August 8

Page Two

A Century of Atrocities—Is It Time to Forget? 3-11

Atrocities have taken millions of lives. Who can ensure that they never happen again?

How Much Does Religion Interest Young People? 12

What do young people think of religion today?

The Enigma of William Shakespeare 22

Did Shakespeare write all the works that bear his name?

[Picture Credit Line on page 2]

Wounded French girl: U.S. Navy photo

Bodies of Rwandan refugees: UN PHOTO 186809/J. Isaac

Encyclopædia Britannica/11th Edition (1911)

Forgive and Forget—Is It Possible?

MORE than half a century has passed since the end of World War II, in 1945. That global war was by far the most savage and costly war in all human history.

World War II lasted six years and took the lives of about 50 million people, including civilians. Countless others were maimed physically, mentally, and emotionally. For many who experienced those calamitous war years, the painful memories of atrocities committed and of loved ones lost have still not healed.

There are the memories of the atrocities perpetrated by the Nazis in the Holocaust, with its millions of innocent victims slaughtered. In both Europe and Asia, many atrocities were committed by invading armies, which murdered, raped, pillaged, and terrorized civilians. Then, too, many people were victimized by air raids that brought devastation, injury, and death to countless numbers of innocent men, women, and children. Hard experiences were also endured by millions of combatants on various global battlefields.

Mental and Emotional Wounds

Many of the mental and emotional wounds suffered as a result of the terrible events that took place during World War II remain indelibly in the minds of large numbers of people who lived at that time and who are still alive today. They would like to erase all those awful, bitter memories. But they are not able to do so. For some, the images of such horrors return to torment them like a recurring nightmare.

Others, however, do not want to forget, either because they want revenge or because they wish to honor the memory of the fallen. In addition, there is widespread feeling that past atrocities should be kept alive in the collective memory of the human family in the hope that such atrocities will never be repeated.

A few years ago, during 1994-95, the atmosphere that surrounded the commemorations of the 50th anniversaries of D day (the Allied landings in Normandy in June 1944) and of the end of the European phase of the second world war (in May 1945) demonstrated that for many eyewitnesses of those events, to forgive and forget is very difficult. Often, any gesture of reconciliation between former enemies is precluded. Thus, British veterans refused to invite German representatives to commemorations of the Allied landings in Normandy.

Regarding the atrocities committed by the Nazis in World War II and the difficulty of forgiving and forgetting, writer Vladimir Jankélévitch expressed himself this way: “In the presence of such a revolting crime, the natural impulse . . . is to be outraged and to fight passionately against forgetting and to pursue the criminals—as the judges of the allied Nuremberg Tribunal had promised—to the ends of the earth.” The same writer continued: “We would gladly say, reversing the terms of the prayer that Jesus addressed to God in the Gospel according to Saint Luke: Lord, do not forgive them, for they know what they are doing.”—Compare Luke 23:34.

Sad to say, from 1945 on, right up to the present time, innumerable other atrocities—in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, to mention just a few—have continued to stain the earth with blood. These atrocities have left millions of dead, as well as huge numbers of surviving widows and orphans, shattered lives, and horrendous memories, in their wake.

Without a doubt, this 20th century has been a time of unprecedented cruelty. It is just as Bible prophecy accurately foretold long ago about this era—men have proved to be “fierce” and “without love of goodness.”—2 Timothy 3:1-5; Revelation 6:4-8.

What Should We Do?

Confronted with such barbarity, people react differently. But what about us? Should we remember? Or should we forget? Does remembering mean harboring bitter, deep-seated ill will toward one’s former enemies, refusing to forgive? On the other hand, does forgiving mean that one can forget in the sense of totally wiping out bad memories?

What does the Creator of mankind, Jehovah God, think of the terrible crimes that have been committed in our time and in times past? Will he forgive the perpetrators? And is it not too late for God to compensate the victims killed in atrocities? Is there any solid hope that there will ever be an end to atrocities, since they have been happening for thousands of years? Just how will Almighty God eventually rectify these complicated matters?

[Picture on page 4]

Children of massacre victims gather at refugee camp

[Credit Line]

UN PHOTO 186797/J. Isaac

[Picture Credit Line on page 3]

U.S. Navy photo

Should We Remember the Past?

“CAN the Jews forget the Holocaust?” This question was raised by Virgil Elizondo, president of the Mexican American Cultural Center in San Antonio, Texas. It reminds us that the atrocities seen in this century can leave an indelible imprint on the collective memory. The genocide of the Armenians (1915-23) and the mass killings of Cambodians (1975-79) must also be included among the atrocities of the 20th century. Even so, the list is by no means complete.

In an attempt to foster reconciliation between victims and their tormentors, religious and political leaders have on occasion invited people to forget atrocities suffered. This happened, for example, in Athens, Greece, in 403 B.C.E. The city had just witnessed the end of the oppressive dictatorship of the Thirty Tyrants, an oligarchy that had eliminated, even physically, almost all its adversaries. The new governors sought to reestablish civil harmony by decreeing an amnesty (from a Greek word meaning “oblivion” or “forgetfulness”) for supporters of the previous tyranny.

Forgetting by Decree?

It can be relatively easy to try to cancel by decree the memory of atrocities perpetrated on the innocent. Rulers can decide to do this for political expediency, as happened in ancient Greece and in various European countries at the end of World War II. In Italy, for example, in 1946 a decree declared an amnesty to over 200,000 citizens “guilty of participating, in more or less relevant ways, in the misdeeds of the Fascist regime,” said the newspaper La Repubblica.

However, the decisions of governments or public institutions are one thing. The sentiments of the individual members of a community are quite another. It is not possible by decree to compel individual citizens—perhaps the defenseless victims of brutal conflicts, massacres, or other barbarities—to forget past sufferings.

More than a hundred million people have died in the wars of this century alone, many after unspeakable suffering. If we were to add all those who have been killed in peacetime massacres, the atrocities would be innumerable. Many people go to great lengths to ensure that none of these are forgotten.

Those Who Would Like to Cancel the Memory

Those who urge victims of atrocities or their descendants to forgive and forget often assert that remembering the past is only a source of division, especially if decades have passed. They say that forgetting unites, whereas remembering cannot turn back the pages of history, however tragic the sufferings were.

But in trying to make people forget, some have gone to the point of denying the reality of the most horrendous crimes committed against humanity. Supported by self-styled revisionist historians, some claim, for example, that there never was a Holocaust.a They have even organized tours to former extermination camps, such as Auschwitz or Treblinka, and have told the visitors that gas chambers never existed at those places—and this in the face of numerous eyewitnesses and mountains of evidence and documentation.

How is it that such false revisionist ideas meet with success in certain circles? Because some choose to forget their own responsibility and that of their own people. Why? Because of nationalism, their own ideology, or anti-Semitic or other such sentiments. Once atrocities are forgotten, revisionists reason, responsibility vanishes. But many people vigorously resist these irresponsible revisionists, called by one French historian “assassins of the memory.”

They Do Not Forget

It is obviously very difficult for survivors to forget loved ones lost in war or in atrocities. However, most of those who want to remember massacres and genocides do so because they hope that the lessons drawn from their own suffering and the suffering of their loved ones will be useful in avoiding any repetition of such brutality.

The German government has thus decided to commemorate the anniversary of the discovery of horrors perpetrated by the Nazis in the Auschwitz concentration camp. The intent, according to the president of Germany, is that “remembering will serve as a warning to future generations.”

Similarly, on the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II, Pope John Paul II asserted: “As the years go by, the memories of the War must not grow dim; rather, they ought to become a stern lesson for our generation and for generations yet to come.” Nevertheless, it has to be said that the Catholic Church is not always consistent in remembering the atrocities and the victims of those years.

