Table of Contents

August 2010

Jehovah’s Witnesses​—Who Are They?

What have you been told about Jehovah’s Witnesses? Is what you heard accurate? We hope that these articles clear away any misconceptions.

3 What Do You Know About Jehovah’s Witnesses?

4 What Others Have Said

6 Frequently Asked Questions

8 What Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe?

10 A Lawyer Examines Jehovah’s Witnesses

22 I Can’t Wait to Tell Them, “We’re All Here!”

24 The Gentle yet Strong Shetland Pony

30 Watching the World

31 For Family Review

32 How Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Teach the Bible?

Hepatitis B​—A Silent Killer 12

Nearly a third of the world’s population has been infected with this potentially fatal disease. Learn how to protect yourself.

Come and Meet the Batak 16

One of the largest indigenous groups in Indonesia, the Batak live in a beautiful part of that tropical land. Join us as we expand our cultural horizons.

[Picture Credit Line on page 2]

© Sebastian Kaulitzki/​Alamy

A Lawyer Examines Jehovah’s Witnesses

“MY KNOWLEDGE of Jehovah’s Witnesses was very limited,” says Les Civin, an attorney and a director of a law firm in South Africa. Why did he look into the beliefs of the Witnesses? What did he conclude about those beliefs? Here is what he told Awake!

What was your religious background?

I am from a Jewish background, but in the early 1970’s, I married Carol, who was Anglican. She had no interest in religion, and religion had no effect on our lives at the time. However, when our son, Andrew, was eight years old, Carol felt that we should do something to give him some form of religion. A rabbi told me that if Carol converted to Judaism, Andrew would automatically become Jewish and could have a Bar Mitzvah when he turned 13. So we started attending weekly conversion classes at the synagogue.

How did you come into contact with Jehovah’s Witnesses?

When the Witnesses came to our door, I always cut them short. “I am Jewish and do not believe in the New Testament,” I would say. Then Carol told me that one of her friends was a Witness and that she knew the Bible very well. Carol suggested that we learn a little more about the Bible. So I reluctantly agreed to study with the Witnesses.

How did you respond to the Bible study?

I was very condescending. I had rediscovered my Jewish spiritual values and felt that I was of the chosen race. ‘What can these people teach me?’ I thought. During our first discussion, I told the Witness who came to our home: “I was born a Jew. I have found my religion, and I will die a Jew. Nothing you can say will make me change.” He kindly acknowledged my stance. So, on Friday and Monday nights, we attended Jewish conversion classes and on Sunday mornings (if I could not get out of it) we studied with the Witnesses. Their study, incidentally, was free of charge, unlike the classes at the synagogue.

I used my Jewish Bible because I thought that the Witnesses used a translation that suited their views. However, I was surprised at how much the two Bibles harmonized. This made me even more determined to prove that the Witnesses did not know what they were talking about.

After attending a few of the rabbi’s studies, Carol told me that in her opinion the rabbi did not know his Bible well enough. She informed me that she was going to stop attending the classes and that she would not renounce Christ. Devastated, I thought about ending our marriage. When the shock wore off, however, I decided on a different strategy​—I would use my legal background to prove to Carol that this ‘crackpot sect’ was wrong.

Did you succeed?

A rabbi gave me a book that was written to refute Messianic prophecies. For 18 months Carol and I studied that book together. We also continued our weekly study with the Witnesses. However, as we examined each prophecy discussed in the rabbi’s book, my uneasiness grew. Contrary to the argumentation in the book, the Messianic prophecies in the Bible consistently pointed to just one person​—Jesus Christ. The matter finally came to a head when we studied the prophecy found at Daniel 9:24-27, which foretold that the Messiah would appear in the year 29 C.E.a The Witness produced an interlinear Hebrew Bible with the literal English translation under each word. I checked the wording, did my own calculation of the chronology, and said: “OK, the prophecy points to 29 C.E. So what?”

“That was the year Jesus was baptized,” said the Witness.

I was stunned! I was also amazed at how accurate Bible prophecies are and how well they knit together.

How did your friends react to your change in views?

Some were deeply concerned and promised to introduce my wife and me to people who could show us that we were being brainwashed. But our convictions were based on thorough research and logical reasoning​—the very opposite of brainwashing.

What made you decide to become a Witness?

At first, I began to attend a few meetings at the Kingdom Hall with my wife, who by then had become a Witness.b I was impressed by the friendliness of the Witnesses and their love for one another, regardless of race. I had not seen this in my own faith. So after about three years of further study, I was baptized.

How do you feel about your decision to become a Witness?

It is an honor to be able to say, “I am one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.” But when I reflect on how I fought the truth, I feel that I do not deserve the spiritual treasures Jehovah has given me. My decision is one that I shall never regret.

What blessings have you enjoyed?

Many. For one thing, I cherish the privilege of serving as an elder, or spiritual shepherd and teacher, in our local congregation. Also, I have been able to assist the Legal Department at the South Africa branch office of Jehovah’s Witnesses. But the greatest blessing is, without a doubt, knowing Jehovah and his Son and understanding the real significance of our times and the momentous events rocking the world.

[Footnotes]

[Blurb on page 11]

I was . . . amazed at how accurate Bible prophecies are and how well they knit together

Hepatitis B​—A Silent Killer

“I was 27 years old, recently married, and I looked and felt healthy. I was holding down a high-pressure job while caring for many responsibilities in the local congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. I was unaware that hepatitis B had begun to destroy my liver.”​—Dukk Yun.

THE liver filters poisons from the blood and performs at least 500 other important functions. That is why hepatitis​—inflammation of the liver—​can devastate a person’s health. Hepatitis may result from excessive alcohol consumption or exposure to toxins. Most often, though, viruses are the culprit. Scientists have identified five such viruses and believe that there are at least three more.​—See the box below.

