myself should not become disapproved somehow.”

[Footnotes]

[Box on page 23]

To fight the habit of masturbation successfully requires that one (1) reject erotic thoughts, (2) go on the spiritual offensive through good study habits, (3) pray to God for help at the right time, and (4) in some cases, talk to a mature Christian about the problem

Pope John Paul Visits a Restless Flock

DURING ten busy days last September, Pope John Paul II jetted across North America, visiting nine U.S. cities and a village in Canada’s Northwest Territories. He reached out to non-Catholics and at the same time dealt with a growing independence in his North American flock.

Priests questioned the church’s rules on celibacy. Bishops suggested its moral rules were too strict. American Indians protested the way the church had treated their ancestors.

The pope addressed the growing practice among U.S. Catholics of ‘picking and choosing’ the parts of church teaching they want to follow. For example, Monsignor John Tracy Ellis explained that many people say: “I’m Catholic, but I won’t accept everything the Pope teaches.” Time magazine reported: “Once regarded by Rome as among the most dutiful sons and daughters of the church, many American Catholics now believe they have a right to pick and choose the elements of their faith, ignoring teachings of the church they disagree with.”

Careful Planning

This visit was orchestrated with great care. Texts not only of what church representatives would say but even of what Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist leaders would tell the pope were sent to the Vatican long in advance so that careful responses could be prepared.

The tour began in Miami on September 10. There, Catholic priest Frank J. McNulty, speaking as the representative of the 57,000 U.S. priests, urged the pope to consider such divisive issues as priestly celibacy, the growing drift of Catholics away from church teachings, and women’s desire for a larger role in the church. He said that the value of celibacy “has eroded and continues to erode in the minds of many.” The Los Angeles Times commented that the pope’s “mildly worded” response “did not touch directly on any of the issues [McNulty] raised” but that the pope “did stress the duty of priests to submit to his teaching authority.”

Next, in Columbia, South Carolina, John Paul met with non-Catholic religious leaders. In New Orleans he warned theologians teaching in Catholic schools that they are not free to depart from official church teachings.

In Phoenix, Arizona, he confessed to “mistakes and wrongs” members of his church had committed in the past against American Indians, and he publicly accepted a religiously symbolic eagle feather from an Indian medicine man.

Then, at a meeting with 300 U.S. bishops in Los Angeles, cardinal John R. Quinn told the pope: “We as pastors are greatly concerned that some particular areas of the church’s teaching in both sexual and social morality are at times subjected to negative criticism in our country and sometimes even by Catholics of good will.” The pope replied that it is a “grave error” for Catholics to consider themselves faithful if they dissent from church teachings on “sexual and conjugal morality, divorce and remarriage . . . [and] abortion.”

Homosexuality was discussed in San Francisco, a city in which AIDS had already taken more than 2,150 lives. Sixty-two victims of AIDS were part of a group that met with the pope. Among them were two priests, a former monk, a number of homosexual men, and a four-year-old boy who had contracted AIDS through a blood transfusion.

In Detroit, John Paul condemned abortion. He said: “Respect for life and its protection by the law [should be] granted to every human being from conception until natural death.” From Detroit he went to Fort Simpson, in Canada, where he gave a “ringing endorsement” to Indian demands for self-government and possession of their own land.

How did U.S. Catholics react to the pope’s stand? The Times of London observed: “While his magnetic personal presence had undoubtedly uplifted the Church, his uncompromising demands for obedience to the Vatican have only heightened dissent.”

Governed by Christ?

In Miami, at the beginning of his tour, Pope John Paul had said that the reason for accepting Catholic authority is that his church “is an institution governed by Jesus Christ.” If that were true, should not its teachings be uncompromisingly obeyed? Why should priests want to change Christ’s teachings? And why should bishops be concerned about public criticism?

The problem is that not all these church rules were based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. Some reflect ideas, policies, and traditions that have been accumulated down through the centuries rather than being based on Christ’s own teachings and on the beliefs he originally transmitted to his followers.

You might find it extremely interesting to compare these modern teachings with what Jesus and his apostles really taught.

What Jesus and His Apostles Really Said

These teachings are preserved in a book that contains the only accurate written record of Jesus’ own words and of what he and his apostles actually taught. You may already own a copy of that book, the Bible. It shows what true Christianity really taught before so many human ideas were added. The following quotations (except the one from Exodus) are of statements recorded by Jesus’ apostles themselves, discussing actions that are not permitted in the true Christian congregation:

Sex Outside of Marriage: “People of immoral lives, idolaters, adulterers . . . will never inherit the kingdom of God.”​—1 Corinthians 6:9, 10, The Jerusalem Bible.

