February 8

Page Two

DRINKING AND DRIVING 3-13

Worldwide, some 300,000 people are killed and millions are injured each year in vehicle accidents, much of the carnage caused by drivers who had been drinking. Will this problem ever be solved?

“Why Did God Take My Child?” 18

When a child dies, is God responsible? What happens to the child at death, and what hope is there?

Do You Hate to Receive Criticism? 20

Most people do. Here are six ways to help you to remove, or at least lessen, the sting of criticism.

A Deadly Mixture

“A GRAVE crisis,” declared U.S. president Bush. An “appalling state of affairs,” stated The Star of South Africa. “An epidemic,” reported U.S.News & World Report. “A scourge on society,” said a concerned citizen.

Are they talking about the dreadful AIDS virus? No, but about another kind of plague that in most countries is at present claiming more victims than AIDS. What is it? The result of a deadly mixture: drinking and driving.

Worldwide, about 300,000 people are killed in vehicle accidents each year. Of the millions who are injured, tens of thousands are maimed for life. The financial cost is many thousands of millions of dollars annually. Alcohol-related accidents account for a large part of that.

In the decade ending in 1990, some 100,000 people died from AIDS in the United States. But in the same ten years, about 250,000 have been killed in alcohol-related vehicle accidents. AIDS more often directly affects the sexually promiscuous and the intravenous drug user. But the alcohol-impaired driver may kill not only the abuser but the innocent bystander as well.

The mixing of drinking and driving often inflicts a most violent kind of death upon unsuspecting victims, and it rips apart families. It bereaves parents of their children, children of their parents, spouses of their mates.

Attempts to Stem the Tide

Many efforts are being made to stem this tidal wave of devastation. In the United States, public awareness campaigns have been launched by grass-roots organizations such as RID (Remove Intoxicated Drivers) and MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers). There are Stop-DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) programs. Similar organizations exist in other countries. These help victims with their rights and promote legal reforms.

Law-enforcement agencies are stepping up efforts to arrest impaired drivers, using such things as sobriety checkpoints. Various laws have been enacted to make those who serve alcoholic beverages liable for prosecution. Even billboards are being used to remind drivers of existing laws.

Death Toll Continues to Rise

In spite of all these efforts, the drunk-driving death toll throughout the world continues to rise. In Brazil one person is killed every 21 minutes​—some 25,000 each year—​in alcohol-related accidents. That is about 50 percent of all traffic fatalities there. In England and Germany, about one fifth of all traffic fatalities are said to be alcohol related. In Mexico, according to several sources, 80 percent of the 50,000 traffic fatalities are due to ‘human error, basically caused by drunk driving,’ reports Mexico City’s El Universal.

It is estimated that over 25 percent of traffic casualties in South Africa involve alcohol. In the United States in an average year, alcohol-related accidents result in some 650,000 injuries, of which about 40,000 are serious; over 23,000 people are killed​—about half of the total traffic fatalities.

Out of desperation in attempting to curb the alcohol-impaired driver, a DWI Victims Panel was organized in Washington State, U.S.A. It has become part of the judicial process in sentencing those convicted of driving while under the influence of an intoxicant. The program is now employed in many parts of that country. Its purpose is to bring offenders face-to-face with the tragic consequences of their irresponsible drinking. The guilty offenders are sentenced by the courts to listen to the victims and their family members and be made aware of the awful price that has been paid. Awake! was invited to take a close look at one such presentation.

[Picture Credit Line on page 4]

Dominic D. Massita, Sr./​Accident Legal Photo Service of New York

Victims Face Offenders

THE setting: Upper New York State’s Genesee County DWI Victims Panel. The scene: Six persons, bound together by the grief they share and holding pictures of their loved ones, participate in a painful attempt to make an impact on offenders convicted of driving while intoxicated.

The following are excerpts from their remarks, condensed by Awake!

The Victims

A father: “This is our son Eric. He was an ideal son, full of humor, full of smiles. Now I’m a sad, grieving father with a deceased son 17 years old. In an instant, gone were our dreams, our hopes for the future, our love​—killed by a drunk driver.

“I go with my wife to the cemetery. It’s the last thread we have to hang on to. We read Eric’s words engraved on the marker: ‘I will miss you with all my heart, and I hope we won’t be far apart; and if we are, I will cry because I never wanted to say good-bye.’ And we don’t want to say good-bye either.”

A young widow: “This is my family. A 22-year-old man left a wedding reception claiming he did not feel intoxicated. In his pickup truck, traveling at a high speed down a dark, unfamiliar road, he approached a warning sign and ignored it, then continued through a stop sign and crashed into us. The next moment I recall was awakening with a painful pressure in my chest. As I struggled to open my eyes, I managed to get a glimpse of my husband slumped over the steering wheel. I heard my baby crying. I remember asking, ‘What happened?’

“No one answered. My husband, Bill, 31 years old; my oldest son, 6 years old; and my twin boys, 4 years old, were dead. My only hope left was my little nine-month-old girl, who was hospitalized with a severe head injury.

“As I lay in the hospital on a dreary, wet, Wednesday morning, my husband and three boys were buried. I thought of four coffins, four broken bodies, four persons that I would never see, hear, or touch again. How was I supposed to go on?

“My little daughter and I were forced to start a new life. I sold my home, as I was unable to live with the memories. I find it hard to cope with the fact that my husband and three beautiful boys are in the cemetery. All the care, the worry, the love, was not enough to protect them. The pain, frustration, and emptiness I feel cannot be put into words. They lived for such a short time.

“The person who took the lives of my family was not a hardened criminal or an alcoholic or a repeat offender​—just an average person out for an evening of socializing. I’m paying this awful price because someone chose to drink and drive. May this never happen to you or someone you love.”

A mother: “My daughter’s name is Rhonda Lynn. She was to have graduated from high school on June 21. On June 10 she was taking the last lesson of her driver-education course. On that day two individuals who had been partying and drinking heavily made an irresponsible decision to drive. In one brief moment, they made it the last day of Rhonda’s life, as well as the lives of her driver-education teacher and two of her classmates.

“That afternoon I received a call saying that Rhonda had been involved in an accident. My only thought was that I had to be with her. When I arrived at the hospital, I was told not to go in to see Rhonda. But I had to be sure. I made them pull the sheet away. Her face was so swollen and badly scratched. I kept staring at her beautiful eyes and touching her arm, but I couldn’t make her crushed body better. All I could do was stroke her beautiful hair. There was no response. She was gone.

“I had the unfortunate task of telling her father and brothers that she was gone. Now our days are not the same because of the horrendous void. If we could just hug her, hold her one more time. Life will never be the same. All we have left are the memories.”

An Offender

A young man: “My story is different from the ones you’ve heard so far. Mine begins 23 months ago. I remember it as if it were yesterday. My girlfriend was bowling in a league that night, so I decided to have a few drinks and watch her bowl. I had five or six glasses of beer in the next two and a half hours. I figured I’d be responsible and wait an hour before I drove home.

“About 30 minutes into my trip home, there was an ambulance on the road, and there was a man in the middle of the road directing traffic. I never saw that man until it was too late. I tried to swerve and put on my brakes. As soon as my windshield shattered, I said to myself: ‘Let it be a deer or a dog!’ But I knew it wasn’t. I got out of the car and went over to him, screaming, ‘Are you OK? Are you OK?’ He didn’t answer me. I remember standing over him, looking at his face. It was all so morbid.

“The state troopers came over and asked me questions. Then they said: ‘You’re being very cooperative, but you’re walking funny and you’re talking funny. Have you been drinking?’ They took me to the police barracks and gave me a test. It was an 0.08 [an illegal blood-alcohol content in most parts of the United States]. I couldn’t believe that this was happening to me. I had thought that nothing like this could ever happen to me. Yet, now I was facing criminally negligent homicide charges, DWAI [Driving While Ability Impaired].

“I was one month away from getting my teaching certificate. Think about how society looks upon teachers. They expect them to be morally unblemished. It was what I was working for, and now I was looking at losing it all.