Just one of the five​—hepatitis B virus (HBV)—​kills at least 600,000 people a year, comparable to the toll taken by malaria. More than two billion people​—nearly a third of the world’s population—​have been infected with HBV, and most recovered within months. For about 350 million, however, the disease became chronic. For the rest of their lives, whether they have symptoms or not, they will have the potential to infect others.a

Proper medical care, started early, can help some with chronic HBV to ward off serious liver damage. But most are unaware that they have been infected, as only a specific blood test can detect HBV. Even routine liver function tests may come back normal. Thus, HBV can be a silent killer, striking without warning. Obvious symptoms may not appear until decades after infection. By then, either cirrhosis or cancer of the liver may have developed. These diseases take the life of 1 in 4 HBV carriers.

“How Did I Get HBV?”

“My symptoms first occurred at age 30,” says Dukk Yun. “I had diarrhea, so I went to a doctor of Western medicine, but he treated only the symptoms. I then saw a traditional Asian doctor, who gave me medicine for my intestines and stomach. Neither doctor checked for hepatitis. Because the diarrhea persisted, I returned to the Western doctor.b He gently tapped the right side of my abdomen, which caused me pain. A blood test confirmed his suspicion​—I was carrying the hepatitis B virus. I was shocked! I had never had a blood transfusion, nor had I been sexually promiscuous.”

After Dukk Yun learned that he had HBV, his wife, parents, and siblings had their blood tested, and all had antibodies to HBV. In their case, however, their immune systems had cleared the virus from their bodies. Had Dukk Yun acquired HBV from one of them? Had they all been exposed to a common source? No one can be sure. Indeed, in about 35 percent of cases, the cause remains a mystery. What is known, though, is that hepatitis B is not hereditary and is virtually never acquired through casual contact or the sharing of food. Rather, HBV is spread when blood or other body fluids, such as semen, vaginal secretions, or saliva from an infected person, enter another’s bloodstream through broken skin or mucous membranes.

Transfusions of contaminated blood continue to infect many, especially in countries where screening for HBV is limited or nonexistent. HBV is 100 times more infectious than HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Even a tiny amount of infected blood, such as may be found on a razor, can pass on HBV, and a dried bloodstain can remain infectious for a week or more.c

The Need for Understanding

“When my company learned I had HBV, they put me in a small office away from most of my colleagues,” recalls Dukk Yun. Such treatment is not uncommon and may spring from a misunderstanding of how the virus spreads. Even otherwise well-informed people may confuse hepatitis B with hepatitis A, which is highly contagious but less life threatening. Further, since HBV can be transmitted sexually, even morally upright sufferers are sometimes viewed with suspicion.

Misunderstandings and suspicion can create serious problems. For example, in many places people needlessly ostracize HBV carriers, young and old. Neighbors do not allow their children to play with them, schools do not admit them, and employers avoid hiring them. Fear of discrimination, in turn, keeps people from getting tested for HBV or revealing that they have the disease. Some even risk their own future health and that of family members rather than disclose the truth. Thus, the deadly cycle of the disease can continue for generations.

The Need for Rest

“Although my doctor prescribed complete rest, after two months I returned to work,” relates Dukk Yun. “Blood tests and CT scans showed no sign of cirrhosis, so I thought I was fine.” Three years later, his company transferred Dukk Yun to a big city, where his life became more stressful. With bills to pay and a family to support, he kept working.

Within months, the virus count in Dukk Yun’s blood shot up and he began to feel exhausted. “I had to quit my job,” he said, “and I now regret that I worked so hard. If I had slowed down sooner, I might not have become so sick, further damaging my liver.” Dukk Yun learned a vital lesson. From then on, he cut back his work and his expenses. Moreover, his whole family cooperated, his wife even taking on a small job to help make ends meet.

Living With Hepatitis B

Dukk Yun’s health stabilized, but his liver increasingly resisted the blood flowing through it, elevating his blood pressure. After 11 years, a vein in his esophagus burst and blood gushed from his throat, sending him to the hospital for a week. Four years later, he experienced mental confusion. Ammonia had built up in his brain because his liver could no longer filter it all out. Medical treatment, however, corrected the problem in a few days.

Dukk Yun is now 54. If his condition worsens, his options are limited. Antiviral treatments cannot clear the virus entirely and may have serious side effects. The last option is a liver transplant, but the waiting list is longer than the donor list. “I’m a ticking time bomb,” says Dukk Yun. “But it does no good to brood about it. I still have life, a place to sleep, and a fine family. In fact, in some ways, my condition has turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I have more time to spend with my family and more time to study the Bible. This calms my fear of untimely death and helps me to look forward to life without illness.”d

Thanks in part to Dukk Yun’s positive outlook, his family enjoys a happy life and he, his wife, and their three children all share in the full-time Christian ministry.

[Footnotes]

[Blurb on page 13]

Early medical care can help ward off damage

[Blurb on page 14]

Fear of discrimination keeps many from getting tested or revealing that they have HBV

[Box on page 12, 13]

WHAT TYPE OF HEPATITIS IS IT?

Five viruses are known to cause hepatitis, the three most common being designated A, B, and C. Other viruses are also suspected. The symptoms of all forms of hepatitis can be flulike and may or may not include jaundice. Many people, particularly children, have no symptoms. With hepatitis B and hepatitis C, the liver may already be severely damaged by the time symptoms appear.