In order that new generations may also draw lessons and warnings from the genocides of this and other centuries, a number of museums—such as the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., and the Beit Hashoah Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles—have been established. For the same reason, emotionally moving documentaries and other films on this subject have been produced. All of this is an attempt to prevent humanity from losing its memory of people suffering at the hands of other people.

Why Remember?

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” wrote the Spanish-American philosopher George Santayana. Sadly, it seems that over the course of millenniums, mankind quickly forgets its own past, thus condemning itself to commit the same bitter errors over and over.

The long and atrocious sequence of mass killings by man highlights that human domination of other humans has been a total failure. Why has this been so? Because humans have constantly repeated the same basic error—they have rejected God and his laws. (Genesis 3:1-6; Ecclesiastes 8:9) And today, just as prophesied in the Bible, a “twisted generation” is doing the same and is reaping the consequences.—Philippians 2:15; Psalm 92:7; 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 13.

Since we have involved the Creator, Jehovah, in our discussion, what is his point of view? What does he forget, and what does he remember? Can the painful legacy of the atrocities perpetrated by man be overcome? Will “the badness of wicked ones come to an end”?—Psalm 7:9.

[Footnote]

[Blurb/Pictures on page 7]

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”—George Santayana

Crematorium and oven at Auschwitz concentration camp

[Credit Line]

Oświęcim Museum

Atrocities—What Is God’s Solution?

HOW can atrocities be prevented? What is the solution? When we study history, it becomes obvious that human solutions have failed. In fact, there is a great element of contradiction, if not outright hypocrisy, in the way human leaders have approached the subject.

Consider, for example, the year 1995. It marked the 50th anniversary of the end of the Nazi Holocaust, of World War II, and of the explosion of the atom bomb. That year, commemorative ceremonies attended by world leaders were held in many parts of the world. Why? To transmit a sense of revulsion for these atrocities so that they may never be repeated. Yet, some observers noted an unhealthy dose of contradiction in such ceremonies.

Hypocrisy

In these highly publicized ceremonies, all religious and governmental representatives wanted to be viewed as benefactors or at least to avoid being viewed as evildoers. Yet, nations that condemned past atrocities have built arsenals of weapons, budgeting huge sums of money for that purpose. At the same time, they have not solved such vital problems as poverty, moral degradation, and pollution, often saying that they do not have enough funds.

Worldly religion seeks to write history that camouflages her prolonged silence on the atrocities of dictatorships and hushes up her conniving with them. These religions did not do anything to stop people of the same religion from slaughtering one another. For instance, in World War II, Catholic killed Catholic and Protestant killed Protestant because they were of different nationalities and on opposing sides. Both sides claimed to be Christian but practiced what was totally contrary to Jesus’ teachings. (Matthew 26:52; John 13:34, 35; 1 John 3:10-12; 4:20, 21) Other religions have done the same. Today, in various parts of the world, atrocities are still committed by members of these religions.

In the time of Jesus, the religious leaders were hypocrites. Jesus denounced them, saying: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you build the graves of the prophets and decorate the memorial tombs of the righteous ones, and you say, ‘If we were in the days of our forefathers, we would not be sharers with them in the blood of the prophets.’ Therefore you are bearing witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets.” (Matthew 23:29-31) Those religious leaders claimed to be godly but were hypocrites who persecuted Jesus and his disciples.

Lessons Taught by the Bible

Lessons can be drawn from secular history, but the Bible is the source of the most beneficial lessons. It does not entrust the task of interpreting history to human judgment or prejudice. The Bible explains history and the future in the light of God’s way of thinking.—Isaiah 55:8, 9.

The Scriptures speak of good and bad events as well as of good and bad people. Often a correct lesson, one in harmony with God’s will, can be drawn from these accounts. After mentioning a number of events in the history of the ancient Israelites, the apostle Paul concluded: “Now these things went on befalling them as examples, and they were written for a warning to us.” (1 Corinthians 10:11) Jesus himself drew a lesson from history when he said to his disciples: “Remember the wife of Lot.”—Luke 17:32.

What God Remembers and What He Forgets

We learn from the Bible that God remembers or forgets individuals on the basis of their actions. Those who sin but manifest repentance God forgives “in a large way.” (Isaiah 55:7) If a wicked one repents and “turns back from his sin and carries on justice and righteousness, . . . none of his sins . . . will be remembered against him.”—Ezekiel 33:14-16.

Paul wrote that “God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and the love you showed for his name.” (Hebrews 6:10) Thus, Jehovah will reward those he remembers favorably. Faithful Job prayed: “O that in Sheol [the common grave of all mankind] you would conceal me, . . . that you would set a time limit for me and remember me!”—Job 14:13.

Conversely, God will deal with the unrepentant evildoer in harmony with the words He spoke to Moses: “I shall wipe him out of my book.” (Exodus 32:33) Yes, God will forget wicked ones forever.

The Final Judge

God is the final Judge of history. (Genesis 18:25; Isaiah 14:24, 27; 46:9-11; 55:11) According to his superior judgment, he will not forget the numerous atrocities committed against mankind. On the day of his righteous indignation, he will judge all responsible persons and institutions.—Revelation, chapters 18, 19.

Among these will be the whole system of false religion, given in the Scriptures the symbolic name “Babylon the Great.” Of her it is written: “Her sins have massed together clear up to heaven, and God has called her acts of injustice to mind.”—Revelation 18:2, 5.

These religions were supposed to teach their adherents to do the right thing but failed. Thus, God’s Word says of all worldly religion: “In her was found the blood of prophets and of holy ones and of all those who have been slaughtered on the earth.” (Revelation 18:24) Because of failing to instruct their members to love their fellowman and fellow religionist, these religions are charged with bloodguilt.

A New World at Hand!

The day in which evil will be destroyed is finally at hand. (Zephaniah 2:1-3; Matthew 24:3, 7-14) Following that day, the time will come when ‘mourning, outcry, and pain will be no more’ for the happy residents of the earth. (Revelation 21:3-5) Atrocities and massacres will never occur again because rulership of this earth will be taken from humans and will be given to God’s heavenly Kingdom in the hands of the “Prince of Peace,” Jesus Christ.—Isaiah 9:6, 7; Daniel 2:44; Matthew 6:9, 10.

At that time the prophecy at Psalm 46:9 will be completely fulfilled: “[God] is making wars to cease to the extremity of the earth.” That peace will last forever because, as Isaiah 2:4 foretells, “nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore.” Psalm 37:11 thus foretells: “The meek ones themselves will possess the earth, and they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.” Yes, then it will be said that “the whole earth has come to rest, has become free of disturbance. People have become cheerful with joyful cries.”—Isaiah 14:7.

All of this means that a righteous new world is near. And in that new world, under the rule of God’s heavenly Kingdom, another marvelous event will take place—the resurrection of the dead! God’s Word guarantees: “There is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.”—Acts 24:15.

While on earth, Jesus demonstrated this by raising people from the dead. For example, when he resurrected a young girl, the account says: “Immediately the maiden rose and began walking . . . At once [those observing] were beside themselves with great ecstasy.” (Mark 5:42) In the resurrection those killed in atrocities as well as others long dead will be raised from the dead and will be given the opportunity to live forever on a paradise earth. (Luke 23:43) And in time “the former things will not be called to mind, neither will they come up into the heart.”—Isaiah 65:17.

You will act wisely in acquiring an accurate knowledge of God’s Word, the Bible, and doing his will. Then God will remember you with favor when he forever solves the problem of atrocities and restores life to victims. Jesus said: “This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.”—John 17:3.

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God will transform this earth into a peaceful paradise

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God will remove the effects of past atrocities by resurrecting the dead

How Much Does Religion Interest Young People?

BY AWAKE! CORRESPONDENT IN FRANCE

FOR the 750,000 youngsters in the audience, this was to be an evening of euphoria. They waved flags, sang, and applauded. Lasers and fireworks traced paths through the air, and musicians roused the crowd. The atmosphere resembled a “gigantic improvised discotheque.” Finally, to screams of adulation, the man they had been awaiting came on stage.

