Table of Contents

July 2011

Life Without Suffering​—When?

3 We Need an End to Suffering!

4 Why Is There So Much Suffering?

6 Does God Care?

8 Life Without Suffering​—A Trustworthy Promise

10 How to Prevent Car Accidents

12 A Year in the Life of Welsh Shepherds

15 Hospice Care​—What Is the Goal?

18 From Bark to Bottle​—The Story of Cork

21 “Thank You for This Series!”

22 Watching the World

23 From Our Readers

30 For Family Review

32 The Wisdom of King Solomon

How to Prevent Car Accidents

TIRES squealing, metal crunching, glass shattering, people screaming . . . These sounds are perhaps familiar to anyone who has been involved in a car accident. The Population Reference Bureau reports that worldwide “an estimated 1.2 million people are killed in road crashes each year, and as many as 50 million are injured.”

Yet, attention to safety and plain common sense can help you avoid many accidents. Let us see how.

Speed Limits, Seat Belts, and Texting

On some roads the speed limit may seem too low. But exceeding the limit usually makes little difference in the time it will take you to arrive at your destination. For example, over a distance of 50 miles (80 km), increasing from 65 miles (104 km) per hour to 80 miles (129 km) per hour will gain you less than nine minutes. Is it worth risking an accident to gain that little time?

Seat belts are designed for safety. A government agency in the United States concluded that seat belts saved over 72,000 lives between 2005 and 2009 in just that country. Does an air bag take the place of a seat belt? No. An air bag works with the seat belt to provide increased protection. If you do not wear your seat belt, the air bag loses its effectiveness and can even be dangerous. So make it a habit to buckle up, and have your passengers do the same. Another caution: Never attempt to read or compose text messages while driving.

Road Conditions and Maintenance

Tire traction is reduced on roads that are wet or covered with dust, sand, or gravel. By slowing down, you are less likely to slide when braking. If you drive regularly on snow-covered or icy roads, consider investing in snow tires for the winter. These have deeper treads and provide better traction.

Intersections are dangerous for all drivers. One expert recommends the following: When a traffic light turns green, wait before entering the intersection. By pausing just briefly, you may avoid being struck by a car running the red light.

Keeping your car in good condition is basic to avoiding accidents. Imagine what could happen if the brakes failed while you were driving. To prevent mechanical problems, some car owners arrange for periodic maintenance by a competent mechanic. On the other hand, some car owners choose to do certain maintenance jobs themselves. However you carry out the work, make sure that your car receives the inspections and repairs that it needs.

Drinking and Driving

Drivers who are otherwise responsible and safe may take great risks by driving after they drink an alcoholic beverage. During 2008, in the United States, more than 37,000 people lost their lives in automobile accidents. About a third of these died in crashes involving drivers who had been drinking. Even the smallest amount of alcohol can impair your driving skills. Some resolve not to drink any alcohol at all if they are going to drive.

Obeying traffic laws, wearing your seat belt, keeping your car in good repair, and refraining from driving after drinking alcoholic beverages can protect your life and the lives of others. These suggestions can help you to avoid accidents while driving, but only if you put them into practice.

[Box/​Picture on page 11]

DON’T DRIVE WHEN DROWSY

“People must remember that drowsy driving is an impairment that compares to drunk driving.” That statement by an official of the U.S. National Sleep Foundation shows the danger of driving when you are sleepy. The following symptoms indicate that it is not safe for you to drive:a

● Difficulty focusing, frequent blinking or heavy eyelids

● Trouble keeping your head up

● Yawning repeatedly

● Trouble remembering the last few miles driven

● Missing exits or traffic signs

● Drifting from your lane, tailgating, or hitting shoulder rumble strips

If you experience these symptoms, switch drivers or pull off to a safe area to take a nap. Your safety, and that of others, is worth the delay!

[Footnote]

A Year in the Life of Welsh Shepherds

SHEPHERDS around the world care for over a billion sheep. Each season brings its unique challenges. Gerwyn, Ioan, and Rhian describe a shepherd’s work on the mountains of Wales, where sheep outnumber people by a ratio of nearly 3 to 1.

Spring Lambs

When spring arrives, shepherds work day and night to assist ewes giving birth.

Gerwyn: “While lambing is the most tiring part of the year, it is without doubt the most rewarding, and a well-trained dog is invaluable. If a ewe has difficulty giving birth, my dog gently catches the animal and holds it down so I can assist her.”

Ioan: “No matter how many times I help ewes give birth, it is always special to see newborn lambs!”

Summer Shearing

The shepherd’s summer task is to clip the sheep’s wool, which can weigh up to 22 pounds (10 kg), depending on the breed. A shepherd may shear as many as 250 sheep per day.