HEPATITIS A VIRUS (HAV)

HAV is present in the feces of an infected person. The virus can survive in salt or fresh water and in ice cubes. A person can come in contact with HAV by

● Eating uncooked seafood from water contaminated with human waste or ingesting contaminated water

● Having close physical contact with an infected person or sharing food, drink, or eating utensils with him

● Not washing hands thoroughly after using the toilet or changing an infected baby or before preparing food

HAV causes acute but usually not chronic illness. In almost all cases, the body clears itself of the virus within weeks or months. There is no specific standard treatment besides rest and adequate nutrition. Alcohol, as well as drugs that burden the liver, such as acetaminophen, should be avoided until a doctor determines that the liver is completely healed. A person who has had HAV will probably not get it again but can get other types of hepatitis. Vaccination can prevent hepatitis A.

HEPATITIS B VIRUS (HBV)

HBV is present in the blood, semen, and vaginal fluids of infected people. The virus spreads when these fluids enter the body of someone who is not immune. The virus can be transmitted by

● Birth (from an infected mother to her baby)

● Medical, dental, tattooing, or body-piercing instruments that have not been properly sterilized

● Shared hypodermic needles, razors, nail files or clippers, toothbrushes, or anything else that can transfer even a tiny amount of blood through any break in the skin

● Sexual activity

Health authorities believe that HBV is not spread by insects, or by coughing, holding hands, hugging, kissing on the cheek, breast-feeding, or sharing food, drink, chopsticks, or other eating utensils. Most adults recover from acute HBV and will then be immune to it. Small children are at high risk of developing chronic infection. Untreated, chronic hepatitis B can lead to liver failure and death. Vaccination can prevent hepatitis B.

HEPATITIS C VIRUS (HCV)

HCV is transmitted in much the same way as HBV but most commonly by the injection of drugs with contaminated needles. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C.e

[Footnote]

[Box on page 14]

BREAKING THE HBV CYCLE

Although HBV affects people worldwide, about 78 percent of those with chronic hepatitis B live in Asia and the Pacific islands. In much of that region, 1 person in 10 is a carrier. Most sufferers there acquire the virus at birth from their mother or early in childhood from contact with the infected blood of other children. An effective vaccine for newborns and others who are at risk is helping to break this cycle.f Where vaccination has been implemented, prevalence of the disease has plummeted.

[Footnote]

[Picture on page 15]

Dukk Yun with his wife and three children

[Picture Credit Line on page 12]

© Sebastian Kaulitzki/​Alamy

Come and Meet the Batak

When 13th-century Italian explorer Marco Polo visited the island of Sumatra, in Indonesia, he described a certain “hill-people” who, he said, “live . . . like beasts . . . and eat human flesh.” It is believed that the people he spoke of were the Batak. My wife and I, though, have a completely different view of them. Meet the people we have come to know and love.

“HORAS!” With this hearty greeting, our new Batak friends welcomed us to North Sumatra, Indonesia, when we arrived at our new missionary assignment near Lake Toba. One of Sumatra’s most spectacular natural landmarks and the largest volcanic lake in the world, Lake Toba marks the heartland of the Batak people.​—See the box below.

The Batak are one of Indonesia’s largest indigenous groups. Numbering an estimated eight million people, they comprise perhaps six independent, but closely-related, ethnic groups​—the Toba, the Simalungun, the Karo, the Dairi, the Angkola, and the Mandailing. Each group is made up of large family clans. When Batak meet one another, their first question usually is, “Which clan do you belong to?” They then quickly work out just how closely they are related.

Rules for Marriage

Traditional Batak marriages generally unite not only two people but also two clans. Maternal cousins are considered an ideal match. But marrying a paternal cousin, or someone from the same clan, is strictly taboo. Otherwise, traditional marriages follow the rule: Men from clan A take wives from clan B, men from clan B take wives from clan C, and men from clan C take wives from clan A. These circular alliances greatly reinforce Batak bonds of kinship and link newlyweds to a vast network of relatives.

Even if Batak couples are legally married and have children, their union is not recognized by their clans until a traditional clan wedding is held. These elaborate ceremonies can involve hundreds of relatives and can last several hours.

At Karo weddings, for example, the bride-price and the dowry are carefully counted and distributed among specific groups in each clan. Only then can the proceedings continue. Clan members deliver long speeches on married life. The groom and his bride listen respectfully. Feasting and dancing complete the festivities.

A Farmer’s Paradise

In the past many Batak families lived in large, communal longhouses with distinctive twin-peaked roofs resembling buffalo horns. Some of these ornate buildings​—made of wood, bamboo, and sugar-palm fiber—​were built on stilts, and some were large enough for 12 families. No nails were used. A number of 300-year-old structures are still occupied. Underneath the elevated floor of the houses are the domestic animals​—cattle, chickens, dogs, pigs, and water buffalo.

The local economy is based largely on farming, fishing, and the raising of livestock, as well as tourism. Indeed, the vast natural amphitheater around Lake Toba is a farmer’s paradise. Terraces of emerald-green rice paddies rise high above the lake. Coffee, fruit, and spices thrive alongside lush vegetable gardens growing in the rich, dark volcanic soil. Fishermen in their wooden canoes harvest their bounty from the cool, clear waters of the lake.

At day’s end, happy children splash and swim in the lake, men mingle in the cafés, and music echoes through the cool night air. Indeed, the Batak are well-known locally for their powerful and emotive singing. They also love to dance​—men and women apart—​gracefully moving their arms and hands.

A Checkered Past

From the time of Marco Polo until the 19th century, reports indicated that the Batak were fierce cannibals who ritually ate enemy warriors and criminals. However, certain “lurid details of cannibalistic practices may have been provided by the Batak themselves in an effort to prevent outsiders from penetrating into their lands,” says Leonard Y. Andaya, a professor of history. Whatever the case, “in the 19th century the Dutch colonial government banned cannibalism in the regions under their control,” states the book The Batak​—Peoples of the Island of Sumatra.

