February 8

Table of Contents

February 8, 2002

The Wedding Day—Making It a Joyful Beginning

Often much preparation goes into one’s wedding day. But how can the marriage itself be made a happy, permanent one?

3 “The Happiest Day of Our Lives”

4 The Wedding Day—Happy but Demanding

9 Marriage Should Be a Permanent Bond

12 Tourism​—A Global Industry

18 Kea​—Clown of the Mountains

21 Crossword Puzzle

25 The Great Artesian Basin—What Is It?

28 Watching the World

30 From Our Readers

31 Perfume Through the Ages

32 “Frequently Consulted by Students”

Who Is Michael the Archangel? 16

Only two angels in the Bible are identified by personal names. Learn the identity of the angel called Michael.

What Is Provoking the Age of Rage? 22

Why are road rage, air rage, domestic rage, and other types of rage increasing?

“The Happiest Day of Our Lives”

A WEDDING is a joyful occasion. Many couples have said: “It was the happiest day of our lives.” But it can also be one of the most demanding. The stress and fatigue experienced by the bride and groom and their families may be intense because of all the decisions and preparations required, as well as the many people the bride and groom will meet on that day.

The wedding marks the beginning of a new way of life for the couple. But they will not be the only ones affected. Since the marriage of a daughter, a son, a sister, or a brother often means that a loved one is setting up a separate household, the family will often experience mixed feelings.

Wedding practices differ from one country to another, and it is not possible to discuss them all here. These articles will focus on what has become traditional in Western and similar lands. There, getting married can be very expensive. Some spend a small fortune on the wedding day, including renting a hall or restaurant for the reception and having a meal catered. It is estimated that in Italy the average wedding costs over $10,000. In Japan, as elsewhere, the figure can be higher. Usually the bride and groom do not pay the bill. Their parents do.

Weddings are big business. Many firms promote the image of the “perfect” wedding, where nothing is lacking. After all, they imply, “this is the happiest day of your life!” They thus offer a host of products and services “essential” to making your big day “perfect.” There may be personalized invitations, your “dream” gown, gowns for the bridesmaids, and tuxedos or similar suits for the men in the wedding party. Then, too, there are flowers, limousines, perhaps a restaurant where a banquet will be served, a photographer, a band, and other items. The list of all that a bride and groom could possibly desire, as well as the accompanying list of expenses, can make many fathers shudder.

In various societies great importance is placed on the observance of tradition. There is a set way in which a whole series of gestures should be performed, and it is expected that the bride and groom will conform. Yes, there are many things to remember, but there is only a limited period of time in which to organize them all.

An exciting prospect or a daunting one? Whatever your reply, contemplating all that a wedding may involve raises a number of questions. What does getting married mean nowadays? Is all of this really necessary in order to wed “properly”? How can the various practical and emotional difficulties be overcome?

Despite all the stress, many have successfully dealt with the wedding details and have enjoyed the occasion. Their experiences may help others who are preparing to face the same event. Also, there are Bible principles that can help when wedding plans are made, so that the day will turn out to be pleasant, happy, and upbuilding for all.

The Wedding Day—Happy but Demanding

THE Bible shows that it was Jehovah God—who knows humans better than anyone else—who presided at the first marriage. He instituted marriage as the basic foundation of human society. (Genesis 2:18-24) And in God’s inspired Word, the Bible, we find various principles that can help guide us when planning a wedding.

For example, Jesus said that Christians should ‘pay back Caesar’s things to Caesar.’ (Matthew 22:21) Thus, they must abide by the law of the land. A marriage that conforms to legal requirements protects those involved in many ways, such as by defining responsibilities toward the children (including maintenance and education) and rights of inheritance. There are also laws designed to protect family members from abuse and exploitation.a

The Preparations

Once it is decided that a couple will marry and that the marriage will conform to Bible laws and principles as well as to the law of the land, what practical matters must be considered? Among these are the date and the type of wedding ceremony desired.

“It may be that the couple’s ideas do not fit exactly with those of the parents, and they may feel torn between choosing exactly what they want and following the family traditions,” says one book on the subject. What can be done? “There are no easy solutions to this, except to listen tactfully, talk problems through, and compromise. It is an emotional time for everyone, and a little forethought and understanding will go a long way to making the arrangements easier.”—The Complete Wedding Organiser and Record.

Although loving parents can do much to ensure the success of the day, they should resist the temptation to impose their own wishes. On the other hand, though final decisions will be made by the bride and groom, they should listen to well-intentioned advice. When deciding which suggestions to accept, the couple would do well to remember the Bible counsel: “All things are lawful; but not all things are advantageous. All things are lawful; but not all things build up. Let each one keep seeking, not his own advantage, but that of the other person.”—1 Corinthians 10:23, 24.

Preparations include various activities, from sending invitations to organizing the reception. “The more orderly this preparation is, the more foresight and planning are applied, the less will be the fatigue and tension,” says H. Bowman in his book Marriage for Moderns. “Under the best circumstances,” he cautions, “there may be some fatigue, and it is sensible to make every reasonable effort to minimize it.”

There will be errands to run and guests to entertain. Can friends or family make themselves available to help? Could some of the things that the bride and groom do not necessarily have to do themselves be delegated to other responsible ones?

The Expenses

A reasonable budget is essential. It is not reasonable or loving to expect a couple or their parents to go into debt to pay for a wedding that is beyond their means. Many who can afford a more elaborate wedding still choose to keep it modest. In any event, some couples have found it helpful to have a checklist for estimated and actual expenses. It can also be useful to have a list of deadlines for all the things that need to be organized. Entrusting deadlines to memory is very likely to be stressful.

How much will the wedding cost? Prices differ from place to place, but wherever you live, it would be wise to ask yourselves: ‘Can we afford all the things we have planned? Are they really necessary?’ Tina, a new bride, said: “Some things that seemed ‘indispensable’ at the time turned out to be unnecessary.” Consider what Jesus advised: “Who of you that wants to build a tower does not first sit down and calculate the expense, to see if he has enough to complete it?” (Luke 14:28) If you cannot afford everything you would like, eliminate something. Even if you can afford more, you may still want to keep things simple.

In Italy, a fair held to promote services and merchandise available for weddings provided some approximate figures on how much the typical Italian bride may spend. Makeup and hairdressing, $450; hiring a luxury car, $300; a video of the day, $600; a wedding album (excluding photos), $125-500; flowers, from $600; banquet, $45-90 per head; gown, upwards of $1,200. Considering the importance of the event, the desire to do something special is understandable. But whatever is decided upon should be done with balance.

Though some spend a fortune, others are happy to economize—or do so because they have no other choice. “We were both pioneers [full-time evangelizers], and we didn’t have any money, but it didn’t matter,” said one bride. “My mother-in-law bought fabric for the dress, which was sewn by a friend as her wedding present. The invitations were handwritten by my husband, and a Christian friend lent us a car. For the reception, we bought the essentials, and someone gave us wine. It was nothing extravagant, but it was enough.” According to one groom, when family and friends give practical assistance, “expenses are greatly reduced.”

Whatever their financial situation, Christian couples will want to avoid any excess, worldliness, or ostentation. (1 John 2:15-17) How sad it would be if a happy event like a wedding should cause someone to fall short of Scriptural principles of moderation, which warn against overeating, overdrinking, or anything else that could impede a person from being considered “irreprehensible”!—Proverbs 23:20, 21; 1 Timothy 3:2.

Avoid the trend of trying to have a bigger and better wedding than others. Consider the extravagant veils two brides in one land wore—one veil was 42 feet [13 m] in diameter and weighed some 500 pounds [220 kg]; another was a thousand feet [300 m] long, requiring 100 bridesmaids to carry it. Would it be in harmony with the Bible’s counsel on reasonableness to imitate such spectacles?—Philippians 4:5.

Should Tradition Be Followed?

Wedding traditions vary from country to country, thus it is impossible to comment on all of them. When deciding whether they will follow a certain custom, the couple would do well to ask themselves: ‘What is its meaning? Is it tied to a superstition that is a good-luck or fertility wish—such as showering the newlyweds with rice? Is it connected with false religion or other practices condemned by the Bible? Is it unreasonable or unloving? Could it embarrass or stumble others? Could it raise doubts about the couple’s motives? Is it in bad taste?’ If doubts exist on any of these points, it would be better to avoid that tradition and, if necessary, let guests know of the decision ahead of time.

