June 22

Table of Contents

June 22, 2002

When All Kinds of Slavery Will End!

Slavery comes in many forms, and it has proved to be one of mankind’s most persistent plagues. How can we be sure that all slavery will soon end?

3 Slavery​—The Plague Persists

4 The Long Fight Against Slavery

6 When Slavery Will End!

18 Tall Buildings Still Going Up in Asia

24 Exploring the Treasures of Oaxaca

26 A Unique Herd of Wild White Cattle

28 Watching the World

30 From Our Readers

31 Warming Reduces Risk of Infection

32 “Touched by the Love He Showed”

A Tolerant Kingdom in an Intolerant Age 11

Read about the unusual monarchs who promoted religious tolerance in their land at a time when religious intolerance was the norm.

From Political Activist to Neutral Christian 19

Learn how a political activist became a Christian in a Communist prison and how for 15 years he maintained his faith while imprisoned.

Slavery​—The Plague Persists

IS SLAVERY dead? Most people would like to think so. The very word conjures up horrific pictures of brutality and oppression. In the minds of many, though, those pictures belong to the past. For example, some envision the slave ships of bygone centuries​—creaking wooden vessels with holds crammed full of frightened hordes of humanity, huddling in almost unimaginable squalor.

Granted, such slave ships no longer ply the seas and today’s international conventions outlaw that form of slavery. Yet, slavery is by no means dead. The human rights organization Anti-Slavery International calculates that 200 million people still live in some form of slavery. They work in conditions that may well be worse than those endured by slaves of previous centuries. In fact, some analysts conclude that “more people are in slavery today than at any time in history.”

The stories of these modern slaves are heartbreaking. Kanji,a who is only ten years old, herds cattle every day for harsh masters who beat him regularly. “If I am lucky I find a piece of stale bread, otherwise I pass the whole day without food,” he explains. “I have never been paid for my labour because I am a slave and their property. . . . Children my age are playing with other children, and I would rather die than lead this awful life.”

Like Kanji, modern-day slaves are often children or women. They toil against their will making carpets, building roads, cutting sugarcane, or even working as prostitutes. And they may be sold for as little as $10. Some children are even sold into slavery by their own parents to cover bad debts.

Do you find such reports revolting? You are not alone. In his book Disposable People, author Kevin Bales comments: “Slavery is an obscenity. It is not just stealing someone’s labor; it is the theft of an entire life.” In view of man’s inhumanity to man, what reason have we to believe that the scourge of slavery will ever come to an end? This question has more to do with you personally than you might at first guess.

As we shall see, there is more than one form of slavery. It comes in widely different forms, some of which affect every person alive. So all of us need to know if true freedom will ever come to mankind. But first, let us consider a brief history of the traffic in human slaves.

[Footnote]

[Pictures on page 3]

Impoverished women and children have long been victims of the slave trade

[Credit Lines]

Top photo: UN PHOTO 148000/Jean Pierre Laffont

U.S. National Archives photo

The Long Fight Against Slavery

“This is what it means to be a slave: to be abused and bear it, compelled by violence to suffer wrong.”​—Euripides, a Greek playwright of the fifth century B.C.E.

SLAVERY has a long and often ugly history. From the time of the earliest civilizations in Egypt and Mesopotamia, powerful nations have enslaved their weaker neighbors. Thus one of the saddest tales of human injustice began to be written.

During the second millennium B.C.E., Egypt enslaved a whole nation of possibly several million people. (Exodus 1:13, 14; 12:37) When Greece ruled the Mediterranean, many Greek families had at least one slave​—just as a typical family in some lands today might own a car. Greek philosopher Aristotle justified this practice by claiming that humanity is divided into two classes, that of the masters and that of the slaves, with the former having a natural right to command, whereas the latter were simply born to obey.

The Romans promoted slavery even more than did the Greeks. In the days of the apostle Paul, perhaps half the population of the city of Rome​—evidently hundreds of thousands of people—​were slaves. And the Roman Empire seems to have had to acquire half a million slaves each year to build monuments, work the mines, till the fields, and staff the huge villas of the wealthy.a Those captured in war were commonly used as slaves, so Rome’s insatiable need for more slaves must have been a powerful incentive for the empire to continue waging war.

Although slavery abated somewhat after the fall of the Roman Empire, the practice continued. According to the Domesday Book (1086 C.E.), slaves constituted 10 percent of the labor force of medieval England. And slaves were still acquired through conquest. The English word “slave” comes from the word “Slav,” since the Slavic peoples constituted a large part of the slave population in Europe during the early Middle Ages.

Since the time of Christ, however, no continent has suffered the ravages of the slave trade as much as Africa. Even before Jesus’ time, the ancient Egyptians traded in Ethiopian slaves. Over the course of some 1,250 years, an estimated 18 million Africans were taken to Europe and the Middle East to meet the demand for slaves in those places. With the colonization of the Americas starting in the 16th century, a new slave market opened up, and slave trafficking across the Atlantic soon became one of the most lucrative businesses on earth. Historians calculate that between 1650 and 1850, upwards of 12 million slaves were taken from Africa.b Many were sold in slave markets.

Struggles Against Slavery

Over the centuries, both individuals and nations have fought to free themselves from bondage. In the first century before Christ, Spartacus led an army of 70,000 Roman slaves in a futile fight for freedom. The revolution of Haitian slaves, some two centuries ago, was more successful, resulting in the establishment of an independent government in 1804.

Of course, slavery persisted far longer in the United States. There were slaves who struggled rigorously to free themselves and their loved ones. And there were free people who fought sincerely against slavery by advocating its abolition or by aiding runaway slaves. Still, it was not until late in the 19th century that the practice was finally outlawed throughout that country. What, though, about today?

Have the Struggles Been in Vain?

“No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms,” states the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. That objective, enthusiastically proclaimed in 1948, is certainly a noble one. Many sincere people have dedicated their time, energy, and resources to achieving that goal. Success, however, does not come easily.

As the preceding article shows, millions of people still toil for nothing in appalling conditions, and many of them have been bought or sold against their will. Notwithstanding well-intentioned efforts to abolish slavery​—and the signing of international conventions to outlaw it—​real freedom for all remains an elusive goal. The global economy has made the undercover slave trade more lucrative. If anything, it seems, slavery is tightening its grip on parts of humanity. Is the situation hopeless? Let us see.

[Footnotes]

[Pictures on page 4, 5]

Those brought from Africa in slave ships (above) were once commonly sold in American slave markets

[Credit Lines]

Godo-Foto

Archivo General de las Indias

When Slavery Will End!

FREEDOM! Few words are more appealing to the human heart. People have fought and suffered, lived and died, in pursuit of freedom. Sadly, though, many have done so without seeing much real progress toward their goal. Is there hope for freedom from slavery​—a hope that will not end in frustration and disappointment? There is.

The apostle Paul was inspired to write of God’s promise: “The creation itself also will be set free from enslavement to corruption and have the glorious freedom of the children of God.” (Romans 8:21) But how can we be sure that God will really bring about such “glorious freedom”? One way is to examine God’s dealings with mankind throughout history.

“Where the spirit of Jehovah is, there is freedom,” says the Bible. (2 Corinthians 3:17) Yes, God’s spirit, or active force, is immensely powerful. He has been using it to provide freedom in many ways for a long time. How so? Well, we must keep in mind that there are many types of slavery. We have already discussed one of the most vicious types, wherein the strong enslave the weak by force and violence. But consider some other forms of slavery.