“I got one year’s probation, lost my driver’s license for 19 months, was fined 250 dollars, spent a weekend in jail, did 600 hours of community service, and went through a nine-week alcohol counseling course. More than that, I remember the nights I’d wake up shaking, with the picture of that man’s face in my mind. And I had to go back and face all my friends and family. It seemed like such a struggle to continue with my life. I wasn’t sure it was worth it. I had to go back to student teaching and look at all those kids. I couldn’t help but wonder how many of them knew about what I had done. And I was filled with the guilt and remorse that I felt toward that man’s family.

“The night of the accident, I had to do the toughest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life​—call my mom and tell her, ‘Mom, I killed a man in an accident. I need a ride home.’ When she got there, we just held each other and cried. I wouldn’t wish for my worst enemy to go through what I went through. People who drink and drive​—that’s a problem I want to help with. When you walk away from this meeting, walk away with remembrance of us. Never forget us.”

The Panel Concludes

Patricia Johnston, coordinator of this victims panel, concluded with her own tragic experience of her alcoholic father’s fatal crash. She said: “If I could bottle the grief that alcohol causes and make it ‘one for the road,’ there would never be a need for another program like this!”

Finally, the moderator asked if anyone had questions. None were asked. But there were many with tearful eyes who said: “You’ll never hear of me drinking and driving again.”

Time alone will tell what results such panels will have in affecting the rate at which arrested offenders return to the road again to drive when drunk. But what makes the problem one of frightening proportions is the huge number, millions, of those who do take to the road impaired and who are not apprehended.

Recent reports from the Bureau of Justice Statistics of the U.S. Department of Justice showed that in one recent year, nearly two million persons were arrested for DUI (Driving Under the Influence). But statistics also showed that for every DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) arrest made, as many as 2,000 more may go undetected in unpatrolled areas, numbers waiting to give birth to casualties.

What has created the environment that fosters such deadly and irresponsible action? Why does the war against drinking and driving continue to be waged but not won? Let us look at some of the answers.

[Picture on page 7]

Reenactment of perpetrator facing victims panel

Who Is at Fault?

“GETTING drunk is acceptable” to many people in society, says Jim Vanderwood of the Mohawk Valley Council on Alcoholism in New York State. Unfortunately, very few can successfully deny that drinking, even to excess, is part of their society’s makeup.

For years most societies have been tolerant of regular, and even heavy, drinking. This has encouraged others to imitate that permissive attitude. As Vanderwood states: “Look at the movies. We’ve always applauded people who can drink you under the table and still go out and be a great cowboy. It’s looked upon as a kind of self-esteem builder. How do you combat that?”

Thus, while the primary guilt rests upon those who commit mayhem by drinking and driving, permissive, indulgent societies with their unbalanced attitude toward alcohol also bear a measure of the guilt.

“Drinking is not only acceptable but vigorously promoted,” states crime prevention officer Jim Thompson. He told Awake!: “Many sporting events are geared around the alcohol industry, such as the beer industry.” He noted that during many sporting events, “the best commercials on TV are beer commercials, with all of society’s shining stars endorsing their favorite beer.”

A federal workshop held under the direction of former U.S. surgeon general C. Everett Koop was boycotted by the National Association of Broadcasters and the Association of National Advertisers. Why? Because it addressed this issue of driving under the influence of alcohol and the matter of culpability. Dr. Patricia Waller, who chaired the Education Panel of the workshop, stated: “The fact is that we [society] have created this problem, and people are dumb enough to succumb to all the pressure we’ve been putting on them since they were old enough to notice anything on television. ‘But,’ [society says] ‘we’re not responsible. That’s not our problem.’”

Today’s Youthful Offender​—Tomorrow’s Problem Drinker

Through various means, such as television, movies, and advertisements, drinking is glamorized. This reaches the young, impressionable mind with the message, ‘You can drink and live happily ever after.’

“The average child will see alcohol consumed 75,000 times on TV before he is of legal drinking age,” states Dr. T. Radecki of the National Coalition on Television Violence in the United States. British researcher Anders Hansen surveyed prime-time TV in the United Kingdom and found that 71 percent of all fictional programs include drinking. There were, on an average, 3.4 scenes of drinking per hour with “very few portrayals of alcohol consumption with more specific outcomes,” such as vehicle accidents and homicides, lamented Hansen.

Writing for The Washington Post, columnist Colman McCarthy put it this way: “Behind the fun-and-games of . . . ex-athletes as barroom pitchmen are ad and promotional campaigns designed to captivate children and push to college students the idea that consuming alcohol, and lots of it, is essential for social well-being. Take it from the ‘tastes great, less filling’ boys, if you aren’t hoisting a glass, you’re out of it.”

In the Soviet Union, drinking and driving is a major national problem. Some officials there doubt that drinking habits can be changed. “It’s in our Russian roots,” said one. While this may be so, it is viewed by many as a form of recreation. So the young and impressionable grow up in an environment of drinking.

J. Vanderwood explains that the United States has “a young drinking culture. Alcohol equals softball, bowling, superbowl, happy hours. If it’s recreation, it’s alcohol, if it’s alcohol, it’s recreation.” He notes: “You might grow out of that phase if you haven’t triggered your addiction psychologically, sociologically, or physically.” But then he warns: “One thing that we know from research, and it’s well attested to, is that if you start drinking heavily when you are 14, 15, or 16, you can develop an addiction within a year. In the early 20’s, within a few years.”

Is it any wonder that the leading cause of death among 16-to-24-year-olds in the United States is alcohol-related traffic accidents? No doubt it is also a leading cause of death in many other countries. Thus, Dr. Waller concludes that conscientious parents who try to rear their children in a home climate that is pulling in the direction of sobriety are confronted by a permissive society that “is pulling in the other” direction.

So today’s youthful drinker can become tomorrow’s chronic problem drinker. And he is often resistant to rehabilitation, which poses a huge threat to public safety on the roads. One 34-year-old repeat offender, after going through a state-mandated alcohol program, went on a drinking binge and drove his pickup truck down the wrong side of a Kentucky highway. He crashed into a bus filled with teenagers and sent 27 people​—24 youngsters and 3 adults—​to a flaming death. Indeed, it has been determined that more than a quarter of those who are convicted drunk drivers are previous offenders.

Alcohol​—A Licit Drug

Many authorities are bringing to the attention of the public that alcohol is a licit (legal) drug. They are equating alcohol with other addictive drugs.

At a special White House briefing, U.S. president Bush declared that drunk driving is “as crippling as crack. As random as gang violence. And it’s killing more kids than both combined.” He also emphasized that “we must teach our children that alcohol is a drug.”

If you have not viewed alcohol as a drug before, you are not alone. “A lot of people don’t connect it,” says C. Graziano, a traffic-safety director, adding: “Lawyers, doctors, judges. Alcohol can affect anyone . . . It’s accessible. It’s so easy to get!” Because it is legal in most countries, it can be purchased in various types of stores. Often there are few controls.

Technically, alcohol is a food because of its caloric content. But it must also be classified as a drug because it depresses the body’s central nervous system. In large doses it has a narcotic effect on the body the same as a barbiturate. Because of its “mood altering nature, it’s a stress reducer,” says J. Vanderwood. “It loosens up your inhibitions, changes your thought process. You feel that you can perform when you really cannot.” Therein lies the problem with drinking and driving. As he concludes: “You have an impaired person making an impaired judgment about an impaired performance.”

Some who are involved in difficult situations​—divorce, loss of a job, family problems—​often resort to heavy drinking in an attempt to cope with the pressure and stress. In this condition they behave in “irrational, irresponsible ways, including DWI,” says the Journal of Studies on Alcohol.

However, with alcohol one does not have to be intoxicated to have one’s performance affected. Only one or two drinks can impair the judgment of a driver and make him a threat to himself and others.

Tragic indeed is this scourge upon society, which has poisoned itself with a deadly mixture of commercial greed and a permissive attitude toward a licit but potentially highly dangerous substance. What comfort, then, is there for those who mourn this tragedy? What real hope can there be for finding a cure?

[Blurb on page 10]

Teenagers who are heavy drinkers can develop an addiction in one year

[Blurb on page 10]

It is not necessary to be intoxicated to have one’s driving performance affected

[Picture on page 9]

Through various means, such as television, drinking is glamorized

What Comfort for the Victims?