Joy and Emotion

Emotions on the big day can range from euphoria to tears. “The joy was so great, it seemed like a dream come true,” says one bride. But a groom recalls: “It was the worst but also the best day of my life. My in-laws were weeping in torrents because I was taking their firstborn daughter away, my wife was in tears seeing her parents crying, and in the end, I burst into tears too because I couldn’t take it any longer.”

Reactions like these should not cause alarm—they are due to tension. Nor should it be surprising if family relations, even between the couple themselves, are a little strained at times. “After all, it is probably their first experience at scheduling a major event together, and the excitement is bound to affect their relationship in some way,” says The Complete Wedding Organiser and Record. “It does not help to get upset because things are not going as well as hoped; to seek advice and support at a time like this will do wonders.”

One groom stated: “What I would have greatly appreciated and have always regretted not having was an adviser in whom I could confide and with whom I could share my inner feelings.” Who better to fill such a role than a mature friend or relative or another experienced person in the Christian congregation?

When parents observe their child leaving the family nest, they may experience a mixture of joy, pride, nostalgia, and trepidation. They should unselfishly realize, however, that the time has come for their child to “leave his father and his mother” and to stick to his mate and “become one flesh,” as the Creator purposed. (Genesis 2:24) Commenting on her own reaction to the marriage of her firstborn son, a mother recalls: “There were tears, but in addition to those of sadness, there were tears of joy for acquiring a truly dear daughter-in-law.”

To make the occasion pleasant and upbuilding, parents—just like the bride and groom—need to display the Christian qualities of cooperation, calmness, unselfishness, and tolerance.—1 Corinthians 13:4-8; Galatians 5:22-24; Philippians 2:2-4.

Some brides fear that something will go terribly wrong on their wedding day—that the car will get a flat tire and arrive at the ceremony late, that the weather will be foul, or that the wedding gown will be irreparably damaged at the last minute. Probably none of that will happen. However, be realistic. Not everything can run perfectly. Setbacks have to be accepted. (Ecclesiastes 9:11) Try not to lose your sense of humor in the face of difficulties, and keep a positive outlook. Should something go amiss, remember that in years to come, you may laugh about it as you tell the tale. Do not let minor mishaps mar the joy of the wedding itself.

[Footnote]

[Blurb on page 7]

“Some things that seemed ‘indispensable’ at the time turned out to be unnecessary.”—TINA, A BRIDE

[Box/Pictures on page 7]

A SAMPLE PREPARATIONS CHECKLISTb

6 months or more ahead

❑ Discuss plans with future husband or wife, in-laws, and parents

❑ Decide on type of wedding desired

❑ Work out budget

❑ Check legal requirements

❑ Book reception location

❑ Contact photographer

4 months

❑ Choose (from existing wardrobe), purchase, or sew wedding garments

❑ Order flowers

❑ Choose and order invitations

2 months

❑ Send invitations

❑ Purchase rings

❑ Obtain necessary documentation

1 month

❑ Try on wedding outfits

❑ Confirm orders and appointments made

❑ Write thank-you letters for any gifts already received

2 weeks

❑ Start taking personal belongings to new accommodation

1 week

❑ Make sure all helpers know what is expected of them

❑ Arrange for return of any hired or borrowed items

❑ Delegate everything possible to others

[Footnote]

[Picture on page 8]

“What God has yoked together let no man put apart”

Marriage Should Be a Permanent Bond

JUDGING by the conclusion of many movies, marriage is a desirable goal. Often, the man and the woman finally get together, get married, and live “happily ever after.” In films, that is usually the end of the story.

In reality, the wedding is, not the end, but the beginning of a new life together. And hopefully, as Ecclesiastes 7:8 says, “better is the end afterward of a matter than its beginning.”

A Permanent Bond

Farsightedness is needed. A marriage must have solid foundations if it is to last and be satisfying. Otherwise, the stress experienced after the wedding can be much greater than the stress before it. A Christian cannot enter marriage thinking: ‘If it doesn’t work out, I can always divorce.’ Marriage is to be viewed as a permanent bond.

Jesus made clear that marriage was to be permanent when he answered a question put to him about the propriety of divorce. He stated: “Did you not read that [God] who created them from the beginning made them male and female and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and his mother and will stick to his wife, and the two will be one flesh’? So that they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has yoked together let no man put apart.”—Matthew 19:4-6.

After the Wedding Day

It has rightly been said that in the life of a Christian, marriage is second in importance only to his or her dedication to God. The latter binds one to the Creator forever, and baptism makes that publicly manifest. Marriage is the public declaration of commitment to another person—forever. It is unthinkable either to dedicate oneself to God or to forge a marriage bond while having serious reservations. Therefore, those contemplating marriage do well to examine carefully the prospective mate’s beliefs, goals, attitudes, and disposition.

In preparing for the wedding, kindness, thoughtfulness, and the spirit of cooperation are important. Such qualities are even more important afterward in making the marriage a success. The newlyweds are in love, but after marriage it has to be remembered that on a daily basis, love “does not look for its own interests.” When applied consistently year after year, “love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:5, 8) With an abiding love, such qualities as long-suffering, kindness, goodness, mildness, and self-control—fruitage of God’s spirit—will be easier to demonstrate. These qualities are necessary for a successful marriage.—Galatians 5:22, 23.

The difficult part is continuing to manifest such qualities after the wedding day. However, the secret to success in manifesting such good qualities is this: Love the person you married, and be willing to make sacrifices.

Jesus said that the greatest commandment for humans is to love Jehovah, and he said that the second-greatest commandment is, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39) A married person’s closest neighbor is his or her marriage partner, for nothing on earth can unite two individuals as marriage can.

However, a mere physical union in itself cannot guarantee emotional harmony. The union of two bodies is not always the union of two minds. For the sexual union to give maximum satisfaction, there also has to be the second—the union of hearts and of intentions. More often than not, making sacrifices for the other person is the price that needs to be paid to make marriage a success. Who should make the sacrifices? The husband? The wife?

Showing Love and Honor

God’s Word commands: “In showing honor to one another take the lead.” (Romans 12:10) If you can, make the sacrifice before your mate asks it of you. After all, something obtained after repeated requests has already lost part of its value. Instead, each partner in a marriage should cultivate the habit of taking the initiative in showing honor to the other.

For instance, husbands are commanded to be “assigning [the wife] honor as to a weaker vessel, the feminine one, . . . in order for [their] prayers not to be hindered.” (1 Peter 3:7) If a husband does not give his wife honor, even his prayers to God will be adversely affected. What, though, is meant by honoring one’s wife? It means taking her into consideration at all times, listening to her opinions, giving her first choice in various matters much of the time. And the wife can honor the husband in the same way, by working to be a cooperative helpmate.—Genesis 21:12; Proverbs 31:10-31.

God’s Word says: “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.” How much love did Christ have for his followers? He was willing to die for them. The Bible also states: “Let each one of you [husbands] individually so love his wife as he does himself.” (Ephesians 5:28-33) And God’s Word tells wives “to love their husbands, . . . subjecting themselves to their own husbands, so that the word of God may not be spoken of abusively.”—Titus 2:4, 5.

Allow for Mistakes

Since all people are born imperfect, they will make mistakes. (Romans 3:23; 5:12; 1 John 1:8-10) But rather than magnifying mistakes, heed the Bible counsel: “Above all things, have intense love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8) Minor mistakes are best handled by putting them behind us, overlooking them. That can be true of more serious ones too. Colossians 3:12-14 states: “Clothe yourselves with the tender affections of compassion, kindness, lowliness of mind, mildness, and long-suffering. Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely if anyone has a cause for complaint against another. Even as Jehovah freely forgave you, so do you also. But, besides all these things, clothe yourselves with love, for it is a perfect bond of union.”