People can enslave themselves to various addictions that prove extremely difficult to escape. And people can be enslaved by lies and deception, fooled into a life of subjugation to false teachings. Most insidious of all, there is a type of slavery that afflicts each one of us​—whether we know it or not—​and its effects are lethal. However, it must be emphasized that although we are grouping together several forms of bondage in this discussion, we are in no way equating them. They differ widely. Still, there is an important common thread. In the long run, the God of freedom will see to it that the burden of all these forms of slavery will be lifted from mankind.

When Addictions Enslave

Notice how the book When Luck Runs Out describes compulsive gambling: “A disorder in which the individual is driven by an overpowering and uncontrollable impulse to gamble. The impulse persists and progresses in intensity and urgency . . . until, ultimately, it invades, undermines and often destroys everything that is meaningful in his life.” Nobody knows how many people have become slaves to gambling. The estimate for just one country, the United States, is about six million.

Alcohol dependence can be equally, if not more, destructive and in most places is more widespread. In one large country, as many as half the adult males suffer from some degree of alcoholism. Ricardo, who became an alcoholic 20 years ago, explains what this type of addiction means: “From the time you wake up, your body cries out for alcohol​—to calm your nerves, to forget your problems, or just to give you sufficient self-confidence to cope with life. You become obsessed with getting a drink, and yet you try to convince yourself and others around you that your behavior is normal.”

Alcohol is not the only addictive substance that enslaves people. Worldwide, there are many millions of people abusing illicit drugs. Furthermore, some 1.1 billion use tobacco​—which contains one of the most addictive of all drugs. Many people would love to quit the habit, but they feel enslaved. Has Jehovah proved to be an effective Liberator of people from such powerful forms of bondage?a

Consider the example of Ricardo. “About ten years ago, I realized that alcohol was controlling my life,” Ricardo explains. “It was undermining my marriage, my job, and my family, and I knew that I would never solve my problems unless I could escape its grasp. From a study of the Bible, I learned that poverty​—both literal and spiritual—​plagues the heavy drinker. (Proverbs 23:20, 21) I wanted to have a good relationship with God, and my sincere prayers imploring divine help enabled me to be honest with myself. A man studied the Bible with me and proved to be an invaluable friend. When I had a relapse, he did not give up on me, but he patiently and firmly showed me the course that God outlines for true Christians.”

Today Ricardo feels liberated from his former slavery​—at least in a relative sense. He readily admits that at first he suffered occasional relapses. “But despite those setbacks,” he says, “my desire to serve Jehovah faithfully, along with the support of my wife and other fellow Christians, has helped me to control the situation. I look forward to the time that God has promised when ‘no one will say, “I am sick”’ and alcoholism will be a thing of the past. Meanwhile, I will keep up my daily battle to present my body as ‘a sacrifice living, holy, acceptable to God.’”​—Isaiah 33:24; Romans 12:1.

Around the world many thousands of people have experienced firsthand God’s help as they worked to free themselves of various addictions. Admittedly, they played a prominent role in their own enslavement, perhaps giving in to various pressures or temptations. Nonetheless, they have found that Jehovah is a very patient Liberator. He is willing to help and strengthen all those who truly want to serve him.

“The Truth Will Set You Free”

What about enslavement to lies and deception? Jesus Christ assures us that freedom from such is possible. “If you remain in my word,” he said, “you are really my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31, 32) At the time he spoke, many of his listeners were enslaved to a rigid code of Pharisaic tradition. In fact, Jesus said of the religious leaders of his day: “They bind up heavy loads and put them upon the shoulders of men, but they themselves are not willing to budge them with their finger.” (Matthew 23:4) Jesus’ teachings freed people from such bondage. He exposed religious lies for what they were, even identifying their source. (John 8:44) And he replaced the lies with the truth, revealing clearly God’s reasonable requirements for mankind.​—Matthew 11:28-30.

Like Jesus’ disciples, thousands of people today are finding that with God’s help they can break free from the religious lies and false traditions that have enslaved them. After learning the refreshing truths of the Bible, they find themselves free from oppressive fear of the dead, free from terror of eternal torment in a fiery hell, and free from pressure to pay hard-earned money for religious services performed by clerics who claim to represent Christ​—the one who said: “You received free, give free.” (Matthew 10:8) Moreover, an even greater freedom is near at hand.

The Most Insidious Slavery

Notice how Jesus described an insidious form of slavery, mentioned earlier, that affects every man, woman, and child on earth: “Most truly I say to you, Every doer of sin is a slave of sin.” (John 8:34) Who can claim that he does not sin? Even the apostle Paul admitted: “The good that I wish I do not do, but the bad that I do not wish is what I practice.” (Romans 7:19) Although no one can free himself from the fetters of sin, our situation is not hopeless.

Jesus assured his disciples: “If the Son sets you free, then you will be really free.” (John 8:36, Today’s English Version) The fulfillment of this promise will mean nothing less than freedom from the most damaging of all forms of slavery. To understand how we can escape from it, we must first see how we were enslaved to begin with.

The Bible reveals that God created man as a free moral agent, with no tendency to sin. But a selfish, invisible spirit son of God wanted to wield power over mankind, regardless of the cost in human suffering. To achieve that goal, this rebellious angel, who was later called Satan the Devil, turned our first human parents, Adam and Eve, away from God. After Adam deliberately disobeyed God’s specific instructions, he not only became a sinner himself but passed imperfection and death on to all his descendants. (Romans 5:12) Eventually, Satan became ‘the ruler of the world,’ and ‘sin has ruled over mankind as king with death.’​—John 12:31; Romans 5:21; Revelation 12:9.

How can we be freed? By becoming Jesus’ disciples, we can benefit from Christ’s sacrificial death, which has the power to “bring to nothing the one having the means to cause death, that is, the Devil” and to “emancipate all those who for fear of death were subject to slavery all through their lives.” (Hebrews 2:14, 15) Imagine that​—freedom from slavery to sin and death! Isn’t the thought of such freedom appealing?

What, though, about the type of slavery we discussed at the outset? Will there ever be an end to the forcible enslavement of people against their will?

A Sure Basis for Hope

Surely, we can be confident that such a repulsive form of slavery will be eliminated. Why so? Well, consider this: Jehovah God was directly responsible for the greatest march to freedom in all human history. You may be familiar with the historical record.

The nation of Israel was enslaved by Egypt, set to hard manual labor and subjected to brutal treatment. They cried out to God for help, and he, in his great mercy, heard them and acted. Using Moses and Aaron as his spokesmen, Jehovah issued a demand that the Egyptian Pharaoh let the Israelites go free. That proud monarch refused repeatedly, even after Jehovah brought a series of devastating plagues upon the land. Finally, God brought Pharaoh to his knees. The Israelites were free at last!​—Exodus 12:29-32.

It is a thrilling account, isn’t it? You may wonder, though, why God has not done something similar in modern times. Why has he not intervened in human affairs and put an end to slavery? Remember, Jehovah is not ‘the ruler of the world’​—Satan is. Because of the challenges raised back in Eden, Jehovah has allowed this wicked Adversary to rule for a limited time. Slavery, oppression, and cruelty are simply hallmarks of Satan’s rulership. Under such influence, human rulership has built up a miserable record. The Bible summarizes that record succinctly: “Man has dominated man to his injury.”​—Ecclesiastes 8:9.

But for how long? The Bible explains that we are living in “the last days,” a time when selfishness and greed would be rampant. (2 Timothy 3:1, 2) This means that soon God’s Kingdom, for which Jesus taught us to pray, will establish a righteous society in which slavery will be outlawed. (Matthew 6:9, 10) Jesus Christ, God’s appointed King, will take action to crush every vestige of slavery until the last enemy, death, is brought to nothing.​—1 Corinthians 15:25, 26.

