Awake!, May 22, 1977

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Awake! — May 22, 1977

Source: jw.org

Contents

Historical Atrocities—How Should You View Them?

The Shipping Container—A Revolution That Helps You

Where River and Forest Are Friends of Man

The Claim to Roman Citizenship

How to Stay “On Course”

The Making of a God

Shocking Assaults on Freedom in Puerto Rico

“The Bag of Life”

Making a Natural Wine

The Tiger—Solitary Hunter of the Night

Should Christians Practice Exorcism?

Watching the World

Get the Sense of the Bible in Its Original Language

Is This All There Is to Life?

Historical Atrocities—How Should You View Them?

AN ESTIMATED 80 million Americans huddled around their TV sets watching the same drama—the last episode in an eight-part serial called “Roots.” Thus, on January 30, 1977, they set a new record for the number of people viewing a television program.

“Roots” is the story of one black family as it journeyed from Africa through generations of American slavery and found eventual freedom. But why did this ‘fictionalized history’ stir the interest of so many?

While there undoubtedly are several reasons, perhaps the most profound is that they were struck with the full impact of what it meant to be a black slave. A great historical atrocity was ‘brought to life.’ As one woman said: “Something inside me tried to say that slavery wasn’t that bad, but now I know that it really was a lot worse.”

Actually, in recent years many books and plays regarding the plight of oppressed minorities have appeared. Extensive research into the circumstances that led to the genocide or extreme degradation of one people by another has been done and the findings compiled.

Of course, these ‘new histories’ may have their own theories and prejudices. But, for the most part, they starkly reveal past events so shocking that some find them difficult to read. Perhaps, as never before, the extent of man’s inhumanity to man has been studied.

Sadly, in studying history, one is forced to realize that there have been many great atrocities, many holocausts. Numerically, the treatment of the Africans captured and taken by ship to the Americas, ranks as one of the greatest. The Encyclopœdia Britannica (11th Edition, Vol. 25, p. 222) states: “Out of every lot of 100 shipped from Africa 17 died in about 9 weeks, and not more than 50 lived to be effective labourers in the [West Indies] islands.” Since “estimates of the slaves shipped across the Atlantic run from 30,000,000 to 100,000,000,” the numbers who perished were huge indeed. The New Encyclopædia Britannica, 15th Edition, Vol. 1, p. 283.

However, with many atrocities it is difficult even to estimate the numbers killed. How large were the native Indian populations of the Caribbean islands and the American continents? Yet, in time, “the aboriginal Indian population [of the Caribbean islands] suffered total extinction.” Consider, too, the North American Indians. It is generally believed that their numbers were reduced from millions to a small fraction of that. Today, many of the ‘battles against the Indians’ are more realistically viewed as massacres.

In turning to recent history, we find that the number of known atrocities leaps upward. Can we view the world as more civilized in our century when we consider the exterminations carried out by the Nazis? Documentation of Nazi policy reveals a calculated plan of genocide, not only against the Jews, but against the Slavic peoples, Jehovah’s Witnesses and others. It is believed that over a million non-Jewish Poles were murdered, as well as over a quarter of a million Gypsies. And these cold figures cannot convey the full impact of the horrors of the concentration camps—starvation, beatings, “medical experiments” (often sterilization), and frequently the gas chambers.

Truly, as the Bible says, “man has dominated man to his injury.” (Eccl. 8:9) And that such atrocities have occurred in many places on this earth testifies that such evils cannot be viewed as the mark of any one race or nationality. Hate has no one color, language or flag.

Realizing this helps us to avoid taking an extreme position when confronted with such shocking history regarding racial or nationalistic hatred. If a once-persecuted people take the attitude, ‘Just wait until we are on top; we’ll get revenge for our fathers,’ what is accomplished? Only a continuance of atrocities!

Rather, we must try to understand what did happen. For example, a British documentary, “The Fight Against Slavery,” showed, as reported in one magazine, “that slavery was a crime not merely against blacks but all humanity. Guilt must be shared by both races, since many slavers were Africans.”—Time, January 24, 1977, p. 56.

Too, generalizations about any event or situation are dangerous. In the worst of times individuals were affected differently. For example, under slavery, some blacks were treated well. Others were chained, raped, maimed and torn from their families at whim. The remaining question is: How, with the guilty long dead, can those responsible be punished? If one would persecute all white people, many innocent people would be hurt.