Was this the kickoff for the world tour of some rock band? No. It was a religious mass meeting in Paris during the Catholic World Youth Days, and the man was none other than Pope John Paul II!

For some, young people’s interest in religious festivals like this may seem strange. But now the media are talking about a religious revival among youths.

Outward Appearances

At face value, religion might seem to be in fairly good shape. About 68 percent of young Europeans say that they belong to a religion, and in Ireland this figure exceeds 90 percent. In Armenia, a former Soviet republic where many at one time considered religion a relic from a bygone era, a priest said of once deserted churches that are now full: “I’m amazed at the attraction religion holds for the younger generation.”

In many countries the media have widely publicized young people’s involvement in cults and charismatic groups. Religious festivals, like the one mentioned at the outset, are popular. What happens, though, when we look below the surface?

Taking a Closer Look

A closer look reveals that in 1967, 81 percent of French youths believed in God, but in 1997, the percentage was less than half. In Europe as a whole, only 28 percent of young people believe in a personal God. It is not surprising, then, that only 12 percent of Europe’s youths pray often. How is this reflected in the way youths view religion?

In Denmark 90 percent of young people say that they belong to the national church. Only 3 percent describe themselves as practicing members. In 1997 a poll by La Croix, a Catholic newspaper in France, showed that 70 percent of French youths admit that religion plays no real part in their lives. Three quarters of them place more importance on personal experience than the teaching of a religion. The same is true in most other European countries.

Why are young people turning away from the churches? For most of them, mainstream religions do not inspire confidence. In France, for instance, the majority of youngsters think that religion is a dividing factor in the world. In addition, it is not uncommon to find youths who feel the way 15-year-old Judith, a Catholic from Spain, does. She said: “I don’t agree with what the church says on morality.” Similarly, 20-year-old Joseph, from Taiwan, finds religion “too traditional.” But if most young people do not agree with their own religion’s teachings, what do they believe in?

Religion à la Carte

Young people now commonly choose religious beliefs as they would dishes on a menu. Religious “practice à la carte,” one magazine called it. A Catholic magazine referred to it as “religious window-shopping.” Ideas that were becoming outmoded are now common fare. Thus, in Europe about 33 percent of young people believe in lucky charms, 40 percent believe that fortune-tellers can predict the future, and 27 percent believe that the stars influence people’s lives. Ideas like reincarnation now form part of the beliefs of many young Europeans.

The variety of religious beliefs is such that young people can pick ideas to suit their tastes. Few believe that only one religion has a monopoly on truth. With young people picking at will, the difference between their religious beliefs is becoming less distinct. Thus, sociologists now talk about a “progressive wiping out” or “general erosion” of formal creeds. In this spiritual climate, how are traditional religions reacting?

Religion’s Quest for Youths

Religions are finding it a challenge to attract youths. A French priest asked of the crowds attending the Catholic World Youth Days festival in Paris: “Where do these young ones come from? I’ve got no youths in my churches. I never see them.” In its quest to attract and keep youths’ attention, the Catholic Church is having to change its presentation and its packaging.

“The church changes its style!” declared the French newspaper Le Figaro. For the 12th World Youth Days festival in Paris, the church employed agencies that are more used to organizing rock concerts to look after the presentation. Over 300 shows were put on to entertain youths visiting from over 100 countries, and designer clothing was specially made for the clergy.

Out of touch with young people today and feeling the need to adapt, many religions are becoming catchall faiths. Reflecting this policy, Michel Dubost, the clergyman who organized the World Youth Days festival in Paris, said: “Of course, I would like all the baptized to be faithful to Christ. But even if they are not, they have their place in the church.”

Youths’ Quest for Answers

Highlighting that youths’ quest for answers is indeed real, one newspaper described the youngsters’ attendance at the religious festival in Paris as “a cry for faith, rather than of faith.” Was such a cry answered by the Catholic Church?

When you take off the wrappings or peer through what one Catholic newspaper calls the “optical illusion” of large religious festivals, what remains? The French newspaper Le Monde commented on the “lack of real content” below the surface.

While presentation is important, food has to be nourishing. Young people’s questions about the meaning of life require spiritually nourishing answers. The attractive but empty replies that youths are served do not satisfy them.

Devoid of real substance, are such religious events having any lasting effect on youths today? French sociologist Danièle Hervieu-Léger observed: “These spectacular operations have little chance of developing durable social effects.” Where, then, can youngsters find satisfying answers to their questions?

Satisfying Answers

In 1997 the French magazine Le Point published an article about the difficulties youngsters face. In addition to the questions about the meaning of life common to most youngsters, youths also have to cope with crime and violence. Is it possible to rise above this? The magazine article explained: “At 30 years of age, David started to worry about the toll that alcohol, drugs, and violence were taking on his body. Jehovah’s Witnesses knocked at his door with an answer to his hopes for purification. He studied. He converted. He paid back his gambling debts and reimbursed all those who did not even know that he had cheated them at poker. He does not smoke, drink, or fight anymore.”

Regarding other youths who studied the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses, the article continued: “They have found all the answers to all their questions.” One young Witness expressed it simply: “The Bible has been telling the truth for two thousand years, so why should I go elsewhere for guidance?”

God’s Word contains a message for youths. Its practical advice helps them cope with today’s problems and gives them a solid basis for believing in a future of peace and brotherhood. In a constantly changing world, the hope that the Bible provides is “an anchor for the soul, both sure and firm,” providing stability and comfort. (Hebrews 6:19) Hundreds of thousands of youths have found real meaning in their lives through a personal Bible study with Jehovah’s Witnesses. They have seen for themselves how the Bible produces changes that are more than skin-deep. By accepting the Bible’s answers, young people find that their quest for real faith is rewarded.

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Religious festival attracts thousands of youths in Paris

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World Youth Days in Paris—a genuine religious revival?

Crossword Puzzle

Clues Across

1. Because of Jesus’ sacrificial role, John the Baptizer identified him as this [4 words] (John 1:29)

7. A mighty man of David’s military forces (1 Chronicles 11:29)

8. Write (Isaiah 30:8)

10. A land in “the remotest parts of the north,” out of which Gog’s host comes forth (Ezekiel 38:2, 15)

11. The type of habits that “bad associations” spoil (1 Corinthians 15:33)

12. Possesses

14. It is through this that mature people “have their perceptive powers trained to distinguish both right and wrong” (Hebrews 5:14)

16. Earlier than the present time (Acts 10:30)

18. The 22nd letter of the Greek alphabet

19. To surround with armed forces (2 Kings 6:24)

20. When attempting to usurp the kingship, Absalom and Adonijah each had one made (2 Samuel 15:1; 1 Kings 1:5)

21. Paul said that this could not say to the hand: “I have no need of you” (1 Corinthians 12:21)

22. Joshua’s father (Joshua 1:1)

23. The highest point (Micah 4:1)

25. One of the precious stones that decorated the “covering” of the king of Tyre (Ezekiel 28:13)

27. To enter into conflict (Daniel 11:40)

28. The low plain where Achan and his household were stoned to death (Joshua 7:24)

30. Paul said that one must believe that God becomes this to those earnestly seeking Him (Hebrews 11:6)

31. Grandson of Cain (Genesis 4:18)

32. A grandson of Esau through Reuel [2 words] (Genesis 36:17)

Clues Down

1. King Saul’s lineage [3 words] (1 Samuel 9:21)

2. A man of Cyrene who was associated with the Antioch, Syria, congregation (Acts 13:1)

3. Term used in prophecy to describe the mother of the Messiah (Isaiah 7:14)

4. The prophet through whom God gave David the choice of three punishments (1 Chronicles 21:9-12)

5. Used as a bed (Psalm 41:3)

6. Those guilty of committing fornication with Babylon the Great [4 words] (Revelation 17:2)

9. A channel for water (See Psalm 135:7.)

13. Jehovah assigned this month, originally called Abib, as the first month of the Jewish sacred calendar (Esther 3:7)

15. Chedorlaomer, king of this nation, led an alliance of kings that captured Abraham’s nephew Lot (Genesis 14:9)

16. A grandson of Abraham by his wife Keturah (Genesis 25:4)

17. One of two articles of clothing by which Ahaziah discerned that it was Elijah who told of his imminent death (2 Kings 1:8)