“When self-indulgence is at work the results are obvious: fornication, gross indecency and sexual irresponsibility . . . those who behave like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”​—Galatians 5:19-21, JB.

“Since sex is always a danger, let each man have his own wife and each woman her own husband.”​—1 Corinthians 7:2, JB; see also 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8.

Homosexual Practices: “That is why God has abandoned them to degrading passions: . . . why their menfolk have given up natural intercourse to be consumed with passion for each other, men doing shameless things with men and getting an appropriate reward for their perversion.”​—Romans 1:26, 27, JB.

“Neither fornicators . . . nor men kept for unnatural purposes, nor men who lie with men . . . will inherit God’s kingdom. And yet that is what some of you were. But you have been washed clean, but you have been sanctified, but you have been declared righteous in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the spirit of our God.”​—1 Corinthians 6:9-11; see also 1 Timothy 1:9-11.

Abortion: The Bible says that if even by accident two struggling men should “hurt a pregnant woman and her children do come out . . . if a fatal accident should occur, then you must give soul for soul.” Thus, even if a careless lack of concern caused the death of an unborn, that act was punishable by death. And the Christian apostle John wrote: “No manslayer has everlasting life remaining in him.”​—Exodus 21:22, 23; 1 John 3:15.

Following are things Jesus and his apostles did not mention. These unnecessary restrictions were added later.

Priestly Celibacy: Paul, Jesus’ apostle who carried Christianity to the non-Jewish world, showed that celibacy was not required. He wrote: “Do we not have the right to take along a Christian wife, as do the rest of the apostles, and the brothers of the Lord, and Kephas [Peter]?”​—1 Corinthians 9:5, The New American Bible, Saint Joseph Edition.

He also wrote: “It behoveth therefore a bishop to be . . . the husband of one wife.”​—1 Timothy 3:2, Roman Catholic Douay Version; see also 1 Timothy 4:1-3.

No Remarriage: Jesus showed that there is one sin against a person’s mate that is so serious that it can make divorce and remarriage permissible. He said: “I now say to you, whoever divorces his wife (lewd conduct is a separate case) and marries another commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” (Matthew 19:9, NAB) In a footnote to verse 9 the above-mentioned Bible translation states: “Lewd conduct is a separate case: literally ‘except for porneia,’ i. e., immorality, fornication, even incest.”

Rules Regarding Contraception: The Bible says children should be loved, cared for, and reared according to godly principles, but nowhere does it state that each act of sexual intercourse should provide the opportunity for a child to be conceived. It does not mention birth control to limit the size of a family within marriage.

If the Catholic Church were truly an institution governed by Christ Jesus, then all its teachings and practices would be in complete harmony with God’s Word, the Holy Scriptures. It would not be experiencing division among its bishops, priests, and church members. The matter is serious. Jesus said: “Every kingdom divided against itself is heading for ruin, and a household divided against itself collapses.” (Luke 11:17, JB) May this situation move our Catholic readers to look more thoroughly into the Bible so as to learn what God requires in order for us to be acceptable to him. Jehovah’s Witnesses will be pleased to assist in this.

[Box on page 25]

Acceptance of Church Teaching

A Time magazine poll taken last August (published September 7) showed the extent to which Americans who say they are Catholic disagree with official church teaching. It reported these figures:

27% of U.S. Catholics interviewed said women should have the right to abortion on demand

53% thought priests should be allowed to marry

78% said it is permissible for Catholics to “make up their own minds” on such issues as birth control and abortion

93% believed “it is possible to disagree with the Pope and still be a good Catholic”

A New York Times/​CBS News Poll (published September 11, 1987, in The New York Times) showed similar doubts among priests:

24% said they personally favored “the use of artificial methods of birth control”

55% favored allowing priests to marry

57% said a person could disagree “with the church that having an abortion is a sin” and “still be a good Catholic”

[Box on page 26]

Celibacy Not a First-Century Command

Pope Paul VI endorsed the requirement of celibacy for the clergy but acknowledged that “the New Testament which preserves the teaching of Christ and the Apostles . . . does not openly demand celibacy of sacred ministers . . . Jesus Himself did not make it a prerequisite in His choice of the Twelve, nor did the Apostles for those who presided over the first Christian communities.”​—Sacerdotalis Caelibatus (Priestly Celibacy, 1967).

[Box on page 26]

“Drive Out This Evil-Doer . . . ”

The apostle Paul told first-century Christians what to do about an immoral person in the congregation: “You should not associate with a brother Christian who is leading an immoral life . . . You must drive out this evil-doer from among you.” Does your church really do that?​—1 Corinthians 5:11-13, JB.