Rhian: “First, I remove any dirty wool from around the sheep’s tail to prepare the sheep for shearing. In two minutes, skilled shearers using powered blades can remove a complete fleece. I help clean the fleeces too, after which I carefully roll them up and put them in sacks to be sold.”

On the lower ground, shepherds hope for two dry weeks to cut the meadows and make good-quality hay. This food will help feed the flock through the winter. Family and friends help cart the loads.

Ioan: “One of my happiest times is walking through a field the morning after harvest when the entire crop is in.”

Autumn Gathering

In order for shepherds to separate the ewes from their weaned lambs, the flocks are gathered from the high ground.

Ioan: “Even with no hedges or stone walls on some of the mountains, sheep rarely get lost or roam onto a neighbor’s land. On our farm the mother ewe knows the boundaries. Having learned them from her mother or the shepherd, the mother ewe passes these on to the female lambs. Sometimes, though, we search for hours​—even days—​to find the few that stray.”

Shepherds also inspect, buy, and prepare rams for the ewes. One ram is needed for every 25 to 50 ewes. These are viewed as an investment in the future of the flock.

Between 10 and 12 weeks after rams have sired the ewes, the shepherd uses an ultrasound scanner to determine which ewes are pregnant and how many lambs each one will have in the spring. Barren ewes are sold. Those expecting one lamb are grouped together, whereas those with twins or triplets are given special attention and extra food.

Winter Feeding

Feeding the pregnant ewes takes much of a shepherd’s time during the brief daylight hours of winter. Whatever the weather, the shepherd is always close to the sheep, ensuring that there is plenty of food when the frosts are hard.

Gerwyn: “At such times, the sheep need their shepherd and look to him for food and protection.”

Rhian: “It is so stimulating to be out in all seasons to witness the many changes in wildlife and vegetation​—a rewarding bonus as I continue in the work I love so much, caring for my flock.”

[Map on page 12]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

NORTHERN IRELAND

IRELAND

SCOTLAND

WALES

ENGLAND

[Picture on page 14]

Ioan inspects a ram

[Picture on page 14]

Gerwyn with a well-trained sheepdog

Hospice Care​—What Is the Goal?

“My 94-year-old mother, who had Alzheimer’s disease and heart failure, had become bedridden. She refused to eat and resisted our attempts to awaken her. At the hospital I was told about the ‘altered state of consciousness’ that she was experiencing. I wanted to care for her at home, but I needed help.”​—Jeanne.

TERMINAL ILLNESS presents a challenge, not only for the patient but also for the family. Relatives face a difficult decision. Should the ailing one’s life be prolonged at all costs, even if that includes needless sustained suffering? Or should they strive to maintain the best quality of life for their loved one in the time that remains?

For many, hospice care is a viable option. It is defined as care and attention to the emotional, spiritual, social, and financial needs of terminally ill patients. The goal is to alleviate the suffering of those who are terminally ill. Hospice is now available, even if to a limited degree, in about half the countries of the world. For example, because of the growing number of HIV/​AIDS and cancer patients in Africa, most countries there either have such programs or are now taking steps to implement them.

The Goal of Hospice

Some patients may feel that enrolling in a hospice program is equivalent to giving up on life. Family members may feel that placing a loved one in hospice is tantamount to waiting callously for him or her to die. However, hospice is not simply a passive resignation to the inevitable. Rather, it can help the patient to enjoy a dignified, meaningful life in the company of loved ones for as long as possible, while controlling pain. It can also give the patient’s family a chance to comfort and support their loved one for as long as that is needed.

Although hospice cannot cure terminal illness, it can address curable complications, such as pneumonia or bladder infections. If circumstances change​—for example, if a cure is developed or if the disease goes into remission—​the patient can return to regular treatment.

Advantages of Home Care

In some countries, hospice care is given only at a health-care facility. In other places, though, family members are able to provide care at home. With home care, the patient can participate in family life. Home-based care also fits the cultural needs of many countries, such as Uganda, where the custom is for family members to care for the sick and elderly.

Under the home-based hospice program, caregivers often have at their disposal a support team, perhaps including a doctor, nurses, aides, and a social worker. Such professionals can educate caregivers on how to keep the patient comfortable and explain what they can expect during the dying process. They also work along with the wishes of the patient and the family. For example, if the family wishes, the hospice workers will avoid unnecessary diagnostic tests or tube feeding when the patient can no longer process food.

Dolores and Jean are caregivers at home for their 96-year-old father. Because of his deteriorating condition, they appreciate the assistance that they receive. “An aide comes in five days a week to help us bathe Dad,” says Dolores. “The aide will also change Dad’s bed and help him with his grooming if we want her to. A nurse comes once a week to take Dad’s vital signs and refill prescriptions. And the doctor visits about every three weeks. If we need them more often, they are available 24 hours a day.”