On the other hand, the opposite extreme—‘that’s no concern to me; it’s all dead history’—also is unwise. Must persecution come against one’s own family for one to recognize how dreadful it is? Should not what minorities have suffered help us to show compassion toward them? Since many atrocities have come out of myths as to racial or social inferiority, can we afford to adopt such fictional thinking?

Beyond such self-examination, there is another personal benefit gained by taking an honest look at the past. Authentic history clearly proclaims: Many times man has not loved or cared for his fellowman. Rather than weep for what has overtaken only one people, a person would be wiser to show concern for all the poor masses of mankind who have suffered tyranny after tyranny. Jesus looked at the am ha·aʹrets (‘people of the earth,’ the commoners) of his day and felt pity “because they were skinned and thrown about.” (Matt. 9:36) We do well to imitate him.

Such concern also leads us to look elsewhere for a real solution of the problems resulting from the failures of human government. Where is the ruler that loves all peoples? The Bible answers: God’s ruler, “the Lamb,” Jesus Christ. (Rev. 7:9, 10, 17) It promises that soon God’s “kingdom” will bring peace and brotherhood to this planet.—Matt. 6:9, 10; Rev. 21:3, 4.

Is turning to this “Kingdom” government foolish idealism in the face of harsh realities? Well, after thousands of years of recorded human history, is it realistic to turn to men for compassionate guidance? No. Rather, the answer lies in what God has promised as the only remedy for mankind’s ills. “In every nation the man that fears him” gains an opportunity for life in a happy human society, a new system of things, now near at hand.—Acts 10:34, 35.

Hard to believe? Why not investigate? Let the Bible show you how God will put a complete end to the atrocities of hardened men. And God offers, not only a hope for those now alive, but a promise of restoration of life in a peaceful new order for those who have suffered violent death.—John 5:28, 29.

The Shipping Container—A Revolution That Helps You

By “Awake!” correspondent in Finland

YOUR heart leaps when you receive notice from the customs office that a friend from another country has sent you a valuable parcel. What could the package possibly contain? Your anticipation grows as you go down to the customs station to find out. Then—the parcel is there, all right—but what a disappointment! It was damaged and its contents were ruined.

Or, as the sender, what if you learn that the package you shipped with such loving care was ruined before your friend received it? What frustration! Or, if you are a merchant, how do you feel if your goods arrive too late to be of value to the purchaser? Annoyances such as these have often occurred when parcels are sent by ship.

Many years ago journeys by ship were expected to be slow, taking several months. Even though loading and unloading a large number of items took several days, this was minor compared to the length of the journey. Manpower got the job done and the goods usually remained relatively undamaged.

But as the volume of shipping increased over the years and dock workers’ pay spiraled, loading was mechanized. The goal came to be getting the time spent in port down to a m.inimum to cut costs for both the merchants and the ship owners. Of course, goods broke more easily when rapidly moving machines did the loading, with ever more pressure to speed up. Shipments made up of many small pieces ‘were hard to keep together during the different stages of a long journey. Some were lost. Customs checks at border crossings added to the problem. A solution had to be found for such problems.

The Shipping Container Develops

How could all this handling of many small pieces be eliminated? Well, as early as 1886 the idea of “container” freighting appeared in a German magazine. But it was not until 1928 that there was significant progress. At that time certain European railway companies signed a contract in Rome to transport and exchange “containers.” These were large boxes filled with a number of smaller packages. The boxes were sealed and then transported to their destination without the usual customs inspections at each border.

Favorable experience with this pioneering system inspired the idea of transporting goods by ship in strong packing containers of standard size. This idea began to be investigated in France in 1953 and 1954. A conference arranged by the United Nations in 1954 heard the result of this investigation. It was claimed that shipping expenses could be reduced as much as 30 percent by using containers. Fastening devices were installed on the decks of some tankers to try out the idea. The experiment was a success!

Soon the ISO (International Standard Organization) declared that a new cargo unit had been born, the container. It was designated to be a durable box with a capacity of one cubic meter (1.3 cubic yards). The term “container” has now broadened also to cover this entire means of transporting goods, by air, land or sea. The essential common feature is that the goods are enclosed in a sturdy box that is taken to its destination sealed.