FOR those confronted with the sudden loss of their loved ones in alcohol-related accidents, there is “no time . . . for saying ‘Goodbye,’ . . . or ‘I love you,’” states Janice Lord, author of Survivor Grief Following a Drunk-Driving Crash.

As we have seen, survivors have much to deal with: shock, horror, anger, and despair. The death of loved ones in such a manner creates a sense of permanent loss. The survivors may feel that the hurt they have suffered can never really be undone.

Realizing the pain that such loss causes, many authorities work for laws or conditions that might reduce the shockingly high number of casualties each year. For instance, one official pointed to character weaknesses in those guilty of drinking and driving and suggested setting up reporting centers for them where, through education and job and drug counseling, they ‘could be reinforced and strengthened’ to overcome their weaknesses.

What Is Really Needed?

However desirable this may be, no human or human agency can erase the hurt inflicted on the victims, nor can humans bring back the dead. What is needed to undo all the damage is far more than what humans can provide. What is really needed is an entirely different arrangement in the world, one that would not be based on today’s selfish and destructive ‘thrills at any cost’ concepts that take so many lives.

Is there any sound basis in hoping for that kind of a better world where such tragedies would be a thing of the past? Yes, there is. In fact, there is a sure hope of a new world here on earth where these tragedies will cease, a world in which even accident victims will be brought back to life. What indescribable joy when these are reunited with their loved ones! It will be a new world where, in time, the sad memories of past tragedies will forever be erased.

That hope of a new world is found in God’s inspired Word, the Bible, which states: “[God] will actually swallow up death forever, and the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will certainly wipe the tears from all faces.” (Isaiah 25:8) This will include bringing back dead ones from the grave. As the apostle Paul wrote: “I have hope toward God . . . that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Acts 24:15) Jesus and the apostles demonstrated this by resurrecting dead ones.​—Luke 7:11-16; 8:40-42, 49-56; John 11:1, 14, 38-45; Acts 9:36-42; 20:7-12.

Life on earth in a new world, including life for dead ones raised from the grave, will be beautifully crowned with human perfection. God’s healing power will make the minds and bodies of all living then completely sound: “No resident will say: ‘I am sick.’” “At that time the eyes of the blind ones will be opened, and the very ears of the deaf ones will be unstopped. At that time the lame one will climb up just as a stag does, and the tongue of the speechless one will cry out in gladness.”​—Isaiah 33:24; 35:5, 6; see also Matthew 15:30, 31.

The Bible describes the future condition of humankind on earth by stating that God “will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4) The Provider of the marvelous benefits and happifying conditions to come declares: “The former things will not be called to mind, neither will they come up into the heart. But exult, you people, and be joyful forever in what I am creating.”​—Isaiah 65:17, 18.

By whose authority will all of this take place? By the authority and power of the grand Giver of hope, the Creator of the universe, Jehovah God. He guarantees in his Word that such a new system in which “righteousness is to dwell” will shortly replace this present selfish and violent system of things, a system already deep into its “last days.”​—2 Peter 3:13; 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 13; Proverbs 2:21, 22.

Comfort From God’s Word

Jehovah’s Witnesses, like other people, are not immune to the tragedies of our times, nor do they, in this dangerous world, anticipate divine protection from death, accidental or otherwise. They know that this is not God’s will for the present. Ecclesiastes 9:11 states: “Time and unforeseen occurrence befall them all.” Yet, the Witnesses have long directed attention to God’s Word, as his promises provide lasting comfort for all who embrace them.

One of Jehovah’s Witnesses was deeply affected when a drunk driver killed her brother-in-law and left his wife (her sister) mentally crippled from a severe head injury, so that she needed continual care. They too were Jehovah’s Witnesses. She relates:

“For the better part of a year, I was frequently in tears, and I was angry. I was angry at the young man who had caused this tragedy, angry at his parents for not keeping closer supervision of him. At times that anger was even directed toward God and the angels for not preventing this from happening. Such a waste of two fine people who were serving him!

“True, I knew that God wasn’t directly responsible and did not wish for such things to happen. But I had felt that he directed our every step and protected us from such harm. Now I realized that I had to get a more balanced view of this, and I began a search for the answers.

“It took a while before I could begin to shut out the hurt and so could reason on the matter. I had felt like Asaph, who stated in Psalm 73 that it seemed as if the wicked were the favored ones. But in that same psalm, God’s Word goes on to show that it is not so, that God does not favor the wicked, and that in his due time, they will come to ruin.

“I came to realize that my thinking, not God’s, was at fault. I was misapplying scriptures. God does not guarantee freedom from accidents, sickness, or death at this time but promises such blessings for the future, for his new world. Once I understood what God’s Word was really saying about God’s protecting us now in a spiritual way, not physically, then my anger gradually subsided. I could also now focus on the real source of calamities, Satan the Devil, who was a manslayer and a liar from the time he rebelled against God. The Bible makes clear that it is Satan who is the god of this world that is so filled with suffering.​—John 8:44; 2 Corinthians 4:4.

“Once I more fully appreciated the truth of why there is suffering, why God permits it, and how he will eliminate it, it became clear that God is not our adversary, but he is our salvation!

“Also, it was of great comfort to know that by means of his holy spirit, Jehovah sustains those who serve him. The Bible assures us that the holy spirit will supply ‘the power beyond what is normal.’ By this means he gives us the strength to bear the unbearable. And he also comforts us with the hope of seeing our loved ones in the resurrection. Thus we can triumph over adversity.”​—2 Corinthians 4:7.

A Fine Future

Tragedies of various types have happened to many, including Jehovah’s Witnesses, down through the years. This confirms the truth of God’s Word that time and unforeseen occurrence befall all. (Ecclesiastes 9:11) But the experiences of God’s servants also confirm the truth of God’s Word that Jehovah comforts and sustains his people in their time of need and also guarantees a fine future in his new world, where such calamities will be a thing of the past.

It is indeed comforting to know that in God’s righteous new world, there will be genuine love for one’s fellow humans and respect for the precious gift of life. These fine qualities will replace the selfishness and the exploitation of human weaknesses for profit that now saturate this world. Gone too will be this present world’s anxieties, pressures, and fears that push many into feeling the need for the excessive use of alcohol or the taking of other drugs.

Even now, Jehovah’s Witnesses make up a worldwide brotherhood that is bound together by the unifying force of love. (John 13:34, 35) Those who are part of this brotherhood provide a strong support system for helping individuals who have suffered loss. They are happy to assist any who desire to be comforted as they have been.​—2 Corinthians 1:3, 4.

[Picture on page 13]

The Bible promises that there is going to be a resurrection of the dead

Crossword Puzzle

Clues Across

2. Previously known as “the stronghold of Zion” [3 words] (2 Samuel 5:7)

8. Twenty-third letter of the Greek alphabet

9. Jesus called it “the lamp of the body” (Matthew 6:22)

10. The king of Assyria who invaded Israel during the reign of Menahem and exacted tribute (2 Kings 15:19)

12. One of Israel’s encampments in the wilderness (Numbers 33:18)

13. Joseph’s Egyptian wife, the mother of Ephraim and Manasseh (Genesis 46:20)

14. It was used to save Moses’ life (Exodus 2:3)

15. The house in which the king burned Jeremiah’s scroll (Jeremiah 36:22, 23)

20. Powerful (1 Corinthians 16:13)

23. The center stone of the third row on Aaron’s breastpiece (Exodus 28:19)

24. Part of Abraham’s offering when Jehovah covenanted with him (Genesis 15:9)

26. Observing (Mark 8:17)

32. The family head of some of the returning exiles included among “the sons of the servants of Solomon” (Ezra 2:55, 57)

34. Eating (Mark 5:11)

35. Foliage (Ezekiel 47:12)

36. This creative work of God was not named until after the rebellion (Genesis 3:20)

37. One of the cities from which David took large amounts of copper, later used in the temple construction (1 Chronicles 18:8)

38. A night bird of prey (Psalm 102:6)

39. The Roman army unit in which Cornelius served as a centurion [2 words] (Acts 10:1)

Clues Down

1. Though seemingly insignificant, it does not go “forgotten before God” (See Luke 12:6.)

2. Where Jeremiah was thrown to die (Jeremiah 38:9)

3. During the installation of Aaron as priest, blood was placed here to signify that he should carry out his priestly duties to the best of his ability (Leviticus 8:23)