Having professionals on call is a vital part of hospice, as these skilled men and women can supervise medications and ensure that the patient is pain free and at the same time as alert as possible. They can also administer oxygen therapy. The assistance of these professionals gives the caregiver and the patient confidence, eliminating the fear of suffering from severe pain or other distressing symptoms during the end-of-life phase.

Compassionate Care

Hospice personnel recognize the need to preserve patients’ dignity and treat them with respect during all phases of care. Martha, who worked in hospice care for more than 20 years, says: “I came to know the patients, as well as their likes and dislikes, and I tried to help them enjoy to the extent possible their remaining time. I would often feel a great attachment to them, and some I couldn’t help but love. True, some patients with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia would become combative while I was assisting them. They would try to strike, bite, or even kick me. But I always tried to remember that this sort of conduct was not the person. It was the disease.”

As to the satisfaction she derived from supporting the caregivers, Martha says: “My assistance helped them not to be so overwhelmed with caring for their loved ones. Just knowing that the hospice team was sharing the load brought them comfort.”

If hospice care is available where you live, it can be a realistic, compassionate alternative to a hospital or a nursing home. Jeanne, quoted at the outset, is glad that she chose hospice care for her mother. She says: “Mother was able to continue at home surrounded by family, who gave her physical, emotional, and spiritual support, while at the same time, she was provided with nursing care and the medications necessary for her comfort. Without exception, the hospice personnel were professional and compassionate. Their advice and expertise were invaluable. I believe Mother would not have wanted any other type of care.”

[Blurb on page 17]

Having professionals on call is a vital part of hospice care

[Box/​Picture on page 16]

“We Were Able to Be With Her”

Isabel, a woman in Mexico whose mother fought breast cancer for 16 years until it metastasized and became untreatable, relates: “My family and I were very concerned that Mother would suffer. We prayed that she would not have to endure the severe pain that many terminal cancer patients have suffered before dying. A doctor here in Mexico who specializes in palliative care was the answer to our prayers. She visited once a week, provided appropriate pain medication, and gave us precise, easy-to-follow instructions about its use and how to care for Mother. It was comforting to know that we could call the doctor at any time, day or night, and that she would come. What a blessing it was to see our mother pain free and peaceful during her last days, even enjoying the little food she could eat. We were able to be with her, right here at home, until she passed away in her sleep.”

[Box on page 17]

When the End Is Imminent

Keep bedsheets clean, dry, and free of wrinkles. To prevent bedsores, change the patient’s position regularly, and change undergarments or adult diapers as needed if the patient is incontinent. Bowel function can be maintained by suppositories or saline enemas if needed. Food and water are not necessary to prevent suffering if the end is close. Keep the mouth moist with chips of ice or wet swabs and lip salve. Just holding the patient’s hand is comforting, and remember that he or she may be able to hear to the last.

From Bark to Bottle​—The Story of Cork

Can you imagine a tree bark that plays a crucial role in the making of engines, cricket balls, baseballs, and champagne​—a bark that was used thousands of years ago by fishermen and elegant ladies alike and that has even been used in outer space? More amazing is the fact that this unique bark can fill all these needs without the tree being felled!

CORK is the outer layer of the bark produced by the cork oak tree. But this is no ordinary bark. It is light, fire resistant, and elastic.

The cork oak generously produces its resilient bark year after year. Unharvested, the bark can grow to be ten inches (25 cm) thick​—a useful overcoat for protecting the tree against heat, cold, and forest fires. If harvesters strip the bark, the cork oak gradually grows another coating within about ten years.

Portugal provides about 55 percent of the worldwide cork production, Spain about 30 percent, and other countries (including Algeria, France, Italy, Morocco, and Tunisia) the remaining 15 percent.a

Multiple Uses

Romans and Greeks discovered that cork made ideal floats for fishing nets and could make a comfortable sole for sandals. Apparently, they also used cork stoppers for jars. Since it keeps its elastic property even at high temperatures, cork is ideal for engine gaskets. It is also an integral part of heat panels used on certain spaceships.

Because many homeowners appreciate both its appearance and its insulation properties, cork tiles have become popular for decorating walls and floors. Makers of sporting goods also find cork invaluable for the inner core of a baseball or the handle of a fishing rod. Of course, cork is perhaps best-known for its use as a stopper for bottles of wine and champagne.​—See the box “The Ideal Stopper.”

Environmentally Friendly

A well-maintained cork forest offers proof that man can work in harmony with nature​—harvesting its bounty without despoiling its riches. The old cork oaks beautify the countryside, provide shade and food for the cattle that graze beneath their boughs, and temper the harsh summer climate.

Several birds in danger of extinction​—including the imperial eagle, the black vulture, and the black stork—​depend on large cork oaks for suitable nesting sites. The endangered Iberian lynx also finds its last strongholds in forests of these oaks. Recently, the World Wildlife Fund stated that the survival of this species of lynx depends on the prosperity of the cork industry in Spain and Portugal.

