November 8

Table of Contents

November 8, 2001

Help for Battered Women

Women worldwide are battered by their husbands or partners. Some are murdered. How can they protect themselves?

3 “Maybe This Time He’ll Change”

5 Why Do Men Batter Women?

9 Help for Battered Women

11 “Sometimes I Think I Am Dreaming!”

13 ‘The Experiment Has Failed’

14 Carthage​—The City That Nearly Toppled Rome

25 Use Medicinal Drugs Wisely

28 Watching the World

30 From Our Readers

31 Man’s Tyranny Over Man

32 How Should Children Be Disciplined?

Vienna’s Beloved Giant Wheel 19

Many cities have a huge Ferris wheel. Vienna’s is special. Why do Austrians love it?

The Matatu—Kenya’s Colorful Carrier 22

Every culture has its own forms of public transportation. What makes the matatu different?

“Maybe This Time He’ll Change”

ROXANAa is a vivacious, attractive mother of four children, married to a well-respected surgeon in South America. “My husband is charming with the ladies, popular with the men,” she says. But there is a dark side to Roxana’s mate, one that even their close friends do not see. “At home, he’s a monster. He’s intensely jealous.”

Roxana’s face is etched with anxiety as she continues her story. “The problem began after we’d been married for just a few weeks. My brothers and my mother visited us, and I had such a good time talking and laughing with them. But when they left, my husband violently threw me onto the sofa, wild with rage. I couldn’t believe what was happening.”

Sadly, that was just the beginning of Roxana’s ordeal, for over the years, she has been battered repeatedly. The abuse seems to follow a predictable cycle. Roxana’s husband beats her, then he apologizes profusely and promises never to do it again. His conduct improves—at least for a while. Then the nightmare starts all over. “I keep thinking that maybe this time he’ll change,” Roxana says. “Even when I run away, I always go back to him.”

Roxana fears that one day her husband’s violence will escalate further. “He has threatened to kill me, the children, and himself,” she says. “One time he put scissors to my throat. Another time he threatened me with a gun, pointed it at my ear, and pulled the trigger! Fortunately, there was no bullet, but I nearly died from fright.”

A Legacy of Silence

Like Roxana, millions of women worldwide are suffering at the hands of violent men.b Many of them remain silent about their ordeal. They reason that reporting the matter will prove futile. After all, many an abusive husband has simply denied charges with such statements as “My wife is excitable” or “She tends to exaggerate.”

It is sad that many women live with a constant fear of attack in the one place they should feel the safest—their own home. Yet, sympathy is all too often shown to the perpetrator instead of the victim. Indeed, some cannot bring themselves to believe that a man who appears to be an upstanding citizen would beat his mate. Consider what happened to a woman named Anita when she spoke up about the abuse she was receiving from her well-respected husband. “One of our acquaintances said to me: ‘How can you accuse such a fine man?’ Another said that I must somehow be provoking him! Even after my husband was exposed, some of my friends began avoiding me. They felt that I should have put up with it because ‘that’s the way men are.’”

As Anita’s experience shows, many find it difficult to grasp the grim reality of spouse abuse. What drives a man to be so cruel to the woman he claims to love? How can victims of violence be helped?

[Footnotes]

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The Broad Scope of Domestic Violence

According to the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the term “violence against women” can refer to “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.” This violence includes, among other things, “physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring in the family and in the general community, including battering, sexual abuse of female children, dowry-related violence, marital rape, female genital mutilation and other traditional practices harmful to women.”

Why Do Men Batter Women?

SOME experts say that women are more likely to be killed by their male partners than by all other types of perpetrators combined. In an effort to stem the tide of spouse abuse, numerous studies have been conducted. What kind of man batters his wife? What was his childhood like? Was he violent during courtship? How does the batterer respond to treatment?

One thing experts have learned is that not all batterers are alike. At one end of the scale is a man whose violence is sporadic. He does not use a weapon and has no history of abusing his mate. For him, a violent episode is out of character and seems to be motivated by external factors. At the other extreme is a man who has developed a chronic pattern of battering. His abuse is ongoing, and there is little, if any, sign of remorse.

However, the fact that there are different kinds of batterers does not mean that some forms of battering aren’t serious. Indeed, any type of physical abuse can cause injury—even death. Hence, the fact that one man’s violence is less frequent or less intense than another’s does not make it excusable. There is simply no such thing as “acceptable” battering. What factors, though, might cause a man to abuse physically the woman he vowed to cherish for the rest of his life?

The Family Connection

Not surprisingly, a number of physically abusive men were themselves raised in abusive families. “Most batterers were brought up in domestic ‘war zones,’” writes Michael Groetsch, who has spent more than two decades researching spouse abuse. “As babies and young children, they grew up in hostile surroundings where emotional and physical violence were ‘normal.’” According to one expert, a male who is raised in such an environment “can absorb his father’s contempt for women very early in life. The boy learns that a man must always be in control of women and that the way to get that control is to scare them, hurt them, and demean them. At the same time, he learns that the one sure way to get his father’s approval is to behave as his father does.”

The Bible makes clear that the conduct of a parent can have a significant impact on a child, either for good or for bad. (Proverbs 22:6; Colossians 3:21) Of course, the family environment does not excuse a man’s battering, but it may help to explain where the seeds of a violent temperament were sown.

Cultural Influence

In some lands beating a woman is considered acceptable, even normal. “The right of a husband to beat or physically intimidate his wife is a deeply held conviction in many societies,” states a United Nations report.

Even in lands where such abuse is not considered acceptable, many individuals adopt a violent code of conduct. The irrational thinking of some men in this regard is shocking. According to South Africa’s Weekly Mail and Guardian, a study in the Cape Peninsula found that the majority of men who claimed that they do not abuse their mates felt that hitting a woman was acceptable and that such conduct does not constitute violence.

Evidently, such a warped view often begins in childhood. In Britain, for example, one study showed that 75 percent of boys aged 11 and 12 feel that it is acceptable for a man to hit a woman if he is provoked.

No Excuse for Battering

The above factors may help to explain spouse abuse, but they do not excuse it. Put simply, beating one’s mate is a gross sin in God’s eyes. In his Word, the Bible, we read: “Husbands ought to be loving their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself, for no man ever hated his own flesh; but he feeds and cherishes it, as the Christ also does the congregation.”—Ephesians 5:28, 29.

The Bible long ago foretold that during “the last days” of this system of things, many would be “abusive,” with “no natural affection,” and “fierce.” (2 Timothy 3:1-3; The New English Bible) The prevalence of spouse abuse is simply another indication that we are living in the very time period designated by this prophecy. But what can be done to support victims of physical abuse? Is there any hope that batterers can change their course of behavior?

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“A batterer who has assaulted his wife is no less a criminal than a man who has punched a stranger.”—When Men Batter Women

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Machismo—A Global Problem

Latin America has given the word “machismo” to the English-speaking world. It refers to aggressive masculine pride and implies an abusive attitude toward women. But machismo is by no means confined to Latin America, as the following reports indicate.

Egypt: A three-month study in Alexandria indicated that domestic violence is the principal cause of injuries to women. It is the cause of 27.9 percent of all visits by women to local trauma services.—Résumé 5 of the Fourth World Conference on Women.

Thailand: In Bangkok’s largest suburb, 50 percent of married women are beaten regularly.—Pacific Institute for Women’s Health.

Hong Kong: “The number of women who say they have been beaten by their partners has soared by more than 40 per cent in the past year.”—South China Morning Post, July 21, 2000.

Japan: The number of women seeking shelter rose from 4,843 in 1995 to 6,340 in 1998. “About one-third said they were seeking shelter because of violent behavior by their husbands.”—The Japan Times, September 10, 2000.

Britain: “A rape, beating or stabbing occurs in a home somewhere across Britain every six seconds.” According to a Scotland Yard report, “police receive 1,300 calls from victims of domestic violence every day—more than 570,000 a year. Eighty-one per cent are female victims attacked by males.”—The Times, October 25, 2000.