From Our Readers

Depression

It is with some interest that I read your articles on “Depression​—You Can Win the Fight!” (October 22, 1987) Your presentation of the material is very accurate and quotations precise and helpful. However, in spite of your excellent descriptions of the symptoms and feelings a depressed person experiences, I felt that the overall emphasis of the material was one of “pull yourself together.” Such persons simply cannot “pull themselves together” no matter how hard they try. . . . The suggestion that one should “fight” depression can only serve to increase unnecessary feelings of guilt and inadequacy. . . . The foregoing is not meant to be received as direct criticism, rather some points which I believe need emphasizing, in our endeavors to create a climate of understanding and appropriate care for the depressed and their families. Your magazine does a great deal of good in featuring the subject in a way that can help many to obtain a better understanding of the subject of depression.

D. L., Depressives Associated, England

We certainly do not advocate the “pull yourself together” therapy. Our articles showed that there are various degrees of depression and a variety of causes. Not all depression is caused by one’s thinking, and in severe cases professional help is needed. However, research has clearly shown that adjustments in one’s thinking are often essential to overcome depression fully. While it is true that the depressed person may need help in changing his thinking, at certain levels of depression a person can do much to prevent his situation from worsening by making the adjustments mentioned. Scores of people, contacted by “Awake!” while compiling the articles, mentioned that lasting relief came by adjusting their thinking. The articles simply alerted our readers to the type of thinking that could either contribute to the problem or fight it.​—ED.

Your articles on depression came at just the right time. It was sobering to find myself in some of the statements. For years I have struggled with an inferiority complex, and at times my level of self-respect has sunk to absolute zero. Much of the material presented expressed my sentiments completely. I realize that in some respects I must learn to change my way of thinking.

S. G., Federal Republic of Germany

Thank you very much for your articles on depression. I suffered from severe depression from childhood on, fighting a constant battle against self-destructive thoughts. Only in my 30’s did I learn through allergy testing that controlling my diet would relieve a large part of the problem. But your articles caused me to realize the great extent to which depressive thinking still persisted, robbing me of joy and, even more importantly, causing me to pass along depressive patterns to my children because of the way I dealt with them. The article “Winning the Fight Against Depression” gave me hope that there is a way of dealing with the problem. I can already see very positive results in myself and my children from applying the fine suggestions you presented.

R. G., United States

Watching the World

“Important” Tonsils

‘Increased awareness of the important immunobiological function of the tonsils’ warrants a new ‘less radical approach’ as an alternative to tonsillectomy, according to a professor of otolaryngology at Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. Geza Jebo reports success with a CO₂ laser in treating 22 cases of chronic tonsillitis, using it to repair rather than remove the tonsils. “The patients ranged in age from 14 to 42 years and all had reported frequent bouts of tonsillitis two to 11 years prior to surgery,” says The Medical Post of Canada. Another very important benefit: “No postoperative bleeding occurred requiring office or emergency room visits.”

Baby Snooze

Twelve years ago, a Japanese doctor placed a miniature condenser microphone in a human womb. By playing the tape recording of the sounds of the uterus to 87 crying babies, he was able to calm 84 percent of them. A more modern development of this same idea has been supervised at Queen Charlotte’s Hospital, London, England, with the recording of the sound of a mother’s arterial blood supply to the placenta. The mother found its sleep-inducing effects successful in calming her baby for the first five months after its birth. The key to effective use of such techniques, reports The Times of London, is to start playing the tape as soon as possible after the child’s birth.

Praiseworthy Liver

In the Spanish town of El Ferrol, Mayor Ulla recently unveiled a memorial statue to the liver. During his working life as a doctor and the one who conducts postmortems in the town, he has seen hundreds of livers “that were tortured by cocktails, wine, tranquilizers, and other medicines.” Every day the liver has to contend with such poisons, he said. The granite sculpture, which was financed by the town council and a bank, is intended to give credit to this “unpretentious and unselfish organ.”

Undermining Marital Stability

“The overall association between premarital cohabitation and subsequent marital stability is striking,” states a report by the National Bureau of Economic Research in Cambridge, Massachusetts. “The dissolution rates of women who cohabit premaritally with their future spouse are, on average, nearly 80 percent higher than the rates of those who don’t.” The study included 4,996 Swedish women between 20 and 44 years of age, some of whom had lived with their mates before marriage and some of whom had not. Sweden’s rate of cohabitation before marriage is three times that of the United States. “It appears that people who cohabit premaritally are less committed to the institution and are more inclined to divorce than people who don’t live together,” said Neil Bennett, one of the report’s authors.