So the next time you remove a cork from a bottle of wine, take a moment to appreciate it. You hold in your hand a natural, biodegradable, renewable object. And its use even serves to protect the environment. What more could you ask from a tree?

[Footnote]

[Box/​Picture on page 20]

“The Ideal Stopper”

Miguel Elena, director of the Institute for Cork, Wood and Charcoal, based in Extremadura, Spain, explains more about the use of cork as a stopper.

How effective is cork as a stopper?

I have seen corks removed from bottles that were over a hundred years old, and the wine had been effectively preserved! Cork is the ideal stopper.

How old should a cork oak be for its bark to be harvested for stoppers?

To produce a high-quality stopper, cork oak must be at least 50 years old, although the first harvest can be obtained 25 years after planting the acorn. Of course, few people are prepared to invest in a crop that will not make money for 50 years. In fact, I can’t think of any industry that has to wait so long before becoming profitable.

What is the life span of a cork oak?

A cork oak tree has a life span of about 200 years, and some specimens live much longer. The cork is harvested every nine years.

What is being done to maintain production of cork?

The European Union and our local regional government provide subsidies to encourage the planting of cork oaks. So in recent years we have planted acres of new cork forests and improved existing ones.

What recent developments have been made with regard to cork production?

During the past two decades, we have done a lot of research to identify the best acorns. And we work closely with other cork-producing countries to improve the product. We introduced a type of small handsaw that will enable cork strippers to remove the bark more efficiently, a task that has been done with axes for centuries.

[Picture on page 19]

After each stripping, the bark grows back

[Picture on page 19]

Skilled workers carefully remove the bark

[Picture on page 19]

Planks are stacked, ready for the next step

[Picture on page 19]

Top-quality corks are still punched by hand

[Picture on pages 18, 19]

Remnants and particles are collected and formed into agglomerated corks and other products

“Thank You for This Series!”

● People from around the world have expressed their appreciation for the Awake! series “For Family Review” on pages 30 and 31 of each issue. The interactive artwork and questions, the clip-and-save Bible cards, the picture search for children, and the family activity sections are educational and fun for the whole family. Consider the following comments:

“I conduct a Bible study with my two 12-year-old grandsons by mail. Using ‘For Family Review,’ I have them fill out their answers and return the pages to me. My grandsons really seem to enjoy our study, and our correspondence allows me to expand on the points covered. Thank you for this series!”

V. C., United States

“Recently, my five-year-old son asked me to go over a ‘What Is Wrong With This Picture?’ segment at bedtime. I found one, and we started talking about the picture. My son then listened attentively as I read the account directly from the Bible. Now almost every night he wants to study. My family and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping our children find pleasure in the Bible.”

M. F., France

“I met David, aged 12, and Jennifer, aged 6, at a bus terminal. Their father saw that I was offering Awake! to travelers, so he let them approach me to investigate. While the father and son began reading the magazines, little Jennifer and I enjoyed studying the lovely illustrations and photos of birds and animals. We talked of all the beautiful things that Jehovah God has made for us to enjoy. When we came to page 31, we tried the ‘Children’s Picture Search.’ As I was trying to find the first one, Jennifer rapidly turned the pages and found it within seconds. We tried to find the second and the third pictures, and again she was the first to discover them. In fact, Jennifer wanted to keep going until we had completed the picture searches in ten different issues! Finally, Jennifer requested two more copies to take back to her dad and brother. As I left, all three expressed appreciation for the excellent material.”

M. C., Ecuador

Watching the World

Statistics produced by the Arab Road Safety Organization, based in Tunisia, indicate that more than 500,000 road accidents occur in the Arab world each year, resulting in over 36,000 deaths.​—REUTERS NEWS SERVICE, TUNISIA.

“The Internet is the most important source of information about sex for Chinese teenagers, as sex education at school and home is inadequate, according to a survey.”​—CHINA DAILY, CHINA.

Spying Webcams

German police recently arrested a man who is accused of accessing the rooms of dozens of young girls by using their Webcams. The hacker is said to have cracked a poorly chosen password of one Internet account, making it possible for him to access contact information for several people. It is alleged that he used the hijacked account to send malware (malicious software) disguised as a screen saver to female friends of his victim​—which would enable him to control remotely the friends’ computers and use their Webcams at any time. It is said that when investigators raided the hacker’s apartment, he had three million images and “was simultaneously connected to the computers of 80 girls without their knowledge,” according to the Aachener Zeitung.