Nowadays the standard container is a much larger box, either twenty or forty feet long (about 6 or 12 meters) and eight feet (2.4 meters) wide. It looks like the enclosed van of a truck-trailer, but without wheels. It is built to withstand the effects of being moved fully loaded by cranes, forklift trucks or other equipment.

Shipping agencies and shipowners rent whole containers to merchants or collect several smaller shipments together to fill one container destined for the same port. These are transported to and from the docks by means of specially designed railroad flatcars, as well as low trailers towed by truck.

The shipments have a considerably better chance to remain undamaged, since, during the journey, the individual pieces do not have to be moved one by one. The danger of going astray is not so great either, as the entire container is clearly addressed to the port of destination, and it is not easy to lose a 20- or 40-foot box.

On the docks, this has meant a revolution in the pace of loading. At a fully equipped container port, a container ship may be unloaded, reloaded and ready for the return trip within a day, whereas a conventional cargo liner, with half the capacity, could require a week or more for turnaround. A single container ship may thus replace four or more conventional cargo carriers.

The largest container vessels can carry as many as 2,500 twenty-foot containers at a time. The busjest container traffic in the world is between Europe and the United States, where a number of the costly container-handling facilities have been built. The longest combined transport route using containers is from Europe to Japan across Siberia. Soviet ships transport containers from European ports to Leningrad, where they are loaded onto railroad cars for the trip across Siberia to the Pacific coast. Then they are taken to Japan by ship. Even within individual countries, adaptations of the container system are being used extensively.

The “Ro-Ro” Method

A slightly different development is the related “ro-ro” (short for “roll on, roll off”) method of shipping. The freight is simply brought onto the ship and taken off again on wheels, requiring no cranes at all. Specially designed “ro-ro” ships have a large door in the bow or stern through which vehicles can be driven. Ramps or hydraulic lifts get them to the level assigned, where they are driven to the final location.

The interior of the ship is thus much like a seagoing parking garage. About fifty of these truck-trailer combinations fit on one such ship, or eighty of the forty-foot (12-meter) trailers alone. Hence, the truck, or “tractor,” may remain with the trailer containers, or one tractor may tow several such containers onto the ship, which later dispenses them to waiting tractors at the port of destination.

In northern Europe and Scandinavia, where sea gulfs separate land areas, truck-trailer transport on ships was adopted over fifteen years ago. The advantage, of course, is that when the goods are once loaded into the trailer, they do not have to be moved again. The whole container moves on its own wheels right to the destination. In this way refrigerated trucks carry meat from Finland to as far away as Italy.

This form of shipping has grown so rapidly in recent times that it has actually become a new trade. Many truck drivers travel abroad continually, living in the cabins of their trucks or on the ships. Many “ro-ro” ships have comfortable cabins on board for the truck drivers, and different ways for passing the time are provided, such as games, saunas, and so forth.

Containers by Air

Containerization has also become common in the field of air freight. Of course, the containers differ in appearance, size and construction from those used for sea and land transport. They must be curved to match the walls of the plane so that the whole cargo space can be used to the best advantage. Some freight-carrying planes are designed so that either the tail or the nose folds back on hinges like a door. The shaped containers can thus easily be loaded into the cargo space.

What about applying the container concept to shipping people by air? The idea is not as outlandish as it might seem at first. There already has been some discussion by transportation planners and technical magazines about the possibility. The advantages are similar to those of freight containerization. Currently, expensive jet planes have to stand at the airport for quite a long time while passengers deplane, luggage is unloaded, the compartment is cleaned, supplies are replenished and new passengers are seated.

Planners hope to be able to reduce this time by building planes so that the entire passenger compartment can be changed! This would make the compartment a sort of giant “container.” The passengers could take their seats and then the whole sealed compartment could be clamped securely to the body of the aircraft. Part of the plane’s body would thus be changed at the airport, requiring somewhat less time for turnaround than the present method. Only time will tell whether such an unusual idea will ever take hold.

Some Problems

As with many advances in other fields, there has been a price to pay. The men working on the docks, for example, see containerization as a threat to their jobs, since it decreases the need for manpower and thus can cause unemployment. So the container “revolution” looks a little different from their standpoint. However, dock workers are being trained to meet the new requirements, and many new terminals are springing up where they can work. It appears that containerization and automation of shipments are here to stay.