4. An identifying mark of true Christianity is to look after such a one (See James 1:27.)

5. Overindulgence with wine is likened to poison from this animal (Proverbs 23: 32)

6. He pleaded with the king not to burn Jeremiah’s scroll (Jeremiah 36:25)

7. Hometown of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (John 11:1)

11. One of fire is said to consume death (Revelation 20:14)

16. One of five sons of Bela of the tribe of Benjamin (1 Chronicles 7:7)

17. Blood placed on this part of Aaron’s body signified that he must walk unswervingly in carrying out his priestly duties (Leviticus 8:23)

18. Fled (Jonah 4:2)

19. Ancient measure (2 Kings 6:25)

20. Those of Sodom “were gross sinners against Jehovah” (Genesis 13:13)

21. “--- out of her, my people” (Revelation 18:4)

22. The smallest number of righteous ones for which Abraham pleaded that Jehovah should spare Sodom (Genesis 18:32)

24. Daniel was made the chief one “over all the wise men of Babylon” (Daniel 2:48)

25. His son Abidan was chosen to represent the tribe of Benjamin at the time of taking the census of Israel (Numbers 1:11)

27. His birth came “unexpectedly” at the news of his father’s death and caused the death of his mother (1 Samuel 4:19-21)

28. Swift-acting animal (Proverbs 6:5)

29. Bird enclosure (Jeremiah 5:27)

30. A Judean city in the Shephelah (Joshua 15:38)

31. A descendant of Caleb of the tribe of Judah (1 Chronicles 2:49)

33. An ancestor of David (1 Chronicles 2:11-15)

Crossword Solutions Page 25

Answers Across

2. CITY OF DAVID

8. PSI

9. EYE

10. PUL

12. RITHMAH

13. ASENATH

14. ARK

15. WINTER

20. MIGHTY

23. AGATE

24. PIGEON

26. NOTING

32. AMI

34. FEEDING

35. LEAFAGE

36. EVE

37. CUN

38. OWL

39. ITALIAN BAND

Answers Down

1. SPARROW

2. CISTERN

3. THUMB

4. ORPHAN

5. VIPER

6. DELAIAH

7. BETHANY

11. LAKE

16. IRI

17. TOE

18. RAN

19. CAB

20. MEN

21. GET

22. TEN

24. PREFECT

25. GIDEONI

27. ICHABOD

28. GAZELLE

29. CAGE

30. DILEAN

31. GIBEA

33. SALMA

Young People Ask . . .

What About Nightclubs?

“WE NEED some recreation.” “We only go to dance.” “Everyone else is going.” “We just want to have some fun.” Several youths thus explained to an Awake! reporter why they have frequented nightclubs. Such night spots are enormously popular among many youths, and if they exist in your community, you may even have thought about going yourself.

Today, many young people are flocking to the following types of clubs, as described by Friday magazine: “Party time is any time and any time is tonight. For the uninhibited, the party never stops. Dance fever is sweeping the city in a flood of cool drinks, flashing neon lights and upbeat music that won’t let you sit down. ‘Clubs now have something for everyone’s taste. . . . There are clubs that cater to young professionals, college students, gays and the older crowd.’”

For the sophisticated crowd, there are clubs that require a hefty up-front fee, an expensive wardrobe, and even the right behavior pattern in order to gain admittance. For the not so affluent, there are clubs with less lavish settings that offer a party atmosphere at a cheaper price. And for youths too young (or not devious enough) to gain entrance to the adult clubs, there are “juice clubs” and “soda bars,” which are supposedly liquor free.

It is not hard to understand why nightclubs have a strong appeal to many youths. When you are young, it is only natural to want to have a good time. (Compare Ecclesiastes 11:9.) A night of dancing might seem like a healthy way to work off the tensions of school and work. But just how wholesome are nightclubs?

Sonya, a young woman who used to frequent nightclubs, admits: “The idea seems innocent enough. You’re going to dance and enjoy yourself. But oftentimes it turns into much more. You start going on nights when the music and the crowd are liveliest. Soon you know all the regulars, and you too are a regular. The idea is to dance​—and meet someone. And whether that’s your goal or not, it’s always theirs.” Is Sonya exaggerating?

Nightclubs Today

The disco scene of a decade ago became notorious as a breeding ground for sexual immorality, drug abuse, and even homosexuality.a And things have changed little since then. Although the music (in the United States, it is often called house music or simply dance music) and the dance steps have changed, the atmosphere in many night spots is alarmingly reminiscent of the immoral disco scene.

In an article in Life magazine on house music, one nightclub aficionado says: “Dance music at its most elemental has always had a tribal feeling​—pounding beat and an erotic pulse, tugging away until a kind of communal rapture takes hold. Something had been missing in the jungle-of-the-cities, and house music fills that throbbing void.” New York deejay David Piccioni says: “The object is to totally lose yourself all night long.”

In view of recent dance crazes such as the immoral lambada, Mademoiselle magazine declared: “Sex: It’s out of the bathrooms and back where it belongs​—on the dance floor. In the old days (the ’70s), the dance floor was for foreplay and the bathrooms were for sex and drugs. Now that everyone is concerned about AIDS, the bathrooms are for primping and the dance floor is where you watch other people have sex. Or pretend to have sex.” Yes, music can be used to create a mood that dissolves moral inhibitions and arouses sexuality.

Meeting Whom?

Some clubs are also known as places to meet the opposite sex. However, what kind of people might you meet? One girl who formerly traveled the nightclub circuit admits: “Many people there lead immoral lives and are interested in having sex with someone. If attracted to you, they will buy you drinks, drinks, drinks and hang around you all night saying nice, sweet things in hopes that you will give in to their wishes.”

Some places are even designed to accommodate these immoral activities. Doris, a young woman who also used to be a regular at nightclubs, says: “There are clubs that have sitting areas with couches and love seats where many go for kissing and touching. Many married men are there without their wives. Some are there hoping to meet someone for a one-night stand or an affair, and others are looking for a mate.” Concludes Doris: “The atmosphere at nightclubs is very conducive to immorality. Alcohol is consumed in very large amounts till morning hours, and anything goes.”

The nightclub scene has also been connected with heavy drug use. One club owner reportedly said: “The movement is . . . entirely tied into drugs.” Drugs and alcohol can often be found even at supposedly liquor-free juice bars. Jesse, another former regular at nightclubs, adds: “Marijuana and cigarette smoke often fills the air. Most people there dress in a way to excite the flesh: tight and revealing clothing, lewd styles, excessive jewelry.”

Exercising Caution

From ancient times, music and dancing have been used to lure people into misconduct. For example, we read that the Israelites once “sat down to eat and drink. Then they got up to have a good time.” This involved wild music and unrestrained dancing. However, this “good time” was a prelude to rank idolatry and unrestrained loose conduct.​—Exodus 32:6, 17-19, 28.

Christian youths should thus avoid getting into any situation that could quickly become a ‘revelry,’ or ‘wild party.’ (Galatians 5:19, 21; Byington) First Corinthians 15:33 reminds us: “Do not be misled. Bad associations spoil useful habits.” Can a person really immerse himself in a party atmosphere with individuals who “are in darkness mentally, and alienated from the life that belongs to God” and not be adversely affected? (Ephesians 4:18) And as one young woman admits: “Intimate association and friendships can and often do develop [with other nightclub regulars].” How might this affect your spirituality?

Some might reason, though, that the answer is to bring along a group of fellow Christians. However, righteousness can only flourish in a Christian atmosphere. (James 3:18) And the atmosphere at many nightclubs is designed to arouse feelings that are “earthly, animal, demonic,” rather than spiritual.​—James 3:15.

Granted, not all nightclubs go to the extremes discussed herein, nor is it reasonable to make a blanket condemnation of all restaurants that have dancing or entertainment. But Paul counsels us to “keep on making sure of what is acceptable to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:10) And if you are invited to a place of unknown or questionable reputation, you should exercise the greatest caution with regard to accepting the invitation.​—Proverbs 14:15.