Peru: Seventy percent of all crimes reported to police involve women beaten by their husbands.—Pacific Institute for Women’s Health.

Russia: “In one year, 14,500 Russian women were killed by their husbands, and a further 56,400 were disabled or badly injured in domestic attacks.”—The Guardian.

China: “It is a new problem. It’s rapidly increasing, especially in urban areas,” says Professor Chen Yiyun, director of the Jinglun Family Center. “Pressure from neighbours no longer checks domestic violence.”—The Guardian.

Nicaragua: “Violence against women in Nicaragua is soaring. One survey claimed that last year alone 52 per cent of Nicaraguan women suffered some form of domestic violence at the hands of their men.”—BBC News.

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Risk Indicators

According to a study directed by Richard J. Gelles at the University of Rhode Island, U.S.A., the following are risk indicators for physical and emotional abuse in the domestic setting:

1. The man has previous involvement with domestic violence.

2. He is out of work.

3. He uses illegal drugs at least once a year.

4. When he lived at home, he saw his father hit his mother.

5. The couple are not married; they cohabit.

6. If employed, he has a low-paying job.

7. He did not graduate from high school.

8. He is between 18 and 30 years of age.

9. One or both use violence toward children in the home.

10. Income is below the poverty level.

11. The man and woman are from different cultural backgrounds.

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Domestic violence can seriously affect children

Help for Battered Women

WHAT can be done to help women who are victims of violence? First, one has to understand what they are going through. Often the harm inflicted by batterers is more than physical. Verbal threats and intimidation are usually involved, so that the victim is made to feel worthless and helpless.

Consider Roxana, whose story was recounted in the opening article. Sometimes her husband uses words as weapons. “He calls me demeaning names,” Roxana confides. “He says: ‘You didn’t even finish school. How could you care for the children without me? You’re a lazy, hopeless mother. Do you imagine that the authorities would let you keep the children if you left me?’”

Roxana’s husband maintains his control by keeping a tight rein on money. He does not allow her to use the car, and he calls throughout the day to check on what she is doing. If she expresses a preference, he throws a fit of rage. As a result, Roxana has learned never to express an opinion.

As can be seen, spouse abuse is a complex subject. To be of support, listen with compassion. Remember, it is usually quite difficult for a victim to talk about what has been happening to her. Your goal should be to strengthen the victim as she deals with the situation at her own pace.

Some battered women may need to seek assistance from the authorities. At times, a point of crisis—such as the intervention of the police—can cause an abusive man to see the seriousness of his actions. Admittedly, however, any motivation to change often vanishes once the crisis has passed.

Should the battered wife leave her husband? The Bible does not treat marital separation lightly. At the same time, it does not oblige a battered wife to stay with a man who jeopardizes her health and perhaps her very life. The Christian apostle Paul wrote: “If she should actually depart, let her remain unmarried or else make up again with her husband.” (1 Corinthians 7:10-16) Since the Bible does not forbid separation in extreme circumstances, what a woman does in this matter is a personal decision. (Galatians 6:5) No one should coax a wife to leave her husband, but neither should anyone pressure a battered woman to stay with an abusive man when her health, life, and spirituality are threatened.

Is There Hope for Batterers?

Spouse abuse is a brazen violation of Bible principles. At Ephesians 4:29, 31, we read: “Let a rotten saying not proceed out of your mouth . . . Let all malicious bitterness and anger and wrath and screaming and abusive speech be taken away from you along with all badness.”

No husband who claims to be a follower of Christ can really say that he loves his wife if he abuses her. If he were to mistreat his wife, of what value would all his other good works be? A “smiter” does not qualify for special privileges in the Christian congregation. (1 Timothy 3:3; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3) Indeed, any professed Christian who repeatedly and unrepentantly gives in to fits of anger can be disfellowshipped from the Christian congregation.—Galatians 5:19-21; 2 John 9, 10.

Can violent men change their behavior? Some have. Usually, however, a batterer will not change unless he (1) admits that his conduct is improper, (2) wants to change his course, and (3) seeks help. Jehovah’s Witnesses have found that the Bible can be a powerful influence for change. Many interested ones who study the Bible with them have developed a strong desire to please God. Concerning Jehovah God, these new Bible students learn that “anyone loving violence His soul certainly hates.” (Psalm 11:5) Of course, for a batterer to change his behavior involves more than not hitting. It also entails learning a whole new attitude toward his wife.

When a man gains knowledge of God, he learns to view his wife not as a servant but as a “helper” and not as inferior but as one to be ‘honored.’ (Genesis 2:18; 1 Peter 3:7) He also learns compassion and the need to listen to his wife’s viewpoint. (Genesis 21:12; Ecclesiastes 4:1) The program of Bible study that Jehovah’s Witnesses offer has helped many couples. There is no room for a despot, tyrant, or bully in the Christian family.—Ephesians 5:25, 28, 29.

“The word of God is alive and exerts power.” (Hebrews 4:12) Thus, the wisdom contained in the Bible can help couples to analyze the problems they face and give them the courage to deal with them. More than that, the Bible contains the sure and comforting hope of seeing a world without violence when Jehovah’s heavenly King rules over all obedient mankind. The Bible says: “He will deliver the poor one crying for help, also the afflicted one and whoever has no helper. From oppression and from violence he will redeem their soul.”—Psalm 72:12, 14.

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There is no room for a despot, tyrant, or bully in the Christian family

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Correcting Misconceptions

• Battered wives are responsible for their husband’s actions.

Many batterers deny responsibility for their actions, claiming that their wives provoke them. Even some friends of the family may buy into the idea that the wife is difficult to deal with, so no wonder that her husband loses control now and then. But this amounts to blaming the victim and justifying the aggressor. Really, battered wives often make extraordinary efforts to pacify their husbands. Besides, beating one’s partner is never justified under any circumstances. The book The Batterer—A Psychological Profile states: “Men who are sent by the courts to treatment for wife assault are addicted to violence. They use it as a release from anger and depression, a way to take control and resolve conflicts, and a tension reducer. . . . Often, they can’t even acknowledge their role or take the problem seriously.”

• Alcohol causes a man to beat his wife.

Granted, some men are more violent when they have been drinking. But is it reasonable to blame the alcohol? “Being intoxicated gives the batterer something to blame, other than himself, for his behavior,” writes K. J. Wilson in her book When Violence Begins at Home. She continues: “It appears that, in our society, domestic violence is more comprehensible when inflicted by a person who is intoxicated. An abused woman can avoid seeing her partner as abusive, instead thinking of him as a heavy drinker or an alcoholic.” Such thinking, Wilson points out, can give a woman the false hope that “if the man would only stop drinking, the violence would cease.”

Currently, many researchers consider drinking and battering to be two distinct problems. After all, the majority of men with substance-abuse problems do not beat their mates. The writers of When Men Batter Women note: “Battering is fundamentally perpetuated by its success in controlling, intimidating, and subjugating the battered woman. . . . Alcohol and drug abuse are part of the lifestyle of the batterer. But it would be a mistake to assume that the drug use causes the violence.”

• Batterers are violent with everyone.

Often the batterer is capable of being a delightful friend to others. He puts on what can be called the Jekyll-and-Hyde personalities. This is why friends of the family may find the stories of his violence unbelievable. Yet, the truth is, the wife beater chooses brutality as a way to dominate his wife.

• Women do not object to being mistreated.

Likely, this idea stems from not understanding the helpless situation of a woman who has nowhere to run. The battered wife may have friends who will take her in for a week or two, but what will she do after that? Finding a job and paying rent while caring for children are daunting prospects. And the law may forbid running off with the children. Some have tried to leave but were hunted down and taken back, either by force or by charm. Friends who cannot understand may mistakenly believe that such women did not object to the mistreatment.

“Sometimes I Think I Am Dreaming!”