So, even though your package may still occasionally be damaged or be late in coming, the container revolution certainly has contributed to the speed, efficiency and quality of handling. You can now be confident that if your parcel is shipped in a container, it will much more likely arrive in good shape and on time.

Where River and Forest Are Friends of Man

By “Awake!” correspondent in Papua New Guinea

MAN’S need for energy produced from readily available natural resources is ever increasing. This need has brought a large crowd of scientists, engineers, technicians and laborers to a somewhat unknown region of the earth—the Purari River basin in Papua New Guinea. Here are vast tropical forests and an abundance of undammed water masses from many mountain-river systems, representing a major supply source as yet virtually untapped by man.

Hopes are being expressed that these resources can be utilized to produce electrical power with as little pollution as possible to the environment. It is thought that this will be a boon to the people, to the economic growth and to the general progress of a rapidly developing country.

Yet, Papua New Guinea may be little more than a name to you. Or perhaps you think of it as a distant, remote place. What is it really like? Where is this Purari River? And what changes would a giant hydroelectric power system bring about in this intriguing land? Come with us and see for yourself.

Rugged Mountains and River Systems

Papua New Guinea comprises the eastern portion of the New Guinea mainland, the world’s largest island after Greenland. It is situated just north of Australia. Together with numerous isles and archipelagos, this spread of 600 islands represents the eastern extremity of the great arc of fold mountains extending through the Himalayas and Malaysia into the Pacific. It includes some of the world’s most rugged and hazardous mountain regions. Often these ranges are quite high, with many peaks rising to over 4,000 meters (13,000 feet). Here we find steep gorges, picturesque valleys and thundering waterfalls. Indeed, this is a most unique and interesting country.

The headwaters of the Purari River have their source here in the highland regions at the highest peak in Papua New Guinea, Mt. Wilhelm. As these mountain-river systems leave the higher elevations, they form the mainstream, the Purari River. It meanders through the low-lying tropical forests and swamplands along the Papuan Gulf and finally empties its slow-moving muddy waters into the Coral Sea.

The people in this varied tropical land are as interesting as the scenery.

Highland Tribes and Coastal Dwellers

The early inhabitants of Papua New Guinea lived off the land around them. They were hunters and food gatherers. As time passed, the people began to acquire a knowledge of gardening and the cultivating of plants. Today, a nearly self-supporting economy has been established. Plants common to tropical regions—taro, yam, banana, sugarcane, breadfruit, sago palm and the coconut—make up the greater part of the diet. Ever present are many pigs, dogs and chickens.

The people live along coastal strips and, at times, on densely wooded islands or jungle-clad ranges and in the rugged highland regions. Often living in isolation from one another, they have preserved distinct customs and traditions, as well as 700 and more languages and dialects. The people have long been split into groups and clans, frequently living in hamlets built on the banks of rivers or in remote villages along rain-soaked mountain ridges. Yet, varied as they are in tribes, clans, customs and languages, the people share in common two invaluable friends—the waters of the river and the natural forests of the land. Plant life varies in type from the swamp and lowland forests of the coastal plain to moss and alpine vegetation. The waters of the river are a life-sustaining necessity. To the hunter, the forests mean birds and animals for food, as well as fur and brilliant plumage for personal adornment.

In the clearings near their hamlets and villages, the people plant their gardens. From the forest they obtain wood for carvings, garden tools, spears, bows and arrows, clubs and many other weapons for warfare and the hunt. Additionally, the forest gives them fuel, bark and fibers for clothing. It provides timber for dwellings, thatching for roofs and material for walls. Bamboo and cane bridges are built to span rivers and gorges. Coastal dwellers also look to the forest. From its materials they fashion their canoes, fishing nets and traps. The forest provides the fibers needed to build their great multiple log seacrafts. In the vast swampland surrounding the Purari River, the log canoe is practically their sole means of transport, for these people use neither wheel nor beast of burden. Yes, indeed, the forest truly is their friend.

Timber Resources Aplenty

Now we approach the picturesque coastline, coming from the Coral Sea. We are greeted by clusters of coconut trees lining the beaches on both sides of the mouth of the Purari River. Traveling slowly upstream, we reach the tidal swamp where mangroves are found. Then come grass swamps and palm swamps, where man can still meet up with the crocodile.