How often should we forgive the ordinary mistakes and flaws of our marriage mate? Peter asked Jesus: “‘Lord, how many times is my brother to sin against me and am I to forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him: ‘I say to you, not, Up to seven times, but, Up to seventy-seven times.’” (Matthew 18:21, 22) Since Jesus was saying this about those outside the marriage bond, how much more is forgiveness needed between marriage partners!

Although the institution of marriage has suffered attack in recent years, in the long run, marriage will survive because it was instituted by God and everything he ordains is “very good.” (Genesis 1:31) It will not become outdated. And it can be successful, especially among those who respect and uphold God’s commandments. But the challenge is: Will the two individuals hold true to the promise they made on the wedding day to love and to cherish each other? That can certainly be a challenge, and you may have to struggle to come off victorious. But the results will be worth the effort!

[Box on page 10]

DIVORCE AND SEPARATION

God, the Originator of marriage, designed it to be a permanent union. But is there any Scriptural reason for a person to divorce his or her mate—and one that would allow for the possibility of remarrying? Jesus addressed this matter by declaring: “I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except on the ground of fornication, and marries another commits adultery.” (Matthew 19:9) Sexual infidelity by a mate is the only ground for a divorce that will allow the innocent mate to remarry.

In addition, the Bible’s words at 1 Corinthians 7:10-16, while encouraging marriage mates to stay together, allow for separation. Some, after trying very hard to preserve their marriage, feel they have no choice but to separate. What can be acceptable Scriptural grounds for such a step?

One is willful nonsupport. When getting married, a husband assumes the responsibility of providing for his wife and children. The man who willfully fails to provide the material necessities of life “has disowned the faith and is worse than a person without faith.” (1 Timothy 5:8) So separation is possible.

Another is extreme physical abuse. So then, if a mate physically abuses his wife, the victim may separate. (Galatians 5:19-21; Titus 1:7) “Anyone loving violence [God’s] soul certainly hates.”—Psalm 11:5.

Another ground for separation is the absolute endangerment of a believer’s spirituality—one’s relationship with God. When a mate’s opposition, perhaps including physical restraint, has made it impossible to pursue true worship and has imperiled the believer’s spirituality, then some believers have found it necessary to separate.a—Matthew 22:37; Acts 5:27-32.

However, if divorce is pursued under such circumstances, one would not be free to enter a new marriage. According to the Bible, the only legitimate ground for divorce that permits remarriage is adultery or “fornication.”—Matthew 5:32.

[Footnote]

[Picture on page 9]

Marriage should be viewed as a permanent arrangement

[Picture on page 10]

Jesus said that we should forgive “seventy-seven times”

Tourism—A Global Industry

By Awake! writer in the Bahamas

WHEN did you last say to yourself, ‘I need a vacation’? Perhaps you felt that you just had to get away from your everyday stresses. Have you ever traveled to some far away destination for a vacation? Consider this: As recently as just over a century ago, the majority of people on earth did not take regular vacations. Additionally, most spent their entire life within a few hundred miles of the spot where they were born. Travel to far-flung destinations for pleasure or education was the prerogative of a very small group of adventurous or wealthy individuals. But today hundreds of thousands of people are able to crisscross the country where they live or even the globe. What brought about the change?

After the industrial revolution, millions of people became involved in manufacturing goods and providing services. The result was greater earnings and eventually more disposable income. The forward leap in technology also created machines that took over much of the labor-intensive work. This afforded many people more leisure time. With these factors in place, in the mid-1900’s, the advent of more affordable mass transportation opened the floodgates of tourism. Then, by beaming images of far-off places into homes around the world, the newly invented mass communication industry stimulated the desire to travel.

The result was a rapidly expanding global tourism industry. The World Tourism Organization (WTO) forecast that the number of people traveling internationally would increase from 613 million in 1997 to 1.6 billion by the year 2020—with no slowdown in sight at the time. This upturn in demand was matched by a corresponding increase in the number of businesses, resorts, and countries providing services for tourists.

Many Countries Enter the Tourism Market

Ideally, tourism is a win-win arrangement. The consumer escapes his normal routine and is pampered, entertained, or educated. But what is in it for the providers? International tourism is a ready generator of foreign currency. Most countries need foreign currency to pay for goods and services that they must import.

In fact, a WTO report stated: “International tourism is the world’s largest export earner and an important factor in the balance of payments of many countries. Foreign currency receipts from international tourism reached US$423 billion in 1996, outstripping exports of petroleum products, motor vehicles, telecommunications equipment, textiles or any other product or service.” The same report stated: “Tourism is the world’s largest growth industry,” and it represented “up to 10 per cent of the world’s Gross Domestic Product.” Little wonder that most countries, now including even some from the former Soviet Union, are in—or are scurrying to enter—the international tourist industry.

Government revenue accrued from tourism is being used to improve infrastructure, provide higher standards of education, and meet other pressing national needs. Virtually all governments are concerned that their citizens have employment. The jobs generated by tourism help meet this need.

To demonstrate the effect that tourism can have on a country’s economy, consider the example of the Bahamas, a tiny nation of islands stretching across the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico between Florida, in the United States, and the island of Cuba. The Bahamas has no large-scale commercial agriculture and almost no industrial raw materials. But these islands do have warm weather, pristine tropical beaches, a small population of about a quarter of a million friendly people, and proximity to the United States—assets that have been combined to produce a thriving tourist industry. But what does it take to provide tourists a pleasurable and safe vacation?

Satisfying Modern Vacationers

When international tourism began, the experience of visiting a foreign country was rare enough to satisfy many travelers—this despite the hardships of travel at the time. Today, however, mass communication allows many to sample far-off destinations on television without leaving the comfort of their home. Resorts are thus now challenged to make an actual visit an outstanding experience while providing the comforts of home or better. Additionally, since many tourists travel frequently, destinations often compete globally.

This has given rise to spectacular attractions and resorts. Consider, for example, one very large luxury hotel in the Bahamas. “The property has been designed to blow you away,” says Beverly Saunders, director of organization development at the hotel. “But we aim to go further. We want your interaction with our hosts to blow you away also.” How do such resorts cater to the needs of their guests?

Behind the Scenes at a Resort

“When our 2,300-room property is full, we may have between 7,500 and 8,000 guests to satisfy at one time,” says Beverly. “The logistical challenge is enormous. The organization required to satisfy the needs of all these guests is the same as running a small city but with additional challenges. We must have foods available that our guests are accustomed to eating at home. But if their experience is to be memorable, we must also offer exotic dining and recreational opportunities. In many resorts 50 percent or more of the support personnel are devoted to food and beverage services.”

Still, as I. K. Pradhan observes in his essay “Socio-Cultural Impact of Tourism in Nepal,” “of all the factors which determine real pleasure and enjoyment while travelling, there is no other factor more important than the way guests are treated by the local people and the feeling of security which they experience.”

How do the successful tourist resorts around the world maximize satisfaction in these areas? “Training, reinforcing desired behavior, coaching, correcting—a never-ending quest to deliver consistently high-quality service,” is how an executive who oversees training for the leading resort in the Bahamas answered that question. “Most Bahamians are naturally good-natured. But it is very challenging to be outgoing, pleasant, and smiling on the job all the time. That is why we instill the need to approach whatever the role they play with the same professionalism that would characterize a doctor, an attorney, or an insurance agent. We use uncompromising international standards for every function that makes up the overall tourist experience. The harder we work as a team at achieving these standards, the more seamless and consistently high the level of performance will be.”

The Other Side of the Picture

If you have traveled, have you found that despite thorough planning, there always seem to be costs that you did not foresee? Tourism providers are having the same experience.

The “tourism industry can bring many benefits to our developing society,” observes Pradhan, quoted earlier. However, he notes that without proper measures, “incurable social problems can also crop up.” He adds: “[We] need to be properly prepared with adequate awareness about the various impacts of modern tourism.” To what problems was he referring?

“Nations that cater to large numbers of tourists almost always experience serious, albeit unintended, dilution of their traditional ways of life. In some places local culture has been obliterated.” This is how Cordell Thompson, a high-ranking Bahamas Ministry of Tourism official describes one common side effect. Thompson speaks with pride about all the beneficial effects tourism has had on his country. Yet, he admits that living in a country where vacationers constantly outnumber—or represent a large portion of—the population has produced many other unforeseen effects.