The Batak were animists and embraced a number of gods and spirits. They also practiced sacrificial rituals, séances, divination, and sorcery. Occult spells, divination tables, and healing formulas were recorded on bark strips up to 50 feet [15 m] long and folded accordion-style, resulting in a book of sorts. And ornate sacred cloths were woven to ward off evil and to divine the future.

Records indicate that the first Western missionaries to the Batak were Baptists R. Burton and N. Ward, who arrived in 1824. Ten years later, while the Dutch military were trying to occupy parts of the land, two other missionaries, Americans H. Lyman and S. Munson, ventured into Batak territory but were soon killed. Two Catholic missionaries, who disregarded warnings to stay away from potentially dangerous areas, may have met the same fate.

However, German missionary Ludwig Nommensen, who began working among the Batak in 1862, survived and enjoyed considerable success. In fact, he is still held in honor by many of the local people. Today most Batak are professed Christians, the remainder being mostly Muslims or animists. Nevertheless, many still cling to aspects of their traditional beliefs.

Genuine Good News Arrives

About the year 1936, Jehovah’s Witnesses arrived in the Batak homelands, bearing the good news of God’s Kingdom, which Jesus foretold would be preached “in all the inhabited earth.” (Matthew 24:14) Many Batak responded to the Bible-based message and abandoned their superstitious ways. As a result, the region now has about 30 congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses.​—See the accompanying box.

As my wife and I share the good news with people in the area, we often meet tourists who marvel at Lake Toba’s spectacular scenery and idyllic climate. We heartily agree with them. But we add that the real beauty here is the people​—the warm and friendly Batak.

[Box on page 17]

A COOL LAKE WITH A FIERY PAST

Lake Toba is 54 miles [87 km] long and 17 miles [27 km] wide, and it is easily the world’s largest crater lake. It holds enough fresh water to cover the entire United Kingdom to a depth of about three feet. Set in the midst of green volcanic peaks that form part of the Barisan Mountains, this spectacular body of water is, from any angle, a photographer’s dream.

The lake was born in one or more massive volcanic eruptions, which scientists believe may have been among the most violent in earth’s history. In time, the gigantic caldera filled with water, creating what is now known as Lake Toba. Subsequent upheavals in the lake bottom formed beautiful Samosir Island, which has an area of 250 square miles [647 sq km], about as big as the Republic of Singapore.

[Box on page 18]

A TEMPERATE PARADISE

Lake Toba is about 180 miles [300 km] from the equator, yet its climate is surprisingly cool. This is because the lake is situated 3,000 feet [900 m] above sea level. Palm trees and pine trees flourish side by side in this temperate paradise.

The lake marks an ecological dividing line for a number of animals. For example, orangutans, white-handed gibbons, and Thomas’ leaf monkeys are found north of the lake, while tapirs, tarsiers, and banded leaf monkeys are found to the south.

[Box/​Picture on page 19]

FROM SPIRIT MEDIUM TO TRUE CHRISTIAN

Nursiah was a Batak ḍukun, or witch doctor. She used magical arts to cure ailments, expel evil spirits, and communicate with the “dead.”a She had a thriving business and​—despite her occult activities—​was a respected member of her local Protestant church.

When Nursiah met Jehovah’s Witnesses, she was surprised to learn that God’s name is Jehovah. (Psalm 83:18) Later she read in the Bible that many who had become believers in the first century abandoned their magical arts and burned their spiritistic books in order to serve God acceptably. (Acts 19:18, 19) Despite strong opposition, she decided to do the same, having full confidence in Jesus’ words: “The truth will set you free.”​—John 8:32.

Today, Nursiah and her son, Besli, are baptized Witnesses, and her husband, Nengku, regularly attends Christian meetings. “Now that I am serving Jehovah,” she says, “my life is so much better! When I was a ḍukun, I yearned to know the truth. Now I am truly satisfied.”

[Footnote]

[Picture]

Nursiah, with her husband and son

[Maps on page 16]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

Sumatra

Lake Toba

[Credit Line]

Based on NASA/​Visible Earth imagery

[Picture on page 16, 17]

Lake Toba as seen from the slopes of Mount Pusuk Buhit on the mainland

[Picture on page 18]

Sipisopiso waterfall, located at the north end of Lake Toba, drops 360 feet [110 m]

The Bible’s Viewpoint

Who Are the Demons?

GHOSTS, ghouls, goblins, genies, demons are spirit entities that people of various religions believe in and view as malevolent, benevolent, or both. Other people dismiss belief in spirits as just a superstition or as a figment of the imagination. What does the Bible say?

The Bible teaches that the Creator himself is a Spirit and that his first creations were spirits. (John 4:24; Hebrews 1:13, 14) Further, the Bible mentions wicked spirits, sometimes referring to them as demons. (1 Corinthians 10:20, 21; James 2:19) But it does not teach that God created demons. Who, then, are they, and how did they come to exist?

“Angels That Sinned”

When God created spirit creatures, he made them free moral agents, able to choose for themselves whether to do good or bad. Sadly, after the creation of humankind, an undisclosed number of angels chose to do bad by rebelling against God.

The first and most infamous spirit to rebel became Satan. “He did not stand fast in the truth,” said Jesus Christ. (John 8:44) What moved Satan to turn against God? He began to covet the worship that belongs exclusively to the Creator, and then he acted on that desire by setting himself up as a rival god. In this way he made himself “Satan,” a word that means “resister.” Centuries later, prior to the Flood of Noah’s day, other angels joined Satan, forsaking their heavenly position to materialize in human form and dwell on earth. (Genesis 6:1-4; James 1:13-15) When the Flood occurred, the materialized “angels that sinned” apparently returned to the spirit realm. (2 Peter 2:4; Genesis 7:17-24) In time, they came to be called demons.​—Deuteronomy 32:17; Mark 1:34.