Lourdes gazes at the city from her apartment window, her fingers covering her trembling mouth. She is a Latin-American woman who suffered at the hands of Alfredo, her violent husband, for over 20 years. Alfredo was motivated to change. Yet, it is still difficult for Lourdes to speak of the physical and emotional pain she endured.

“It started just two weeks after our wedding,” Lourdes says in a low voice. “Once, he knocked out two of my teeth. Another time I ducked, and his fist smashed into a wardrobe. But the names hurt even more. He called me ‘useless rubbish’ and treated me as if I had no intelligence. I wanted to leave, but how could I with three children?”

Alfredo touches Lourdes’ shoulder tenderly. “I am a senior professional,” he says. “I felt humiliated when I was issued a summons and handed a protection order. I tried to change, but soon I was acting the same way again.”

How did things change? “The lady at the corner shop is one of Jehovah’s Witnesses,” explains Lourdes, now visibly more relaxed. “She offered to help me understand the Bible. I learned that Jehovah God values women. I started attending the meetings of Jehovah’s Witnesses, even though at first it made Alfredo furious. It was a new experience for me to spend time with friends at the Kingdom Hall. I was amazed to discover that I could have my own beliefs, express them freely, and even teach them to others. I realized that God valued me. This gave me courage.

“There was a turning point that I’ll never forget. Alfredo was still attending Catholic Mass each Sunday, and he was protesting at what I was doing with Jehovah’s Witnesses. I looked him straight in the eye and said calmly but confidently: ‘Alfredo, what you think is not what I think.’ And he didn’t hit me! Not long after, I was baptized, and he has never hit me again in the five years since.”

But greater changes were to come. Alfredo explains: “About three years after Lourdes was baptized, a colleague who is one of Jehovah’s Witnesses invited me to his house, and he explained fascinating things to me from the Bible. Without telling my wife, I began to study the Bible with him. Soon I was accompanying Lourdes to the meetings. Many of the talks I heard there were about family life, and these often left me feeling embarrassed.”

Alfredo was impressed to see congregation members, including men, sweeping the floor after the meetings. When he visited their homes, he saw husbands helping their wives wash the dishes. These small incidents demonstrated to Alfredo how true love acts.

Shortly after, Alfredo was baptized, and now he and his wife serve as full-time ministers. “He often helps me clear the table after meals and make the beds,” says Lourdes. “He commends me on my cooking, and he allows me to make choices—such as what music I would like to listen to or what items we will buy for the house. These are things that Alfredo would never have done before! Recently, for the first time, he bought me a bouquet of flowers. Sometimes I think I am dreaming!”

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“I realized that God valued me. This gave me courage”

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Alfredo was impressed to see congregation members, including men, sweeping the floor after the meetings

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He saw husbands helping their wives wash the dishes

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“Recently, for the first time, he bought me a bouquet of flowers”

‘The Experiment Has Failed’

IN THIS world, a rapidly shrinking global village, it is said that the chasm between the haves and have-nots is increasing. Commenting on the efforts to build a global economy, one international activist group declared: “After 50 years of this experiment, it is breaking down. Rather than leading to economic benefits for all people, it has brought the planet to the brink of environmental catastrophe, social unrest that is unprecedented, economies of most countries in shambles, an increase in poverty, hunger, landlessness, migration and social dislocation. The experiment may now be called a failure.”

What went wrong? When men pursue selfish aims, they are bound to cause harm. Investor-financier George Soros notes: “Markets reduce everything, including human beings (labor) and nature (land), to commodities.” Human imperfection is also responsible. Echoing the opinions of philosopher Karl Popper, Soros says: “Our understanding is inherently imperfect; the ultimate truth, the perfect design for society, is beyond our reach.”

Economic inequalities are hardly new. Eight centuries before Christ, a Bible writer spoke of those “who are defrauding the lowly ones, who are crushing the poor ones.” (Amos 4:1) After observing similar injustices, an ancient statesman wrote some 3,000 years ago: “Man has dominated man to his injury.”—Ecclesiastes 8:9.

What is the solution? Can human agencies solve the deep economic inequalities through international cooperation? “We do not have adequate international institutions,” says Soros, “for the protection of individual freedoms, human rights, and the environment, or for the promotion of social justice—not to mention the preservation of peace. Most of the institutions we do have are associations of states, and states usually put their own interests ahead of the common interest. The United Nations is constitutionally incapable of fulfilling the promises contained in the preamble of its charter.”

Should we despair? No. A righteous world government is around the corner! It was the theme of Jesus’ preaching. He called it “the kingdom of God,” and he taught his followers to pray for it. (Luke 11:2; 21:31) God’s Kingdom has been established in the heavens, and it will soon remove all injustice from this earth. (Revelation 11:15, 18) Instead of being a temporary experiment in rulership, God’s Kingdom will last forever. (Daniel 2:44) It will permanently solve the problems of poverty and oppression. What a magnificent prospect for the poor and the oppressed—actually, for everyone!

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The global economy has not solved the problems of the poor—billions still survive without running water or electricity

Carthage—The City That Nearly Toppled Rome

BY AWAKE! WRITER IN FRANCE

ON THE north coast of Africa, on the outskirts of Tunis, capital of Tunisia, lie the ruins of the ancient city of Carthage. The tourist might be forgiven for missing them altogether, for there is not much to catch the eye. Yet, this site holds the remains of one of the greatest cities of antiquity—one that came within a hairbreadth of defeating the might of Rome. According to Roman historian Livy, “this combat between the two richest cities in the world held kings and peoples in suspense,” for the issue at stake was nothing less than world domination.

The City’s Foundation

In the second millennium B.C.E., the Phoenicians were confined to a thin strip of land along the Mediterranean Coast, stretching north and south of modern-day Lebanon. Good seafarers, they turned their attention to the west in search of gold, silver, iron, tin, and lead. For these, they traded wood (such as the famous cedar of Lebanon), cloth dyed purple-red, perfume, wine, spices, and other manufactured items.a

As they traveled west, the Phoenicians established settlements along the coasts of Africa, Sicily, Sardinia, and southern Spain—perhaps the Biblical Tarshish. (1 Kings 10:22; Ezekiel 27:2, 12) According to tradition, Carthage was founded in 814 B.C.E., some 60 years before its nemesis Rome. A specialist in North African antiquity, Serge Lancel, notes: “The founding of Carthage, around the end of the ninth century BC, was for many hundreds of years a determining factor in the political and cultural destiny of the western Mediterranean basin.”

The Beginnings of an Empire

It was on a peninsula shaped like “a giant anchor thrown out to sea,” as historian François Decret describes it, that Carthage began to carve out an empire. Building on the foundation laid by its Phoenician forebears, Carthage developed its commercial network—primarily involving the importation of metals—into a giant trust, enforcing its monopoly by means of its powerful fleet and mercenary troops.

Never content to rest on their laurels, the Carthaginians were constantly on the lookout for new markets. About 480 B.C.E., the navigator Himilco is thought to have landed in tin-rich Cornwall, in Britain. Some 30 years later, Hanno, a member of one of the leading families of Carthage, is said to have led an expedition of 60 ships, bearing 30,000 men and women, to form new colonies. Passing through the Strait of Gibraltar and sailing down the African coast, Hanno may have reached the Gulf of Guinea and even the shores of Cameroon.

As a result of such a spirit of enterprise and keen business acumen, Carthage reputedly became the richest city in the ancient world. “By the beginning of the third century [B.C.E.], its technical know-how, its fleet, and its commercial establishment . . . put the city in the foremost place,” says the book Carthage. Of the Carthaginians, Greek historian Appian declared: “In power, they equaled the Greeks; in riches, the Persians.”

In the Shadow of Baal

Though scattered throughout the western Mediterranean, the Phoenicians were united by their religious beliefs. The Carthaginians inherited the Canaanite religion from their Phoenician forefathers. For centuries Carthage sent a delegation to Tyre each year to sacrifice at the temple of Melqart. In Carthage the chief deities were the divine couple Baal-Hammon, meaning “Lord of the Brazier,” and Tanit, identified with Astarte.