18. Because her brothers appointed her to this position in the vineyards, the Shulammite maiden lost her fairness of skin (Song of Solomon 1:6)

24. A spelling of the divine name that is favored by many scholars

25. A mountain that marked part of Judah’s northern boundary (Joshua 15:10)

26. Jehovah holds the preeminent position over all those known as these (Psalm 136:3)

29. Enemy (Psalm 89:43)

Crossword Solutions Page 27

Solutions Across

1. THE LAMB OF GOD

7. ILAI

8. INSCRIBE

10. MAGOG

11. USEFUL

12. OWNS

14. USE

16. AGO

18. KHI

19. BESIEGE

20. CHARIOT

21. EYE

22. NUN

23. TOP

25. JADE

27. ENGAGE

28. ACHOR

30. REWARDER

31. IRAD

32. SHEIK SHAMMAH

Solutions Down

1. TRIBE OF BENJAMIN

2. LUCIUS

3. MAIDEN

4. GAD

5. DIVAN

6. KINGS OF THE EARTH

9. SLUICE

13. NISAN

15. ELAM

16. ABIDA

17. BELT

18. KEEPER

24. YAHWEH

25. JEARIM

26. LORDS

29. FOE

Jewels of the African Sky

By Awake! correspondent in Kenya

THE African savanna is dry and brown, baked hard by the intense equatorial sun. We push our way through the hooked barbs of the wait-a-bit trees and thorny scrub.

Suddenly we come to an abrupt halt. Our attention has been arrested by a flash of iridescent color. Coming to rest on a flowering acacia limb is a small bird that is so brightly colored that it is as if the sun itself were tucked within its tiny feathers. This winged gem is appropriately called a sunbird.

Metallic Mirrors

There are over one hundred species of sunbirds. Most are located in tropical Africa, but they can also be found in Asia, Australia, and even the Pacific islands. As beautiful as they are varied, sunbirds reflect the sun like tiny metallic mirrors, displaying a rainbow of radiant colors: iridescent reds, yellows, blues, and greens as well as shades of copper.

Sunbirds usually invite comparison with American hummingbirds. Like hummingbirds, they are exquisitely colored and are nectar feeders. However, they are larger than hummingbirds and lack the flying skill of their North American counterparts.

Generally, the sunbird extracts its nectar by perching right on a blossom and using its long, curved beak to reach deep inside the throat of blooms. But if a tubular-shaped flower is too long for its reach, the sunbird may pierce the flower base and drain it of its precious contents. They also feed on insects that they pick off flowers and nearby foliage.

The males are also accomplished singers. Their repertoire varies from the thin metallic tssp of the superb sunbird to the beautiful tsik-tsik-tsik-tsik-tsit tree-tree-turrrr uttered by the scarlet-tufted malachite sunbird of East Africa. Often it is their song that indicates their presence in thick bush. However, once they are spotted, they are quite noticeable in the dry, brown background of the African veld.

Diligent but Not Dazzling

While the male sunbird is a delight to see and hear, the female is smaller and rather dull in color. She is therefore often ignored by bird-watchers and photographers. In fact, she is usually noticed only when she is in the company of a male. But what the female lacks in color, she certainly makes up for in diligence.

It is the female who ordinarily builds the nest and does most of the actual work of rearing the brood. While she occupies herself with the nesting chores, the male stands watch, prepared to expel intruders from the nesting site.

Hanging Nests

Sunbird nests are hardly things of beauty, though. They often look like little more than bits of rubbish that have been collected by a passing wind and snagged on an acacia thorn. Resembling a hanging, dewdrop-shaped sock, a sunbird nest is made of plant fiber woven or matted together and bound with spider webs. The outside of the nest is cleverly decorated with tiny twigs, dead leaves, bits of lichen, and often a dangling seedpod or two for good measure.

Inside, the nest is lined with plant down, soft grass, feathers, and other delicate material. The entrance is a small hole on one side, near the top. The female often incubates alone. As she sits inside her pear-shaped nest, her long, curved beak can usually be seen protruding from the nest hole. She lays one or two eggs, which will hatch in about 14 days. When the young leave the nest, they are always plain in color like their mother. However, as the males start to mature, they begin to develop the glorious plumage that will one day distinguish them as birds of the sun.

The sunbird is just another example of the richness and diversity of an intelligent Designer. Their beauty of color and instinctive behavior move us to greater appreciation of their Creator. Sunbirds are thus among those whom the Bible commands: “Praise Jehovah from the earth, . . . you creeping things and winged birds.” “Every breathing thing—let it praise Jah.” (Psalm 148:7, 10; 150:6) These jewels of the African sky should move all of us to praise the loving Creator who designed them.

The Global Appeal of Latin Music

BY AWAKE! CORRESPONDENT IN MEXICO

MORE than 400 million people throughout the world speak Spanish. After Mandarin and Hindi, Spanish has more native speakers than any other language. It is not surprising, then, that many people are familiar with the music of Latin America. People the world over have enjoyed listening or dancing to the rhythm of mambo, cha-cha, merengue, or salsa.

Why is this music so popular? Partly because of its lively, happy character. Many Latin Americans like fast, tropical rhythms. Some of these rhythmic beats were introduced to Latin America by West African slaves hundreds of years ago. Admittedly, some non-Latinos find it difficult to appreciate some of the faster tunes with their repetitive drumbeats.

Latin music can also be slow, romantic, and even melancholy. For example, the Latin-American bolero has always been well liked in many countries. The bolero was usually performed by trios and was characterized by its romantic and poetic nature. Very popular during the ’40’s and ’50’s, the bolero has been making a comeback recently in the vocal music of young artists. Mexico’s mariachis, with their attractive suits, big sombreros, and unique music, are also recognized worldwide.

Merengue, Salsa, and Tex-Mex

Merengue and salsa have become very popular in many countries. These rhythms are not new. The merengue originated in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. It has been described as ‘incredibly fast, repetitive, infectious, and delicious.’ The Spanish word merengue simply means meringue, the confection made by vigorously beating sugar and egg whites. After watching the vigorous movements of some merengue dancers, an observer can easily see that the name fits.

Within the musical genre of salsa, there are a variety of rhythms, mostly of Cuban and Puerto Rican origins. The Spanish word salsa means “sauce.” According to some, salsa is the result of a musical fusion that took place in New York City, where a mixture of performers from all over the Caribbean mingled. From there it spread throughout the world.

The 1995 assassination of Selena, a Hispanic singer in the United States, made her songs even more popular than when she was alive. She was known as the queen of Tex-Mex music, which has been described as a combination of American country music and norteño (northern Mexican) rhythms. These melodies are sung in English, Spanish, or Spanglish, a mixture of Spanish and English. This music has become very popular with Latinos in the United States and Latin America.

A Balanced View of Music and Dancing

Music, like many other things that can bring pleasure, is best enjoyed in moderation. (Proverbs 25:16) Christians are selective in their choice of music. The Bible admonishes: “Keep strict watch that how you walk is not as unwise but as wise persons, buying out the opportune time for yourselves, because the days are wicked.” (Ephesians 5:15, 16) It is well-known that some songs have irreverent, immoral, or even satanic themes. Latin music is not immune to such corruptive influences.