Languages New to Science

Linguists analyzing the little-known languages of Aka and Miji​—spoken in India’s northeastern state Arunachal Pradesh, bordering Bhutan and China—​detected a third local tongue, which is known as Koro. “This is a language that had been undocumented, completely unrecognized, and unrecorded,” said researcher Gregory Anderson, director of the Living Tongues Institute for Endangered Languages. Koro had eluded detection because it is spoken by only about 800 people in an area to which travel is restricted. During 2009, 24 languages were identified in an area of China where just one had previously been reported.

Radioactive Boars

“Government payments compensating hunters for lost income due to radioactive boar have quadrupled [in Germany] since 2007,” reports Spiegel Online. Many hunters sell boar meat for human consumption, but government regulations forbid the sale of meat with high levels of cesium-137, a radioactive element released by the Chernobyl accident 25 years ago. Boars are susceptible to such contamination because of their taste for “mushrooms and truffles, which are particularly efficient at absorbing radioactivity,” explains Spiegel. “The reason for the climbing payments, of course, has more to do with Germany’s skyrocketing wild boar population than with an increase in radioactive contamination.” Experts say that the radiation problem will likely last for another 50 years.

From Our Readers

The Fabulous Variety of Life in the Upper Amazon (April 2010) Your article claims that the Awajun people (Aguaruna) worship five gods. As a member of the indigenous Awajun population, I disagree. I think you have made a mistake, because most Awajun people profess to be Christians and we do not worship five gods, as your magazine reports. Since the Awajun population frequently reads your magazine, please correct this mistake.

T.P.T., Peru

“Awake!” responds: The writer gathered information from various sources, including personal interviews with former inhabitants of Aguaruna communities and a number of published sources. One of these, Atlas Regional del Perú, 2004 Edition, gives the names and descriptions of five Aguaruna deities. However, as you note, inhabitants of some Aguaruna communities have converted to nominal Christianity. We apologize for any misimpression we may have given.

How to Cope With Stuttering (May 2010) Thank you for this article. I too am a stutterer, and many times I felt lonely because of it. But after reading this article, I realized that I am not alone. Now I am determined to face my disability and, like Rafael, “when a word causes me to stutter, . . . laugh” and show a sense of humor.

Y. S., Japan

Young People Ask . . . How Can I Boost My Self-Respect? (May 2010) I am 12 years old and live with my mother, who is seriously ill and raising me alone. When I read the question “Do you feel loved?” I honestly replied “No.” That upset me. So I spoke about it with some mature Christians and with my mother. This article helped me to understand that there is no reason to judge myself so harshly. Many people love me. Thank you for helping me to see how much Jehovah cares for us young people.

C. H., France

This article encouraged me to cope with painful experiences from the past and feelings of worthlessness that sometimes still bother me. I will never forget the three ways to boost my self-respect that were discussed in this article and especially the illustration of a bill with a small tear! Thank you for this wonderful article!

S. W., South Korea

Young People Ask

What Should I Know About Social Networking?​—Part 1

“I have friends in other countries, and the best way I can keep in touch with them is by social networking. I love being able to talk to them even though they’re far, far away.”​—Sue, 17.a

“I think social networking is a waste of time, a lazy person’s social life. Face-to-face interaction is the only way to maintain friendships.”​—Gregory, 19.

WHICH of the above statements comes closest to reflecting your view? Either way, one thing is certain: Social networking has become hugely popular.b Consider this: It took 38 years for radio to reach 50 million users, 13 years for television to attract the same number, and 4 years for the Internet to do so. The social networking site Facebook gained 200 million users in one recent 12-month period!

Mark the following statement true or false:

Teenagers represent the largest segment of the population using social networking sites. ․․․․․ True ․․․․․ False

Answer: False. Nearly two thirds of the users of the most popular social network are 25 years of age or older. In 2009 the largest percentage of increase came from those over 55!

Nevertheless, millions of youths use social networking sites, and for some it has become the preferred method of communication. “I deactivated my account,” says a teen named Jessica, “but then I reactivated it because nobody would contact me by phone. It’s as if people forget about you if you’re not on a social network!”

What’s the appeal of social networking? The answer is simple: Humans are hardwired to interact with humans. And that’s what a social network is all about. Consider why many might be tempted to join one.

1. Convenience.

“Keeping up with your friends can be hard, but when they’re all on one site, it’s easy!”​—Leah, 20.

“I can post a comment and it’s as if I’ve just e-mailed every one of my friends at the same time.”​—Kristine, 20.

2. Peer pressure.

“I’m always getting requests to join someone’s list of friends, but I don’t have an account, so I can’t.”​—Natalie, 22.

“When I tell people that I’ve chosen not to have an account, they look at me like, ‘What’s wrong with you?’”​—Eve, 18.

3. Media pressure.

“There’s this belief fostered by the media that if you don’t stay superconnected with people, you will have no friends. And having no friends is like having no life. So if you’re not social networking, you are nothing.”​—Katrina, 18.