Leaving the swamps behind, we reach the luxuriant lowland rain forests. Generally, these are layered, with many large trees forming a shady canopy, something like a large umbrella for the undergrowth of palms, vines and canes. From these virtually undisturbed forests, it is hoped, needed timbers can be obtained for the construction of dams, power stations, living quarters for the work force and the like.

Continuing our journey upstream, we approach the mountainous regions of the hinterland. Here the Purari takes on the appearance of a rugged mountain stream, with some treacherous rapids and waterfalls. At an altitude above 1,000 meters (3,281 feet) the rain forests give way to the lower mountain forest, where the trees generally lack the large umbrellalike canopies seen earlier. This forest is dominated by trees of the oak family. A striking feature in certain areas is the appearance of Klinki Pines, trees native to Papua New Guinea. Some of these are 85 meters (280 feet) tall, with a diameter of 2 meters (6 feet).

At above 2,100 meters (6,900 feet) the lower mountain forest generally gives way to the mountain forest. It extends to an elevation of about 3,350 meters (11,000 feet) and frequently is dominated by a beech tree species called Nothofagus. Here we find a variety of conifer, a cone-bearing tree. At higher elevations the forest becomes somewhat stunted and moss covered in appearance. Tall pandanus, a screw pine, are also to be sighted. Close to the headwaters of the many mountain streams, the alpine flora generally is restricted to tussock grasses, tree ferns and shrubs. We have reached the end of our journey upstream. Before us is the rocky summit of Mt. Wilhelm.

In addition to the forests of the Purari River area, we find extensive grasslands, both in the highland valleys and in lowland regions. Dominated by a grass called Kunai, these grasslands have developed as a result of the frequent use of fire for clearing garden sites and for flushing animals from concealment when men are hunting.

Vast Water Resources

Since the elevation in the basin area ranges from sea level to nearly 4,700 meters (15,400 feet), the climate varies greatly. It ranges from hot and humid in the delta and lower regions to cold, with the occasional frosts and rare instances of snow, on the highest mountain peaks. Papua New Guinea has no recognizable summer or winter, only “wet” and “dry” periods. These depend on the two prevailing seasons, the northwest monsoon occurring from December to May and the southeast trade winds from May to December.

On an average, the mean annual rainfall in the whole catchment area is 370 centimeters (146 inches). With its high proportion of rugged landscapes and heavy rainfalls, the Purari River basin has significant hydroelectric potential. The stream systems forming the main river descend from the highlands through steep and narrow gorges, making possible dam sites a common feature. The potential for development of the waters in this basin is indeed tremendous. While a need for such enormous quantities of electrical power may not arise for a very long time, the presence of such huge potentials in a rapidly developing region is encouraging to the planners.

What the Future May Bring

As scientists, technicians and laborers work toward the completion of this engineering project involving dams, tunnels, power stations and transmission lines, they will bring about far-reaching and permanent changes, not only to the land, but also to the majority of the people living in the Purari River catchment area. It will be an awakening to the twentieth century of modern man. The first impact will be linked with the flooding of homes and land. People will have to be resettled. A unique wildlife habitat of value both to the local residents and to the tropical ecological system will be lost in the areas covered by water. Scientists, economists, conservationists and others will have to undertake thorough studies to ensure a progressive development of this region.

Government. authorities already are looking forward to the promising economic gain from this project. By using access roads leading to dam sites, major timber industries could be established. Readily available here is hardwood, making possible the production of plywood, veneer, sawed timber and pulpwood, to mention some of the products produced by such industries. The timber industry of Papua New Guinea has exciting possibilities before it, and already it is on the threshold of rapid growth and diversified expansion. The descendants of forest dwellers of long ago rapidly are emerging as capable trained workers. There also exist large areas well suited for irrigation. Hence, development of agriculture and livestock industries can be expected. With rural electrification and the development of hydroelectric power, the potential for industrial development appears to be great.

Not to be forgotten is the ever-popular tourist trade. Tourism already has a good start in this country. Besides beautiful scenery, there are the varied native and wildlife attractions. Well-organized handcrafts also add to the unique tropical atmosphere of this country.

In the past the Purari River has “befriended” inhabitants of Papua New Guinea. Lush forests of their island home also have served them well. But only time will tell to what extent modern man will find this land’s waters and forests to be his “friends.”