The most notorious characteristic of Carthaginian religion was child sacrifice. Diodorus Siculus reports that in 310 B.C.E., during an attack on the city, the Carthaginians sacrificed over 200 children of noble birth to appease Baal-Hammon. The Encyclopedia of Religion states: “Offering up an innocent child as a vicarious victim was a supreme act of propitiation, probably intended to guarantee the welfare of family and community alike.”

In 1921, archaeologists discovered what came to be called the Tophet, after the Biblical expression used at 2 Kings 23:10 and Jeremiah 7:31. Digs revealed multiple levels of urns containing the charred remains of animals (used as substitute sacrifices) and young children, buried under stelae with votive inscriptions. It is estimated that the Tophet contains the remains of over 20,000 children who were sacrificed during just one 200-year period. Some revisionists today claim that the Tophet was simply the funeral site of children who were stillborn or died too young to be interred in the necropolis. However, as notes Lancel, quoted earlier, “the reality of Carthaginian human sacrifice cannot be categorically denied.”

Sparring for Supremacy

With the decline of Tyre in the sixth century B.C.E., Carthage took up the mantle of leader of the western Phoenicians. But the rise of Carthage to preeminence was not without opposition. Early on, Punic and Greek merchants sparred for control of the seas, and about 550 B.C.E., war broke out. In 535 B.C.E., the Carthaginians, helped by their Etruscan allies, drove the Greeks from the island of Corsica and took control of Sardinia.b As a result, conflict between Carthage and Greece for control of Sicily—an island of key strategic importance—was all the more bitter.

At the same time, Rome was beginning to flex its muscles. Treaties between Carthage and Rome guaranteed the trade prerogatives of Carthage and made Sicily off-limits to the Romans. But as Rome subjugated the Italian peninsula, the increasing influence of Carthage on Italy’s doorstep was seen as a threat. The second-century B.C.E. Greek historian Polybius commented: “The Romans saw . . . that the Carthaginians had brought not only Africac but also large parts of Spain under their rule, and that they were the masters of all the islands in the Sardinian and Tyrrhenian Seas. If the Carthaginians gained control of Sicily, they would prove the most vexatious and dangerous of neighbours, since they would encircle Italy on every side and threaten every part of the country.” Certain parties in the Roman Senate, motivated by commercial considerations, were pressing for intervention in Sicily.

The Punic Wars

In 264 B.C.E., a crisis in Sicily provided the Romans with a pretext for intervention. In violation of an agreement, Rome sent a detachment of troops, sparking what is called the First Punic War. This conflict, characterized by some of the largest naval battles of antiquity, dragged on for more than 20 years. Finally, in 241 B.C.E., the Carthaginians were defeated and forced to abandon Sicily. Rome also snatched Corsica and Sardinia from their grasp.

To compensate for these losses, Hamilcar Barca, a Carthaginian general, set out to reconstitute the power of Carthage by building an empire in Spain. A “New Carthage”—Cartagena—was founded on Spain’s southeast coast, and within a few years, the mining riches of Spain had refilled the coffers of Carthage. Inevitably, this expansion led to conflict with Rome, and in 218 B.C.E., war broke out again.

At the head of the Carthaginian army was one of Hamilcar’s sons, Hannibal, meaning “Favored by Baal.” Leaving Cartagena in May 218 B.C.E., he set off on an epic march through Spain and Gaul, crossing the Alps with his army of Africans and Spaniards together with nearly 40 elephants. Caught off guard, the Romans suffered several crushing defeats. On August 2, 216 B.C.E., at the battle of Cannae—“one of the most terrible disasters that the Roman army ever experienced”—Hannibal’s army wiped out a Roman force twice its size, killing nearly 70,000 of the enemy while losing only 6,000 men.

Rome was nearly within reach! But refusing to give up, the Romans harassed Hannibal’s troops in a war of attrition for the next 13 years. When Rome sent an army to Africa, Carthage was abandoned by her allies and defeated in Spain and Sicily. Hence, Carthage was forced to recall Hannibal. The following year, in 202 B.C.E., the Roman General Scipio Africanus defeated Hannibal’s army at Zama, southwest of Carthage. The Punic city, forced to surrender its fleet, was denied military independence and was fined a huge indemnity to be paid over a period of 50 years. As for Hannibal, he later fled into exile, and about 183 B.C.E., he committed suicide.

“Delenda est Carthago!”

Peace brought renewed prosperity to Carthage, to the point that it offered to pay the indemnity in just ten years. Such vitality, as well as political reforms, was considered extremely dangerous by the implacable enemies of Carthage. For nearly two years, right up to his death, the elderly Roman statesman Cato concluded every one of his speeches before the Senate with the slogan: “Delenda est Carthago!,” meaning “Carthage must be destroyed!”

Finally, in 150 B.C.E., an alleged breach of treaty gave the Romans the excuse they were seeking. A war, described as “a war of extermination,” was declared. For three years the Romans laid siege to the city’s 20 miles [30 km] of fortifications, part of which were over 40 feet [12 m] tall. Finally, in 146 B.C.E., a breach was made. Roman troops, advancing through narrow streets under a hail of projectiles, engaged in savage hand-to-hand combat. In gruesome confirmation of the ancient record, archaeologists have found human bones under the scattered stone blocks.

After six terrible days, some 50,000 famished citizens who were holed up in the Byrsa—the fortified hilltop citadel—surrendered. Others, refusing execution or slavery, shut themselves in the temple of Eshmun and set it on fire. The Romans torched what was left of the city, Carthage was razed and ceremonially cursed, and all human habitation was forbidden.

Thus within 120 years, Rome brought the imperialistic goals of Carthage to ruin. Historian Arnold Toynbee stated: “Whether the coming Hellenic universal state should take the form of a Carthaginian Empire or a Roman Empire was the real issue of the Hannibalic War.” “Had Hannibal won,” comments the Encyclopædia Universalis, “he would surely have founded a universal empire similar to that of Alexander.” As it was, the Punic Wars marked the debut of Roman imperialism, which ultimately led it to world domination.

The “African Rome”

Carthage met a seemingly irrevocable end. Still, just a century later Julius Caesar decided to establish a colony there. In his honor it was called Colonia Julia Carthago. Roman engineers, shifting perhaps four million cubic feet [100,000 cu m] of earth, leveled off the top of the Byrsa to form a huge platform—and to efface all traces of the past. On it temples and ornate public buildings were erected. As time passed, Carthage became ‘one of the most opulent cities of the Roman world,’ the second-largest city in the West after Rome. A theater, an amphitheater, huge thermal baths, an 82-mile [132-km] aqueduct, and a circus capable of holding 60,000 spectators were built to satisfy the demands of its 300,000 inhabitants.

Christianity came to Carthage about the middle of the second century C.E. and experienced rapid growth there. Tertullian, the renowned church theologian and apologist, was born in Carthage in about 155 C.E. As a result of his writings, Latin became the official language of the Western Church. Cyprian, third-century bishop of Carthage who devised a seven-grade hierarchical clergy system, suffered martyrdom in the city, in 258 C.E. Another North African, Augustine (354-430 C.E.), called the greatest thinker of Christian antiquity, was instrumental in fusing church doctrine with Greek philosophy. The influence of the North African church was such that one cleric declared: “It is you, O Africa, who advances the cause of our faith with the most ardor. What you decide is approved by Rome and followed by the earth’s masters.”