When that day finally dawns, faithful mankind will see that the freeing of God’s people from slavery in Egypt was just a small foregleam of this far greater liberation. Yes, in time, “the creation itself also will be set free from enslavement to corruption.” At last, all will be able to enjoy to the full “the glorious freedom of the children of God.”​—Romans 8:21.

[Footnote]

[Picture on page 7]

An estimated six million people are enslaved to gambling in the United States alone

[Pictures on page 7]

Hundreds of millions are enslaved to drugs, alcohol, and tobacco

[Pictures on page 8, 9]

Like Ricardo, thousands have experienced God’s help to break free from addictions

[Pictures on page 10]

As Israelites of old were freed from slavery, soon true worshipers of God will enjoy a far greater liberation

A Tolerant Kingdom in an Intolerant Age

“EACH MAY EMBRACE THE RELIGION THAT HE PREFERS WITHOUT ANY COMPULSION, AND MAY BE FREE TO SUPPORT PREACHERS OF HIS OWN FAITH.”

IF YOU had to venture a guess as to when those words were written, what would you say? Many would assume that they form part of some modern-day constitution or bill of rights.

You may be surprised to learn, however, that this declaration was made over 400 years ago​—and in a land that was, in a sense, like an island of tolerance in a sea of intolerance. What land was it? First, consider some background to the story.

Intolerance the Norm

Religious intolerance was common throughout the Middle Ages, and it found increased fervor in the 16th century. Religion fanned the flames of ghastly, bloody wars in such lands as England, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Between 1520 and about 1565, some 3,000 people were executed as heretics in Western Christendom. Almost any questioning of values and ideas​—particularly in the area of religion—​was likely to meet with an intolerant reaction.

One Catholic Church teaching that had long been shrouded in controversy was the Trinity​—the belief that God is made up of three persons. In fact, historian Earl Morse Wilbur explains that it “was the subject of much debate in the Middle Ages among Catholic theologians, including even Popes themselves.” However, such debate rarely filtered down to the common man, who was expected to accept such doctrines on faith as “divine mysteries.”

Yet, some in the 16th century chose to go against tradition and examine the Scriptures in an attempt to clarify such mysteries. Their motto was sola Scriptura (Scripture alone). Those who rejected the Trinity doctrine​—some of whom were later called Unitarians, as opposed to Trinitarians—​often became the object of intense persecution by Catholics and Protestants alike. They printed their widely read works under pseudonyms and hid themselves away to avoid persecution. Anti-Trinitarians were also at the forefront in the fight for tolerance. Some, such as the Spanish theologian Michael Servetus, even paid for their convictions with their lives.a

United by Tolerance

Rather than fighting religious wars or persecuting dissenters, one country adopted a radically different approach. That country was Transylvania, then an autonomous principality, now a part of Romania in Eastern Europe. Hungarian historian Katalin Péter explains that Transylvania’s Dowager Queen Isabella “sought to stay out of religious conflict by taking on the role of defender of all denominations.” Between 1544 and 1574, the Transylvanian Parliament, or Diet, passed 22 laws granting freedom of religion.

For example, following the Diet of Torda in 1557, the queen, jointly with her son, decreed that “each person [may] maintain whatever religious faith he wishes, with old or new rituals, while We at the same time leave it to their judgment to do as they please in the matter of faith, just so long, however, as they bring no harm to bear on anyone at all.” This law has been called “the first legislation guaranteeing freedom of religion in any country.” Religious tolerance reached its zenith in Transylvania under Isabella’s son John II Sigismund, who assumed direct rule in 1559.

Public Debate

Another key figure in the anti-Trinitarian movement in Transylvania was an Italian physician named Georgio Biandrata. His doubts over the Trinity were probably fostered during the time he spent in Italy and Switzerland, where many anti-Trinitarian refugees had found shelter. After removing to Poland, Biandrata did much to promote the Minor Church, later known as the Polish Brethren.b In 1563, he was appointed physician and counselor to Sigismund and moved to Transylvania.

Another educated figure in Transylvania who questioned the Trinity was Francis Dávid, superintendent of the Reformed Church and the court preacher. Regarding the complex teachings related to the Trinity, he wrote: “If these things are necessary for salvation, it is certain that no poor peasant Christian is saved, because he could never understand them in all his life.” Together, Dávid and Biandrata published a book containing some of the writings of Servetus; they dedicated it to Sigismund.

Controversy over the Trinity began to swell, and with it came demand for a public debate on the subject. In line with the principle sola Scriptura, Biandrata held that at such debates only Scriptural, not philosophical, language should be used. Following an inconclusive debate in 1566, Sigismund gave the anti-Trinitarians a printing press to spread their ideas.

Biandrata and Dávid set about their task with vigor, producing the book De falsa et vera unius Dei Patris, Filii, et Spiritus Sancti cognitione (The False and True Knowledge of the Unity of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). The book included a historical examination of those who refused to believe the Trinity. One chapter contained pictures that were evidently intended to ridicule the way the Trinity was portrayed in artwork in various churches. Opponents were shocked, saying that the images were scandalous, and they tried to destroy all copies. Discussions multiplied as a result of the controversial publication. In response, Sigismund scheduled a second debate.

Victory for Unity

The debate started at five o’clock in the morning on March 3, 1568. It was held in Latin and lasted ten days. The Trinitarian side was led by Peter Melius, leader of the Transylvanian Reformed Church. He and those arguing in favor of the Trinity used the creeds, the Church Fathers, Orthodox theology, and the Bible. On the other hand, Dávid appealed to the Bible alone. Dávid identified the Father as God, the Son as being subject to the Father, and the spirit as the power of God. Deeply interested in religious matters, Sigismund took part, believing that discussion was the best way to bring out the truth. His presence helped to ensure a free and open, if somewhat heated, discussion.

The debate was considered a victory for the anti-Trinitarians. Dávid was given a hero’s welcome in his home town of Kolozsvár (now Cluj-Napoca, Romania). Tradition has it that upon his arrival, he stood on a large boulder on a street corner and spoke of his beliefs so convincingly that he persuaded everyone to accept his teachings.

Conversion and Death

Previous debates had been held in Latin, a language understood only by the educated. Dávid, however, wanted to carry his message to the people. So with Sigismund’s approval the next debate was held in the Hungarian language at Nagyvárad (now Oradea, Romania) on October 20, 1569. Again, Sigismund acted as moderator between the two sides.

The Trinitarian Peter Melius declared that in a vision the previous night, the Lord had revealed to him his true nature. The king replied: “Pastor Peter, if last night you were instructed as to who is the Son of God, what, I ask, have you been preaching before? Certainly up to this moment you have been misleading the people!” When Melius verbally attacked Dávid, Sigismund reproved him, reminding the Trinitarian that “faith is the gift of God” and that “conscience cannot be forced.” In an address closing the debate, the king said: “We demand that in our dominions there shall be freedom of conscience.”

Following the debate, Sigismund and most of his court were won over to the Unitarian side. In 1571 a royal edict was issued granting legal recognition to the Unitarian Church. Transylvania was the only State where Unitarians were on equal footing with Catholics, Lutherans, and Calvinists, and Sigismund is known as the only king ever to have accepted the anti-Trinitarian faith. Tragically, shortly thereafter, the 30-year-old king was injured while on a hunting trip with Dávid and Biandrata, and he died a few months later.

His successor, the Catholic Stephen Báthory, reaffirmed the decree protecting recognized religions but indicated that he would tolerate no further changes. At first, Stephen said that he was the ruler of people, not their consciences. But he soon restricted the printing of books, a principal means of sharing faith. Dávid lost his position, and other Unitarians were removed from court and public office.