You might ask yourself such questions as: Who are going, and what kind of reputation do they have? What do your parents or other responsible adults know about the place itself? What kind of atmosphere does it have? What kind of people frequent it? Does it cater only to youths? If so, how likely is it to have a wholesome atmosphere? If there is entertainment, what does it consist of? What kind of music will be played? Is it a place that allows patrons more or less to keep to themselves, or is it a social scene that might force you to mix in with others?

Doris, quoted previously, admits: “Satan makes nightclubs appear fascinating, exciting, glamorous, fun​—whatever it takes to lure us.” But don’t be fooled by the glitter of nightclubs! They have proved to be a lethal snare for many youths. Find acceptable, beneficial ways to entertain yourself.b

[Footnotes]

[Picture on page 16]

Many who frequent nightclubs are more interested in immoral sex than in entertainment

The Bible’s Viewpoint

“Why Did God Take My Child?”

THE death of a child is devastating for any parent. It is an overwhelming ordeal that mere words cannot erase. But if you have suffered such a loss and are wondering why God took your child, then you are laboring under a misconception that may only add to your anguish. You need to know the truth: God did not take your child.

Yet, many believe just the opposite. One woman, for instance, stared inconsolably down into an open casket; within it lay her 17-year-old son, his hair thinned by the treatments that failed to cure his cancer. She turned to a visitor and said tremulously: “God wanted Tommy in heaven with Him.” A Roman Catholic, this was what years of churchgoing had taught her. Protestants too have long blamed God for the deaths of children. The renowned Protestant reformer John Calvin lamented after his own two-week-old son died: “The Lord has certainly inflicted a bitter wound in the death of our infant son.”

According to an ancient Jewish fable, the twin sons of a rabbi died while he was away. When he returned and asked for his sons, his wife said: “If you were lent two precious jewels and told you could enjoy them as long as they were in your keeping, would you be able to argue when the lender asked for their return?” He answered: “Certainly not!” Then she showed him his two dead sons and simply said: “God wanted his jewels back.”

Neither Comforting nor Biblical

Is the Creator really so cruel that he would capriciously inflict death on children, knowing that this breaks the hearts of their parents? No, not the God of the Bible; according to 1 John 4:8, “God is love.” Note that it says not that God has love or that God is loving but that God is love. So intense, so pure, so perfect is God’s love, so thoroughly does it permeate his personality and actions, that he may rightly be spoken of as the very personification of love. This is not a God who kills children ‘because he wants his jewels back.’

On the contrary, God loves children intensely and unselfishly. Jesus Christ, whose every word and deed reflected his heavenly Father’s personality, took a warm personal interest in children. He once put his arms around a little child and taught his disciples that they must have similar childlike innocence and humility. (Matthew 18:1-4; Mark 9:36) Centuries earlier, Jehovah had taught his people to view their children as precious and to train, teach, and care for them accordingly. (Deuteronomy 6:6, 7; Psalm 127:3-5) He wants families to be united in life, not divided in death.

“Then Why Did My Child Die?”

Many feel that since God is all-powerful, he must be behind the scenes controlling everything that happens in this world, including the deaths of children. But that does not necessarily follow. When Job lost all ten of his children in a single disaster, he thought that Jehovah had brought this terrible calamity upon him. He did not know what the Bible reveals to us, namely, that a superhuman adversary of God named Satan was actually behind the scenes in that case, trying to torture Job into abandoning his faith in his Creator.​—Job 1:6-12.

Similarly, most people today have no idea of the extent of Satan’s influence in the world. The Bible reveals that Satan, and not Jehovah, is the ruler of this corrupt system of things. As 1 John 5:19 says: “The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one.” Jehovah is not to blame for all the tragic events of this world. He did not take your child.

Does that mean, then, that Satan took your child? Not directly, no. Back in Eden, man placed himself under Satan’s rule when he rebelled against God. He thus lost the gift of eternal, healthy life for himself and all his children. (Romans 5:12) As a result, we live in a world system that is alienated from God, a world in which we must cope with what the Bible calls “time and unforeseen occurrence,” life’s unexpected and often tragic turns. (Ecclesiastes 9:11) Satan is “misleading the entire inhabited earth.” (Revelation 12:9) His main interest is to turn people from God. Thus he spreads ugly lies about God. One such lie is that God uses death to wrench children from their parents.

“What Hope for My Child?”

Rather than blame God, bereaved parents need to look to the comfort God offers in the Bible. False religion has left many confused as to the whereabouts and condition of their dead children. Heaven, hell, purgatory, Limbo​—these various other destinations range from the incomprehensible to the downright terrifying. The Bible, on the other hand, tells us that the dead are unconscious, in a condition best compared to sleep. (Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10; John 11:11-14) Thus, parents need not worry about what their children may go through after death, any more than they worry when they see their children sleeping soundly. Jesus spoke of a time when “all those in the memorial tombs” would “come out” to renewed life in a paradise earth.​—John 5:28, 29; Luke 23:43

True, that glowing hope does not take all the tragedy out of death. Jesus himself broke down and cried over the death of his friend Lazarus​—and that was just minutes before he resurrected him! At least, then, death is not always final. Jesus and his Father, Jehovah, both hate death. The Bible calls death “the last enemy” and says that it will “be brought to nothing.” (1 Corinthians 15:26) In the coming Paradise, when Satan’s rule is a thing of the past, death will be gone forever. Its innocent victims will be reclaimed by resurrection. Then, when parents are reunited with the children they lost to death, we will at last be able to say, ‘Death, where is your sting?’​—Hosea 13:14.

Do You Hate to Receive Criticism?

CAN you recall the last time you were criticized? This happens to everybody from time to time for a variety of reasons.

Perhaps someone criticized you to elevate himself. Often, though, criticism comes from a person who has your interests at heart: Your husband noted a flaw in your cooking; your wife said that your tie did not match your suit; a friend criticized you for not taking care of your health. Or the criticism may have been disciplinary, such as from an employer or a parent (if you are a minor), to correct something you said or did.

Whatever the case, did you welcome the criticism? Or were you irritated, perhaps even telling him to mind his own business?

For many, receiving criticism is a painful experience. They become angry, resentful. Others lose confidence, conclude that ‘I can’t do anything right’ and become depressed.

Are you among those who hate to be criticized? You are not unusual; many feel that way. Can you learn to receive criticism with less pain, without overreacting? This article will explore six ways that criticism can be made more palatable. They may help you to remove, or at least to lessen, the sting of criticism.

1. Welcome Criticism

Does it seem odd to you that some people want criticism, even seek it out? Bits and Pieces magazine observed: “Smart leaders . . . know they’re going to be wrong a certain percent of the time. That’s why they want these opposing points of view​—to cut down on mistakes before they are made, and to correct past errors as promptly as possible.”

Just as others can see aspects of our appearance that we cannot​—a turned collar, a crooked tie—​so they can see aspects of our personality that we cannot. View their observations as helpful instead of threatening. Welcome their criticism as a chance to learn something. Make it a strengthening experience.

2. Control Your Worst Critic

Are you severely critical of yourself? Do you brood over your shortcomings? Or if someone alerts you to a flaw, do you mentally add it to a long list of unrelated weaknesses?

Dr. Harold Bloomfield points out: “If we are already plagued by self-criticism, we will be particularly troubled when we get criticism from others. Even if someone praises us and has only one small thing to criticize, we usually zero in on the inadequacy more than the things we did well.”

Be reasonable when assessing yourself. How may you determine what is reasonable? Imagine that a close friend is receiving similar criticism. What reaction would you want from him? Self-pity? Loss of temper? Proud rejection of good advice? No, likely you would hope that he would listen to the criticism with minimal hurt, assess it honestly, and use it for personal improvement.

Then, why not deal with yourself in the same way?

3. Ask for Details

“I don’t like your attitude!” Would you want someone to tell you that? No, remarks like that hurt, do they not?

Your best approach here is to ask for more specifics. In his book Conversationally Speaking,” Alan Garner explains: “Criticism is often given in generalities . . . Requesting particulars will enable you to find out exactly what the other person’s objections are. . . . Like a reporter, all you do is pose questions designed to find out who, what, when, where, why, and how.”