However, the days of Carthage were numbered. Once again, its fate was inextricably linked with that of Rome. As the Roman Empire waned, so did Carthage. In 439 C.E., the city was captured and plundered by the Vandals. The Byzantine conquest of the city a century later provided a brief stay of execution. But it was unable to resist the Arabs who swept through North Africa. In 698 C.E., the city was taken, and after that, its stones served to build the city of Tunis. In following centuries the marble and granite that had once adorned the Roman city were plundered and exported, being used to build the cathedrals of Genoa and Pisa, in Italy, and possibly, even Canterbury, in England. From being one of the richest and most powerful cities in antiquity, from being an empire that nearly ruled the world, Carthage was finally reduced to an unrecognizable heap of rubble.

[Footnotes]

[Map on page 14]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

ROME

MEDITERRANEAN SEA

CARTHAGE (ruins)

[Picture on page 14]

The remains of the Roman thermal baths

[Picture on page 15]

The transport of cedars of Lebanon by Phoenician ships

[Credit Line]

Musée du Louvre, Paris

[Picture on page 15]

Glass pendants were worn as good-luck charms

[Credit Line]

Musée du Louvre, Paris

[Picture on page 16]

The Carthaginians placed funerary masks in tombs to ward off evil spirits

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Musée du Louvre, Paris

[Picture on page 16]

Child murder was part of the Canaanite worship inherited by the Carthaginians. This is a grave marker for a sacrificed child

[Picture on page 17]

Ruins of the Punic city, lost to the Romans in 146 B.C.E.

[Picture on page 17]

Hannibal is regarded as one of the greatest military strategists who ever lived

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Alinari/Art Resource, NY

Vienna’s Beloved Giant Wheel

BY AWAKE! WRITER IN AUSTRIA

THE picturesque city of Vienna lies spread out in the foreground, and the hills of the Vienna woods rise in the distance. The stage is set so perfectly that you can almost hear the lilting strains of Strauss waltzes in the air. A young man has purposely chosen this setting, but now he struggles to calm his pounding heart as he proposes to his sweetheart. They are 200 feet [60 m] above the ground. How is that? He is not the first and certainly will not be the last to visit Vienna’s beloved Riesenrad, or giant wheel, on such a special occasion.

The giant wheel, located in a large park in Vienna called the Prater, has been a cherished city landmark for over 100 years. ‘You only know Vienna if you have seen it from the giant wheel,’ proclaims the invitation posted at the attraction’s entrance. But its existence—longer than that of any other giant Ferris wheel in the world—has not been without difficulties. How did this steel colossus come to be? How did it survive the storms of time?

The First Ferris Wheel

To trace the history of the giant wheel, we must go back to the 19th century and the Industrial Revolution. During that time steel became the industrial building material of choice. Steel skeletons of daring design sprang up in various world capitals—the steel-and-glass Crystal Palace in London, the Palm House in Vienna, and the Eiffel Tower in Paris. However, the city most notable for this form of architecture was Chicago, and it was there, on the occasion of the 1893 World’s Fair, that American engineer George Ferris built the first giant wheel.

Ferris’ sensational wheel was 250 feet [76 m] in diameter and bore 36 cars, each able to carry 40 passengers aloft for a magnificent 20-minute view of Chicago and its surroundings. For many visitors to the fair, it was by far the most memorable attraction. But Chicago’s Ferris wheel eventually lost its novelty, and after being moved twice, it was demolished in 1906 for scrap. Nevertheless, the idea of a giant wheel had already begun to fire imaginations elsewhere.

The Giant Wheel Comes to Vienna

Enthusiasm about Chicago’s giant wheel apparently ran high in the mind of engineer and retired British naval officer Walter Basset. In 1894 he initiated design on a great wheel to be erected in Earl’s Court in London, and he later built other wheels in Blackpool, England, and in Paris. Meanwhile, Viennese entertainment entrepreneur Gabor Steiner had been seeking new attractions for Vienna. One day a representative of Walter Basset suggested to Steiner that they become partners in erecting a giant wheel in Vienna. The men quickly came to terms, and a suitable site for the new sensation from England was found. But what about obtaining a building permit?

When Steiner submitted his construction plans to the city, an official looked at the plans, looked back at Steiner, and looked again at the plans. He then shook his head and asked: “Do you really think, Mr. Director, that you can find someone who will permit you to build this monster and accept responsibility for it?” Steiner pleaded: “But wheels like this exist in London and Blackpool, and they function without any problems!” The official refused to be convinced. “The English can do as they like,” he replied, “but I’m not going to risk my hide.” Undaunted, Steiner persevered and finally received permission to build.

The erection of the gigantic steel structure was sensational in itself. Curious onlookers gathered daily at the construction site to exchange observations about its progress. After only eight months, it was finished. On June 21, 1897, the last blows of the hammer were delivered by Lady Horace Rumbold, wife of the English ambassador to the Viennese Court. A few days later, the giant wheel went into operation. As Steiner later recalled: “Everyone was delighted, and the ticket offices were stormed.”

The Giant Wheel’s Ups and Downs

Archduke Francis Ferdinand, heir apparent to the Austro-Hungarian crown, enjoyed surveying the empire’s capital from atop the giant wheel. His assassination in June 1914—the prelude to World War I—also affected the giant wheel. Not only was it robbed of its famous guest but it was also closed to the public when it became a military lookout. The giant wheel resumed operation in May 1915. The country was by then suffering an iron shortage, however, and standing there for all to see was the giant wheel, just waiting to be dismantled! The wheel was sold in 1919 to a Prague merchant, who was to dismantle it within three months. But dismantling the complicated structure would have been more expensive than the iron was worth. So the already famous landmark narrowly escaped a ‘death sentence’ and continued to entertain an appreciative public.

The war and the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy brought serious changes to Vienna. In the 1930’s, the economy worsened, and the political situation became precarious. Steiner, once a celebrated man, had to flee for his life because of his Jewish descent. Still, in 1939 and 1940, the giant wheel saw record numbers of riders. World War II, which had broken out in the meantime, seemed to drive people into a pleasure-seeking frenzy. But in September 1944, alarming news spread through the city—the giant wheel was on fire! A short circuit on the neighboring roller coaster started a fire that spread to the giant wheel, destroying six of its cars. But the worst was yet to come.

In April 1945, during the waning days of World War II, the wheel again caught fire. This time all 30 cars were consumed along with the control facilities. The only thing that remained was the wheel’s burned-out iron frame. But even this did not mark the end of the wheel. While blocks of houses lay in ruins after the war, the giant wheel, although only a steel skeleton, stood defiant. Once again it was found that dismantling it would be too expensive. Was there an alternative?

Yes! It was once again restored, although for safety reasons only every second car was replaced. From May 1947 until today, it has continued making its rounds, slowly taking its delighted passengers up and down. Through films such as The Third Man, with its unforgettable theme music played on the zither, the giant wheel has also become recognizable far beyond Vienna.

Vienna’s giant wheel has survived, while those originally erected in Chicago, London, Blackpool, and Paris have all become scrap iron. It remains a witness to the postwar generation’s strong will to rebuild and has become a symbol of Vienna. Should you ever visit Vienna, you will surely want to take a ride on the giant wheel. While there, perhaps you will also catch sight of an older man telling his grandchildren how, high atop the giant wheel, he tried to quiet his pounding heart as Grandma agreed to marry him.

[Box/Picture on page 19]

THE RIESENRAD (GIANT WHEEL)

Built: 1897

Height: 212 feet

Wheel diameter: 200 feet

Weight of wheel: 245 tons

Weight of entire iron construction: 430 tons

Speed: 1.7 miles per hour [2.7 kmh]

[Credit Line]

Source: The Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel, by Helmut Jahn and Peter Petritsch, 1989, page 39

[Picture on page 21]

A view of the northeastern skyline of Vienna from the giant wheel

The Matatu—Kenya’s Colorful Carrier

BY AWAKE! WRITER IN KENYA

A VISITOR to Kenya is never short of superlatives when describing his trip. An elephant matriarch, a majestic lion, and a crimson sunset are vivid images that remain with the traveler. Here, the beauty is vast and varied. However, on the many roads in the area, there is an attraction of another kind—the versatile matatu. This name refers to a group of public transport vehicles. Their fascinating characteristics have made them a most popular means of transportation in Kenya.