When Dávid began teaching that Christ should not be worshiped, an order was issued forbidding him from preaching. Despite this ban, Dávid preached twice the following Sunday. He was arrested, charged with religious “innovation,” and sentenced to life imprisonment. He died in the royal dungeon in 1579. Before dying, Dávid wrote on his cell wall: “Neither the sword of popes . . . nor the image of death will halt the march of truth. . . . I am convinced that after my destruction the teachings of the false prophets will collapse.”

Kingly Lessons

King John Sigismund promoted education, music, and the arts. His life, however, was short, and he was often ill. His reign itself was plagued by threats from within​—at least nine plots were made against his life—​and from without, as foreign powers encouraged rebellions. This tolerant king has often been judged harshly on the basis of his religious views. One opponent later said that the king “doubtless went to hell.”

However, historian Wilbur helps to put things in perspective: “In the year when King John [Sigismund] issued his final charter, guaranteeing full religious liberty to even the most bitterly opposed of all the reformed sects, Protestant theologians were still praising Calvin for having burned Servetus alive, the Inquisition was shedding Protestant blood in the Netherlands, . . . and more than 40 years were still to pass before persons ceased to be burned at the stake in England for holding wrong religious opinions.”

Indeed, as one commentator put it, “by almost any standard​—certainly by the standard of his own time—​King John Sigismund was a remarkable ruler. . . . He made toleration the hall-mark of his reign.” Realizing that religious peace was in the State’s best interests, he became an ardent defender of freedom of conscience and religious liberty.

In our own day, when religious intolerance still rears its ugly head, we may find food for thought in that tiny kingdom of long ago. During a brief period, Transylvania was indeed a tolerant kingdom in an intolerant age.

[Footnotes]

[Blurb on page 14]

“Conscience cannot be forced . . . we demand that in our dominions there shall be freedom of conscience.”​—King John II Sigismund

[Pictures on page 12, 13]

Georgio Biandrata

Pages from the book produced by Biandrata and Dávid, including two of the pictures that shocked Trinitarians

Francis Dávid before the Diet of Torda

[Credit Lines]

Two Trinity line drawings: © Cliché Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris; all other photos: Országos Széchényi Könyvtár

[Picture Credit Line on page 14]

Pages 2 and 14: Országos Széchényi Könyvtár

Young People Ask . . .

How Can I Get Along With My Roommate?

“I wanted a clean kitchen. But my roommates didn’t care if there were dishes out or if they had left stuff out on the stove. It just didn’t matter to them.”​—Lynn.a

ROOMMATES. “They can be the best of friends or the worst of enemies,” claims writer Kevin Scoleri. You may not feel that strongly yourself, but it is undeniable that living with someone can be a real challenge.b Roommate clashes are so common among university students that according to U.S.News & World Report, many schools are making “extensive efforts” to help roommates get along, including “conflict mediation programs” and seminars.

Sharing an apartment can be difficult even for young Christians who have left home to pursue the full-time evangelizing work. The good news is that by applying Bible principles and by showing “practical wisdom,” conflicts can often be resolved.​—Proverbs 2:7.

Get to Know Each Other

Once the excitement of moving has worn off, you might find yourself longing for the way things were back home. (Numbers 11:4, 5) Dwelling on the past, however, will only make it harder for you to adjust. Ecclesiastes 7:10 gives this advice: “Do not say: ‘Why has it happened that the former days proved to be better than these?’ for it is not due to wisdom that you have asked about this.” Yes, it’s best to make the most of your situation.

Begin by making efforts to get to know your roommate. True, it is not necessary for roommates to be the closest of friends. In fact, he or she may not be someone to whom you are particularly drawn. Still, if you have to live with that person, doesn’t it make sense to have as amicable a relationship as possible?

Philippians 2:4 tells us to keep an eye, “not in personal interest upon just your own matters, but also in personal interest upon those of the others.” Without launching into what sounds like an interrogation, could you ask about your roommate’s family background, his or her interests, goals, and preferences? Share information about yourself. The more you learn about each other, the more you will begin to understand each other.

From time to time, make definite plans to do things together. Lee says: “Sometimes my roommates and I go out to eat, or we may visit some art galleries together.” For Christian roommates, sharing spiritual activities, such as preparing for congregation meetings or working in the evangelizing work, is an even more effective way to forge bonds of friendship.

David says: “When my roommate gave a public Bible lecture, I visited his congregation to support him.” Although he and his roommate have different tastes when it comes to things like sports and music, their love of spiritual things has created a bond. “We have a lot of spiritual conversations,” says David. “In fact, we can talk for hours about spiritual things.”

A word of caution: Don’t get so close to a roommate that you fail to develop other healthy relationships. If your roommate feels that you have to be invited every time he or she goes anywhere, he or she might begin to feel smothered. The Bible’s counsel is to “widen out” in your friendships.​—2 Corinthians 6:13.

Living by the Golden Rule

Of course, as you get to know each other, you’ll also become aware of your differences in habits, tastes, and viewpoints. As young Mark cautions, “you should expect imperfections.” Being inflexible or self-centered generates stress and tension. So does expecting your roommate to make major changes to accommodate you.

Fernando has learned this about being a roommate: “You have to be unselfish and not self-centered.” His remark is in harmony with the famous Golden Rule, which states: “All things, therefore, that you want men to do to you, you also must likewise do to them.” (Matthew 7:12) For example, Fernando soon discovered that he and his roommate clashed over room temperature; he liked it warm, but his roommate preferred to sleep with the temperature low. The solution? Says Fernando: “I got myself a blanket.” Yes, as Mark puts it, “be flexible. You don’t have to give up all your ways, but you may have to give up a way or two.”

Here’s another area in which you can apply the Golden Rule: Learn to be tolerant of your roommate’s tastes. You say that you don’t like his music? Well, most likely he feels the same about yours. So if your roommate’s tastes in music are not morally degrading, you might try practicing tolerance. Fernando says: “I’d prefer it if my roommate had different tastes in music. But I’m getting used to it.” On the other hand, a person can enjoy his music through headphones so as not to disturb his roommate, who may be studying.

Applying the Golden Rule can also prevent needless disputes over material possessions. For example, if you have the habit of helping yourself to whatever is in the refrigerator​—but rarely replenish it—​resentment can grow. At the same time, getting angry or giving a cold stare when your roommate helps himself or herself to something you have bought won’t exactly promote warm relations either. The Bible encourages us “to be liberal, ready to share.” (1 Timothy 6:18) If you feel that you are being taken advantage of, don’t retreat into silence. State your grievance calmly and kindly.

Be respectful of each other’s personal possessions. It is presumptuous to borrow something without asking permission. (Proverbs 11:2) Be mindful, too, of your roommate’s need for privacy. Extend simple courtesies like knocking before entering his or her room. When you show respect, your roommate will likely reciprocate. “It’s OK for either of us to study at home,” says David. “We both totally respect that and will be quiet for each other. But sometimes I’ll go to a library to study in case my roommate wants to do something else.”

Applying the Golden Rule would also include being responsible when it comes to such things as paying your share of the rent on time or doing your share of the household chores.

Handling Disputes

Back in Bible times, two well-respected Christian men named Paul and Barnabas had “a sharp burst of anger.” (Acts 15:39) What if something similar happens between you two? Perhaps there is a personality clash or some irritating personal habit that pushes your patience to the limit. Does one disagreement or heated discussion necessarily mean that you should stop rooming together? Not necessarily. Paul and Barnabas were evidently able to work out their differences. Perhaps you can do the same before taking a step as drastic as moving out. Here are some Bible principles that can help.

● ‘Do nothing out of contentiousness or out of egotism, but with lowliness of mind, consider that the others are superior to you.’​—Philippians 2:3.