4. School.

“My teachers use a social network. Some post messages to tell us when we have a quiz coming up. Or with math, for example, if I don’t understand something, I can post a message on my teacher’s Wall and he’ll help me solve the problem online.”​—Marina, 17.

5. Work.

“People looking for employment use a social network to connect with others. Sometimes this helps them find a job.”​—Amy, 20.

“I use a networking site for my work. It allows clients to see current graphic-design projects I’m working on.”​—David, 21.

Should you have a social networking account? If you live at home, that’s for your parents to decide.c (Proverbs 6:20) If your parents do not want you to have an account, you should comply with their wishes.​—Ephesians 6:1.

On the other hand, some parents do allow their mature children to use a social networking site​—and they supervise their use of it. If that’s true of your parents, are they invading your privacy by doing so? Not at all! A social network is a powerful tool, and your parents are rightly concerned about how you use it. The fact is, social networking​—like virtually any use of the Internet—​has its dangers. If your parents allow you to have a social networking account, how can you avoid those dangers?

Safe “Driving”

In some ways, using the Internet can be compared to driving a car. As you’ve probably noticed, not all who have a license are responsible drivers. In fact, many people have got into horrific accidents because of their carelessness or neglect.

It’s similar with people who use the Internet. Some “drive” responsibly; others recklessly. If your parents have allowed you to have a social networking account, they are trusting you to navigate a particularly tricky part of cyberspace. So, what type of “driver” have you shown yourself to be? Have you demonstrated that you “safeguard practical wisdom and thinking ability”?​—Proverbs 3:21.

In this article we will now discuss two aspects of social networking that deserve your serious consideration​—your privacy and your time. The “Young People Ask” article in the next issue of Awake! will discuss your reputation and your friendships.

YOUR PRIVACY

Privacy might be the last thing on your mind when it comes to a social network. After all, isn’t the whole idea to reach out to people? Nevertheless, not taking precautions can lead to disaster.

To illustrate, suppose you had in your possession a large amount of cash. Would you display it for everyone to see as you walked down a public street with your friends? That would be foolish​—you’d be asking to be robbed! If you’re smart, you’ll hide your cash where it can’t be seen.

Think of your personal information as your cash. With that in mind, look at the list below and check off the items that you would not feel comfortable advertising to a complete stranger.

․․․․․ my home address

․․․․․ my e-mail address

․․․․․ where I attend school

․․․․․ the times when I am at home

․․․․․ the times when nobody is at home

․․․․․ my photos

․․․․․ my viewpoints

․․․․․ my likes and interests

Even if you’re the world’s greatest extrovert, likely you’d agree that there are at least some things on the above list that shouldn’t be revealed to just anyone. But many young people​—and adults—​have unwittingly shared such details with strangers! How can you avoid such a pitfall?

If your parents allow you to use a social network at all, you need to be thoroughly familiar with its privacy settings​—and use them. Don’t leave it up to the networking site to protect your privacy. The fact is, the default settings it provides may allow more people to see and comment on your page than you may realize. That’s one reason why a girl named Allison customized her settings so that only her close circle of friends could see her posts. “Some of my friends had friends that I didn’t know,” she says, “and I didn’t want those strangers reading about me.”

Even if you communicate only with your close friends, you need to be careful. “You can become addicted to getting comments from your friends,” says 21-year-old Corrine, “so you start putting more information about yourself out there than you should.”

Always remember that when it comes to the Internet, “privacy” is merely a relative term. Why? “Large Web sites back up their databases,” points out Gwenn Schurgin O’Keeffe in her book CyberSafe, adding: “What we put on cyberspace never truly goes away. We have to consider it permanent because there is likely a copy somewhere; to think otherwise is foolish.”

YOUR TIME

Not only your privacy but also your time can be compared to a large amount of cash. In a sense, then, you need to budget your time. (Ecclesiastes 3:1) And that’s one of the greatest challenges when it comes to any use of the Internet, including social networking.d

“So often I have said, ‘I am going to get on it for just a minute.’ An hour later, I’m still online.”​—Amanda, 18.

“I was addicted. Every time I got home from school, I would spend hours checking what some people said about my posts and looking at their posts.​—Cara, 16.

“I could access the site on my phone, so I’d look at it on my way to school, at school, and on my way home from school. Then, after I got home, I’d go on the computer. I knew I was addicted, but I didn’t want to stop!”​—Rianne, 17.

If your parents let you use a social networking site, think about how much time would be reasonable to spend on it each day. Then monitor yourself. For a month, keep track of how much time you spend on a social networking site and see if you’re keeping within the limits you set. Remember, your time is like your money. So don’t let a social network “bankrupt” you. After all, there are things in life that are more important!​—Ephesians 5:15, 16; Philippians 1:10.