Some Latin songs feature obscene lyrics. Some contain double entendres, while others are erotic or sexually explicit. Political issues, violence, and rebellion are also prominently featured in a number of songs. For example, the Mexican music known as corrido has long been a favorite among many Latinos. Recently, however, a new type of corrido known as narco corrido is becoming popular. These songs relate the violent stories of drug traffickers, portraying them as heroes. Some mariachi songs also promote offensive themes, glorifying drunkenness, male chauvinism, or nationalism. Similar concerns exist regarding the lyrics in merengue, salsa, and other types of Latin music.

Some who enjoy Latin music do not understand the lyrics. Unwittingly they could find themselves enjoying songs that promote sexual immorality, violence, or even the occult. Those who understand Spanish can become oblivious to the lyrics of questionable songs while dancing to their catchy and happy rhythms. Deep respect for Bible standards, however, should impel us to examine carefully each and every song that is played in our homes and at social gatherings. This will prevent us from listening or dancing to the beat of songs containing lyrics that are offensive to God.

We should also take care not to stumble others by the way we dance. (1 Corinthians 10:23, 24) Christians are careful not to dance with a careless abandon that robs them of their dignity. Neither would they want to engage in deliberately provocative dancing. Married couples display good judgment so that their dancing does not become an inappropriate public display of marital intimacy.

Christian balance also calls for moderation when it comes to the volume of the music played and the duration of social gatherings. Surely, Jehovah’s worshipers can enjoy their choice of music without having to engage in “revelries” that last into the wee hours of the morning and that feature deafeningly loud music. The Bible exhorts: “The time that has passed by is sufficient for you to have worked out the will of the nations when you proceeded in deeds of loose conduct, lusts, excesses with wine, revelries, drinking matches, and illegal idolatries.”—1 Peter 4:3.

Despite the prevalence of immoral elements in today’s entertainment, there is still a great variety of wholesome music that one can enjoy. Music is a beautiful gift from God, and the Bible says that there is “a time for every matter or purpose under heaven . . . , a time to mourn and a time to dance.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4, The Amplified Bible) If you like lively, contagiously happy music, you will surely enjoy listening and dancing to the appealing rhythms of Latin music, doing so in moderation and with Christian balance.—1 Corinthians 10:31; Philippians 4:8.

The Bible’s Viewpoint

Your Dress and Grooming—Does It Matter to God?

“As the index tells the contents of the book, . . . even so do the outward habit and garments, in man or woman, give us a taste of the spirit.”—English playwright Philip Massinger.

IN THE third century C.E., church writer Titus Clemens drew up a long list of rules governing dress and grooming. Ornaments and luxurious or colorful fabrics were prohibited. Women were not to dye their hair nor to “smear their faces with the ensnaring devices of wily cunning,” that is, “painting the face.” Men were instructed to shave the hair on their heads because “a cropped head . . . shows a man to be grave,” but the hair on the chin was not to be disturbed, for it “lends to the face dignity and paternal terror.”a

Centuries later Protestant leader John Calvin enacted laws specifying the color and type of clothing his followers might wear. Jewelry and lace were frowned upon, and a woman could be jailed for arranging her hair to an “immoral height.”

Such radical viewpoints, espoused by religious leaders over the years, have caused many sincere individuals to wonder, Does it really matter to God what I wear? Does he disapprove of certain fashions or the use of makeup? What does the Bible teach?

A Personal Matter

Interestingly, as recorded at John 8:31, 32, Jesus said to his disciples: “If you remain in my word, . . . you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Yes, the truths taught by Jesus were intended to liberate people from the oppressive burdens created by tradition and false teachings. They were designed to refresh those “toiling and loaded down.” (Matthew 11:28) Neither Jesus nor his Father, Jehovah God, has any desire to control people’s lives to the extent that individuals can no longer take initiative and exercise their own reasoning on personal matters. Jehovah wants them to become mature people who “through use have their perceptive powers trained to distinguish both right and wrong.”—Hebrews 5:14.

Thus, the Bible provides no detailed laws governing dress and grooming or the use of cosmetics, other than some specific clothing requirements imposed on the Jews by the Mosaic Law, which were intended to help them keep separate from the surrounding nations and their immoral influence. (Numbers 15:38-41; Deuteronomy 22:5) Within the Christian arrangement, dress and grooming are basically a matter of personal taste.

That is not to suggest, however, that God is indifferent to what we wear or that ‘anything goes.’ On the contrary, the Bible contains reasonable guidelines that reflect God’s viewpoint on dress and grooming.

“With Modesty and Soundness of Mind”

The apostle Paul wrote that Christian women should “adorn themselves in well-arranged dress, with modesty and soundness of mind, not with styles of hair braiding and gold or pearls or very expensive garb.” Similarly, Peter counsels against “the external braiding of the hair and of the putting on of gold ornaments.”—1 Timothy 2:9; 1 Peter 3:3.

Are Peter and Paul indicating that Christian women and men should avoid enhancing their appearance? Not at all! In fact, the Bible mentions faithful men and women who used jewelry or cosmetic oils and perfumes. Before her audience with King Ahasuerus, Esther underwent an extensive beauty regimen involving perfumed oils and massage. And Joseph was clothed with garments of fine linen and a necklace of gold.—Genesis 41:42; Exodus 32:2, 3; Esther 2:7, 12, 15.

The phrase “soundness of mind,” as used by Paul, helps us to understand the admonition. The original Greek word denotes being temperate and self-controlled. It implies thinking of oneself soberly, not drawing undue attention. Other Bible translations render this word as “discreetly,” “sensibly,” “refined,” or “with self-restraint.” This quality is an important requirement for Christian elders.—1 Timothy 3:2.

So, in telling us that our dress and grooming should be modest and well arranged, the Scriptures encourage us to avoid any extreme styles that would offend others and bring reproach upon our reputation and that of the Christian congregation. Rather than drawing attention to their appearance through physical adornment, those professing reverence for God should display soundness of mind and put the emphasis on “the secret person of the heart in the incorruptible apparel of the quiet and mild spirit.” This, Peter concludes, “is of great value in the eyes of God.”—1 Peter 3:4.

Christians are “a theatrical spectacle to the world.” They need to be aware of the impression that they give to others, especially in light of the mandate they have to preach the good news. (1 Corinthians 4:9; Matthew 24:14) They would therefore not want to let anything, including their appearance, distract others from listening to that vital message.—2 Corinthians 4:2.

While styles vary widely from one place to another, the Bible offers individuals clear, reasonable guidelines that enable them to choose wisely. As long as people adhere to these principles, God freely and lovingly allows all to express personal taste in their dress and grooming.

[Footnote]

The Enigma of William Shakespeare

BY AWAKE! CORRESPONDENT IN BRITAIN

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE is generally acclaimed as the foremost playwright in history. The New Encyclopædia Britannica states that he is “considered by many to be the greatest dramatist of all time. His plays . . . are today performed more often and in more countries than those of any other playwright.” They have been translated into more than 70 languages.

Regarding the authorship of the large body of work that is credited to him, The World Book Encyclopedia says: “No important Shakespearean scholar doubts that Shakespeare wrote the plays and poems.” However, others dispute this. Why?

Born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564, Shakespeare died there 52 years later, in 1616. Countless volumes have been produced about him—many after years of patient research—in an effort to resolve the one basic, tantalizing question, Did William Shakespeare write the literary works that bear his name?

Basic Problems

Shakespeare’s plays draw on an extraordinary wealth of secular experience. For example, he had a grasp of the law and made impressive use of legal language and precedents. In 1860, in Medical Knowledge of Shakespeare, Sir John Bucknill indicated that Shakespeare’s knowledge of medicine was deep. The same can be said of his comprehension of hunting, falconry, and other sports, as well as royal court etiquette. He was, says Shakespeare historian John Michell, “the writer who knew everything.”