For example, some who work with tourists find that eventually they begin to imagine, erroneously, that the visitor is on vacation constantly. The resident can attempt to imitate this imagined life-style. Others are not affected in such a way. But by spending a great deal of their leisure time in the visitors’ playgrounds, they eventually shed their traditional life-style. Sometimes the facilities built for tourists become so widely adopted by the populace that the community centers of the indigenous culture eventually wither and, in some places, die.

Many popular international tourist destinations are torn between opposing forces. They welcome the beneficial income derived from streams of visitors. Yet, they stagger under the weight of social problems spawned by industries created to satisfy tourists looking to indulge illicit cravings.

Sustainable Tourism

Because some of the greatest benefits of modern tourism produce effects that threaten its very continuance, an expression that is being heard with increasing frequency is “sustainable tourism.” It demonstrates that some are coming to the realization that the short-term benefits of some profitable tourism practices threaten to ‘kill the goose that lays the golden egg.’ Some difficult issues will have to be addressed if the industry is to be sustained indefinitely.

The effect of tourism on the environment, the impact on indigenous cultures, the compatibility of the goals of profit-oriented resorts and megaresorts with the national objectives of the host countries—these are some of the often competing concerns that will have to be balanced in the days ahead. In recent months, concerns about safety and security have taken a serious toll on the travel industry, and these must eventually be addressed. How they will affect the growth of modern tourism in the long run remains to be seen.

The next time you decide to get away from it all and unwind at a resort far away from where you live, you may not take for granted this global industry—national and international tourism.

[Full-page picture on page 15]

The Bible’s Viewpoint

Who Is Michael the Archangel?

ACCORDING to the Bible, there are millions of angelic creatures inhabiting the spirit realm. (Daniel 7:9, 10; Revelation 5:11) From beginning to end, the Scriptures make hundreds of references to the angels that remain loyal to God. Yet, only two of these spirit creatures are mentioned by name. One is the angel Gabriel, who personally delivered messages from God to three different individuals over a period of some 600 years. (Daniel 9:20-22; Luke 1:8-19, 26-28) The other angel mentioned by name in the Bible is Michael.

Michael is clearly an outstanding angel. For example, in the book of Daniel, Michael is described as fighting wicked demons in behalf of Jehovah’s people. (Daniel 10:13; 12:1) In the inspired letter of Jude, Michael confronts Satan in a dispute over Moses’ body. (Jude 9) The book of Revelation shows that Michael wars with Satan and his demons and hurls them out of heaven. (Revelation 12:7-9) No other angel is portrayed as having such great power and authority over God’s enemies. It is no wonder, then, that the Bible appropriately refers to Michael as “the archangel,” the prefix “arch” meaning “chief,” or “principal.”

The Controversy Over Michael’s Identity

Christendom’s religions, as well as Judaism and Islam, have conflicting ideas on the subject of angels. Some explanations are vague. For instance, The Anchor Bible Dictionary states: “There may be a single superior angel and/or a small group of archangels (usually four or seven).” According to The Imperial Bible-Dictionary, Michael is the “name of a superhuman being, in regard to whom there have in general been two rival opinions, either that he is the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, or that he is one of the so-called seven archangels.”

In Jewish tradition these seven archangels are Gabriel, Jeremiel, Michael, Raguel, Raphael, Sariel, and Uriel. On the other hand, Islam believes in four archangels, namely, Jibril, Mikal, Izrail, and Israfil. Catholicism also believes in four archangels: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and Uriel. What does the Bible say? Are there several archangels?

The Bible’s Answer

Aside from Michael, no archangel is mentioned in the Bible, nor do the Scriptures use the term “archangel” in the plural. The Bible describes Michael as the archangel, implying that he alone bears that designation. Hence, it is reasonable to conclude that Jehovah God has delegated to one, and only one, of his heavenly creatures full authority over all other angels.

Aside from the Creator himself, only one faithful person is spoken of as having angels under subjection—namely, Jesus Christ. (Matthew 13:41; 16:27; 24:31) The apostle Paul made specific mention of “the Lord Jesus” and “his powerful angels.” (2 Thessalonians 1:7) And Peter described the resurrected Jesus by saying: “He is at God’s right hand, for he went his way to heaven; and angels and authorities and powers were made subject to him.”—1 Peter 3:22.

While there is no statement in the Bible that categorically identifies Michael the archangel as Jesus, there is one scripture that links Jesus with the office of archangel. In his letter to the Thessalonians, the apostle Paul prophesied: “The Lord himself will descend from heaven with a commanding call, with an archangel’s voice and with God’s trumpet, and those who are dead in union with Christ will rise first.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16) In this scripture Jesus is described as having assumed his power as God’s Messianic King. Yet, he speaks with “an archangel’s voice.” Note, too, that he has the power to raise the dead.

While on earth as a human, Jesus performed several resurrections. In doing so, he used his voice to utter commanding calls. For example, when resurrecting the dead son of a widow in the city of Nain, he said: “Young man, I say to you, Get up!” (Luke 7:14, 15) Later, just before resurrecting his friend Lazarus, Jesus “cried out with a loud voice: ‘Lazarus, come on out!’” (John 11:43) But on these occasions, Jesus’ voice was the voice of a perfect man.

After his own resurrection, Jesus was raised to a “superior position” in heaven as a spirit creature. (Philippians 2:9) No longer a human, he has the voice of an archangel. So when God’s trumpet sounded the call for “those who are dead in union with Christ” to be raised to heaven, Jesus issued “a commanding call,” this time “with an archangel’s voice.” It is reasonable to conclude that only an archangel would call “with an archangel’s voice.”

Yes, there are other angelic creatures of high rank, such as seraphs and cherubs. (Genesis 3:24; Isaiah 6:2) Yet, the Scriptures point to the resurrected Jesus Christ as the chief of all angels—Michael the archangel.

Kea—Clown of the Mountains

BY AWAKE! WRITER IN NEW ZEALAND

LIVING in the high country of New Zealand, the kea is an alpine parrot. With an irrepressible sense of fun, it has amused and delighted—or caused irritation—with its clownish pranks.

Imagine that you have spent the day tramping in the mountains. You arrive at an alpine hut feeling exhausted. After a hearty meal, all you want to do is climb into bed and enjoy a restful sleep. But a family of keas have other ideas. They land on the hut and decide that sliding down the corrugated iron roof would be tremendous fun. The noise of their claws scraping on the iron sounds like music to them. To show how much they enjoy this, they shriek with glee as they go. Then, with wings flapping, they scramble back up and repeat the whole noisy procedure.

However, for fun-loving keas, even that game can become boring, so they devise other means of amusing themselves. Now they slide stones down the roof, which they then follow, all the time letting out shrill screams. To judge the reaction of the occupants in the hut, they hang upside down and stare in the window. The idea seems to be that the weary trampers will enjoy this “roof” show. But before you decide if these alpine parrots merit being called clowns, let us learn a little about them.

The kea is named for its raucous flight call kee-a. They are native to New Zealand and are found only in the mountainous region of the South Island. Living in the upper reaches of the bush, to the limit of vegetation, they feed mainly on berries and shoots.

Keas are solid, powerful birds—the male weighing as much as 2.6 pounds [1.2 kg] and measuring up to 20 inches [50 cm] in length. Their predominant color is green. Despite blending into their bush habitat, they are still very prominent birds. Their fearless personality, distinctive calls, large size, and scarlet underwings set them apart from the rest of the bird population.

They will frequently play in the air, taking full advantage of the highly variable wind currents in their mountain home. They are a magnificent sight as they soar through the gullies, competitively chasing and avoiding each other. They are rated one of the most intelligent birds in the world. Maybe it is this intelligence that gives them their sense of fun.

They Love to Play

Their mischievous behavior is an integral part of their character. Possessing an insatiable curiosity, they investigate everything in their territory, especially something new or strange. This examination is not done by sight alone but requires testing and poking at the object with their powerful beaks until they either become bored with the object or destroy it.