Some youths have taken steps to make sure that they stay in control of their time. For example, consider the following:

“I deactivated my account, and I had heaps of time. I felt free! Recently, I reactivated my account, but I have complete control. I don’t check it for days at a time. Occasionally I even forget about it. If my social networking account becomes a problem again, I’ll just deactivate my account.”​—Allison, 19.

“I have taken ‘networking breaks,’ where I deactivate my account for a couple of months and then reactivate it later. I do that whenever I realize that I’ve been spending too much time with it. Now I don’t feel as attached to it as I used to. I’ll use it for a purpose, but then I’m done.”​—Anne, 22.

The Bottom Line

There’s another factor about social networks that you need to consider. To help you grasp this aspect, put a ✔ next to the option that you feel best applies.

A social networking site is primarily . . .

(A) ․․․․․ a business.

(B) ․․․․․ a social club.

(C) ․․․․․ a form of entertainment.

The correct answer? Believe it or not, it’s Option A. First and foremost, a social network is a business. Its objective is to make a profit, mainly through advertising. And to advertisers, the value of the network increases as more people join and those members’ posts are more widely shared. After all, the more time you or anyone spends networking, the more ads will be viewed.

Knowing that helps you to realize that a social network really has little to lose​—and advertisers have much to gain—​if you share your information too widely or if you spend too much time online. By all means, then, if you use a social network at all, protect your privacy and monitor the amount of time you spend on it.

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

[Footnotes]

[Blurb on page 25]

It took 38 years for radio to reach 50 million people

[Blurb on page 25]

In just 1 recent year, the social networking site Facebook signed on more than 200 million users

[Box on page 27]

WHY NOT ASK YOUR PARENTS?

Discuss online-privacy issues with your parents. Which things are best kept private, and why? What information could be dangerous if posted on any part of the Internet? Also, ask your parents for advice on how you can balance online interaction with face-to-face communication. What adjustments, if any, do they recommend?

[Picture on page 26]

Your activities on a social network may not be as private as you think

[Picture on page 27]

Time is like money. If you spend it all in one place, you won’t have enough left when you need it

The Bible’s Viewpoint

Does the Bible Condone Slavery?

LOVE of neighbor is one of the fundamental teachings of the Bible. Love, however, is diametrically opposed to the concept of oppressive slavery. Hence, some people are puzzled by the mention of slavery in the Bible.

In ancient times God allowed his people to own slaves. (Genesis 14:14, 15) Even in the days of the apostles, some Christians were slave owners and some were slaves. (Philemon 15, 16) Does this mean that the Bible condones oppressive slavery?

Social Structures in Conflict With Bible Principles

By the time the Bible began to be written, humans had already established social structures and economic systems that conflicted with godly principles. While some of the practices involved were condemned in his written Law, God chose to tolerate others, such as slavery.

Regarding the social structure of the ancient nation of Israel, The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia states: “It was meant to function as a brotherhood in which, ideally, there were no poor [and there was] no exploitation of widows, waifs, or orphans.” Hence, more than simply allowing an already established social and economic structure, God’s Law regulated slavery so that, if practiced, slaves would be treated in a humane and loving manner.

Slavery in Bible History

Consider the following regulations included in the Law given through Moses:

● Kidnapping a man and then selling him was punishable by death. (Exodus 21:16) However, if despite all the provisions made to prevent poverty, an Israelite found himself deeply in debt, perhaps as a result of poor management, he could sell himself as a slave. In some cases he might even be able to earn a surplus by which he could redeem himself.​—Leviticus 25:47-52.

● This was not the oppressive kind of slavery that has been common in many lands through the ages. Leviticus 25:39, 40 says: “In case your brother grows poor alongside you and he has to sell himself to you, you must not use him as a worker in slavish service. He should prove to be with you like a hired laborer, like a settler.” So this was a loving provision to care for Israel’s poorest.

● A person found guilty of stealing who was unable to make full restitution according to the Law could be sold as a slave and in this way pay off his debt. (Exodus 22:3) When he had worked off the debt, he could go free.

● Cruel and abusive slavery was not allowed under God’s Law to Israel. While masters were allowed to discipline their slaves, excesses were forbidden. A slave killed by his master was to be avenged. (Exodus 21:20) If the slave was maimed, losing a tooth or an eye, he was set free.​—Exodus 21:26, 27.

● The maximum time that any Israelite would have to serve as a slave was six years. (Exodus 21:2) Hebrew slaves were set free in the seventh year of their service. The Law demanded that every 50 years all Israelite slaves were to be set free nationwide, regardless of how long the individual had been a slave.​—Leviticus 25:40, 41.

● When a slave was released, the master was required to be generous toward him. Deuteronomy 15:13, 14 says: “In case you should send him out from you as one set free, you must not send him out empty-handed. You should surely equip him with something from your flock and your threshing floor and your oil and winepress.”