● “Let all malicious bitterness and anger and wrath and screaming and abusive speech be taken away from you along with all badness. But become kind to one another, tenderly compassionate, freely forgiving one another just as God also by Christ freely forgave you.”​—Ephesians 4:31, 32.

● “If, then, you are bringing your gift to the altar and you there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar, and go away; first make your peace with your brother, and then, when you have come back, offer up your gift.”​—Matthew 5:23, 24; Ephesians 4:26.

The Benefits

Many young (and not-so-young) Christians with roommates have learned firsthand the truth of the words of wise King Solomon: “Two are better than one.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9) Indeed, many have found the experience of rooming with someone to be beneficial. “I’ve learned how to deal with people better and to adapt,” says Mark. Renee adds: “You learn a lot about yourself. And at the same time, roommates can be positive peer pressure.” Lynn admits: “I was very spoiled when I moved in with my roommates. But I’ve learned not to be so rigid. I realize now that just because somebody does things differently from me, it doesn’t mean she’s wrong.”

True, getting along with a roommate takes effort and sacrifice. But if you work hard at applying Bible principles, you can do more than coexist peacefully; you might even find yourself enjoying having a roommate.

[Footnotes]

[Picture on page 16]

Helping yourself to things that are not yours can cause tension

[Picture on page 17]

Show consideration to each other

Tall Buildings Still Going Up in Asia

“There are six skyscrapers currently planned that will be taller than the once-proud 1,376-foot [419 m] World Trade Center,” notes The Wall Street Journal. “All of them are in Asia.” The Journal adds that there “a 20-year love affair with loftiness continues.”

The towering buildings will cap the skylines of cities in China, Korea, and Taiwan. “The desire to reach for the sky runs very deep in our human psyche,” says Cesar Pelli, architect of the buildings that are currently the tallest in the world, the twin Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. “Since the Tower of Babel, there is this desire to put a marker up in the sky.”

Engineers are adding greater safety measures. These include open-air “refuge floors” every 10 to 12 stories, a stronger core, trusses that connect the core to the main exterior columns or that wrap around the building, and more fire stairways, ones that widen toward the bottom of the building to accommodate more people.

Currently, there are about two dozen habitable buildings in the world that exceed 1,000 feet [300 m], and over half of them are in Asia. “Yet experts agree that there’s little practical need for any structures over 60 stories,” says the Journal.

[Picture on page 18]

At 1,483 feet, the Petronas Towers are the tallest in the world

[Chart/Pictures on page 18]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

Building height includes decorative spires but not antennae.

471 feet [143 m] 2500 B.C.E. Pyramid of Khafre, Giza, Egypt

986 feet [300 m] 1889 Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

1,140 feet [348 m] 1997 T & C Tower, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

1,209 feet [369 m] 1989 Bank of China, Hong Kong, China

1,450 feet [442 m] 1974 Sears Tower, Chicago, United States

1,483 feet [452 m] 1997 Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

[Credit Line]

All sketches: Courtesy SkyscraperPage.com

From Political Activist to Neutral Christian

AS TOLD BY LADISLAV ŠMEJKAL

After I was sentenced, I was led back to my cell. Immediately, I began tapping a message in Morse code on the wall to a friend two floors above. He was waiting to hear what sentence I had received.

“Fourteen years,” I tapped.

He couldn’t believe it. So he asked: “Fourteen months?”

“No,” I answered. “Fourteen years.”

THE year was 1953. The place​—Liberec, Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic). I was then a 19-year-old activist who sought political change. We activists propagated our views by distributing leaflets that were critical of the Communist Party, then in power. Our activity was judged to be high treason​—hence, my long prison sentence.

I had already spent almost a year in custody before my sentence was delivered. Prior to sentencing, prisoners were kept two in a cell, and periodically they were taken blindfolded to be interrogated. We weren’t permitted to speak while in our cells, so we whispered or communicated with each other by tapping Morse code.

I soon learned that many of those in prison were Jehovah’s Witnesses. In our prison it was the custom to change the inmates in the cells every month or two. Since the Bible interested me, I was happy when I was eventually placed in a cell with a Witness. In time, I started to study the Bible with the Witnesses.

I suppose you could describe our discussions as Bible studies, even though we had no Bible or Bible literature. In fact, I had never in my life actually seen a Bible. But we would talk​—the Witness explained from memory Bible subjects—​and I took notes on what he said. All of this was done as we sat close to each other whispering.

The only supplies available were toilet paper and a comb. I used the comb to make notations on the toilet paper. Many of the scriptures we discussed I learned by heart. Witnesses who studied with me also taught me Kingdom songs. One Witness told me: “Now you are in prison as a political criminal, but in the future you could be imprisoned for being one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.”

Finally, after endless interrogations, I was sentenced and taken to a labor camp near the town of Jáchymov. By then, I was convinced that one day I would become one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Many Years of Confinement

When I arrived at the camp where uranium was mined, I immediately began looking for the Witnesses. But I soon learned that they had been taken away somewhere else. One Witness, however, remained because he was a cook. He lent me a very worn Bible that had gone through many hiding places. So I was able to read scriptures that I already knew from memory. I kept saying to myself as I read, ‘Yes, it is exactly as the brothers taught me.’

About a month later, I was transferred to a camp named Bytiz, near the town of Příbram. There I met other Witnesses. In Bytiz we regularly received Bible literature that was smuggled in. Although the camp administration tried to find out how it reached us, they never did. We had as many as 14 prisoners actively sharing in witnessing to others. Half of these were baptized Witnesses, and the other half were like me, people who while they were in prison had come to believe as the Witnesses did.

Many of us wanted to symbolize our dedication to God by water baptism. But because of a lack of water​—or, to be more exact, the unavailability of a large enough container of water—​immersion was not a simple procedure. Therefore, many in those days had to wait until after their release to be baptized. In the Bytiz camp, however, there were large cooling towers for the mine compressors. In the mid-1950’s, several of us were baptized in the collecting tank of one of those towers.

A few years later, in March 1960, I was summoned by a police officer who had charge of political prisoners. He said that if I would inform him about the activity of other prisoners, he would arrange for reduction of my prison term. When I refused to do that, he began shouting profanities at me. “You forsook a chance for a good life,” he yelled. “I’ll see that you never return home! You’ll die here.” Two months later, however, an amnesty that applied to me was issued, and after a total of eight years of imprisonment, I returned home.

A Brief Period of Freedom

The work of Jehovah’s Witnesses had been banned in Czechoslovakia since April 1949, so I soon learned that serving God in so-called freedom was not entirely unlike doing so while in confinement. Now, after my release, I faced another problem. It was then compulsory for every man in the country to serve in the army for two years.

Some men who worked with certain State enterprises were given exemption from military service. Those who worked in coal mines, for example, received such exemption. Since I had done mining, I obtained work in one of the mines. There I received a warm welcome. “Don’t worry about the army,” I was told. “It’s no problem for us to keep you out of there.”

Two months later, when I received a draft notification, those working in administration reassured me: “Don’t worry, it must be some mistake. We’ll just write the military, and it will be all right.” But it was not all right. In time, an official came to me and apologized: “This is the first time it has happened, but you will have to report to the army.” When, in keeping with my conscientious objection to war, I refused to join the army, I was arrested and taken to the nearest military unit.​—Isaiah 2:4.

Facing a Tribunal

After I was imprisoned in the town of Kladno in January 1961, attempts were made to convince me to become a soldier. A military officer in charge organized a meeting. I was taken to a conference room that had a large, round table surrounded by deep, leather armchairs. Soon the officers started to arrive and sit around the table. The one in charge introduced them to me one by one. Then he sat down and said: “Now, tell us about this faith of yours.”