At a mountain pass railway station, a kea was observed investigating two full milk cans that had been placed on the platform. The impudent kea flipped the lid off one and plunged its head in for a drink. The bird was scared away, and a metal rod was placed between the two handles for security. Not to be deterred, the kea returned, examined the “security arrangement” for a minute or two, and then deftly slid the rod through the handles with the tip of its beak. It then brazenly flipped the lid back and took another drink. They are rogues but lovable!

Keas and Campers

Campers who are on hand to protect their belongings will be captivated by the comical antics of these remarkable birds. However, leave your campsite unguarded, and the damage done can be almost unbelievable. With their powerful beaks, they can rip a tent to shreds. What was once your sleeping bag can in no time become acres of feathers.

Anything round in shape becomes the perfect object to roll down the nearest hill. Anything shiny becomes their prized possession. Bootlaces are especially fun to play with. Another game they enjoy is picking up objects and dropping them from a great height, seemingly for the fun of seeing them fall.

Keas, with their unintentional ability to clown and entertain, endear themselves to all who have the privilege of sharing their world. Considering these antics, it is no wonder that they have been called New Zealand’s flying monkeys.

Keas and Skiers

Keas love to congregate where they have an audience, such as at ski areas. The so-called clown of the mountains is now seen as an added attraction for skiers. It appears that they want to join in the fun. They will follow the skiers around with their bouncing, dancing hop. Tobogganing down ski slopes is considered especially enjoyable. As they do this, they slow themselves by putting their feet in a V-formation as skiers do with their skis. It is as if the kea is cheekily reminding us that the snow is not for the enjoyment of humans alone.

Their love of mischief and good fun ranges from nuisance to minor destruction. Ski area operators will testify that they have to ‘kea proof’ all their equipment. Vital apparatus has to be sheathed or enclosed. Even ropes have to be replaced by wires. A ‘kea proof’ rubbish tin has yet to be invented. Skiers have to follow a few simple precautions to protect their belongings from the amiable rogues. If, for example, you leave your camera unattended, it will become a new toy for the kea.

Skiers must protect their cars by covering them with suitable netting. Why? It seems that it is an absolute must for the kea to test the quality and durability of all motor vehicles. They like nothing better than to demolish windshield-wiper blades and rubber moldings and to crack plastic taillights. If a car window is left open, then the kea demolition gang will move in. They will sit on the car shrieking with mirth as they systematically destroy anything not secured. For very good reasons, the keas have been called New Zealand’s only protected street gang.

At Construction Sites

Construction sites in the mountains are another favorite place for the kea to get into mischief. When a new hut complex was being constructed for New Zealand’s famous Milford walking track, the local kea population took a keen interest. One began stealing nails. While the exasperated builder chased the culprit away, another stole his cigarettes. As the impertinent kea shredded the tobacco and paper, all his mates screeched in raucous approval. For curiosity and impudence, the kea takes the prize among the feathered creation. The moment keas spot humans coming into their haunts, they flock around and follow them as if they were afraid that the humans were going to steal their property.

They just have to test and investigate everything around them. Pranks that are endearing to the casual observer are unbearable to those who live with them day in and day out. There is an ongoing love-hate relationship with the kea. However, no one can deny that they are perky, friendly birds. Being fully protected, they are called the first citizens of the mountains.

Clown of the Mountains

If you ever encounter these fun-loving, intelligent birds, you will agree that they truly are clowns. They enjoy the company of all who venture into their mountain world, and they give evidence of this by clowning around. Their love of life and their capacity to play are a pure joy to behold.

Indeed, their intuitive, happy, often clownish, behavior reminds us that they are part of the creation of Jehovah, the happy God.—1 Timothy 1:11.

[Picture on page 19]

A kea attacking an umbrella

[Picture on page 20]

Keas wreaking havoc on a car

[Picture Credit Line on page 18]

Courtesy of Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, Christchurch, New Zealand

Crossword Puzzle

Clues Across

1. By use of this phrase, David was indicating the office that had been occupied by Saul [3 words] (2 Samuel 1:21)

7. One bereaved of parents (James 1:27)a

9. This final one would result in the release of the Israelites from Egypt (Exodus 11:1)

10. Shammah, the son of this Hararite, was one of David’s mighty men (2 Samuel 23:11)

11. This first letter of the Greek alphabet is used in reference to Jehovah (Revelation 1:8)

12. Descendants of the fifth-named son of Gad (Numbers 26:15, 16)

15. If the Israelites had been faithful, this would have described Jehovah’s dealings with their enemies (Exodus 23:22)

17. Rahab requested this from the spies she had hidden [2 words] (Joshua 2:12)

19. One of the sites where the Israelites encamped on their wilderness trek from Egypt (Numbers 33:34)

23. Job used a pottery shard to do this (Job 2:8)

25. Concur (Acts 15:15)

26. Since his was small, Zacchaeus climbed a fig-mulberry tree (Luke 19:3, 4)

27. An older brother of David (1 Chronicles 2:14)

28. First-named son of Jahath in the genealogies of Judah (1 Chronicles 4:2)

29. Unnamed royal personage who traveled to hear the wisdom of Solomon [4 words] (1 Kings 10:1)

Clues Down

1. A form of the Hebrew word for “Lord”

2. One of the two wives of the Judean Ashhur (1 Chronicles 4:5)

3. Expression referring to the women residents of Jerusalem [3 words] (Song of Solomon 3:11)

4. A city of Benjamin (Joshua 18:27)

5. Should (Mark 13:14)

6. Something God cannot do (Titus 1:2)

8. The ark in which the baby Moses was placed was made of this (Exodus 2:3)

13. To have confidence based on experience (Psalm 37:5)

14. Graceful water bird (Deuteronomy 14:16)

16. One of the instruments played while celebrating the movement of the Ark to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:5)

17. In his final witnessing campaign in Judea, Jesus sent 70 disciples out ahead of him in this way (Luke 10:1)

18. In asking questions, the Pharisees intended to do this to Jesus (Matthew 22:15)

20. Nearby (Acts 16:13)

21. Grandfather of Shallum, the husband of the prophetess Huldah (2 Kings 22:14)

22. Ancestor of a family of Nethinim whose descendants returned to Judah from Babylon (Ezra 2:52)

24. Part of a mountain (Joshua 12:23)

27. Even “the very name of the wicked ones” will do this (Proverbs 10:7)

[Footnote]

Crossword Solutions Page 24

Solutions Across

1. ANOINTED WITH OIL

7. ORPHAN

9. PLAGUE

10. AGEE

11. ALPHA

12. ERITES

15. HOSTILE

17. TRUSTWORTHY SIGN

19. ABRONAH

23. SCRAPE

25. AGREE

26. SIZE

27. RADDAI

28. AHUMAI

29. THE QUEEN OF SHEBA

Solutions Down

1. ADONAY

2. NAARAH

3. DAUGHTERS OF ZION

4. IRPEEL

5. OUGHT

6. LIE

8. PAPYRUS

13. RELY

14. SWAN

16. SISTRUM

17. TWOS

18. TRAP

20. BESIDE

21. HARHAS

22. MEHIDA

24. RIDGE

27. ROT

What Is Provoking the Age of Rage?

A MAN is shot dead while sitting at a bar in Prague, in the Czech Republic. Why? The gunman was annoyed by the loud music the victim was playing on his personal cassette player. A motorist is clubbed to death with a hockey stick at an intersection in Cape Town, South Africa. His attacker was apparently upset because the victim had flashed his lights at him. A British nurse living in Australia has her front door kicked in by an enraged former boyfriend; he soaks her with petrol, sets her on fire, and leaves her to die.

Are reports of rage—road rage, domestic rage, air rage—being blown out of proportion? Or like cracks in the walls of a building, are they just the visible warnings of a serious underlying problem? The facts indicate that the latter is true.

On the road, “reports of violent traffic incidents have increased nearly 7 percent per year since 1990,” states a recent report from the American Automobile Association (AAA) Foundation for Traffic Safety.

In the home, rage is rampant. For example, police in the Australian state of New South Wales witnessed a 50-percent increase in reported cases of domestic violence during the year 1998. Every fourth woman in that country who is married or lives in a de facto relationship has suffered violence by her partner.