The Claim to Roman Citizenship

In the first century C.E. Roman citizenship was highly prized. The Roman citizen enjoyed certain valuable rights and immunities. For example, he could not be scourged or tortured with the intent of extracting a confession from him.

The Christian apostle Paul made use of his rights as a Roman citizen, and his claim to citizenship was accepted on his own statement. Why did officials accept Paul’s personal statement without getting it confirmed? (Acts 16:37, 38; 22:25-29) There was little likelihood of anyone’s making a false claim, as that was an offense punishable by death. The ancient historian Suetonius wrote with reference to the reign of Emperor Claudius: “It now became illegal for foreigners to adopt the names of Roman families, and any who usurped the rights of Roman citizens were executed on the slopes of the Esquiline Hill.”

How to Stay “On Course”

IS THERE any human alive who has not needed guidance? Whether by means of a road map or instructions on the use of some piece of machinery, all of us have required guidance from time to time.

Centuries ago God’s prophet Jeremiah wrote: “I well know, O Jehovah [God], that to earthling man his way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step. Correct me, O Jehovah.” (Jer. 10:23, 24) Yes, Jeremiah needed guidance. So does modern man.

A Modern-Day Illustration

Guidance also is needed by man’s spaceships. In many of these vehicles, this need is met by a guidance system consisting of a computer, observation transducers, an inertial navigator and steering actuators. In fact, these very things may be used to illustrate mankind’s need for divine guidance.

The spaceship’s “brain” is the computer. Into it a programmer feeds a mathematical trajectory, or reference path. This connects the starting position with the destination. The reference path may also take into account obstacles and forbidden regions to be avoided.

The observational transducers are devices that take readings to indicate velocity and position. For example, one way that position is determined is by a star tracker that makes use of stars and planets to fix the ship’s position in space.

The inertial navigator is a dead reckoning device that senses changes of motion (accelerations) and relates these to velocity and position. It operates in conjunction with the observation transducers. Any veering of the inertial navigator is a result of imperfections in this instrument.

The signals from the observation transducers and the inertial navigator go to the computer. It makes allowances or corrections to compensate for the distortions, biases and imperfections inherent in these signals. Then the computer uses this information to estimate the spaceship’s present position and velocity, compares this with the reference path originally programmed into it to reach its destination, and determines the corrections necessary to put itself back on this course. These corrections are then sent electrically to the steering actuators.

The steering actuators are motors that convert these signals into the appropriate changes in aileron, rudder and elevator, if the ship is still in the earth’s atmosphere. If it is beyond the atmosphere, thrust rockets are fired to put it back on course. After launching, the spaceship strays from its course frequently and is corrected many times. It gets off course and is brought back, it gets off again and is brought back again. Despite the fact that it often strays off course, the ship finally reaches its destination because it is always correcting itself while progressing toward its target.

A “Reference Path” to Life

The features of this guidance system might be used to illustrate the Christian’s course in life. In the Bible, Jehovah God has laid out a program that leads to life, as well as warning of one that results in death. Being a free moral agent, man is his own programmer and chooses what course he will take. Accordingly, Moses told Israel: “See, I do put before you today life and good, and death and bad. If you will listen to the commandments of Jehovah . . . you will be bound to keep alive . . . But if your heart turns away and you do not listen, and you are actually seduced and bow down to other gods and serve them . . . you will positively perish.” (Deut. 30:15-18) It might be said that, when he accepts God’s way, in his mind the Christian programs a “reference path” ‘that has baptism as its starting point and eternal life as its final destination. The Christian must constantly refer to this Biblical “pathway” to check whether he is keeping “on course” or not.

Just as the spacecraft computer has programmed into it the avoidance of obstacles and forbidden regions, so Christians must have in mind dangers to be shunned. The Bible pinpoints many of them, such as “the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy display of one’s means of life.” The Scriptures warn: “Do not be loving either the world or the things in the world.” They also point out that “bad associations spoil useful habits.” Furthermore, complete abandonment of Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion, is urged in the words: “Get out of her, my people, if you do not want to share with her in her sins, and if you do not want to receive part of her plagues.”—1 John 2:15, 16; 1 Cor. 15:33; Rev. 18:4.