Shipwrecks are featured five times in Shakespearean plays, and the way in which nautical terms are employed suggests that the writer was an experienced seaman. Did Shakespeare travel abroad? Was he pressed into naval service? Did he take part in the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588? Either would give credence to Shakespeare’s authorship, but no supportive evidence can be produced. The situation is similar in his mastery of military matters and the language of foot soldiers.

Bible quotations are prominent in his works. He could have learned them from his mother, but there is no proof that she was literate. His knowledge of the Bible leads to the question of Shakespeare’s education.

A Man of Letters?

William’s father, John, was a glover, dealt in wool, and was possibly a butcher. He was a respected citizen, although illiterate. There are no pupil lists for the Stratford grammar school, but most authorities today feel that young William attended. Years later, William’s friend the playwright Ben Jonson credited him with “small Latin, and less Greek,” which may imply that William’s education was rudimentary.

Yet, the writer of the plays had a firm grasp of the classics of Greece and Rome along with the literature—and possibly the languages—of France, Italy, and Spain. He also had an extensive vocabulary. A well-educated citizen today seldom uses more than about 4,000 words in conversation. John Milton, the 17th-century English poet, employed 8,000 or so in his works. But one authority credits Shakespeare with a vocabulary of no less than 21,000 words!

Books and Manuscripts

All of Shakespeare’s belongings were carefully listed on his three-page will, without any mention of books or manuscripts. Were they left to Susanna, his elder daughter? If so, they would surely have been distributed among her descendants. Intrigued by this mystery, an 18th-century cleric checked all the private libraries within a 50-mile radius of Stratford-upon-Avon without discovering a single volume that had belonged to Shakespeare.

The manuscripts of the plays pose an even greater problem—no originals are known to have survived. Thirty-six plays were published in the First Folio edition in 1623, seven years after Shakespeare’s death. During his lifetime numerous pirated editions appeared, yet Shakespeare, an astute businessman, took no legal action to prevent their publication.

To London—And Fame

Troupes of wandering actors were a regular feature of Elizabethan times, and some visited Stratford-upon-Avon in 1587. If Shakespeare joined them, he would have been in London by autumn of that year. We know that he became a member of London’s leading theater company, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, later known as the King’s Men. From the time he reached the capital, his fortunes changed. Over the years, he acquired properties in London and Stratford-upon-Avon. But there is no clear account of his actions from 1583 to 1592—the vital “missing years.”

The Globe theater was built in Southwark in 1599. Before then, plays bearing Shakespeare’s name were known in London, yet he never became prominent as their author. At his death there was no great funeral, although there were for other playwrights, such as Ben Jonson and Francis Beaumont, who were both buried, with much ceremony, in London’s Westminster Abbey.

Candidates

Was the name Shakespeare used to conceal the name of the true author or even authors? People have suggested over 60 possibilities. These include playwright Christopher Marlowea and such unexpected names as Cardinal Wolsey, Sir Walter Raleigh, and even Queen Elizabeth I. Which ones do theorists claim merit the most consideration?

The first candidate is Francis Bacon, educated at Cambridge University. Three years older than Shakespeare, he became a prominent lawyer and royal court official and was responsible for many literary works. The theory that ascribes Shakespeare’s works to Bacon was first put forward in 1769 but was ignored for nearly 80 years. In 1885 the Bacon Society was formed to promote the cause, and many facts have been brought forth to back the claim. For example, Bacon lived some 20 miles north of London near St. Albans, a town named 15 times in the works of Shakespeare—yet Shakespeare’s hometown, Stratford-upon-Avon, is never mentioned.

Roger Manners, fifth Earl of Rutland, and William Stanley, sixth Earl of Derby, both have their supporters. They had good educations and wide experience in court life. But why would either hide his work? Professor P. S. Porohovshikov, contending in 1939 for Rutland’s claim, said: “His first compositions were printed anonymously, the others under a pen-name simply because it was not the right thing for a peer to write for the common playhouses.”

Some suggest that Shakespeare’s plays were the product of a consortium of writers, each adding his expertise. On the other hand, as a skilled actor, did Shakespeare edit and prepare the plays of others for the stage? It was said of him that he never ‘blotted out a line’ in his manuscripts. This could be true if he were editing, with slight adjustments, the scripts of other playwrights that were presented to him.

What is a foremost reason why some doubt that Shakespeare was the author? The World Book Encyclopedia notes that people “refused to believe an actor from Stratford-upon-Avon could have written them. Shakespeare’s commonplace country background did not fit their image of the genius who wrote the plays.” It adds that almost all the others who have been proposed as authors “were members of the nobility or upper class.” Thus, many who doubt that Shakespeare was the author believe that “only an educated, sophisticated man of high social standing could have written the plays.” But, as noted earlier in this article, many Shakespearean authorities believe that Shakespeare did the writing.

Will this controversy be resolved anytime soon? It is not likely. Unless fresh evidence comes to light in the form of original manuscripts or facts to fill in his missing years, William Shakespeare, “this supreme verbal genius,” will remain a fascinating enigma.

[Footnote]

[Box on page 24]

Literacy and the Name

William Shakespeare possibly penned his signature six times on four documents that have survived. His name is only partly legible, and its spelling is inconsistent. Some authorities suggest that lawyers may have signed Shakespeare’s will on his behalf, which, for some, raises the touchy question, Was William Shakespeare literate? No manuscripts exist that were written by him. His daughter Susanna could sign her name, but there is no evidence that she could do more than that. Shakespeare’s other daughter, Judith, who was close to her father, signed by means of a mark. She was illiterate. Nobody knows why Shakespeare failed to ensure that his children could enjoy the priceless benefits of literature.

[Pictures on page 23]

Early portraits of Shakespeare, though it is not certain what he looked like

[Credit Line]

Encyclopædia Britannica/11th Edition (1911)

Culver Pictures

A Paradise of a Different Kind

BY AWAKE! CORRESPONDENT IN CANADA

STANDING on the upper slopes of the coulee and scanning the valley floor below, you are awed by the breathtaking landscape—rolling hills and steep ravines. Before you is what seems to be an unending sea of grass. A gust of wind swirls past, filled with the smell of heavily scented sage, the fragrance of the prairie.

Imagine, only two hundred years ago, you could have traveled for days without losing sight of the vast buffalo herds that darkened the great grasslands of Canada and could have felt the ground beneath you shake with the rumble of millions of hooves. Even the famous animal migrations of Africa could not rival those of the buffalo that roamed this great sea of grass.

Now, some of the only remaining signs that they were ever here are the large buffalo rubbing stones. You can feel the smoothed corners and see the trenches made around the stones by the thousands of buffalo that rubbed their itchy hides against them. It is not just the strong wind blowing out of the west that brings a tear to your eye but an overwhelming sense of awe at the marvels of creation that surround you and fill your senses. Where are you? You are visiting a paradise of a different kind.

A Park With a Difference

Welcome to Grasslands National Park, in southwestern Saskatchewan, Canada—the only park in North America dedicated to preserving undisturbed mixed-grass prairie. The park is actually composed of an east block and a west block, separated by 14 miles [22.5 km]. It will eventually include 350 square miles [900 sq km].

The terrain is rugged and filled with many challenging obstacles. Exploration is best done on foot or horseback. Spending several nights camping under the stars is for those with a spirit of adventure, but be prepared to bring sufficient water and other necessary provisions. (See the box “Park Exploration.”) During your trek through the park, you will see no modern buildings, no paved or graveled roads, no power lines, no landfill sites, and no parking lots. You may not even encounter another human. Truly, it is a paradise of a different kind! Once you enter the park, you are entering a world of unique beauty.

The Great Plains of North America make up one of the most drastically altered ecosystems in the world. Less than two hundred years ago, this was 100-percent wild, untouched land. Today, for example, less than 25 percent of the mixed-grass prairie in Canada remains undeveloped. The idea of protecting this prairie grassland by making it a park emerged in the 1830’s. Over one hundred years later, in 1957, the Saskatchewan Natural History Society started to work on establishing a national park.