Feigned Illness

When a man recently turned up at a London, England, hospital, his heart attack proved to be as false as the personal details he gave about himself. Yet, according to the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, his numerous surgical scars indicated that he had successfully fooled medical professionals at other hospitals into operating on him. The reason? He suffers from a form of Munchausen’s syndrome, a medical term for imaginary illness. Every year as many as 1,500 similar sufferers in Britain try to get hospitals to perform operations on them. According to The Times of London, so convinced are these sufferers of their own illness that they have been known to forge medical records and even tamper with diagnostic equipment to attract attention.

Leukemia Risk

An Australian medical study claims that there is a link between having X rays during the early stages of pregnancy and childhood leukemia. Even dental X rays in the first trimester may be risky, say researchers. The study’s head researcher, Dr. Bill McWhirter, concluded: “I think we can definitely say, as a result of these findings, that X-rays during pregnancy can cause leukemia in children and are to be avoided as far as possible.” The research team did not find a link between household pesticides and leukemia, although agricultural herbicides and pesticides are still suspect. The report in The Medical Post also noted that pregnant women on a supplement of folic acid were “less likely to have a child with leukemia.”

Unique Problem

“Though the Catholic church disbars women from the priesthood, it holds that a priest once ordained remains one forever, whatever his transgressions,” notes The Economist. The problem now is that a priest named Paolo, who served for 25 years in a town in southern Italy, recently underwent a sex-change operation to become a woman. “She” then applied for, and received, early retirement and the priestly pension. Now the Vatican must figure out what to do with Paolo. “The Vatican might have preferred this unique episode in the history of the priesthood to have remained undiscovered,” says The Economist.

Microscopic Miners

A new method for processing gold ores is under way in South Africa. According to the South African newspaper Business Day, stubborn deposits of ore that do not respond to the usual method of extracting gold are being fed to bacteria called Thiobacillus ferrooxidans. These microscopic miners break down the surrounding pyrite, which makes it easy to extract the gold. The new method, called bioleaching, is much cheaper than the old method of roasting ore, which involved a costly process to prevent pollution. Efficiency seems to be another advantage. “At our Fairview bioleaching plant,” states metallurgist Pieter van Aswegen, “we achieve gold recoveries of 95 percent or more, compared with 90 percent recovery using roasting.”

Rebuilding Babylon

For eight years now, the government of Iraq has been working on rebuilding ancient Babylon. They have not had much to work with, as the best artifacts were removed long ago by the Germans and the French, and the Turks had used the bricks for building dams on the Euphrates. With few original pictures to go on, most of the restoration has been based on an imagination of what the original city​—that once covered almost eight square miles [20 sq km] and had a population of one million—​looked like. Some 1,800 foreign workers have been at the task, since Iraqi men are off fighting in a war. Recently, they hastily laid 14 million bricks to reconstruct walls and turrets. How has the work been going? “It is said that the walls they constructed thousands of years ago were straighter than the walls they are putting up now,” said one diplomat.

Second Boat Found

The second underground chamber near the Great Pyramid of Giza has now been penetrated and viewed through a small camera. As expected, it contained another funerary boat for the “soul” of Pharaoh Cheops. However, the researchers’ goal of recovering a sample of trapped ancient air, to find out what it was like before increased burning of fossil fuels, appears to have been thwarted. “It is unlikely that the air in the pit remained unchanged for 4,600 years,” said research scientist Pieter Tans, who took a whiff of it. “The limestone was extremely soft and porous, indicating that there might not be much ancient air in the pit.” There are no plans to excavate this second boat. It took ten years to reassemble the dismantled pieces of the first one.

Andorra​—The Pearl of the Pyrenees

PERCHED high in the Pyrenees Mountains is the little principality of Andorra, wedged between France and Spain. With an area of 179 square miles [464 sq km] and a population of less than 50,000, it is one of the smallest countries in the world. Although French and Spanish are spoken, the official language is Catalan.

Andorra had its own ruler as far back as the ninth century, when it came under the control of the bishop of the nearby diocese of Urgel. Today, Andorra is ruled by the Spanish Catholic bishop of Urgel and the president of France.

Whether you approach it from the French or the Spanish border, Andorra is like discovering a hidden jewel in the midst of the lofty Pyrenees.

“The Drudgery Is Gone Forever!”

So commented one user of the Watch Tower Publications Index 1930-1985. She adds: “How different personal study is. . . . Can’t get over how much I can look up in just a short period of time.”

This new book has indexed every publication of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society from 1930 to 1985. By using it, you can find with ease in your library of Watch Tower publications specific information on literally thousands of subjects, such as

◼ the dos and don’ts of discipline in child training

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◼ the role of DNA in cell replication

◼ what a prayer should not include

◼ the Bible’s view on birth control

◼ what God’s Kingdom will mean to us

Please send, postpaid, the Watch Tower Publications Index 1930-1985. I enclose $7.00 (U.S.). (Outside the U.S.A., write to local Watch Tower branch for information.)