The disobedient angels now found themselves in a very different situation from the one they had enjoyed before rebelling. Jude 6 reads: “The angels that did not keep their original position but forsook their own proper dwelling place [God] has reserved with eternal bonds under dense darkness for the judgment of the great day.” Yes, God did not allow the demons to enjoy their former privileges in heaven but consigned them to figurative “pits of dense darkness,” cut off from all spiritual enlightenment.

“Misleading the Entire Inhabited Earth”

Though evidently prevented from again materializing as humans, the demons still have great power and influence over the minds and lives of people. In fact, Satan, together with his demon hordes, is “misleading the entire inhabited earth.” (Revelation 12:9; 16:14) How? To a large extent, by means of the “teachings of demons.” (1 Timothy 4:1) These false teachings, often religious in nature, have blinded the minds of millions to the truth about God. (2 Corinthians 4:4) Consider some examples.

● The teaching that the dead are still alive. By means of apparitions, voices, and crafty actions, the demons deceive people into believing that the living can communicate with the dead. Moreover, this clever deception tends to give credence to the lie that a soul survives the death of the body. However, the Bible plainly states: “The dead are conscious of nothing at all.” (Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6) Having ‘gone down into silence,’ they are unable even to praise God.​—Psalm 115:17.a

● Anything-goes morality. “The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one,” says 1 John 5:19. Satan and his demons exploit their power by using the media and other means to promote the evil notion that humans should give free reign to base fleshly desires. (Ephesians 2:1-3) Hence, immorality of every kind, including sexual perversions, is rife today. Such behavior is even considered normal, whereas Bible standards are often viewed as old-fashioned or narrow-minded.

● The promotion of spiritism. The apostle Paul encountered a servant girl possessed by “a demon of divination,” which enabled her “to furnish her masters with much gain by practicing the art of prediction.” (Acts 16:16) Aware of the source of her supernatural abilities, Paul refused to listen to the girl. Additionally, he did not want to offend God, who views all forms of spiritism​—including astrology and appeals to occult powers—​as detestable.​—Deuteronomy 18:10-12.

Protect Yourself Against the Demons

How can you protect yourself against wicked spirits? The Bible answers: “Subject yourselves . . . to God; but oppose the Devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) We heed that injunction when we live by the teachings found in the Bible, the only sacred book that fully exposes Satan, the demons, and their “crafty acts.” (Ephesians 6:11, footnote; 2 Corinthians 2:11) The Bible also tells us that the wicked spirits, along with all who oppose God, will not be around forever. (Romans 16:20) “The upright are the ones that will reside in the earth, and the blameless are the ones that will be left over in it,” says Proverbs 2:21.

[Footnote]

HAVE YOU WONDERED?

● Did God create the demons?​—2 Peter 2:4.

● Can you speak to the dead?​—Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6.

● How can you protect yourself against the demons?​—James 4:7.

[Picture on page 21]

Demons try to influence people in many ways

I Can’t Wait to Tell Them, “We’re All Here!”

As told by Abigail Austin

I was nine years old. It was a beautiful April day in 1995, and a group of us from the local congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses decided to spend the day out in the English countryside. We set off in car groups. My older sister Sarah, our family friend Deborah, and I were traveling with my father and mother. Suddenly, a car came speeding toward us on the wrong side of the road and crashed into us. I was the only survivor.

I AWOKE in the hospital two weeks later. My skull had been shattered, and the doctors had inserted several plates in it to hold it together. Yet, I recovered quickly. My relatives finally told me what had happened, but I didn’t believe them. I kept thinking that my parents and my sister had visited me while I was asleep, and I had missed them. It was only when I returned home that reality set in. I was devastated.

What helped me to cope with this terrible tragedy?

My Spiritual Heritage

I was the youngest of five children. At the time of the accident, Sarah was 22, Shane 20, Jessica 17, and Luke 15. We had wonderful, caring parents. My father, Steve, served as an elder in the West Yorkshire Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Shipley and was known affectionately for always taking the time to listen to and help others. My mother, Carol, was also well-loved, caring like a daughter for the older ones in the congregation. She arranged get-togethers for us youngsters and helped us find good friends. All were welcome in our house. Our parents taught us to be kind and considerate to our neighbors too.

Every Wednesday evening we studied the Bible together as a family. Sometimes we acted out Bible dramas and dressed up for the parts. Mum and Dad involved us from an early age in learning how to prepare for our congregation meetings and how to present the Bible’s message to people at their homes. Although they had their hands full with five children, our parents spent time with us and helped us become spiritually strong.

When Sarah, Shane, and Jessica left school, they became pioneers, full-time Christian ministers, as did our friend Deborah. Sarah and I were particularly close. She was like a second mother to me, and during my school vacation, we spent our time together helping others to learn about the Bible. I loved those days. I could see how happy all the pioneers were, and I enjoyed being with them. My goal was to pioneer along with Sarah after I left school.

On holidays, our family and others in the congregation often spent time together. Young and old grew close in friendship and love. Little did I realize how these good friends would help and comfort me in the days to come!

After the Accident

When I left the hospital, I returned to our family home. Holding down part-time jobs and sharing in the full-time ministry, Shane and Jessica worked hard to provide and care for all of us.

Many fellow Witnesses in our local congregation also came to our aid. They did so much for us! They provided meals, cleaned, shopped, and washed our clothes, until we got on our feet. We were really grateful. Countless presents and cards of support came from Witnesses far and wide, revealing the depth of love within Jehovah’s organization.

After about a year, my brothers and sister decided that I needed a stable family life. Some kind families in the congregation had offered help, so my own family sat down and considered what Mum and Dad would think was best for me and my spiritual future. One family stood out. Billy, an elder, and his wife, Dawn, had been particularly close friends of our family, and they had a five-year-old daughter, Lois. They welcomed me into their home and ever since have lovingly looked after me like their own daughter. Although Lois had to share her parents with me, she has never felt jealous, and today we’re as close as two real sisters.