In the air the story is similar. The threat of airline passengers’ suddenly snapping and attacking staff, fellow passengers, and even pilots has prompted some of the world’s major airlines to provide their cabin crews with special harnesses designed to bind violent offenders in their seats.

Why do growing numbers of people seem incapable of restraining their emotions? What prompts these acts of rage? Is it actually possible to control these feelings?

Why the Rise in Rage?

To have rage is to feel or exhibit intense anger. Acts of rage result when anger is allowed to build until it erupts in a violent outburst of emotion. “Violent traffic disputes are rarely the result of a single incident. Rather, they seem to be the result of personal attitudes and the accumulation of stress in the motorist’s life,” notes David K. Willis, president of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

Contributing to this accumulation of stress is the flood of information we are expected to absorb each day. The back cover of the book Information Overload, by David Lewis, observes: “Many workers today are sinking under a deluge of data . . . Overwhelmed by information, . . . they become stressed out, reckless, paralysed by analysis.” Citing an example of this deluge of data, one newspaper noted: “A weekday edition of a newspaper contains as much information as the average person in the 17th century would be exposed to in their entire lifetime.”

What we put in our mouths may also be nourishing anger. Two large-scale studies have shown that increased hostility is linked to cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and an unhealthful diet. These epidemic life-style habits fuel stress and frustration—frustration that erupts in the form of swearing, impatience, and intolerance.

Bad Manners and Movies

Commenting on the relationship between incivility and crime, Dr. Adam Graycar, director of the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC), observes: “A renewed focus on respect and civility may be one of the most significant steps towards reducing petty crime.” The institute advocates exercising patience, showing tolerance, and refraining from swearing. Failure to do so, it claims, can turn disorderly behavior into criminal behavior. Ironically, a form of relaxation chosen by many to relieve frustration and stress actually encourages intolerance and rage. How?

“Children and adults flock to cinemas to watch depictions of death and destruction. The market for violent videos is vast and lucrative. ‘War toys’ remain popular with many children, if not always with their parents. Televised violence is greatly enjoyed by many, both adults and children, and television has an important role in the transmission of cultural values,” states an AIC report. How does this relate to outbursts of rage on the street and in the home? The report concludes: “To the extent that a society condones violence, the values of individuals within that society will develop accordingly.”

Many individuals today would argue that venting anger is just a natural response to stress, an unavoidable reaction to our high-pressure, aggressive society. Is it true, then, that the popular notion, “When angry, let it out,” is actually good advice?

Should Rage Be Controlled?

Just as an erupting volcano wreaks havoc on those living around it, so too a person who expresses intense anger harms those living around him. He also critically damages himself. In what way? “Acting on anger leads to even more aggression,” states The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). According to research, men who manifest anger “are more likely to be dead by age 50 than those who do not.”

The American Heart Association similarly states: “Men who experience outbursts of anger have twice the risk of stroke as men who control their tempers.” These warnings are relevant to both sexes.

What advice really works? Notice the similarities between the advice of secular authorities and that of the most widely distributed authority on human relations, the Bible.

Manage Anger—Avoid Rage

Dr. Redford B. Williams states in JAMA: “The simplistic advice, ‘when angry, let it out,’ is unlikely . . . to be of much help. Far more important is to learn how to evaluate your anger and then to manage it.” He suggests asking yourself: “(1) Is this situation important to me? (2) Are my thoughts and feelings appropriate to the objective facts? (3) Is this situation modifiable, so that I don’t have to have this anger?”

Proverbs 14:29; 29:11 “He that is slow to anger is abundant in discernment, but one that is impatient is exalting foolishness. All his spirit is what a stupid one lets out, but he that is wise keeps it calm to the last.”

Ephesians 4:26 “Be wrathful, and yet do not sin; let the sun not set with you in a provoked state.”

Frank Donovan, in his book Dealing With Anger—Self-Help Solutions for Men, recommends: “Escaping anger—or, more specifically, escaping the scene and other people in your angry episode—is a strategy which has special importance and value at the higher levels of anger.”

Proverbs 17:14 “The beginning of contention is as one letting out waters; so before the quarrel has burst forth, take your leave.”

Bertram Rothschild, writing in the journal The Humanist, states: “Anger . . . is primarily one’s personal responsibility. The reasons to become angry exist in our heads. . . . The few times anger worked for you pale in comparison to the multitude of times it made things worse. It is far better not to produce the anger than to experience it.”

Psalm 37:8 “Let anger alone and leave rage; do not show yourself heated up only to do evil.”

Proverbs 15:1 “An answer, when mild, turns away rage, but a word causing pain makes anger to come up.”

Proverbs 29:22 “A man given to anger stirs up contention, and anyone disposed to rage has many a transgression.”

Millions of Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide endorse the above counsel. We invite you to attend their meetings at your local Kingdom Hall and see for yourself that living by the Bible’s advice actually works, despite our living in an age of rage.

[Pictures on page 23]

Just like an erupting volcano, a person with uncontrolled rage causes damage

[Picture on page 24]

The Bible’s advice really works

The Great Artesian Basin—What Is It?

BY AWAKE! WRITER IN AUSTRALIA

AS WE fly west over the last spreading fingers of Australia’s great coastal mountain range, the view unfolding before us is mesmerizing. Overhead a seamless blue sky arches forward to touch the horizon. The ground stretches out flat and featureless as far as the eye can see. The patchwork quilt of green crops and gold savannas soon gives way to a threadbare-looking landscape of red earth smeared with blotches of brown grass.

Believe it or not, below the ground is a body of water two thirds the size of the Mediterranean Sea. This massive underground reservoir is known as the Great Artesian Basin.

The existence of this underground ocean is vital to those who make a living in the remote, hot interior of the country. To appreciate why this buried treasure is so important and how it was formed, we need to understand how Australia is constructed.

Dry on Top

Australia is rightly called a sunburned country. This smallest of the world’s five continents is home to the world’s second-largest desert. It also has one of the world’s longest rivers, the Darling River. Yet, Australia’s rivers carry little water. In the United States, the Mississippi River alone empties almost 60 percent more water into the sea each year than all the rivers and streams in Australia combined. Why does rain avoid this land?

Because of the continent’s position on the globe—stretching along 30 degrees south latitude—its weather is dominated by large high-pressure patterns. These cells of fine weather sweep the country’s center with warm air. Wafting across the flat expanse, these winds meet no lofty mountain ranges to coax the moisture from the air. The only substantial mountain range hugs the east coast of the continent. Its tallest peak rises only 7,310 feet [2,228 m], a baby by world standards. Any rain-bearing winds heading inland from the Pacific Ocean in the east meet these mountains and drop their life-giving cargo along a narrow coastal strip. The lack of elevation, the high average temperatures, and the location of its mountains conspire to make Australia the driest continent on earth—at least on its surface.

Wet Underneath

Beneath Australia’s parched crust lie 19 major groundwater basins. The largest, the Great Artesian Basin, underlies one fifth of the continent. This basin is 660,000 square miles [1.7 million sq km] in area, stretching from the tip of Cape York in the north down to Lake Eyre in South Australia. It contains some 2,000 cubic miles [8,700 km³] of water, enough to fill lakes Michigan and Huron in North America to overflowing.

Unlike the Great Lakes of North America, though, water in the Great Artesian Basin is not readily accessible. It enters the basin when rain soaks down through the soil and saturates water-bearing layers of sandstone. About 80 million gallons [300 million L.] of water a day enters the basin this way. What happens to all this water?

Soaking a Massive Sponge

The Great Artesian Basin is like a sponge, only on a gigantic scale. Spongelike layers of sandstone, ranging from 300 feet [100 m] to almost two miles [three km] in thickness, are sandwiched between layers of water-resistant rock. These curved plates are tilted downward to the west, with their eastern rim exposed along the Great Dividing Range. Rain soaking in along this rim seeps slowly westward, traveling just 16 feet [5 m] a year.