After a quick, silent prayer, I began speaking to an attentive audience. The conversation soon turned to evolution, and the claim was made that evolution is a scientific fact. In a labor camp that I had been in earlier, I had studied the booklet Evolution Versus the New World.a So to the surprise of those military officers, I was able to provide evidence that evolution was an unproved theory.

Then, a major, who clearly had some background in the Catholic religion, spoke up. “How do you view the Virgin Mary?” he asked. “And what is your attitude toward the holy Mass?” I answered his questions, and then I said: “Sir, I see that you must be a believer, for your questions are different from those of the others.”

“No! No! No! I’m not a believer!” he protested loudly. In the Communist State, professed Christians received little if any respect or responsibility. So after that exchange, the officer did not participate any further in the discussion. I was very grateful for having the opportunity to explain the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses to those men.

Further Opportunities to Witness

A few days later, I was taken to a military facility in Prague and placed under guard. The first armed soldier assigned to guard me was surprised by the special security measures. “This is the first time we have had personally to guard anyone,” he told me. So I explained why I had been imprisoned. This interested him so much that he sat down​—his rifle between his knees—​and listened. After two hours another soldier replaced him, and a similar inquiry and Bible discussion followed.

During the ensuing days, I had the opportunity to speak both with those who guarded me and with other inmates when the guards permitted it. The guards even opened cells and allowed prisoners to gather for Bible discussions! In time, I worried that the freedom the guards granted me to speak with other prisoners would become known and that there would be adverse consequences. But the entire matter was kept secret.

Eventually, when I was taken to court for sentencing, I was given encouragement by those to whom I had spoken about my beliefs. I was sentenced to two years, which were added to the six years from my original sentence that I had not served because of the amnesty. This meant that I had about eight years of imprisonment ahead of me.

Conscious of God’s Help

Often, I felt conscious of God’s help as I was moved from camp to camp and from prison to prison in Czechoslovakia. When I arrived at the prison in Valdice, the commander asked why I was there. “I refused military service,” I replied. “It is contrary to my beliefs to engage in warfare.”

“It would be nice if everybody had that attitude,” he responded sympathetically. But after thinking about it for a moment, he said: “However, since most people today don’t think this way, we must punish you​—and punish you severely!”

I was placed in the glass-cutting department, which was a penal department. You see, although I was sentenced because I refused military service as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, I was still labeled a political prisoner and, therefore, was given harsher assignments. Cutting glass for chandeliers and other luxury glass items was particularly difficult work because such products had to be made without a flaw. Commonly, prisoners handed over their finished work, only to find that the next day half of it was returned for repair. So it was very difficult to fulfill the prescribed production requirement.

The day I entered the glass-cutting department, I first had to wait for the department head. When he arrived, he began yelling at prisoners who, according to his judgment, weren’t working hard enough. He passed along and came to me and said: “What about you? Why aren’t you working?”

I explained that I was a newly assigned prisoner. He took me to his office and asked the usual questions as to why I had been imprisoned. After I explained my situation to him, he said: “So, then, you are one of Jehovah’s Witnesses?”

“Yes,” I answered.

His attitude changed. “Don’t worry,” he said. “We have had many of Jehovah’s Witnesses here. We respect them all, for they are hardworking and decent people. I’ll see that you get a work quota that you’ll be able to fulfill.”

The changed behavior of the work overseer totally surprised me. I was grateful to Jehovah and to those unknown fellow believers who were responsible for the fine reputation the Witnesses had in that prison. Actually, I felt Jehovah’s loving help during my entire time in prison.

Regardless of how difficult my situation became, I always felt sure that eventually I would come in contact with my Christian brothers. Then I would see their pleasant smiles and receive their encouragement. Without them, it would have been much more difficult to cope with my imprisonment.

Many prisoners seemed to think about nothing but getting revenge for the ill-treatment they had received. But I never felt that way. I realized that I was suffering for obedience to God’s righteous principles. So I knew that for each day I spent in prison, Jehovah was able to give me countless wonderful days of life in his Paradise new earth.​—Psalm 37:29; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:3, 4.

Grateful for Blessings Today

In May 1968, after more than 15 years in confinement, I was finally released. At first, I had inhibitions about speaking with people, which is not uncommon for those who have spent much of their lives around people dressed in prison garb or in the uniforms worn by guards. But my Christian brothers soon helped me get involved in the preaching work, which was, of course, still being carried on under ban.

Within a few weeks after my release, I met Eva. Despite severe family opposition, she, along with her brother, had courageously taken her stand for Bible truth about three years earlier. We soon began sharing in the preaching work together. We also worked in producing our Bible literature. This was done in secret underground printeries. Then in November 1969, we were married.

In 1970 our first child, Jana, was born. In time, on weekends I began serving congregations as a traveling minister of Jehovah’s Witnesses, visiting them to offer spiritual encouragement. While doing this work in 1975, I was arrested and was again sent to prison. But this time I spent only a few months there. Then in 1977, our son, Štěpán, was born.

Eventually, on September 1, 1993, the Czech Republic granted Jehovah’s Witnesses official recognition. The following year our daughter, Jana, married Dalibor Dražan, a Christian elder. Then in 1999, our son, Štěpán, a ministerial servant, married Blanka, who shares in the full-time ministry. All of us are now members of congregations in Prague. We all look forward to the time when the new world will be here​—but I especially long for the time when there will be no prison walls anywhere.

[Footnote]

[Pictures on page 20]

I used a comb to make note of Bible texts

[Picture on page 21]

The Bytiz camp, where I was incarcerated and later baptized

[Picture on page 23]

Our wedding day

[Picture on page 23]

Eva and I, with Štěpán and Blanka on the left and Jana and Dalibor on the right

Exploring the Treasures of Oaxaca

BY AWAKE! WRITER IN MEXICO

ACCORDING to Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History, as many as 4,000 different archaeological sites have been identified throughout the southeastern Mexican state of Oaxaca. From these sites, archaeologists have unearthed priceless relics, many of which are on display in the Museum of Oaxacan Cultures. Join us as we visit this fascinating museum.

The Museum of Oaxacan Culturesa is situated in the former convent of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, located in the city of Oaxaca, some 270 miles [430 km] southeast of Mexico City. There, 14 exhibition halls display jewelry, sculptures, ceramics, and other valuable works of art.

Arrowheads are on display in the first exhibition hall. They are about the only remaining evidence of the presence of the nomadic hunting groups that roamed Oaxaca thousands of years ago. Moving on to the second room, we learn about Monte Albán, a hilltop city in the central Oaxacan valley. It has been termed “the first major city in the Americas.” Monte Albán apparently flourished between 300 and 900 C.E. However, its initial construction may date back to the eighth century B.C.E.

The well-preserved ruins of Monte Albán reveal that its people had acquired extensive knowledge of astronomy, goldsmithery, and hieroglyphic writing. Its archaeological treasures can still be seen. For example, there are a number of pyramids that stand out starkly from the surrounding valley. In addition, great plazas, underground passageways, a court for playing a ritual ball game called ollama, and some 170 subterranean tombs have been identified.

On January 9, 1932, archaeologist Dr. Alfonso Caso discovered Tomb 7, a Zapotec tomb that held the remains of a nobleman, along with a huge cache of treasures. Among the items found in this tomb were pieces of jewelry crafted with gold, silver, and copper as well as jade, turquoise, rock crystal, pearls, and coral. Many of these items, including objects of gold having a combined weight of nearly eight pounds [4 kg], are on display.