The origin of the matatu is as interesting as its mode of operation. The first of its kind was a dilapidated Ford Thames model, a remnant of the fleet used by British soldiers in Ethiopia during the second world war. In the early 1960’s, a Nairobi resident used this jalopy to ferry some friends to the center of the city, asking them to contribute a meager 30 cents each for the fuel.a Soon thereafter, others took note of the financial gain that the old vehicles could bring. Thus, many were converted into 21-passenger carriers, with three parallel wooden benches serving as seats. This format is similar to that of the old bolekajas of Nigeria. Each person paid the original cost of three 10-cent coins per trip. That may explain why the vehicles got the name matatu—from a Swahili word tatu, meaning “three.” Since then, the matatu has undergone a complete metamorphosis, with current models bearing little resemblance to their rattling predecessors. Yes, today’s matatu is a flashy vehicle described by one Kenyan daily newspaper as a “jet-shaped and rainbow coloured projectile.” This is not the product of the cottage industry of the ’60’s!

Riding in a matatu can be an exhilarating experience, especially when the driver hacks his way through heavy city traffic! Let us take a short trip around Nairobi in a matatu and sample this feeling.

Fascinating Attraction

Our journey will start at a yard where dozens of these vehicles are parked waiting to disperse in different directions. It is one o’clock in the afternoon, and the area is a beehive of activity, with people trying to locate the particular matatu that will take them to their destination. Some of the passengers are heading up-country, a journey that will take several hours. Others are going a few miles away from the city center, perhaps to have a quick meal. The matatu comes in handy.

Have you noticed that most of these vehicles are sporting several bright colors? Well, this is more than a means of enhancing their appearance. There are customers who opt to ride in the most attractive matatu. A closer look at the vehicles also reveals several names painted on the sides. Some of these describe current themes—for example, “El Nino,” “Millennium,” “The Website,” “Internet,” and “Dot Com.” Others such as “Meek” and “Missionary” indicate desirable human qualities or achievements. The closest rival to the matatus’ scintillating appearance is the jeepney of the Philippines. Interestingly, the jeepney is also a by-product of the second world war.

The wooing of passengers creates quite a scene. Despite the visible signs on vehicle windshields indicating their routes, conductors shout at the top of their voices while drivers honk melodious tunes. Do not be surprised to see signs on some matatus for “Jerusalem” or “Jericho.” Should you board one of these, you will end up, not in the Middle East, but in eastern suburbs of Nairobi bearing these Biblical names. With the conductors attempting to usher customers into almost every matatu, it is little wonder that many are having a hard time choosing the one to use!

Welcome aboard the Strawberry! Perhaps the ride will prove to be as sweet as the fruit. It appears that many prefer this particular matatu, since it has taken only a few minutes to fill. Low music coming from small speakers hung in the ceiling soothes the passengers. However, do not think that this is true of all matatus. Some have been known to have huge loudspeakers under the seats, from which earsplitting music emanates. Well, it is now over ten minutes since all the seats were taken. Yet, our matatu has not moved an inch. Why the delay? The aisle between the rows of seats has yet to be occupied by standing passengers. Soon there is hardly any space left for one to turn. In fact, the matatu will probably stop several times along the way to collect more passengers.

Finally we are on the move. Total strangers share in animated conversation, mainly on the topics of the day. It is like a marketplace. Beware, though, of paying too much attention to the discussion. Some have been known to miss their destination because of being so involved in such discussions.

We mentioned that a matatu is versatile. It is not tied to one particular route. To beat a self-imposed deadline, a driver will use any available space including pavement meant for pedestrians—at times missing some by inches. Meanwhile, the conductor’s job is not easy. He is trying to collect fares from the noisy passengers, some of whom are less than cooperative. Yet, he rarely entertains petty squabbles. Either the passenger pays or the matatu stops immediately and he is told to alight—sometimes in an unkindly manner! The conductor alerts the driver of those wishing to disembark, while at the same time he is on the lookout for others desiring to board. He signals the driver by whistling, tapping the roof, or ringing a bell strategically located near the door. Though there are designated stops for all public service vehicles, the matatu can stop anywhere at any time, either to pick up or to drop off passengers.

Having left the city center, we are now in a small suburb, where the majority of the passengers are getting off. It is time for the matatu to make a return trip to the yard it came from. It will pick up more people along the way. These will have the same experience we did. Without a doubt, our ride in the Strawberry, albeit bumpy, was enjoyable.

Here to Stay

With an average of 30,000 vehicles, the matatu transport industry in Kenya has transformed itself from the war remnant it was decades ago to a vibrant, multimillion-dollar empire. Its versatility, however, has created some problems. For example, drivers have been accused of failing to adhere to traffic laws governing other road users, and many regulations have been enacted by the authorities to tame the industry. Occasionally the sector has reacted to such maneuvers by withdrawing services, thus inconveniencing thousands of people who rely on matatus daily. While not all may like the matatus’ operating system, these vehicles do provide an alternative mode of quick transportation for the low-income earners of this region.

[Footnote]

[Picture on page 22, 23]

A Ford Thames model

[Credit Line]

Noor Khamis/The People Daily

Use Medicinal Drugs Wisely

BY AWAKE! WRITER IN SOUTH AFRICA

WHEN your doctor prescribes medicinal drugs, he no doubt does so with good intentions, basing his prescription on his diagnosis, medical knowledge, and experience. Nevertheless, the patient should not expect his doctor to accept total accountability for his well-being. The patient remains responsible for what he takes into his body.

When taking prescription medicines, consider the following practical guidelines from a medical doctor:

● All drugs have side effects. You have a right to know what medication is being prescribed and what its possible side effects are. If your doctor does not provide this information, do not hesitate to ask. In most cases the benefits will outweigh the side effects. But you need to be informed so that you can make an intelligent decision.

● Drugs affect each individual differently. Your doctor cannot predict exactly how a given drug will affect you. If you become alarmed by unexpected side effects, consult your doctor.

● Find out how long you will need to take the medication. Also determine if it is potentially addictive.

● Beware of deciding to stop taking medication on your own, perhaps because you are feeling better. Coming off medication too soon may exacerbate your condition. Rather, consult your doctor first.

● Always take prescription medication under a doctor’s supervision.

The Bible’s Viewpoint

God’s Use of Force—Is It Justified?

THE deadly use of force has been a constant feature of man’s history. By one estimate, probably 170,000,000 people have been murdered in the 20th century by their own political regimes. As the Bible so accurately points out, men have consistently dominated other men to their injury.—Ecclesiastes 8:9.

In view of man’s misuse of violent force, some may question God’s use of force to destroy his enemies. Did not the Jews, under God’s direct orders, attack and kill the Canaanite inhabitants of the Promised Land? (Deuteronomy 20:16, 17) And does not God himself say that he will crush and put an end to all opposing rulerships? (Daniel 2:44) Some sincere individuals have wondered if God’s use of force is always justified.

Abuse of Force

It is vital to understand that the ability to use force is a critical element of government. An administration that cannot enforce its decrees is, in effect, powerless. For example, how many people despite reports of police abuses would be willing to forgo the protection provided by a police force? And what person would sanely argue against the necessity of a justice system with teeth.

Mohandas Gandhi, who was renowned for his abhorrence of violence, once stated: “Suppose a man runs amuck and goes furiously about, sword in hand, and killing anyone that comes in his way, and no one dares capture him alive. Anyone who dispatches this lunatic will earn the gratitude of the community and be regarded as a benevolent man.” Yes, even Gandhi saw the need for force under some circumstances.

Obviously, the ability to apply force is a necessary element of any stable society. In general, when people decry the use of force, they are actually criticizing the abuse of force.—Ecclesiastes 4:1-3.