If a bore is drilled downhill from the mountain range through the top layer of water-resistant rock and into the sandstone, gravity forces the trapped water to the surface. Because the water rises under pressure, it is called an artesian bore, an expression derived from the former French province of Artois, where the first well of this type was drilled. When Australia’s artesian treasure was discovered, bores by the thousands were sunk into the ancient watercourse.

Draining the Reservoir

In the late 1800’s, settlers keen to exploit the wide-open plains of Queensland and New South Wales eagerly tapped what they thought was an unlimited supply of water. By 1915, some 1,500 bores were disgorging 500 million gallons [2 billion L.] (1,000 Olympic-size swimming pools) of water a day from the Great Artesian Basin. This drained the reservoir faster than it was filling; thus many of the bores stopped flowing.

Today, of the 4,700 artesian bores that have been drilled, only 3,000 still flow naturally. A further 20,000 bores tap this great sponge, water being drawn to the surface by the windmill pumps you see dotting the landscape beneath us. Concerned governments are working to safeguard this reservoir because at present, 95 percent of all artesian water brought to the surface is wasted, lost to evaporation.

The value of conserving this resource is obvious, as groundwater is the only reliable source of water across 60 percent of Australia. Many inland towns and industries rely totally on this supply. What does the water taste like? Jason, who was brought up on a Queensland farm reliant on artesian water, says: “It tastes a bit salty, and I prefer rainwater when it’s available; but the cattle love it.” The taste comes from dissolved minerals accumulating in the water as it seeps through the rock layers. On the edge of the basin, the water is almost pure, but toward the middle it can be unbearably salty—only fit for sheep and cattle to drink. Water not trapped and used by man continues its journey westward to the dry interior.

A Fragile Giant

As we fly toward the setting sun, far beneath us we see tiny shining disks of water, scattered like buttons in the desert. After traveling hundreds of miles underground, a journey taking thousands of years, rainwater finally reaches the southwestern edge of the Great Artesian Basin and oozes to the surface, creating these natural mound springs below us. Water evaporating from the springs leaves behind a buildup of mineral deposits. These deposits capture windblown sand, slowly raising the spring above the surrounding landscape.

Even these isolated havens for plant and bird life suffer damage by man. The book Discover Australia notes: “The introduction of cattle, rabbits and more recently, tourists, has brought about the destruction of many of the fragile mound-springs. . . . Perhaps most damaging of all, the amount of water being drawn from bores for stock has markedly reduced the flow rate of many springs, in some cases to no more than a trickle.”

This ancient watercourse is a fragile giant—massive in scale yet vulnerable to human influence. As is true of all the world’s resources, careful management is needed to preserve the enormous underground plumbing system that is the Great Artesian Basin.

[Map on page 25]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

GREAT ARTESIAN BASIN

[Credit Line]

Mountain High Maps® Copyright © 1997 Digital Wisdom, Inc.

[Picture on page 25]

A symbol of outback Australia, the windmill pump brings life to the desert

[Picture on page 26]

Like the inhabitants of this isolated farm, 60 percent of Australia is totally dependent on groundwater

[Picture on page 26]

Natural mound springs bubble up water thousands of years old

[Credit Line]

Courtesy of National Parks and Wildlife South Australia

[Picture on page 26]

A salt lake on the southwestern edge of the Great Artesian Basin

[Picture on page 26]

The slow buildup of mineral deposits around the springs has elevated them as much as 45 feet [15 m]

[Credit Line]

Courtesy of National Parks and Wildlife South Australia

Watching the World

Destructive Invaders

“Invading ‘aliens’ are costing the global economy possibly hundreds of billions of dollars every year as well as spreading diseases and causing massive ecological destruction,” declares the International Herald Tribune. Numerous plants and animals that are innocuous in their home environment are being carried knowingly or unknowingly to new territories. For example, a tree snake, native to Australia and Indonesia, has wiped out native forest birds on Guam and is working its way across the Pacific—sometimes by hiding in airplane wheel wells. The introduction of caulerpa algae and South American water hyacinth into other ecosystems is decimating indigenous marine and aquatic life over huge areas. Grass exported from the United States to China for golf courses is now growing out of control, while Chinese longhorn beetles, transported in pallet timber, are causing damage to North American forests. Other species that have proved destructive include the Indian mongoose, the zebra mussel, the Miconia tree, the Nile perch, the North American gray squirrel, the walking catfish, and the Rosy wolf snail, as well as crazy ants.

Cosmetics for Kids

Cosmetic makers in Japan are offering a line of makeup specially designed for children, reports The Japan Times. Riding the wave of a cosmetics craze that is sweeping the country, young girls, including preteens, are flocking to department stores to purchase items such as glittering lipstick and transparent mascara, in imitation of their favorite singing idols. In the past, children put on lipstick as a play activity. Now, increasing numbers of children are serious about applying makeup and want to know how it can be used to enhance or diminish certain facial features. An editor of a magazine for children noted: “The age of those who suffer an inferiority complex has dropped. Today’s children are aware of their weaknesses at a younger age than their predecessors.” One firm, however, has held the line, stating: “Japanese culture is not familiar with cosmetics for elementary school children and junior high school students. We will not make cosmetics (for them) from the standpoint of social morality.”

“Shaken Infant Syndrome”

Shaking a baby by his arms, legs, or shoulders could cause serious health problems, reports El Universal newspaper of Mexico City. “Some doctors believe that many individuals with learning disorders are victims of the shaken infant syndrome.” According to pediatric specialist Juan José Ramos Suárez, “this trauma could cause brain hemorrhage and brain damage even though there are no external signs of abuse.” He adds that it could also cause hearing loss, blindness, spinal injury, paralysis, convulsions, and even death. This is because an infant’s head is relatively heavy, while the neck muscles are not very strong and cannot support the pressure of being shaken. True, an infant’s crying can be irritating. But to help caregivers, the paper suggests “three simple steps that take less than a minute: (1) Stop, (2) sit down, and (3) relax. Control your emotions instead of blowing up at the infant.” Then either take care of whatever is causing the baby to cry—perhaps by feeding him or changing his diaper—or do things that will soothe and entertain him.

Demise of the Gondola?

“[The] ancient art of gondola builders is facing a slow death in Venice,” says The Independent newspaper of London. “Future gondolas may be made by amateurs in disregard for the tradition, materials and craftsmanship that reflect the history of one of the world’s most fascinating cities.” The art of building the famous boats, known to have existed since the 11th century, is in danger of dying out “because the old system of passing it on, from father to son or master to apprentice, has been interrupted.” High labor costs and the fact that young Venetians are not prepared to spend 20 years learning the art are blamed. So, it seems that when the present few master builders reach retirement age, no one will replace them. It takes 500 hours of labor to build a gondola, which differs from other boats in that the left side is wider than the right, being balanced by the weight of the gondolier and his oar. This asymmetrical design allows him to negotiate Venice’s narrowest canals.

Piracy on the Rise

“Piracy is doing better than ever,” reports the French magazine Valeurs Actuelles. The number of pirate attacks have more than doubled over the past two years. The situation is particularly bad in Southeast Asia, where the financial crisis has led the poorest to turn to crime. But piracy is also increasing off the coasts of Africa and South America. According to Edouard Berlhet, representative of the Central Committee of Shipowners of France, “in 1998, losses amounted to 16 billion dollars. Some ships disappear completely, along with their cargoes. They are hijacked and disguised, and then they reappear in suspect ports under flags of convenience.” The pirates, using high-speed boats and sophisticated communications equipment, are heavily armed and are increasingly violent.

Young Drinkers

“Youths in Europe are getting drunk at an ever younger age and with increasing frequency,” reports the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung. This alarming trend was recently brought to the attention of the health ministers of the European Union. How serious is the problem? A 1998 study showed, for example, that in some countries between 40 and 50 percent of the 15-year-old boys drink beer regularly, while girls of that age in England, Scotland, and Wales outdo the boys in consumption of wine and spirits. In Denmark, Finland, and Britain, more than half the 15-year-olds have got completely drunk more than once. Alcohol is also blamed for the death of several thousand persons aged 15 to 29 throughout the Union each year. The Council of Ministers has recommended alcohol education to make youths aware of the effects of drinking.