For example, to the above exclamation, you might respond: ‘What particular attitude did you have in mind?’ If he still is not specific enough, you may also ask: ‘Why is it annoying? Would you give me an example of when I did this?’ Motivated by your desire to communicate rather than to challenge, questions like these may help your critic and you to focus on specifics. They may reveal whether the criticism is valid or is an overreaction. And they give you a little more time to think the matter through.

4. Calm Your Critic

What if the one criticizing you is upset? Dr. David Burns recommends: “Whether your critic is right or wrong, initially find some way to agree with him or her.” How does this work to your advantage? It tends to disarm your critic, calm him down, and make him more open to communication.

On the other hand, if you instantly go on the defensive​—as will be the tendency if the accusation against you is unjust—​you may very well add to your critic’s ammunition. As Dr. Burns points out: “You will find that the intensity of your opponent’s attack increases!” Your best move, then, is to find some point of agreement before discussing any matters of conflict.

5. Focus on Content, Not Delivery

One mother received a complaint about her son’s behavior in the neighborhood. The complaint was delivered harshly and in a spirit of rivalry. The mother could easily have dismissed the neighbor’s remarks as unjustified or insincere, and she was certainly tempted to do so.

Instead, after determining that there was some truth to the criticism, she told her son: “It’s not always our favorite people who point out our faults, even when we stand to profit by it. Let’s use this as an opportunity for improvement.”

Has someone harshly reprimanded you? Perhaps that person has a problem with insensitivity or even jealousy. You or someone else may have an opportunity to help him with it at an appropriate time. But do not reject his observation just because he voiced it bluntly. Focus on the content of the criticism. Is it true? If it is, do not deny yourself this chance for growth.

6. Lessen the Severity

This may surprise you, but you have a measure of control over the frequency and severity with which you receive criticism. This principle is true particularly with regard to corrective criticism from persons in authority. How so?

Long ago, the black cumin plant was popular in Palestine. But unlike other plants, it was not threshed with heavy wheels or rollers of threshing instruments. Rather, it was threshed with a staff or rod. Why the specialized, gentler treatment? Because its small, tender seeds did not require heavy threshing and would, in fact, be damaged by it.

The Bible book of Isaiah uses the black cumin plant to illustrate varying degrees of discipline. When a person responds to lighter forms of correction, he will not need more severe treatment on the same matter.​—Isaiah 28:26, 27.

So you can avoid severe correction by responding promptly to criticism in its lighter forms. As an example, are you aware that you are frequently late for work? Correct that habit now, before your employer talks to you about it. Has he already brought it to your attention? Respond immediately with punctuality, before he feels obliged to take more drastic measures.

You Can Cope

Receiving criticism can hurt. You may wish people would leave you alone, stop passing judgment on you, stop making ‘helpful suggestions.’

But wishing and resisting will not stop criticism. Being critical is part of human nature now. Furthermore, you do not have control over the measure of tact others use when giving unrequested advice.

Instead of fretting, take advantage of what you can control: your response. Use some of the suggestions above to cope with criticism and soften its sting. You will be glad you did.

Delivering Criticism

If you are sensitive to receiving criticism, you may have difficulty giving it as well. Here are some guidelines to remember when delivering criticism:

Use few words. Misguided efforts to avoid hurting the feelings of the one you are criticizing often come from excess verbiage, which may send an unclear message.

Avoid picking on every minor fault you observe in a person. This irritates, and people will eventually dismiss your views as unimportant. They may even begin avoiding you. Everyone is imperfect and has faults. They cannot work on all of them at the same time. If the flaw you observe is not serious, let it pass. As the Bible observes: “Love covers a multitude of sins.”​—1 Peter 4:8.

The Graceful Kimono​—Will It Survive?

By Awake! correspondent in Japan

TODAY is a special day for young Kyoko. She is going to wear her new silk kimono for the first time. It is in a shade of pink with bright-red floral designs.

The flowing sleeves, called furisode, reach down almost to the hem. Her hair is swept up in a roll, tied with red ribbons that match her kimono. Walking along daintily in her red brocade zori, or sandals, she is the embodiment of gracefulness.

“Wearing a kimono makes me feel like a lady,” Kyoko says. And, indeed, it does make her look elegant.

The National Dress

The kimono is the national dress of Japan for both women and men. The word means simply “wearing article(s).”

To the Japanese, however, a kimono is not just a beautiful garment. It represents a way of life, a part of their culture. Along with their traditional art of flower arrangement and tea ceremony, kimono dressing is said to embody the qualities of beauty, love, courtesy, and harmony in everyday life.

The kimono is close-fitting. It is bound tightly at the waist with a broad, stiff sash called the obi. The sleeves, though, are loose and full, resembling a pair of wings when the arms are stretched out. The dress itself is narrow and long, reaching down to the ankles, and it does not have slits. No wonder the girls move about so daintily when wearing kimonos!

The color and design of kimonos are traditionally determined by the age of the women wearing them. Brilliant colors, fanciful designs, and flowing, long sleeves befit the exuberance of young girls. As they grow older, they can have the material bleached and redyed to suit their age. Women in their 20’s and 30’s generally wear kimonos in soft pastel colors with subtle designs. For older married women, black kimonos with contrasting obi and colorful patterns in the skirts are most becoming.

Though few people wear kimonos every day anymore, each year there are a number of occasions when some people bring them out. One of them is January 15th, known as Seijin no Hi, or Adult’s Day, for those reaching the age of 20 during the year. Graduations and Shogatsu, or New Year’s Day, are other occasions when some wear the kimono. Yes, ladies the world over are glad to have an occasion to dress up!

Formal events, such as weddings and funerals, may also see the use of appropriate kimonos. On other occasions men too sometimes wear kimonos with a three-quarter-length coat called haori. A man’s kimono is usually a subdued, dark color, such as gray, blue, or brown. As formal wear, a divided skirt, called hakama, is worn with the haori.

Children are introduced to kimonos at the shichi-go-san (seven-five-three) festival in November. On this day, you will see boys and girls seven, five, or three years of age dressed in their first kimonos. The predominant color is red, but the background may be blue or purple, with typically Japanese designs of flowers, birds, folded fans, or drums. Watch the little boy shuffling along in his zori, feeling elegant in his navy-blue and white-striped hakama and matching haori. Surely he was much more comfortable yesterday in his jeans, T-shirt, and sneakers! But when he sees his shichi-go-san photographs later, he will likely feel quite happy.

Of course, while some people choose to wear the kimono on occasions they regard as special, this is by no means mandatory. Because of their beliefs, or conscience, other people may choose not to honor such ‘special occasions’ and will wear clothing they consider sufficiently proper from their viewpoint.

Putting On the Kimono

Would you like to try one on? It is not as easy as some might think. Let’s start with the long undergarment called nagajuban. It must be adjusted correctly, or the kimono will not fit well. The crossover collar of this garment is stiff and holds the top part of the kimono in place. Be sure the collar is completely clear of the neck at the back.

If you are a Western woman, you would probably close the front of the garment right over left as you do with your blouse or coat. “No! No!” exclaims our Japanese friend. “Here, only dead bodies are wrapped from right to left!” So you would wrap your nagajuban left over right, then hold it in place with a narrow sash.

You are now ready for the kimono itself. Do you think it is too long? “No problem,” says our friend, “we are only starting.” Wrap the kimono around you​—remember, left over right—​and tie it with a sash. Now adjust the length by pulling up the extra material over the sash until the hem just clears the floor. Straighten up the collar and smooth out the bodice. Let the extra material hang neatly and tie it down with another sash.

Now comes the most intricate part​—the obi. Made of stiff material, it is about 12 inches [30 cm] wide and 13 feet [4 m] long, and there are literally hundreds of ways to tie the bow at the back. To put it on without some help is quite a challenge, but our Japanese friend is happy to assist. Each step in arranging the obi requires a cord or a sash to hold it in place. The final one to keep the bow in place is tied neatly in front.

Well, how does it feel wearing a kimono for the first time? ‘Really elegant, but rather cramped in movement,’ you no doubt say.

Material and Weave

The most desirable material for a kimono has always been pure silk. It is unsurpassed for softness, luster, and durability. Various districts are noted for their particular weave and their dyeing process.