“All His Ways Are Justice”

History provides no evidence that God ever abused his power. He does not rule by arbitrary force. He wants us to worship him out of love. (1 John 4:18, 19) In fact, God does not use force if there is a just way to avoid it. (Jeremiah 18:7, 8; 26:3, 13; Ezekiel 18:32; 33:11) And when he chooses to use force, he always gives plenty of warning so that whoever wants to can take corrective steps. (Amos 3:7; Matthew 24:14) Are these the actions of an arbitrary, cruel God?

God’s use of force has nothing in common with the unjustifiable abuse of power by humans. “All his ways are justice,” says Moses about Jehovah, “a God of faithfulness, with whom there is no injustice.” (Deuteronomy 32:4) Unlike governments of human tyrants, God’s government is not based on who has the bigger stick. In every case, he has used force in harmony with his perfect love, wisdom, and justice.—Psalm 111:2, 3, 7; Matthew 23:37.

For example, when God destroyed the wicked in the Flood, it was after many years of warning. Anyone could have availed himself of the provision of the ark and survived. Only eight did. (1 Peter 3:19, 20; 2 Peter 2:5) In Joshua’s day, Israel executed God’s judgment on the corrupt Canaanites, a judgment pronounced over 400 years earlier! (Genesis 15:13-21) In all that time, the Canaanites could not have remained ignorant of the powerful evidence that the Israelites were God’s chosen people. (Joshua 2:9-21; 9:24-27) Yet, no Canaanite nation other than the Gibeonites sought mercy or availed itself of the opportunity to sue for peace. Rather, the Canaanites chose to harden their hearts against God.—Joshua 11:19, 20.

God Has the Authority

When attempting to understand God’s use of force, we must begin with a basic truth about our position before God. “We are the clay, and you are our Potter,” humbly acknowledged the prophet Isaiah. (Isaiah 64:8) Obviously, as the Creator of the universe, God can use force in any way he wishes to. In recognition of God’s authority, like Solomon we can say: “The word of the king is the power of control; and who may say to him: ‘What are you doing?’”—Ecclesiastes 8:4; Romans 9:20, 21.

Because of God’s position as the omnipotent Creator, earthly life is his to give and his to take away. Indeed, humans lack the perspective legitimately and knowledgeably to question God’s use of force. Man must learn to conform his thinking to God’s. “Are not the ways of you people the ones that are not adjusted right?” Jehovah asked.—Ezekiel 18:29; Isaiah 45:9.

It is Jehovah’s sense of justice and his love for people that will move him to rid the earth of those who abuse power and violently trample on the rights of others. This act of force will establish ideal conditions on the earth for all peace-loving humans who want it. (Psalm 37:10, 11; Nahum 1:9) Thus God’s government will be justified and forever vindicated.—Revelation 22:12-15.

Watching the World

Medical Records—Include Television Habits?

A child’s medical records should include his television habits, recommends a group of pediatricians in Spain. According to the Spanish newspaper Diario Médico, the doctors feel that they should know how many hours a day a child patient watches TV as well as the kind of programs he sees and in whose company. Why? Because a survey conducted by the pediatricians revealed that TV viewing leads to a sedentary life-style, increased aggressiveness, the desire to buy things, impaired school performance, and the possibility of becoming a TV addict. “The pediatricians recommend that parents not install a television in the children’s bedroom or in a place where [the children] can control the programs,” says the report. “Moreover, watching television during mealtimes should be avoided, and parents should limit the children’s television viewing to less than two hours a day, although less than one hour a day would be preferable.”

China’s Population Growth

“China’s population has grown to 1.26 billion people and is getting older, better educated and more urbanized,” says abcNEWS.com. According to Zhu Zhixin, director of the National Bureau of Statistics, the population has grown by 132.2 million since 1990. The lower growth rate of 1.07 percent a year is attributed to China’s single-child birth-control policies instituted since the late 1970’s. Officials are concerned, however, because the 1999 survey revealed 117 males born for every 100 females, possibly as a result of selective abortion of girls. “Sociologists fear the skewed birth ratio will lead to a shortage of brides, worsening prostitution and the kidnapping and sale of women for marriage,” the report says.

“Underground Treasure”

Researchers led by Brazilian hydrogeologist Heraldo Campos have completed a seven-year project to map South America’s largest groundwater reservoirs. The Guarani Aquifer, situated under parts of Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina, has a total surface area of approximately 500,000 square miles [1.2 million km2] and holds an estimated 10,000 cubic miles [40,000 km³] of water. According to a Global Environment Facility report, “the reserve volume today would be enough to supply the entire population of Brazil for 3,500 years.” In the future this “underground treasure” may also be tapped to combat desertification, and because of the water temperature, it may be used as an alternative energy source. By mapping the aquifer, researchers hope to protect its recharge areas from pesticide and fertilizer contamination.

Increase in Skin Cancer

There has been a dramatic increase in melanoma, the most serious of skin tumors, according to Spain’s El Pais Digital news service. By the middle of the 20th century, melanoma occurred in 1 out of every 1,500 people. But by the year 2000, this number had soared to 1 out of every 75 individuals, mainly because of the tanning fashion. At a convention of the European Society for Medical Oncology, Professor J. Kirkwood stated that 40 percent of melanoma tumors involve genetic factors, while the remaining 60 percent involve excessive exposure to the sun. Women between the ages of 23 and 50 are the most affected. Kirkwood explained that during childhood and adolescence, mutations in skin pigment cells can be triggered by solar radiation, although cancer may not appear until many years later. “The skin keeps a memory of the solar radiation received,” Kirkwood noted.

Sugar Into Plastic

Scientists at Brazil’s Institute of Technological Research have discovered a new species of bacteria capable of converting sugar into plastic. Previously discovered species digest and convert sugar only after it has been broken down into smaller molecules, but “the great potential of this [newly discovered bacterium] lies in its ability to metabolize sugar directly,” says engineer Carlos Rossell. When overfed, the bacteria use the extra sugar to manufacture minute grains of biodegradable plastic, which scientists release by using a solvent. According to the researchers, “one kilogram [2.2 pounds] of plastic can be obtained from three kilograms [6.6 pounds] of sugar,” says the newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo.

Dietary Fat Dulls the Mind

“A fatty diet can clog your brain as well as your coronary arteries,” says New Scientist magazine. To understand the effects of a high-fat diet on the brain, researchers in Canada “fed one-month-old rats a diet rich in either animal or vegetable fat until they were four months old.” A control group was fed a low-fat diet. Both groups were then given learning tasks. The results? The rats on the two high-fat diets “performed much more poorly than the lean rats.” Researcher Gordon Winocur said: “High-fat diets impair performance on virtually all our measures. It’s remarkable how impaired these animals are.” According to the report, the researchers feel that “fat prevents the brain [from] taking up glucose, possibly by interfering with the action of insulin, which helps regulate blood sugar levels.”

Torture for Sale

“Trade in tools of torture is on the rise,” says an article in the German newspaper Südwest Presse. According to the human rights organization Amnesty International, 150 companies around the world have allegedly joined this gruesome trade, including 30 in Germany and 97 in the United States. Their wares include not just leg irons and serrated thumb cuffs but high-voltage electroshock devices. One company in the United States was said to offer remotely controlled belts that send up to 50,000-volt electric shocks through the victim’s body. Such high-tech tools are preferred by torturers, since they hardly leave any traces on their victims.

Spiders in the Snow

In his study of crab spiders, German researcher Peter Jaeger of Mainz University “has identified 50 new varieties which flourish in the snow and ice of the Himalayas, at altitudes of up to 3,800 meters [12,500 feet],” says the newspaper The Asian Age. “Though they can be up to four cm [1.6 inches] in size, the giant crab spiders pose absolutely no danger to humans.” They lurk in crevices in the rocks or under tree bark and feed on insects, which they are able to locate easily because of their sensitive hearing. But why do these spiders not freeze in winter? Unlike their relatives in warmer climates, the Himalayan species are equipped with a “biological antifreeze,” says Jaeger. “They store highly-concentrated alcohols in their body fluids and this enables them to survive temperatures below freezing.”