Smoking Deaths Helpful to the Economy?

“Philip Morris Cos. officials in the Czech Republic have been distributing an economic analysis concluding that . . . smokers’ early deaths help offset medical expenses,” says The Wall Street Journal. “The report, commissioned by the cigarette maker . . . , totes up smoking’s ‘positive effects’ on national finances, including revenue from excise and other taxes on cigarettes and ‘health-care cost savings due to early mortality.’” The article adds: “Weighing the costs and benefits, the report concludes that in 1999 the government had a net gain of 5.82 billion koruna ($147.1 million) from smoking.” Outcry against the report was swift. “Tobacco companies used to deny that cigarettes killed people. Now they brag about it,” one columnist wrote. Said economist Kenneth Warner: “Is there any other company that would boast about making money for the public treasury by killing its customers? I can’t think of one.” Philip Morris issued an apology the following week. “We understand that this was not only a terrible mistake, but that it was wrong,” said senior vice president Steven C. Parrish. “To say it’s totally inappropriate is an understatement.”

Helping Children Be Less Materialistic

Children are “a marketer’s dream,” with even young children becoming “obsessive consumers,” reports Canada’s Globe and Mail newspaper, “and nothing has worked to stop the trend.” However, a team of professors at the Stanford University School of Medicine feel that they have come up with a solution: a six-month curriculum aimed at both helping children reduce their TV watching and helping them be more selective in what they watch. By the end of the school year, children in this program were much less prone to request new toys from their parents. According to the Globe, “a typical child sees 40,000 commercials a year, up from 20,000 a year in the 1970s.”

From Our Readers

Good Health The amount of comfort and encouragement I received from the series “Good Health for All—Is It Possible?” (June 8, 2001) was immeasurable. I suffer from a psychiatric disorder, and I have contemplated suicide in the past. Every day I wonder, ‘How will I get through the day?’ This magazine reminded me of Jehovah’s promise at Revelation 21:4 to ‘wipe out every tear from our eyes.’

C. T., Japan

Thank you for your excellent articles. As a practicing naturopathic physician, I look forward to the day when there will be no sickness. Then I can rest from my labors and take up farming—my second-favorite work!

B. C., United States

Poetry May I say how thrilled I was to read your article “Painting With Words.” (June 8, 2001) Since retiring, I have taken to writing poetry, which gives me great enjoyment and fulfillment.

J. B., Britain

Since childhood I have had love for the written word, and that is how I discovered the art of poetry. Thank you for mentioning that “beautiful poetry is rarely the work of a shallow mind.” Many people believe that writing poetry is a sign of weakness. This form of literary expression is one of the most beautiful, and I am glad to know that our Creator thinks so too.

M. T., Chile

Cathedrals I enjoyed the article “Cathedrals—Monuments to God or Men?” (June 8, 2001) But isn’t it true that Jehovah’s Witnesses build rather large Kingdom Halls and Assembly Halls?

R. B., United States

“Awake!” responds: We criticized the building of cathedrals not simply because they are big but because the driving force in building them was often what one historian called the “arrogant pride” of religious leaders. Also, financing these huge structures often worked an extreme hardship on parishioners. By way of contrast, Kingdom Halls and Assembly Halls are modest structures that are not built to bring praise to any humans. Rather, they serve as places of worship. These halls are financed by voluntary contributions and do not impose an unreasonable financial burden upon anyone.

Moths I am 14 years old, and I was impressed when I read the article “The Beautiful Moth.” (June 8, 2001) I have always thought that moths were scary looking, but having read this article, I will think twice before swatting them!

D. S., United States

While I was reading the article, a moth landed near my feet. I had never seen a moth that was so beautiful! Nature is truly wonderful, and if we observe it, our love for God can only deepen.

G. P., Italy

Not appreciating the beauty and variety of moths that Jehovah has made, I thought of them as drab insects. Soon after I read the article, a beautiful moth came near me while I was watering my plants. I thanked Jehovah for his creation and for the article that made me more observant.

C. S., United States

Red Tide As an educator, I’ve been teaching a subject that deals with the proper handling and managing of our coastal resources. I almost gave up looking for an article that clearly explained red tide. Then the article “When the Waters Turn Red” (June 8, 2001) came to the rescue. Thank you very much for publishing it.

J.O.P., Philippines

Perfume Through the Ages

BY AWAKE! WRITER IN MEXICO

Perfume has an ancient history. It is thought that primitive perfumery began with the burning of gums and resins for incense in religious ceremonies. Consequently, the word “perfume” is from the Latin per fumum, meaning “through smoke.” An early record of perfume comes from Egypt. When Pharaoh Tutankhamen’s tomb was opened, over 3,000 jars of perfume were found that still preserved some of their fragrance after more than 30 centuries!

Fifteen hundred years before the Common Era, “the choicest perfumes” were included in the divinely given formula for the holy anointing oil used by Israelite priests. (Exodus 30:23-33) Perfumed ointments were used by the Hebrews for cosmetic and medicinal purposes, as well as for preparing the dead for burial—no doubt serving as disinfectants and deodorants. For example, women took spices and perfumed oils to the tomb to use on Jesus’ body. (Luke 23:56; 24:1) In the Israelite home, greasing the feet of a guest with perfumed oil was considered an act of hospitality.—Luke 7:37-46.

In the first century, Rome reportedly used about 2,800 tons of frankincense and 550 tons of myrrh a year. Such aromatic ingredients were taken to the child Jesus as gifts. (Matthew 2:1, 11) In 54 C.E., it is said, Roman Emperor Nero spent the equivalent of $100,000 in order to scent a party. Pipes concealed in his dining rooms sprayed the guests with mists of perfumed water. From the seventh century C.E. onward, the Chinese made use of fragrances, including perfumed sachets. During the Middle Ages, perfumes were used in the Islamic culture, especially rose scents.

The perfume industry became so well established in France during the 18th century that the court of Louis XV was called the perfumed court. Scents were applied not only to the skin but also to clothing, gloves, fans, and furniture.

Cologne, invented in the 18th century, was used in bath water, was mixed with wine, was eaten on a sugar lump as a mouthwash, and was used medicinally in enemas and poultices. In the 19th century, synthetic fragrances were developed. Thus, the first perfumes not suitable for medicinal use began to be marketed. Today perfumery is a multibillion-dollar business.a

[Footnote]

[Picture on page 31]

Egypt, perfume jar from the tomb of Tutankhamen, 14th century B.C.E.

[Credit Line]

Werner Forman/Egyptian Museum, Cairo, Egypt/Art Resource, NY

[Picture on page 31]

Greece, 5th century B.C.E.

[Credit Line]

Musée du Louvre, Paris

[Picture on page 31]

France, 18th century C.E.

[Credit Line]

Avec lʹaimable autorisation du Musée de la Parfumerie Fragonard, Paris

[Picture on page 31]

Modern perfume bottle

“Frequently Consulted by Students”

A LIBRARIAN from Divinópolis, in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, wrote to the offices of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Brazil about the keen interest that students have shown in Awake! magazine. He explained:

“At the municipal school library where I work, we occasionally receive donations of books and magazines published by [Jehovah’s Witnesses]. Although hardly any of the students here are Jehovah’s Witnesses, Awake! is frequently consulted by students researching a variety of subjects. The issue of September 8, 2000, for example, has proved most useful because of its informative articles on the Olympic Games. For this reason, I would like to ask you to provide us with a large quantity of different issues of Awake! I feel sure that you share my interest in providing upbuilding reading material for our young ones.”

On page 4 each issue of Awake! describes why the magazine is published. “Most important,” it explains, “this magazine builds confidence in the Creator’s promise of a peaceful and secure new world that is about to replace the present wicked, lawless system of things.”

Jehovah’s Witnesses also provide brochures specifically designed to accomplish that purpose, one of which is entitled What Is the Purpose of Life? How Can You Find It? You may request a copy by filling in the accompanying coupon and mailing it to the address shown on the coupon or to an appropriate address listed on page 5 of this magazine.

□ Send me a copy of the brochure What Is the Purpose of Life? How Can You Find It?

□ Please contact me concerning a free home Bible study.