Besides glittering jewelry and gems, Tomb 7 contained beautiful clay artifacts and sculptured bone. One notable item was a lovely multicolored jar adorned with drawings. At the fall of Monte Albán, the period of writing in relief on monuments ended, giving way to Mixtec writing, especially on codices, or leaf books.

By 900 C.E., all the great Mesoamerican cities, including Monte Albán, had been abandoned. For the next 600 years, warriors and military factions ruled. Of all the groups inhabiting Oaxaca during that period, the Mixtec left perhaps the greatest legacy. Says The Encyclopedia Americana: “The Mixtecs were master craftsmen and artists, excelling in jewelry and exquisite picture books.”

Eventually, we hope to return and review information regarding Mexico’s struggle for independence from Spain. In the meantime, come and explore the treasures of ancient Mexico for yourself. You will be glad that you did!

[Footnote]

[Pictures on page 24, 25]

Monte Albán flourished between 300 and 900 C.E.

Bottom: Breastpiece and other items from Tomb 7 and jars of the same period

[Credit Line]

All pictures: Reproducción Autorizada por el Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia CONACULTA-INAH-MEX

A Unique Herd of Wild White Cattle

BY AWAKE! WRITER IN BRITAIN

CHILLINGHAM PARK, in the county of Northumberland, on England’s border with Scotland, is home to a small herd of Wild White cattle. Every year visitors come from far and wide to see them. Why? Because these animals are unique. My wife and I are among the visitors today.

These Wild White cattle are thought to have been at Chillingham since at least the 13th century, when a park wall, enclosing some 1,500 acres [600 ha], was built to corral wild cattle for food. These unusual animals, now restricted to 350 acres [140 ha] of the park, all have red ears, black feet, and speckled faces. The speckles appear when they reach about two years of age and gradually spread over the neck and shoulders.

The herd has never been known to produce a colored, or even partially colored, offspring. They are allegedly uncrossed with any domestic stock and are unlike the thousand or so other cattle of Chillingham Park, which can now be found in small herds across Britain and North America. Tests have shown that the blood grouping of this herd is unique among Western European cattle.

The two horns of the bulls grow forward and outward, whereas the horns of the females are raked backward. The shape of the skull and the manner in which the horns grow are similar to the aurochs, the extinct wild ox depicted in ancient European cave paintings. Some authorities believe that the cattle at Chillingham are the direct descendants of the oxen that once roamed the British Isles, but their origin remains obscure.

Herd Hierarchy

To get a closer view of these animals, we join the warden of the herd in his four-wheel-drive vehicle. We drive rapidly downhill over rough pastureland, and suddenly the herd comes into view, sheltered from the sun under a small clump of trees. Some look at us curiously, as cattle do. Two or three of them amble over to our vehicle and rub up against it with their massive horns.

The warden points out the leader of the herd, king bull, as he is known. He is the fittest and strongest bull. During the time of his “reign,” which lasts about three years, he will sire all calves that are born to the cows. In this way, it seems, only the best available blood is carried forward year by year. No bull is allowed to mate with his own offspring, and no son takes over as sire from his father.

Wild Instincts

At one time the wolf was the principal enemy of these animals, preying mainly on weaker members of the herd, although there have been no wolves in Britain since the 16th century. The cattle do sometimes stampede if frightened, and when they eventually come to a halt, the bulls instinctively form a protective circle, with the cows and their young in the middle, safe from any possible predator.

These cattle are truly wild, so modern agricultural practices are of little help in caring for them. Even in winter when there is little grass, they will eat only hay and straw, refusing grain and cattle feed. The calves have a very low birth weight, so there are few problems during calving; but should a cow get into difficulties, nothing can be done to assist her, as vets cannot be called. If one of the animals is touched by a human, it is said that it could be killed by the rest of the herd.

Cows give birth to their calves away from the herd and keep them hidden for the first week or so. After that, the mother and calf approach the herd, and the king bull comes to meet them and to escort them in. Next, the other cows sniff and inspect the calf before it is admitted. Once it is accepted, no further special attention is paid to it.

A major outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease came within two miles [4 km] of Chillingham Park in 1967. The estate was hurriedly sealed off, and the herd saved. Afterward, it was decided that a small reserve herd should be set up in Scotland, as a precaution against extinction. There was no problem with rejection in this case, as all the animals selected to start this new herd were handled together.

We have appreciated our short excursion to see the Wild White cattle and to learn something of their history. Perhaps one day you will be able to visit in person and see for yourself these unique beasts in their tranquil setting.

[Picture Credit Lines on page 27]

Courtesy Chillingham Wild Cattle Association

Loaned by courtesy of Lawrence Alderson

Watching the World

Rats and Humans in a Race for Food

According to the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), worldwide there are ten baby rats born for every human baby born. Each day, some 360,000 new human mouths must be fed, but 3,600,000 newborn rats also demand food. For example, Indonesia has a population of about 230 million people, and some 60 percent of them rely on rice for their daily energy requirements. Yet, in that country, rats eat about 15 percent of the rice crop each year. “That means that the rats are eating enough rice to feed more than 20 million Indonesians for a whole year,” says CSIRO scientist Dr. Grant Singleton.

Chicken Soup​—A Natural Cold Remedy

Chicken soup has long been used as a folk remedy for respiratory ailments such as colds. As reported in the book Food​—Your Miracle Medicine, Dr. Irwin Ziment, lung specialist at the University of California at Los Angeles, explains how it works: “Chicken, like most protein foods, contains a natural amino acid called cysteine, which is released when you make the soup. Cysteine bears a remarkable chemical similarity to a drug called acetylcysteine, which doctors prescribe for their patients with bronchitis and respiratory infections.” This drug, originally derived from chicken feathers and skin, is a mucolytic, that is, it thins down and promotes the flow of mucus from the nose, throat, and lungs. Chicken soup acts in much the same way. To make the soup an even more effective congestion fighter, Dr. Ziment suggests adding garlic, onions, and hot spices like chili peppers.

The French and the Paranormal

In spite of their reputation as rationalists, many French people still believe in the paranormal. According to a report in the French daily Le Monde, researchers found that “a third of the population believe that characteristics are determined by astrological signs, while a quarter put faith in horoscope predictions.” About 50 percent believe in faith healing and telepathy. Surprisingly, research revealed that an interest in science did not dispel belief in the paranormal. On the contrary, those with very little scientific knowledge tended to be less credulous than those who had a very good understanding of science.

Killer Heatstroke

Commenting on the heatstroke death of U.S. sports star Korey Stringer, Time magazine explained that in hot, humid weather, perspiration may not evaporate rapidly enough to cool the body during heavy exertion. Heatstroke, characterized by a potentially deadly rise in body temperature, may result. Warning signs of heatstroke may include dizziness, headache, nausea, weakness, mental confusion, rapid pulse, and hot, dry, flushed skin. Immediate cooling of the body with ice water, ice packs, or other means is necessary to save the victim’s life. But prevention is better than a cure. “Try to avoid exercising in the hottest part of the day. Wear loose-fitting clothing that allows air to circulate around your body. And be sure to drink plenty of liquids,” especially water, recommends Time. “Alcohol, tea and colas, which act as diuretics, can actually increase fluid loss.”

Tobacco Companies’ Questionable Practice

Secret tobacco company documents reveal that tobacco companies have “deliberately misled smokers into thinking they are smoking cigarettes that contain lower levels of tar and nicotine than they really do,” reports Britain’s New Scientist magazine. To cite one example, a 1990 European Union directive imposed a limit of 15 milligrams of tar per cigarette as well as a nicotine limit. However, to meet those limits on tar and nicotine, one company’s documents reveal that instead of altering the cigarettes, the firm deliberately manipulated the standards by changing how they measure the substances. How were they able to get away with it? “The companies were able to do this because they effectively control the tobacco committee [that] sets such tests,” reports New Scientist. States Stella Bialous of the World Health Organization: “It illustrates how useless these regulations are for protecting the public.”