Sniffing Out Diseases

A sniffing test may help in the early diagnosis of diseases such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s, reports the German science magazine natur & kosmos. A failing sense of smell appears early in the progression of Parkinson’s disease and is among the most common symptoms. Thanks to the work of Professor Gerd Kobal, a practical method of testing the level of deterioration in a patient’s sense of smell has now been developed. While the more obvious Parkinson’s symptoms, such as tremors and muscular rigidity, appear at a later stage, dysfunction in the sense of smell can be detected months or even years earlier, thanks to the newly developed sniffing test. This opens the way for treatment that may delay the progression of this presently incurable disease.

Food Waste

“An incredible amount of food is wasted at marriage receptions and other extravagant parties,” says the Mainichi Daily News of Japan. A government survey on food waste revealed that households wasted, on average, 7.7 percent of their food, food retailers wasted 1.1 percent, and restaurants discarded 5.1 percent of unprepared food. However, “lavish parties with buffets dumped 15.7 percent of their food items,” and almost 24 percent of the food prepared for marriage banquets “was either left over or discarded,” comments the newspaper. Only food manufacturers report “almost zero food waste.”

From Our Readers

Article Saves Life We called on a man named Lenny who said that the article “Dengue—A Fever From a Bite” (July 22, 1998) saved the life of his niece. She had been running a fever for days, and rashes had developed; but her parents dismissed it as measles. Remembering the article, Lenny found the magazine and reread the section describing the symptoms of dengue. He then talked his niece’s parents into taking her to the hospital. Doctors there confirmed that she indeed had dengue hemorrhagic fever. Lenny praised Awake! for helping him to save his niece, and he later agreed to a home Bible study.

J.M.L., Philippines

Marfan’s Syndrome In the article “Coping With Marfan’s Syndrome—When Joints Dislocate” (February 22, 2001), Michelle says that she takes morphine daily. How can an addictive drug be used by a Christian?

S. D., United States

It would be wrong for a Christian to use drugs simply for the thrills or the highs they produce. However, one who accepts a painkilling narcotic under the direction of a physician because of some medical problem could hardly be called a thrill seeker. Of course, even in circumstances like that, a Christian must carefully weigh the possibility of addiction and other harmful side effects from taking such a medication.—ED.

Michelle’s experience has encouraged me. Although she is in constant pain, I admire the fact that she doesn’t allow her circumstances to stop her from serving Jehovah wholeheartedly.

J. G., Guam

Radioactive Fallout I was disappointed with your article “Radioactive Fallout—A Matter of Concern.” (February 22, 2001) You should not, in an effort to promote your view of the Bible, use fearmongering tactics to scare people. Risks should be presented in their proper context. For example, electricity can be relatively safe if handled with care. Yet, many people are electrocuted every year. Does this mean that we should all get paranoid and live in fear of electricity? The fact is, all countries will need much more electricity in the future, and nuclear reactors are emerging as the cleanest and safest method to supply it. We do not need to fear nuclear energy.

R. S., Canada

These are complex issues, and we appreciate this reader’s candor. Nevertheless, we do not feel that our article used “fearmongering tactics.” No attempt was made to terrify our readers. Nor did we condemn nuclear energy. Instead, we highlighted the legitimate concerns that many have regarding nuclear power, pointing to God’s Kingdom as the ultimate solution to the energy shortage.—ED.

Insurance As an insurance agent, I really appreciated the featured series “Insurance—Do You Really Need It?” (February 22, 2001) For most consumers, insurance can be very confusing. It is difficult to understand why you pay for something you may never use. I therefore appreciated your illustration regarding carrying a spare tire. Thank you for this well-written information.

C. P., United States

Sneaking Out Thank you for your article “Young People Ask . . . What’s So Bad About Sneaking Out?” (February 22, 2001) It saddens me to see how naive some young Christians are. One young girl sneaked off to go to a party and was raped. No one came to her assistance. Please keep warning our youths!

J. N., United States

Man’s Tyranny Over Man

THE course of history confirms the truth of Ecclesiastes 8:9: “Man has dominated man to his injury.” Or as the Catholic Jerusalem Bible expresses it, “man tyrannises over man to his hurt.” Millions of people have suffered injustice, and this has been so under nearly all the different forms of government that man has experienced. A reminder of this suffering came in a speech by the assistant secretary for Indian Affairs of the U.S. Department of the Interior on the occasion of the 175th anniversary of the establishment of the Office of Indian Affairs.

He said that rather than a celebration it was “a time for sorrowful truths to be spoken, a time for contrition.” He admitted that the first mission of the institution in the 1830’s was to remove the southeastern tribal nations—the Cherokee, the Creek, the Choctaw, the Chickasaw, and the Seminole—from their lands. “By threat, deceit, and force, these great tribal nations were made to march 1,000 miles [1,600 km] to the west, leaving thousands of their old, their young and their infirm in hasty graves along the Trail of Tears.”

He continued: “Yet in these more enlightened times, it must be acknowledged that the deliberate spread of disease, the decimation of the mighty bison herds, the use of the poison alcohol to destroy mind and body, and the cowardly killing of women and children made for tragedy on a scale so ghastly that it cannot be dismissed as merely the inevitable consequence of the clash of competing ways of life.”a He admitted: “This agency set out to destroy all things Indian. This agency forbade the speaking of Indian languages . . . and made Indian people ashamed of who they were. Worst of all, the Bureau of Indian Affairs committed these acts against the children entrusted to its boarding schools, brutalizing them emotionally, psychologically, physically, and spiritually.”

He concluded by saying: “Let us begin by expressing our profound sorrow for what this agency has done in the past. . . . Never again will we be complicit in the theft of Indian property. . . . Never again will we attack your religions, your languages, your rituals, or any of your tribal ways.” Significantly, he said: “Together, we must wipe the tears of seven generations. Together, we must allow our broken hearts to mend.”—Vital Speeches of the Day, October 1, 2000.

The only true and lasting solution to man’s inhumanity to man is God’s Kingdom, which will restore justice for all and “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 21:3, 4.

[Footnote]

[Picture Credit Lines on page 31]

Indian: Artwork based on photograph by Edward S. Curtis; Map: Mountain High Maps® Copyright © 1997 Digital Wisdom, Inc.; Indian dwellings: Leslie’s

How Should Children Be Disciplined?

“Problems occur when children are told that they are great no matter what they do,” says Canada’s National Post newspaper. Some parents believe that this approach builds self-esteem in their children. However, according to psychologist Roy Baumeister, “high self-esteem is fine when it’s based on genuine achievement, but parents should concentrate on teaching children self-control.”

A parent who fears to correct his or her child when the child takes a false step is doing the young one harm. After all, correction is a method of instruction. As such, it teaches an erring child to avoid repeating mistakes. Of course, parents need to keep from giving correction in a way that is harsh and out of proportion to the wrong that has been committed. (Jeremiah 46:28) They should make sure that correction is not excessive. The Bible states: “You fathers, do not be exasperating your children, so that they do not become downhearted.”—Colossians 3:21.

In the Bible, correction is consistently linked with love and mildness, not with anger and brutality. The skillful counselor should be “gentle toward all, . . . restrained under evil, instructing with mildness those not favorably disposed.” (2 Timothy 2:24, 25) Therefore, parental correction should not be merely an emotional outlet for the parent. In no way does the Bible endorse using tactics that can harm a child.

Millions earth wide have benefited from the 192-page publication The Secret of Family Happiness. Among its instructive chapters are “Train Your Child From Infancy” and “Help Your Teenager to Thrive.” For your copy, please fill in the accompanying coupon and mail it to the address shown on the coupon or to an appropriate address listed on page 5 of this magazine. You will receive specific suggestions that can help to solve problems and make family life the delight that the Creator meant it to be.

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