How I Coped With the Tragedy

At first, I wondered why this terrible tragedy had happened to our family, especially when my parents, as well as Sarah and Deborah, had shown such love for Jehovah and for other people. But then I recalled the Bible account of Job, who kept his faith in God despite losing his children. (Job 1:19, 22) I thought, ‘Yes, Satan brought suffering and death into the world in the first place, and he’d be happy if this disaster stopped us from serving God.’ (Genesis 3:1-6; Revelation 12:9) I remembered, too, that Jehovah has lovingly given us the wonderful hope of the resurrection. (John 5:28, 29) We’re going to see our family and Deborah again, this time in a paradise earth! In fact, my love for Jehovah grew stronger.

When I meet people who have also gone through tragedies, I feel so sad if they haven’t heard of the Bible’s precious resurrection promise. It makes me want to share our hope with them, for I’m sure it’s only because of Jehovah and his organization that we’ve come through this dark time as well as we have, knowing that there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

Perhaps our experience has helped in another way too, causing some parents to wonder, ‘Have we given our children a spiritual foundation that is strong enough that if something happened to us, they would continue to serve Jehovah without us?’

I’ve tried to live my life as if Mum and Dad were still here. I know they would have wanted me to work hard in helping others, just as they had. I have been pioneering since I left school, and now Lois is serving alongside me as a pioneer. My brothers and my sister are married and are happily serving Jehovah in their respective congregations.

I’m so looking forward to God’s new world and the resurrection! Then there will be no more pain or death. (Revelation 21:3, 4) Knowing that we’ll all be together again helps me to keep going. I can’t wait to give Mum, Dad, Sarah, and Deborah a big hug and tell them, “We’re all here!”

[Picture on page 23]

Abigail (second from left) with her adoptive family today

The Gentle yet Strong Shetland Pony

● If you have ever been to a country fair, you may have seen​—or even ridden on—​a Shetland pony. As their name suggests, Shetland ponies originally came from the Shetland Islands, northeast of Scotland. In fact, archaeologists working there have unearthed the bones of small ponies dating back thousands of years.

Shetland ponies are easily identified by their short legs, long mane and tail, and thick winter coat, which serves as a protection against the inclement weather of their original habitat. The ponies are normally between 28 [70 cm] and 42 inches [107 cm] high and are commonly black or dark brown. Unlike other horses, Shetlands are measured in inches not hands, a unit of measure equal to four inches. Their maximum official height is 42 inches [107 cm], with the exception of American Shetlands, which cannot exceed 46 inches [117 cm].

Although small in stature, Shetland ponies are strong. In fact, for their size they are the strongest of all horse breeds. For this reason, the ponies were historically used to haul peat, plow fields, and work in coal mines, where only small animals could negotiate the tunnels. Indeed, many spent their entire life in the mines, never seeing the light of day.

When properly trained, Shetlands are gentle and docile, making them ideal for children. Their good temperament may account for the positive results obtained when this breed has been used in therapeutic programs for the disabled.

Because of their charming traits and their ability to adapt to very different environments, Shetland ponies have been exported all over the world and numerous clubs and breed registries have been established. But the animal’s name still links it with its original island home, where the Shetland breed continues to remain remarkably healthy and genetically pure.

[Picture on page 24]

For their size, Shetland ponies are the strongest of all horse breeds

[Picture Credit Line on page 24]

© S Sailer/​A Sailer/​age fotostock

Was It Designed?

The Wing of the Dragonfly

● Certain dragonflies can glide for 30 seconds without any significant loss in altitude. Their secret? An aerodynamic wing that is unlike any manufactured by the aircraft industry!

Consider: The microthin wing of the dragonfly is corrugated, with pleats that prevent it from bending. Scientists have found that the pleats also give the dragonfly greater lift while gliding. “This is because air circulates in the cavities between pleats, creating areas of very low drag that aid the lift-generating airflow across the wing,” says New Scientist magazine.

After studying the wing of the dragonfly, aerospace engineer Abel Vargas and his colleagues concluded that “biologically inspired wings are very relevant in the design of micro-aerial vehicles.” Armed with a camera or other equipment, such palm-size flying robots have a number of practical uses, from obtaining information from disaster locations to monitoring pollution levels.

What do you think? Did the microthin, pleated wing of the dragonfly come about by chance? Or was it designed?

[Picture on page 25]

The dragonfly microdrone (microaerial vehicle) weighs 120 milligrams (.004 ounce), is six centimeters (2.4 inches) wide, and has wafer-thin silicon wings that flap when powered by electricity

[Credit Line]

© Philippe Psaila/​Photo Researchers, Inc.

Young People Ask

How Can I Get Along With My Siblings?

How would you rate your relationship with each of your siblings?

․․․․․ Best of friends

․․․․․ Get along OK most of the time

․․․․․ Tolerate each other

․․․․․ Fight all the time

SOME siblings are very close. For example, Felicia, 19, says, “My 16-year-old sister, Irena, is one of my best friends.”a And Carly, 17, says of her 20-year-old brother, Eric: “We get along super well. We never fight.”

On the other hand, many have a relationship like that of Lauren and Marla. “We fight about everything.” Says Lauren, “It doesn’t matter how trivial the subject.” Or maybe you can relate to what Alice, 12, says about her 14-year-old brother, Dennis: “He gets on my nerves! He barges into my room and ‘borrows’ things without asking. Dennis is such a child!”

Do you have a sibling who gets on your nerves? Your parents, of course, have the responsibility to maintain order in the household. However, sooner or later you will need to learn to get along with others. You can learn that while at home.