For example, on the island of Amami-Ō-Shima, south of Kyushu, a unique dyeing process, utilizing the bark of the techi tree and the iron-rich mud of the island, has been designated by the government as a “National Intangible Cultural Asset.”

A pattern, called Bingata, comes from the island of Okinawa. Bin means red, but other brilliant colors are combined in flowing designs of flowers, birds, rivers, and trees. Kyoto, the old capital of Japan, is also famous for its kimono material.

Though weaving is mostly done by machines nowadays, tapestry designs are still done by hand. After the design is stenciled on the material, the colors are applied by hand with all the care of executing an exquisite painting. Gold and silver trim may be added, and some parts of the pattern may call for embroidery by hand. The result is a real work of art.

Changing Times

In recent years, however, the demand for kimonos has fallen off. A survey conducted by the newspaper Yomiuri shows that while 64 percent of those polled wore a kimono on New Year’s Day, only 3 percent chose it for regular wear. Also indicative of the decline is a newspaper photo showing workers “smashing machinery used to weave elegant silk materials because the demand for kimonos has alarmingly dipped.”

Why the decline? It is due partly to the popularity and convenience of Western-style dress and partly to the very high cost of good quality silk kimonos. Typically, they may cost half a million yen (some $2,000, U.S.), with the matching obi at about half that much. Add to this the cost of the zori, tabi (the one-toed sock worn with the zori), purse, and hair ornaments, and you can see why it is a real luxury to wear a silk kimono.

Some families start a savings account when a baby girl is born in order for her to have a really fine kimono when she becomes a young woman. And such a kimono is often handed down from generation to generation.

But there is something else. Norio Yamanaka, chairman of the Sodo Kimono Academy, remarked: “Our daily life is too busy. . . . The Japanese, particularly men, were too occupied with earning bread in the postwar days. They were too busy to afford kimonos.” The fast-paced modern society leaves them little room for such traditions handed down from their distant ancestors.

Whether the graceful kimono will survive the pressures of modern-day society, only time will tell. But this colorful national dress of Japan certainly has added much to the fascinating variety of clothing styles found around the world.

Microfilm “Mystery” Dispelled

WHAT do you think of when you hear the word “microfilm”? Mystery and intrigue? Superspies and secret agents? But microfilm is no more mysterious than your everyday snapshot taken on a 35mm roll of film. Yet, it can affect your life in various ways.

Perhaps the “micro” in the word “microfilm” is misleading. Actually, what is small is, not the film, but the image on the film. How so? Well, there are three basic differences between microfilm and your ordinary snapshot. First, your snapshot may contain people or scenery, whereas microfilm becomes a storehouse of printed information for its viewers. Second, the type of film used for your snapshot is different from the film used for microfilm. Why? Because microfilm must be capable of reproducing small details, like the letters on a printed page. Third, your snapshot often ends up being printed on photographic paper, but microfilm is generally printed on film.

How It Affects You

Have you used a library lately? Many libraries now keep historic or out-of-print documents, as well as unstocked books and magazines, on microfilm. For example, if a Bible student wanted to research very old religious material, it might be found on microfilm. There are also microfilm applications in education, manufacturing, insurance, and by federal, state, and local government.

Are you in business? The microfilming of personnel records can protect them from unauthorized examination or alteration, while making access and storage easier. If records of accounts paid and received are microfilmed, protection and accessibility are ensured and paperwork is minimized. Microfilming customer files promotes better customer service and relations.

Do you need or use engineering drawings? Microfilming these drawings can save you money. Microfilming can reduce wear and tear on valuable originals, cost of reproduction and distribution, and nonproductive time spent by highly paid personnel. It can permanently streamline your drafting room. Microfilming can also keep written procedures and maintenance records available; the same can be said for payroll and tax records put on microfilm.

So, what do you now think of when you hear the word “microfilm”? Has some of its mystery been dispelled for you? No doubt you can now see that microfilm is a versatile medium that may sooner or later affect your life.

[Box/​Picture on page 26]

Microfiche

One of the most commonly used microforms today is microfiche. One microfiche, about the size of a playing card, can contain about a hundred pages of typed information. Standard microfiche, upon which microimages are arranged, usually in 7 rows and 14 columns for a maximum of 98 pages per fiche, are approximately four by six inches [105 x 148 mm] in size. The advantage of microfiche over roll film is in having a complete unit of easy-to-store, easy-to-identify, and easy-to-read information on a single sheet of film.

[Picture]

The above sample, shown at actual size, contains all 773,746 words of one edition of the “King James Version”

[Box on page 27]

The Microfilm Revolution

Although most people think of it as a 20th-century breakthrough, microfilm dates back to the late 1800’s. During the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, Rene Prudent Dagron used an early form of microfilm to deliver messages by carrier pigeon from Paris to Bordeaux, France. This early microfilm, called pellicle, was made by photographing messages using an emulsion on glass; when the emulsion dried, it was stripped from the glass and rolled into small rolls, which were attached to the pigeons.

Although the first microfilm reader-printer became available in 1928, the introduction of the first push-button microfilm reader-printer in 1957 began a microfilm revolution. This device not only allowed viewing of what was on the film but permitted an enlarged paper print to be made of it. The year 1958 saw another major boon to the microfilm revolution, COM (Computer Output Microfilming). This is a method of converting data from a computer into images on microfilm without intermediate photographic steps.

In addition to COM, there are two other areas in which microfilm is used. The first one, and by far the oldest, is source document filming. This is the microfilming of source papers, such as maps, drawings, invoices, bank checks, birth certificates, and other valuable documents. The second area is micropublishing, which refers to new information first sold or distributed in microfilm form. An airline maintenance manual used by commercial airlines is one example.

With these innovations, microfilm is no longer just a space saver but a medium with these advantages: cost reduction, file completeness, faster and easier information handling, and reduction of theft, mutilation, and alteration.

Watching the World

40,000 Children Every Day

According to the Paris daily International Herald Tribune, the director of UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) noted: “No famine, no drought, no natural disaster has ever killed 40,000 children in a single day, yet preventable disease and malnutrition are killing that many every day​—unnecessarily.” Reporting on UNICEF’s World Summit for Children, the newspaper added that the problem stems partly from the prevailing attitude that in developing countries such childhood sickness and death are “normal and unavoidable.” The purpose of the summit was to try to improve conditions for the 1,500 million children expected to be born over the next ten years. This is, according to the Tribune, “the largest generation of children ever entrusted to mankind.”

“Nothing More Than Cold Print”

According to the Diario Las Américas, a Spanish-language newspaper published in Miami, Florida, U.S.A., the Mexican government has instituted an antismoking program that bans smoking from public places. The measure, intended for the protection of nonsmokers, stipulates that in public places smoking will be restricted to designated isolated areas. Some feel, however, that “this plan seems condemned to be nothing more than cold print, since there are no coercive measures, fines, or inspectors to enforce respect for it,” noted Diario. The newspaper observed that the population at large has received this law with skepticism and is simply ignoring it.

“Modern-Day Armor”

A recent wave of violent crime in New York City has boosted the sale of bullet-resistant apparel and accessories. The Daily News reports that “people are spending big bucks to cover themselves, their children and even their dogs with clothing lined with bullet-resistant fabric such as Kevlar, a light-weight fiber stronger than steel.” The list of available items include raincoats that sell for $1,000, umbrellas for $1,000 to $2,000, ski jackets ranging from $800 to $2,500, and fur coats for somewhere between $12,000 and $80,000. The newspaper referred to these items as “modern-day armor for the streets of New York” and added that the basic vest can “stop a bullet fired from a handgun at point-blank range.”

Unwelcomed Growth

Presently the world has about 5,300 million inhabitants. It is estimated that by the end of the 20th century, the figure of 6,250 million will be reached. According to Visión, a Latin-American magazine, poor countries will be affected adversely by this population explosion. Of these new additions to the human race, 90 percent will be born in poor countries. Visión reported that of the 20 most populated cities in the world, 17 are in developing countries. For example, “according to scientific projections, by the year 2025, Latin America will have a population of 740 million.” Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Paraguay, and Venezuela have the highest rate of population growth in Latin America, while Argentina, Cuba, and Uruguay have the lowest. The magazine added that “between the years 1985 and 1990, Latin America had a rate of population growth of 20.77 percent.”