Oldest Printed Ad

Chinese archaeologists have found the world’s oldest known printed paper advertisements, reports China’s People’s Daily Online. Two pieces of wrapping paper, dating back about 700 years and evidently used to package oil paint pigment, were unearthed from a tomb in China’s Hunan Province. “There are 70 Chinese characters on the top right of the paper which describe the variety, quality and characteristics of the commodity, and the address of the store is also printed on the paper,” says the report. Some of the language of the ad is strikingly similar to modern ads. It reads, in part: “Compared with other oil paints, the tint of our product is unique.” Noting that paper came to Europe in the 12th century and Gutenberg invented typography only in the 15th century, the report observes: “In China, paper-making can be traced back to AD 105, when Ts’ai Lun first created a sheet of paper; as to printing, in [the] 9th century China already had wood block printing.”

Church Commerce

Facing flat attendance and falling donations, churches across the United States are opening secular businesses to help pay the bills. “It’s the future of every aggressive church,” says Stephen Munsey, senior pastor of the Family Christian Center in Munster, Indiana. According to The Wall Street Journal, churches’ commercial activities range from selling coffee and doughnuts in the church lobby to operating full-service restaurants on the church terrace. One church in Jacksonville, Florida, opened a shopping mall near its church sanctuary. The mall includes a travel agency, a beauty salon, and a soul-food restaurant. The church’s founder and bishop, Vaughn McLaughlin, says: “Jesus wanted us to take the gifts that he gives us, and get interest.” He adds that in 2000, the church’s businesses brought in over two million dollars in revenue.

Harmless Cannabis?

“Claims that cannabis is harmless have been undermined by a new report which warns that the drug is becoming more powerful and can lead to severe long-term health damage,” reports The Independent of London. Professor Heather Ashton of Newcastle University, England, says: “Cannabis affects almost every body system. It combines many of the properties of alcohol, tranquillisers, opiates and hallucinogens.” It is known to seriously impair driving skills. It can also provoke acute mental illness, including schizophrenia; does five times more damage to the lungs than do cigarettes; may cause rare throat cancers; and may bring on fatal heart attacks in some young users. In the 1960’s, one marijuana cigarette typically contained 10 milligrams of THC, a chemical affecting the brain. “Now, with more sophisticated cultivation and plant breeding, a joint may contain 150mg of THC and up to 300mg if it is laced with hashish oil,” explains the newspaper.

Do You Understand Your Doctor?

“Communication between doctors and patients is in trouble,” reports Brazil’s Folha de S. Paulo. In a survey made at the emergency pediatric ward of one São Paulo hospital, 25 percent of parents accompanying children left the doctor’s office without understanding what had happened there, 24 percent could not read the prescription because of poor handwriting, and 90 percent could not remember the doctor’s name. Several factors are contributing to this communication breakdown. They include “quick and impersonal” consultations that leave patients “distrustful and dissatisfied with the doctor’s diagnosis,” excessive use of medical jargon, and the fact that modern medical tests make it unnecessary for doctors to ask as many questions as they used to. According to the report, one psychiatrist cites another factor​—the “emotional shield” that many doctors develop “to protect themselves against pain, suffering, anguish, and fear of death.”

From Our Readers

Battered Women I have no words to express my gratitude for the series “Help for Battered Women.” (November 8, 2001) I am a victim of domestic violence, and even when I managed to report what was happening to me, I was still convinced that no one could understand the pain, the anguish, and the deep sadness that I was unable to soothe in any way. These articles describe my sentiments exactly.

N. L., Italy

As soon as I opened the wrapper and looked at the cover, tears filled my eyes. I immediately folded the magazine back up, feeling that it was about a part of my past that I wanted to pretend never happened. I prayed for strength to pick up the magazine again. How grateful I am that I did! This series helped me to realize that I am not alone in my suffering. Just reading the words “beating one’s mate is a gross sin in God’s eyes” was like pouring soothing oil on a wound. Thanks for such comforting articles that deal with real-life situations.

D.G.M., United States

I have had the same experience as the women mentioned in the articles. I would tell myself that alcohol and the environment my husband was brought up in were the causes. Even though those factors can explain things, I was comforted when I understood that there is no excuse for violence. With all my heart, I want my husband to read the Bible and come to know Jehovah’s love.

S. I., Japan

This series had a special effect on me, since I am a battered wife. I felt as if I were Roxana. It helped a lot to learn that there are other people who know how a battered wife feels. I learned from these articles that I am not the one to blame for my husband’s attitude. They also helped me to realize that I am important to God, even if my husband regards me as unworthy and useless. Thank you for publishing such helpful material. It is far better than wealth!

B. L., Philippines

You’ve managed to put in writing all the pain and frustration that I’ve been unable to express. This series helped me to see that Jehovah understands the mental and emotional distress that this problem causes. Please keep on writing articles like these, because this problem needs to be talked about and understood by others. I’m sure many will gain the same comfort that I did from these articles.

K. E., Australia

I was raised by a quick-tempered father, and I often get angry at my husband. Sometimes​—no, many times—​I actually hit him. My husband is stronger than I am, so I thought that I wasn’t really hurting him. When I read what the article stated​—that beating one’s mate is a gross sin in God’s eyes—​I was shocked. My husband is a meek servant of Jehovah. I want with all my heart to apologize to him. I am thankful to Jehovah for this discipline.

T. I., Japan

This magazine brought tears to my eyes. It was like reading my own personal experience. But recently my husband has been asking questions about the Bible. He has gone to some of the meetings at the Kingdom Hall, and he is now studying the Bible. I can relate to Lourdes’ comment that appeared on page 11: “Sometimes I think I am dreaming!”

E. R., United States

Warming Reduces Risk of Infection

THE RISK OF WOUND INFECTION AFTER SURGERY is an ever-present problem. However, “warming patients before routine operations can cut the risk of infection by more than 60 per cent,” reports The Times of London.

Researchers at the University Hospital of North Tees, England, divided over 400 patients who were about to have breast, varicose-vein, or hernia surgery into three groups. One group received no warming, and the other two groups had either localized or general warming for at least half an hour before their operations. What was the result?

Postoperatively, only 5 percent of the warmed patients suffered wound infections, compared with 14 percent of those unwarmed. It is noteworthy that warming has already proved effective in reducing infection rates for patients undergoing colorectal surgery.

“Touched by the Love He Showed”

In a letter addressed to the branch office of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Yugoslavia, a man from the city of Nis wrote:

“I take this opportunity to thank you. Each day I read several chapters of the Bible, and I find pleasure in doing so. These days I also read the brochure What Does God Require of Us? I would like to thank you for such a wonderful tool for understanding the Bible. Everything in the brochure is explained in a very simple and understandable way.

“Especially appealing to me is the lesson that tells about Jesus Christ. I was touched by the love he showed, giving his perfect life for people that he did not even know. Everybody should appreciate his sacrifice and should be grateful for it.”

We believe that you too will benefit from reading the 32-page brochure What Does God Require of Us? Besides its appealing lesson “Who Is Jesus Christ?” you will find others, including “Who Is God?,” “What Is God’s Purpose for the Earth?,” and “What Is the Kingdom of God?” If you would like to request a copy, fill in the accompanying coupon and mail it to the address provided or to an appropriate address listed on page 5 of this magazine.

□ Send me a copy of the brochure What Does God Require of Us?

□ Please contact me concerning a free home Bible study.