Think about the conflicts you’ve had with your brother or sister. What do you fight about most? Look at the list below, and put a ✔ in the boxes that apply, or write about the type of incident that makes you steam!

□ Possessions. My sibling “borrows” items without asking.

□ Personality clashes. My sibling acts selfishly or thoughtlessly or tries to run my life.

□ Privacy. My sibling enters my room without knocking or reads my e-mails or text messages without asking permission.

□ Other. ․․․․․

If your sibling constantly annoys you​—bossing you around or invading your space—​it might be hard not to let resentment build. But a Bible proverb says: “The squeezing of the nose is what brings forth blood, and the squeezing out of anger is what brings forth quarreling.” (Proverbs 30:33) If you hold a grudge, it may well result in an angry outburst, just as squeezing your nose may cause blood to flow. Then the problem will only get worse. (Proverbs 26:21) How can you prevent an irritation from bursting into a raging argument? A first step is to identify the real issue.

Incident or Issue?

Problems between siblings are like pimples. The surface evidence of a pimple is an unsightly sore, but the cause is an underlying infection. Similarly, an ugly clash between siblings is often just the surface evidence of an underlying issue.

You could treat a pimple by squeezing it. However, that would only be dealing with the symptom, and you may leave a scar or aggravate the infection. A better approach is to deal with the infection and thus prevent further outbreaks. It’s the same when it comes to problems with siblings. Learn to identify the underlying issue, and you’ll get past the incident and right to the root of the problem. You’ll also be able to apply the advice of wise King Solomon, who wrote: “The insight of a man certainly slows down his anger.”​—Proverbs 19:11.

For example, Alice, quoted earlier, said about her brother Dennis, “He barges into my room and ‘borrows’ things without asking.” That’s the incident. Yet, what do you think is the real issue? Likely, it’s related to respect.b

Alice could deal with the problem by telling Dennis never to come into her room or use her things. But that solution treats only the symptom and would likely lead to further conflict. However, if Alice could convince Dennis to respect her privacy and her property, their relationship would no doubt improve.

Learn to Resolve or Avoid Conflicts

Of course, identifying the underlying issues you have with a sibling is only part of the solution. What can you do to resolve an issue and avoid a future confrontation? Try taking the following six steps.

1. Agree to some ground rules. “There is a frustrating of plans where there is no confidential talk,” wrote King Solomon. (Proverbs 15:22) To help avoid frustration, look back at what you indicated caused conflict between you and your sibling. See if together you can work out some rules that you both agree on and that address the underlying issue. For example, if you clash over possessions, Rule 1 could be: “Always ask before taking an item that belongs to someone else.” Rule 2 could be: “Respect a sibling’s right to say, ‘No, you can’t use that item.’” When making these rules, think of Jesus’ command: “All things, therefore, that you want men to do to you, you also must likewise do to them.” (Matthew 7:12) That way you will make rules that both you and your sibling can live by. Then check with your parents to make sure that they approve of your agreement.​—Ephesians 6:1.

2. Abide by the rules yourself. The apostle Paul wrote: “Do you, however, the one teaching someone else, not teach yourself? You, the one preaching ‘Do not steal,’ do you steal?” (Romans 2:21) How can you apply that principle? If you want your sibling to respect your privacy, for instance, then you likewise need to knock before entering your sibling’s room or ask before reading his or her e-mails or text messages.

3. Don’t be quick to take offense. Why is that good advice? Because, as a Bible proverb states, “only fools get angry quickly and hold a grudge.” (Ecclesiastes 7:9, Contemporary English Version) If you are easily offended, your life will be miserable. Yes, your sibling will do or say things that upset you. But ask yourself, ‘Have I done something like that to him or her in the past?’ (Matthew 7:1-5) “When I was 13,” says Jenny, “I thought that my opinion was the most important and must be heard. My little sister is now going through a similar stage. So I try not to get upset over the things she says.”

4. Forgive and forget. Serious problems need to be discussed and resolved. But must you call your sibling to account for every mistake he or she makes? Jehovah God appreciates it when you are willing to “pass over transgression.” (Proverbs 19:11) Alison, 19, says: “My sister Rachel and I are usually able to resolve our differences. Both of us are quick to say that we are sorry and then explain what we think was the cause of the clash. Sometimes I’ll sleep on it before bringing up a problem. Often, the next morning it’s as if the slate is wiped clean, and I don’t even have to talk about it.”

5. Involve your parents as arbitrators. If you and your sibling can’t resolve an important issue, your parents can help you make peace. (Romans 14:19) Remember, though, that the ability to resolve conflict without appealing to your parents is like a mile marker​—it’s a measure of genuine maturity.

6. Appreciate your siblings’ good qualities. Your siblings likely have qualities that you admire. Write down one thing that you appreciate about each of your siblings.

Name What I appreciate

․․․․․ ․․․․․

Rather than obsess about your siblings’ faults, why not find an opportunity to tell them what it is that you admire about them?​—Psalm 130:3; Proverbs 15:23.

Fact of life: When you leave home, you will at times be surrounded by people who irritate you​—workmates and others who are rude, insensitive, and selfish. Home is the place to learn to deal peaceably with such challenges. If you have a brother or a sister who is difficult to get along with, take a positive view. That sibling is helping you to develop valuable life skills!

The Bible acknowledges that a brother or a sister might not always be the closest companion you will have. (Proverbs 18:24) But you can strengthen your friendship with your siblings if you “continue putting up with one another,” even when they give you valid “cause for complaint.” (Colossians 3:13) If you do so, your siblings are likely to become less irritating to you. And you may even annoy them less!

More articles from the “Young People Ask” series can be found at the Web site www.watchtower.org/​ype

[Footnotes]

TO THINK ABOUT

● Why is it important to see the difference between an incident and the underlying issue?

● Which of the above six steps do you need to work on most?