A False Messiah

Thousands of religious devotees were deprived of their leader when he and 12 other members of a religious group known as the Nation of Yahweh were arrested. According to The New York Times, “the indictment charges 18 specific instances of racketeering that include 14 killings, two attempted killings, extortion and arson.” The head of the group, with headquarters in Miami, Florida, U.S.A., is known as Yahweh Ben Yahweh. He claims to have been raised from the dead as a messiah to lead black people “out of the wilderness of white domination.” He and other members of the cult are accused of killing former members who disagreed with the leader. “In one case, the indictment charges, a former member was decapitated,” reports the Times.

Street Children

“Police and social workers estimate 10,000 homeless youngsters roam the streets of Metro Toronto,” noted The Toronto Star. A study found that 90 percent of homeless girls “say they were raped before the age of 12 by a family member or friend.” It is reported that the majority of these children have been driven to the streets by “family problems such as physical and sexual abuse and alcoholism that made the street, with all its horrors, preferable to home.” Authorities are afraid that this community of street children will become the source of AIDS infection among the general population of adolescents. The Star added that “half of the girls who were not prostitutes had had more than 10 sexual partners and 30 per cent of the boys had had more than 50. Among the prostitutes, 70 per cent of the females and 50 per cent of the males reported more than 100 partners.”

Tropical Killers

An increasing number of tourists and businessmen are visiting tropical countries. The French newspaper Le Figaro reports that many travelers are returning home with malaria, amoebic dysentery, hepatitis, or one of a wide range of other tropical diseases that can easily infect unwary travelers. Worldwide, malaria alone kills over two million people each year. The danger exists because the symptoms experienced by the travelers may not be correctly diagnosed at home by local doctors untrained in tropical medicine. Thus, potentially fatal diseases are incorrectly treated.

Unequal Distribution

According to Mariano Grondona, writing in Visión, a Latin-American magazine, the World Bank recently reported that 1,100 million people throughout the world live in a state of poverty. On the average, these individuals have a daily income of less than one dollar per person. Out of a population of some 450 million people in Latin America, almost 90 million live in such poverty, which according to Grondona, makes Latin America “an unjust society.” The report stated that Latin America has “an exceptionally high degree of inequality in the distribution of income” and that no other region in the developing world has such a contrast between the rich and the poor.

Depressed Babies

According to the Colombian newspaper El País, in Cali 29 percent of all children brought to health centers have some psychological disorder requiring professional treatment. According to one authority, the most frequent cause is problems in the family, producing in a child feelings of anxiety, depression, learning disabilities, sleeping disorders, and others. El País added that the greatest incidence of psychiatric problems in children is manifest during the first nine years of life. One study revealed that when the parent-child relationship is deficient, even babies may experience depression.

News for Coffee Drinkers

A recent two-year study of 45,589 men has shown no link between coffee consumption and heart disease, reports The New England Journal of Medicine. Although other recent studies have found a relationship between coffee drinking and heart-disease risk, this extensive new study, as well as several previous ones, found none. The president of the American Heart Association said: “On the basis of this study I feel more confident telling patients that as a public health measure I would not advise them to stop drinking coffee.” On the other hand, another recent study found a slightly increased risk of heart attacks in people who drank more than four cups of coffee a day.

From Our Readers

Selling Blood I want to express appreciation for the articles on the sale and consumption of blood and blood products. (October 22, 1990) I had no idea that it was so big an industry. How it deepens our appreciation for our Creator, who protects his people by placing a prohibition against the use of blood!

R. L., United States

Parents Separating The article “Young People Ask . . . My Parents Are Separating​—What Should I Do?” (August 22, 1990) dealt with a situation similar to one I went through some six years ago as a parent. The portion stating that “nursing an angry and vengeful spirit can poison your personality” hit really close to home. Such feelings have persisted in my three children for the past six years. So I sent them a copy of this article as well as a letter explaining how I cared for them. I feel confident the results will be beneficial.

E. B., United States

When Cancer Is Kept Secret I want to let you know how much I was encouraged by Rie Kinoshita’s story. (October 22, 1990) Her determination to serve God with all her remaining strength has been most stimulating to me. Since I have very good health, it encouraged me to make better use of my Saturdays and evenings for the preaching work. When I feel that I’m too tired, I remember Rie​—and out I go!

T. F., Canada

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I read of Rie’s convictions. I was impressed by her cheerful attitude and her perseverance in the full-time ministry, in spite of her having a serious illness.

M. H., Japan

Spiritual Progress Thank you very, very much for the article “Young People Ask . . . How Can I Make Spiritual Progress?” (September 22, 1990) It had so many good suggestions that I could apply. I’ve already read it twice. I’ve also made a list of my spiritual goals (as you suggested), and I’m going to pin it up on my wall.

G. K., United States

Thanks to your article, I am now trying to read the Bible 15 minutes a day. I often spend a lot more time. I have learned so much; it’s amazing!

T. L. P., Canada

Garbage Glut I liked very much the article “The Garbage Glut​—Will It Bury Us?” (September 22, 1990) Few people recognize the quantity of garbage being produced daily and how dangerous it is for the planet. Thank you for the clarity of your article.

B. S., Brazil

Why God Permits Wickedness You have discussed this subject in many ways and many times in the past. However, the article in the October 8, 1990, issue was a masterpiece. Everything, from the artwork to the introduction, was beautiful!

G. H., United States

The article helped me to reinforce my beliefs regarding the reasons for wickedness and the hope I have for the future. In turn, my relationship with Jehovah has been strengthened.

J. H., United States

Jaguar I am 14 years old, and I am writing to say how much I appreciated the article “The Elusive Jungle Cat.” (August 22, 1990) I have always dreamed of seeing a jaguar. You helped me to do so. You made the subject come alive, and I felt as though I were actually there.

M. C., France

A Gambling World

SLOT machines are often called one-armed bandits. But unlike real bandits, they don’t force money out of anybody; people line up like sheep to be fleeced by them.

There are about 420,000 such machines in the Federal Republic of Germany, busily draining about $900,000,000 from the German people every year. Five million people there spend an hour each week pouring money into the machines; 80,000 people spend over five hours a week at it.

Spain now boasts 750,000 slot machines. Gambling was legalized there in 1977. By 1988, Spaniards were already spending $25,000,000,000 a year on all types of gambling. Reportedly, 200,000 Spaniards are compulsive gamblers. The Italian people gambled about $12,000,000,000 in 1989​—or about $210 dollars per person, children included. In a single week early in 1990, Italians spent $70 million betting on soccer matches.

Gamblers in the United States spend over $200,000,000,000 a year just on legal forms of gambling! The president of a chain of casinos there boasted recently: “Gambling is this country’s fastest growing industry, as large as the [U.S. military] annual budget.” He attributed Americans’ love affair with gambling to the same “philosophical drive” and willingness to take risks that drove the discoverers and frontiersmen in the nation’s past. But the gambler’s dream of instant wealth is a far cry from the years of sweat and toil that explorers and pioneers put into their ventures.

Sociologist Vicki Abt said: “Lotteries play into the notion that rewards are unrelated to your efforts.” Such thinking can do terrible damage to the quality of life. Debt, poverty, ruined work habits, shattered families​—these are the dismal dividends of gambling. For millions, a growing portion of whom are teenagers, gambling turns into an uncontrolled compulsion. Surely, the Bible is right when it says that “the love of money is a root of all sorts of injurious things.”​—1 Timothy 6:10.

Has Science Proved the Bible Wrong?

Many today believe that it has. But has it really? Are the Bible’s laws on health and sanitation out-of-date? What about the Bible’s record of a global Flood? Has science disproved it? Or has the discovery of tens of thousands of quick-frozen carcasses, including those of huge mammoths, supported the Bible record?

Read the evidence in the book The Bible​—God’s Word or Man’s? It not only thoroughly covers all of man’s criticism of the Bible but also gives clear explanations as to why the Bible can be accepted as God’s Word. Consider the evidence yourself. Receive this fine publication by filling in and mailing the accompanying coupon.

I would like to receive the hardcover 192-page book The Bible​—God’s Word or Man’s? (Outside the U.S.A., write to local Watch Tower branch for information. See page 5.)