However, it was not until 1988 that a federal-provincial agreement created Grasslands National Park. This park along with others in the Canadian prairies now protects 22 plants, mammals, and birds that are on Canada’s official endangered species list. Additionally, many others are preserved, some of which are found nowhere else in the world.

The Grasslands park is a land of climate extremes. Situated in the center of the continent, it is unaffected by the moderating effects of any ocean. Thus, temperatures in winter can reach -60 degrees Fahrenheit [-50°C.], and in summer, temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit [40°C.] are not uncommon. With exceedingly little rain and a constant wind, the climate is harsh.

Nevertheless, although not readily apparent at first, there is an abundance of wildlife. With patience and persistence, especially around dawn and dusk, you may be rewarded with the opportunity to photograph deer, coyotes, bobcats, jackrabbits, sage grouse, rattlesnakes, burrowing owls, ferruginous hawks, golden eagles, exotic pronghorn antelope (described as probably the fastest large animals of North America), or the only remaining colony of black-tailed prairie dogs in Canada. You will also see many other birds as well as insects and plants that are indigenous to this locality.

Colorful History of the Region

Should you decide to visit this unique park, we encourage you to do some research about the area. You will find it rich in history. For instance, markers still exist tracing the historic North West Mounted Police Red Coat Trail. In 1874, on hearing rumors of native unrest, the Canadian government sent a detachment of three hundred Mounted Police to the West to establish law and order. This move also calmed the fears of many that Canada’s West was about to be swallowed up by the United States. Wearing bright scarlet tunics and riding on finely groomed horses, the detachment created such a striking image that to this day their path is known as the Red Coat Highway.

Interestingly, in 1878 this area became host to one of the most feared Indian warriors in North America—the great Sioux chief Sitting Bull. After the Sioux victory over Custer’s forces at Little Bighorn, thousands of American Sioux fled to this part of Canada to seek refuge from the American cavalry.

There are about 1,800 archaeologically significant sites in the park that go even further back in time. On many ridges, hilltops, and buttes can be found large rocks arranged in circles known as tepee, or tipi, rings. These rocks once held down the skirts of buffalo-hide tepees (tents) to prevent them from blowing away in the wind. There are also several complexes of ancient buffalo drive lanes used by the Plains Indians. Many centuries ago, the area was a rich hunting ground for the Gros Ventre, Cree, Assiniboin, Blackfoot, and Sioux tribes.

Reaching yet further back in time, in the park’s east block, dinosaur remains have been found amid the wildly eroded dobe hills of the Killdeer Badlands.

A Panorama of Beauty

If the diversity and abundance of the flora and fauna or the fascinating history of this land are not enough to amaze you, the magnificent and dramatic scope of the land itself will accomplish the task. There are the sounds of a myriad of bird species, the smell of sage, and the feel of the hot sun and the wind on your skin. The taste of food prepared over a portable gas stove is enhanced by the panoramic view, which is a constant feast for your eyes. Above all, you have an unobstructed, 360-degree view of the horizon, especially along the Two Trees Interpretive Trail, located in the park’s west block. The vast clear blue sky above is decorated with an occasional fluffy white cloud that hangs over you like a floating mountain. The dramatic landscape gives you an overwhelming sense of freedom and, at the same time, makes you feel very small and awestruck.

When it comes to the prairies, it is not only what you see but also what you feel that is important. It is your feeling for this place that will draw you back to this paradise of a different kind. The experience fills your heart with gratitude. Your thoughts become filled with praise for the Grand Creator, Jehovah, who put it all here. Soon the longed-for day will be here when the entire earth will become a paradise and display its natural beauty to the full.

[Box on page 26]

Park Exploration

Remember to

1. Register with park staff and obtain an information package before entering the park.

2. Carry an adequate supply of drinking water with you. Drinking water is available only at the Park Information Centre.

3. Wear a sun hat and also sturdy, comfortable shoes that cover your ankles for protection from the prickly cactus.

4. Carry a stick to sweep in front of you when you walk through tall grass and brush.

5. Take a camera and binoculars along if you have them. The best times to observe animals are at dawn and at dusk.

CAUTIONS: Avoid putting your hands or feet in places you cannot see. Rattlesnakes may strike when cornered or surprised. It is illegal to harass or hunt wildlife in a national park.

[Picture Credit Line on page 25]

All pictures: Parks Canada

Watching the World

Religious Freedom Reconsidered in Greece

“It seems that lately the [Greek] government is concerned about issues dealing with the right of religious freedom, also taking into account the pending constitutional amendment,” reports the Athenian newspaper To Vima. “An unofficial committee within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been formed to reexamine the legal framework that concerns issues of religious freedom, the laws of the dictator Metaxas that make proselytism a criminal offense, and the conditions under which non-Orthodox religious minorities are allowed to establish churches and meeting places.” The report goes on to say that this move has been initiated mainly because of the numerous legal cases brought before the European Court of Human Rights by Jehovah’s Witnesses in Greece.

Latin Is Alive

Latin remains the official language of Vatican City, even though the language was dropped from Roman Catholic liturgy in the 1960’s. Specialists translate papal documents into Latin, but it is now little used within the Vatican itself. In November 1997, however, the pope lamented the decline of spoken Latin and urged its revival. Meantime, a group of Vatican scholars has completed an eight-year project that produced an up-to-date Latin dictionary. Modern terms such as “aerosol spray,” “airport,” “department store,” “taxi,” and “traffic jam” now have their Latin equivalents. Even the ubiquitous mobile phone becomes a telephonium cellulare. For Latin buffs there is even better news. A priest in Rome has now launched a Latin-language Web site on the Internet, reports The Times of London.

“Cloned” Statues

By the year 2000, the statues in Rome’s public parks may all be copies. Why? “There are no alternatives to copies if we want to preserve the monuments,” explains Carla Benocci of one of Rome’s historical societies. She added that some of them are in a “shocking state of degradation, insulted by time, automobiles, vandals, and receivers of stolen goods.” Experiments are being conducted to determine what materials can best guarantee the same aesthetic effect as the originals and at the same time resist the assaults of smog and vandals. Some “clones” are in resin; others are in cement with a coating of marble dust. They are “so faithful to the original,” says Benocci, “that mistaking them for the real thing, thieves decapitated one to steal its head and tried to take another away in one piece.” And what about the originals? They will be kept in museums, where they can be admired without being endangered.

Malnutrition Killing Children

“Malnutrition kills more children than any other epidemic, natural disaster, or war,” reports the French daily Le Monde. It is estimated that almost seven million children die each year as a result of a deficient diet. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) report for 1997 indicates that malnutrition is the cause of death for 55 percent of the 12 million children under age five who die each year. Besides killing children, malnutrition is responsible for numerous physical and mental handicaps as well as weakened immune systems. In South Asia, 1 child out of 2 suffers from malnutrition, and in Africa, 1 out of 3. However, this problem also affects industrialized countries. For example, UNICEF reports that in the United States, 1 out of 4 children under the age of 12 does not get the nourishment he or she needs.

Water on the Moon?

The spacecraft Lunar Prospector has detected what appears to be frozen water in the polar regions of the moon, reports The New York Times. Instruments on the spacecraft indicate the presence of hydrogen, and it is thought that the most likely form in which hydrogen could occur on the moon is as an element of water. The water is believed to be in the form of small ice crystals mixed in with loose dirt. It appears to represent 1 percent or less of the rocky soil. Already some scientists are predicting that the water could serve to sustain human colonies and to provide hydrogen and oxygen as fuel for spacecraft launched from the moon. Others are concerned that even if the water is there, it would not be economical to extract it. Dr. Bruce Murray, of the California Institute of Technology, said that it would be cheaper to bring water from earth than to mine it on the moon.