[Box on page 27]

IDENTIFY THE REAL ISSUE

Want to hone your skills at identifying underlying issues between siblings? If so, read Jesus’ parable of the son who left home and wasted his inheritance.​—Luke 15:11-32.

Look closely at the way the older brother reacted when his younger brother returned home. Then answer the following questions.

What was the incident that sparked the older brother’s reaction?

What do you think was the underlying issue?

How did the father try to resolve the issue?

What did the older brother need to do to resolve the issue?

Now think of a recent argument you’ve had with a sibling. Then write your answers next to the questions.

What sparked the incident?

What do you think might be the underlying issue?

What ground rules could you agree to that would address this issue and prevent further clashes?

[Box/​Pictures on page 28, 29]

WHAT YOUR PEERS SAY

“I want to be friends with my sisters for the rest of my life, so I might as well start on this lifelong project now.”

“We do things together as a family, and that helps unite us. We don’t seem to argue as much as we used to.”

“In some ways we’re as different as night and day. Still, my sister is one of a kind. I wouldn’t trade her for anything!”

“Without my siblings, all my fondest memories would vanish into thin air. To those who have siblings, I would say, ‘Don’t take them for granted!’”

[Pictures]

Tia

Bianca

Samantha

Marilyn

[Picture on page 27]

Problems between siblings are like pimples​—to fix them you need to treat the underlying cause, not just attack the symptom

Watching the World

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has raised the classification of ultraviolet light tanning devices from “probably carcinogenic to humans” to “carcinogenic to humans.”​—THE LANCET ONCOLOGY, BRITAIN.

In Argentina, 9 out of every 10 pregnant women did not want to become pregnant.​—CLARÍN, ARGENTINA.

“The scientific discovery of new species is quite routine. Biologists are identifying them at a rate of about 50 a day. Nearly 17,000 new plants and animals were described in 2006 alone​—some 1% of the 1.8 million species that have been named.”​—TIME, U.S.A.

Do Guns Protect?

Does a gun protect the person carrying it in the event of an assault? A study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, U.S.A., concluded that, on average, it does not. After excluding situations involving the police, self-inflicted shootings, and unintentional shootings, researchers found that an individual carrying a gun is “4.5 times more likely to be shot in an assault than those not possessing a gun.” The study acknowledged that some gun owners successfully defend themselves with their own weapons, but the chances of doing so are low. The perception that gun possession is “a defense against a dangerous environment should be discussed and thoughtfully reconsidered,” said the report.

Monks Wearing Lipstick

New monks in Thailand have been “sullying the reputation of the conservative Buddhist faith” by wearing lipstick, overly tightening their robes, “walking with an exaggerated swing of the hips and carrying handbags,” says a news report from Bangkok. Concern over the behavior of homosexual novices has moved religious authorities to propose training monks in matters of decorum. A leading Buddhist preacher explained that homosexuality in itself is not banned among monks, “otherwise more than half of them would be defrocked.”

Trains for Women Only

For years women who traveled on India’s overcrowded commuter trains have had to deal with being insulted, groped, pinched, stared at, and generally harassed by male passengers. In response to rising complaints, the government has decided in some cases to remove men altogether, reports the Calcutta newspaper The Telegraph. As a result, in India’s four largest cities​—New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Calcutta—​a limited number of “Ladies’ Specials” are reserved exclusively for women. Passengers are said to be very pleased.

For Family Review

Who Had This Job?

1. Which two fishermen were sons of Zebedee and apostles of Jesus?

Write your answers on the line below.

CLUE: Read Matthew 4:21, 22.

․․․․․

2. What are the names of two other apostles who were fishermen?

CLUE: Read Matthew 4:18.

․․․․․

FOR DISCUSSION:

Why did Jesus say that his disciples would become “fishers of men”? (Matthew 4:19) What do you think are the similarities and the differences between literal fishing and fishing for men?

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE APOSTLE ANDREW?

3. Before following Jesus, Andrew was a disciple of whom?

CLUE: Read Mark 1:4; John 1:35-40.

․․․․․

4. Whom did Andrew talk to about Jesus, and with what result?

CLUE: Read John 1:40-42.

․․․․․

FOR DISCUSSION:

Why is it a good idea to tell your relatives the things you know about Jesus? How, though, might some relatives react?

CLUE: Read Matthew 10:32-37.

CHILDREN’S PICTURE SEARCH

Can you find these pictures in this issue? In your own words, describe what is happening in each picture.

FROM THIS ISSUE

Answer these questions, and provide the missing Bible verse(s).

PAGE 3 What does a clever, or shrewd, man understand? Proverbs 14:․․․

PAGE 8 What personal name did God give himself? Psalm 83:․․․

PAGE 20 What has happened to the angels who sinned? Jude:․․․

PAGE 26 What will “the squeezing out of anger” bring? Proverbs 30:․․․

● Answers on page 11

ANSWERS TO PAGE 31

1. James and John.

2. Peter and Andrew.

3. John the Baptizer.

4. His brother Peter, and he became a disciple of Jesus.

How Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Teach the Bible?

They teach by subject, usually by means of the study aid What Does the Bible Really Teach? Its 19 chapters include the following:

“What Is the Truth About God?”

“Who Is Jesus Christ?”

“Where Are the Dead?”

“Are We Living in ‘the Last Days’?”

“Why Does God Allow Suffering?”

“How to Make Your Family Life Happy”

Students are invited to ask questions and to see the answers for themselves in the Bible. Later, on the basis of their study of the Bible, they can decide for themselves which religion to follow.

You may request a personal Bible study, as well as a copy of the book, by filling in the accompanying coupon and mailing it to the address provided or to an appropriate address on page 5 of this magazine.

□ Without obligation, I request a copy of the book shown here.

□ Please contact me concerning a free home Bible study.