Later, in the days of Jesus and his apostles, slavery was an entrenched practice in the Roman Empire. As Christianity spread, it was inevitable that individuals who were slaves and others who were slave owners would come in contact with the good news and become Christians. Neither Jesus Christ himself nor his apostles preached a gospel of social liberation, as if trying to reform the existing system. Rather, both slaves and slave owners were admonished to love one another as spiritual brothers.​—Colossians 4:1; 1 Timothy 6:2.

The End of Slavery

As is the case with every Bible-related question, the issue of slavery must be considered in context. A careful examination of the Scriptures reveals that God deplores the mistreatment of humans.

Such an examination also reveals that the kind of slavery practiced by God’s people in the Bible is not the cruel and abusive slavery that is envisioned by most people today. And the Bible shows that God will deliver us from all forms of slavery in due time. Then, all mankind will enjoy true freedom.​—Isaiah 65:21, 22.

HAVE YOU WONDERED?

● Does the Bible condone the mistreatment of slaves?​—Leviticus 25:39, 40.

● How were Christians to treat slaves?​—Colossians 4:1.

[Blurb on page 29]

God deplores the mistreatment of humans

[Picture Credit Line on page 29]

© G.M.B. Akash/​Panos Pictures

For Family Review

What Is Wrong With This Picture?

Read Acts 9:36-41. What three features of this drawing are incorrect? Write your answers on the lines below, and complete the picture by coloring it.

1. ․․․․․

2. ․․․․․

3. ․․․․․

FOR DISCUSSION:

What is another name that Tabitha is known by, and what do her names mean?

CLUE: Read the footnote on Acts 9:36 in the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures​—With References.

Was Tabitha a selfish person? Explain.

CLUE: Read Acts 9:36, 39.

How did the words of Jesus found at Luke 6:38 prove true for Tabitha? How can you imitate her example?

CLUE: Read Ephesians 4:28; James 2:14-17.

FAMILY ACTIVITY:

Have each family member think of someone to whom he or she would like to give a gift. Then make a simple item for that person. For example, make a card or a bookmark with a Bible verse on it.

Collect and Learn

Cut out, fold in half, and save

BIBLE CARD 7 PETER

QUESTIONS

A. Why did Peter begin to sink?

B. Is this statement true or false? Peter remained single.

C. When religious leaders told the apostles to stop teaching, Peter and the other apostles answered: “We must . . . ”

[Chart]

4026 B.C.E. Adam created

1 C.E.

Lived during the first century C.E.

98 C.E. Last Bible book written

[Map]

Lived in Bethsaida and Capernaum

GALILEE

Capernaum

Bethsaida

Sea of Galilee

PETER

PROFILE

A hardworking fisherman who became one of Jesus’ earliest disciples. Jesus selected Peter as one of his 12 apostles, or sent-forth ones. The four Gospels list more of Peter’s statements than those of any other apostle. Jehovah used him mightily to preach and to ‘strengthen his brothers.’​—Luke 22:32; Mark 3:13-19.

ANSWERS

A. He gave way to doubt.​—Matthew 14:28-31.

B. False.​—Mark 1:29-31; John 1:42; 1 Corinthians 9:5.

C. “. . . obey God as ruler rather than men.”​—Acts 5:18, 27-29.

Peoples and Lands

4. My name is Antonia. I am eight years old, and I live in Chile, which is in South America. About how many of Jehovah’s Witnesses live in Chile? Is it 69,500, 96,500, or 106,500?

5. Which dot shows where I live? Circle it, draw a dot where you live, and see how close you are to Chile.

A

B

C

D

Children’s Picture Search

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

● “FOR FAMILY REVIEW” answers on page 23

ANSWERS TO PAGES 30 AND 31

1. Peter did not stand while praying; he knelt.

2. Women (widows) showed Peter garments Tabitha had made, not pottery.

3. Peter prayed alone, not with people in the room.

4. 69,500.

5. B.

The Wisdom of King Solomon

● A teacher asked a fourth-grade class of students what they knew about King Solomon who is mentioned in the Bible. Nine-year-old Sheena said that he was a very wise king and described how he solved the argument of two women who each claimed to be the mother of the same child. Her classmates were at first shocked when hearing Solomon’s way of handling the matter, but the teacher said that it was a good one.

Sheena explained that she had learned about this by reading My Book of Bible Stories, a book that includes the story about the wisdom of Solomon. “Six of my classmates became interested in having this Bible Stories book,” Sheena explained, and she added: “My teacher also asked for one. So all in all, I was able to place seven copies.”

You can request a copy of My Book of Bible Stories, which contains 116 stories that feature people and events in the Bible. To obtain a copy, just fill in the accompanying coupon and mail it to an appropriate address listed 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.