Pain Reliever Caution

“Relatively small overdoses of acetaminophen—an active ingredient in Tylenol, Excedrin, and a multitude of other nonprescription remedies—can lead to serious liver damage, especially when mixed with alcohol,” warns Health magazine, and this may result in death. “Most people think they can take two or three times the recommended dosage and not be hurt by it,” says William Lee, an internal medicine specialist at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. “That’s not true with this drug.” As the body breaks down acetaminophen, it produces a by-product that is poisonous to the liver. The liver protects itself by means of a detoxification agent called glutathione. However, an overdose of acetaminophen can override the liver’s defenses. Alcohol depletes stores of glutathione, so taking the drug is especially hazardous after a few alcoholic drinks. And since acetaminophen is found in over 300 products, it is easy to overdose without even realizing it.

Kidnapping Classes

Children in Taiwan’s schools now have a new course—kidnapping classes. “Children are more likely to be kidnapped in Taiwan than anywhere outside the Philippines, with an average of one abduction every two-and-a-half days,” says Asiaweek. Parents, worried that their children might be the next kidnapping victims as crime continues to rise, requested the program. The kidnapping course trains children to be cautious when they walk alone, when they are about to step into elevators, and when they ride public transportation. They learn to be alert to suspicious persons and how to respond if abducted. Despite the negative content of the course, an effort is made to help children have a positive attitude toward life.

Back from “Extinction”

The forest owlet, thought to be extinct because there have been no confirmed sightings of it for 113 years, has been spotted and photographed in a wooded area near Shahada, India, northeast of Mumbai. The eight-inch-tall brown bird has large eyes and sports an oversize beak, feet, and talons. “It is considered one of the mystery birds of India,” said Pamela Rasmussen, of the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, who along with two colleagues took the photographs. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime thing.” The two remaining mystery species of India, without recorded evidence that they have survived, are the pink-headed ducks, which were last seen in the 1930’s, and the Himalayan mountain quails, which have not been sighted for about 100 years.

The “Ideal Soft Drug”?

Chocolate’s stimulative, antidepressant, and aphrodisiac qualities have been vaunted for hundreds of years. However, recent research may indicate that chocolate does indeed affect “anxiety levels, peace of mind, and sexual behavior,” reports the French newspaper Le Monde. Scientists have discovered one substance present in chocolate that bears certain similarities to amphetamines and another with a “marked anti-depressant profile.” New research has also revealed the presence of anandamide, a neurotransmitter that produces the same “heightening of the sensations and euphoria” as cannabis. This along with chocolate’s low toxicity led the newspaper to conclude: “By stimulating physical and intellectual activity, supplying energy and generating a feeling of euphoria and well-being with virtually no side effects and a low level of addiction, chocolate qualifies as an almost ideal soft drug.”

From Our Readers

Watching the World I’m a newspaperman, and many of my colleagues love to read the column “Watching the World” to get ideas for their own work. I confess that I have been inspired by some of the articles myself. I particularly admire your translators and proofreaders. Such high standards for language are not common in the mass media.

J. B., Czechia

Years ago when I started reading Awake!, “Watching the World” was the part I least enjoyed. Now I consider it to be extremely informative. In fact, many world events that I have not seen in TV news broadcasts have been covered in “Watching the World.” Keep up the good work!

I. K. M. C., Brazil

Pestilence The series “Pestilence—Will It Ever End?” (November 22, 1997) stated: “Infectious disease remains the world’s leading cause of death, killing over 50 million people in 1996 alone.” However, a World Health Organization report says that of over 52 million deaths in 1996, over 17 million were due to infectious or parasitic diseases.

B. B., United States

Our source for these comments was the German newspaper “Nassauische Neue Presse.” The World Health Organization was evidently misquoted by this newspaper article. So we appreciate this clarification.—ED.

Stuttering Thank you for the article “Understanding the Fear of Stuttering.” (November 22, 1997) In our congregation we have a few youths with this problem, and I’ve always felt uneasy about associating with them. So I was glad to read the practical suggestions you gave to help us deal with stutterers. You motivated us to give support to such ones, and you let us know how to do so.

Y. N., Japan

In my class at school, there are two people who stutter. They almost never give answers in class, and as your article mentioned, when they are asked to read aloud, they are noticeably nervous. Thanks to your article, I can better understand the fear they must overcome in order to speak in class.

S. L., Germany

I am 16 years old, and I am a stutterer. I want to thank you with all my heart for the encouragement I received from reading the article. Sometimes we feel downhearted because we can’t do all we would like to. So it is wonderful to see how Jehovah thinks of us and encourages us. I hope everyone who reads the article is helped to appreciate the efforts stutterers make.

S. D. A., Italy

The article unlocked so many painful memories. But it also made me realize just how much Jehovah cares and how much he has blessed me over the years. When I was baptized at the age of 11, my earnest desire was to praise Jehovah as a public speaker. I thought I would have to wait for God’s new world to achieve that goal. But over the past 37 years, I have been privileged to give countless public talks as well as talks to circuit and district convention audiences.

R. F. D., England

Because of my fear of stammering, I hold back from commenting at congregation meetings. I also worry about stammering in the door-to-door preaching work, especially when working with someone who is fluent. This article helped me to see that Jehovah understands my problems.

C. C. L., Brazil

Evolution Is Not a Fact

Polls show that many Americans believe that the first humans were directly created by God and not by a process of evolution from primitive life-forms. But why do so many science teachers in America promote mindless, chance evolution as fact? One reason is that “Darwinist fundamentalists . . . control the science departments in many universities,” says Phillip E. Johnson, law professor at the University of California at Berkeley.

Johnson points out: “In some cases biology professors have been forbidden to tell students that there is any reason to doubt the claim that mindless material processes could and did create the wonders of biology.”

Scientist and engineer Murphy O’Dean observes: “Rather than discard a theory that does not stand up to fact, the direction of ‘evolutionary science’ has become a statement of faith that ‘evolution must be true.’” Conflicting evidence and the lack of evidence are either ignored or explained away.

Why? Michael Behe, molecular biologist, says in Darwin’s Black Box: “Many people, including many important and well-respected scientists, just don’t want there to be anything beyond nature. They don’t want a supernatural being to affect nature.” But true science does not ignore contrary evidence in order to advance preferred ideas. Nor do all scientists believe evolution.

The Brazilian magazine Veja asked Carlo Rubbia, winner of the Nobel Prize for Physics, “Do you believe in God?” While not acknowledging a personal God, he did admit: “The more you observe nature, the more you perceive that there is tremendous organization in all things. It is an intelligence so great that just by observing natural phenomena I come to the conclusion that a Creator exists.”

His observations remind us of the apostle Paul’s words regarding God: “His invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship.”—Romans 1:20.

“Something Special”

After reading the book The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, a book that attempts to present every event in Jesus’ earthly life that is set forth in the four Gospels, a 70-year-old woman in Moscow, Russia, exclaimed: “I have never read such literature. I want to know more about God and Jesus Christ and even to study the Bible.”

The branch office of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia often receives such letters regarding Bible literature. A similar letter was sent by a woman in Chelyabinsk, a city of well over a million people about a thousand miles [1,500 km] southeast of Moscow.

She said of The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived: “The book is something special. It instills in people a hope for a happy future and helps them to know about ancient history. Before I came into contact with this book, I never thought about God and I was never interested in religion, but now I want to be baptized. I want to study your literature very much. I want to speak about the things I have read with my friends, acquaintances, relatives.”

You too can receive literature that can help you to learn more about Jesus and the Bible-based hope of life in a new world. If you would like to receive a copy of the book The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived or would like to have someone call at your home to conduct a free home Bible study with you, please write to Watchtower, 25 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, NY 11201-2483, or to the appropriate address on page 5.