As the spaceship’s observation transducers take sightings on stars and planets to tell where the craft is, so Christians must look to inspired, unchanging texts in the Bible to see whether they are “on course.” And, in examining themselves, godly individuals must be on guard against personal prejudices and biases. To have bias against a race or prejudice against a nationality, to show favoritism to some because they are rich, or to look down on others because they are poor—such things must be guarded against, just as a spaceship computer has to make corrections for the distortions sometimes present in the signals it receives from the observation transducers.—Acts 10:34, 35; Jas. 2:1-9.

Sometimes Christians are confronted with issues not covered by specific scriptures. This might be compared with the circumstances of the spaceship when the observational transducers have no star sighting to offer. Reliance must then be placed upon the inertial navigator. It senses changes in motion and makes deductions from these to reckon or calculate position. Such deduced or dead reckoning is imperfect, and again the computer must compensate for these imperfections.

When the Christian is without a direct Biblical command on a matter, he may deduce the correct way to act by considering a Scriptural principle. For example, there are no Bible texts that specifically mention tobacco and forbid one to smoke it. But the Christian understands that smoking is a violation of the commands to be clean from what defiles the flesh and to show love of neighbor, since even the health of nonsmokers is affected detrimentally by tobacco smoke.—2 Cor. 7:1; Matt. 22:39.

Apply the Correction

Jesus said to religious hypocrites of his day: “You study the scriptures diligently, supposing that in having them you have eternal life; yet, although their testimony points to me, you refuse to come to me for that life.” Why did they refuse? Jesus answered: “You have no love for God in you.” In the synagogues, they read the Scriptures to the people, and with this in mind Jesus said to the people: “Do what they tell you; pay attention to their words. But do not follow their practice; for they say one thing and do another.” Indeed, the religious leaders studied the Scriptures, which revealed the pathway to eternal life, but they did not follow them.—John 5:39-42; Matt. 23:3, The New English Bible.

True Christians strive to follow that pathway because they do love God. They realize that “this is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments.” (1 John 5:3) Not only do they study God’s Word, learn of the pathway to life, compare their conduct with that course outlined in the Bible and see what corrections they need to make. They also actively apply this knowledge to themselves and make the needed corrections. Christians have become “doers of the word, and not hearers only.” They realize that “as the body without spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.”—Jas. 1:22; 2:26.

Compare this with our spaceship illustration. The computer not only becomes aware of the corrections needed, but also sets the steering actuators into motion to make them. Christians need to act similarly in applying God’s Word in life.

To Miss Is to Sin

Remember that after the spaceship is launched it frequently strays from its course. Through its guidance system, however, the craft constantly is correcting itself. The word “sin” in the Bible is translated from Hebrew and Greek words that mean “to miss,” in the sense of missing a mark or not reaching a goal. This may refer to a physical object or to a moral or intellectual goal. And since “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Christians often miss the mark and fall short of perfect compliance with God’s will.—Rom. 3:23.

Following a righteous pathway will be difficult at times. But do not become discouraged. Rather, we should “go on acquiring power in the Lord,” and should ‘keep testing whether we are in the faith.’ (Eph. 6:10; 2 Cor. 13:5) When Jehovah corrects, we need to listen. The prophet Isaiah wrote: “Your own ears will hear a word behind you saying: ‘This is the way. Walk in it, you people,’ in case you people should go to the right or in case you should go to the left.”—Isa. 30:21.

By being faithful in little things, we develop a habit of faithfulness that aids when big tests of our faith occur. Through our faithful practices we inscribe God’s laws ever deeper into our hearts. The more that a spiritually enlightened heart guides us, the less often will we miss the mark by sinning. (Eph. 1:18) Eventually, by Jehovah’s mercy and undeserved kindness, we will reach our destination of eternal life in his righteous new order.—2 Pet. 3:13.

At times, some feel beyond the reach of God’s mercy. Like the spaceship, they stray off course so often. Yet, Jehovah’s mercy and loving-kindness can extend to us, even as it has to so many others. Hence, “let us not give up in doing what is fine, for in due season we shall reap if we do not tire out.” (Gal. 6:9) Above all, Christians desire to show their love for Jehovah God. It is not possible to “program” ourselves to display such deep regard for the Most High. But we can enhance our appreciation for him and can improve our prospects of everlasting life by keeping our eyes on ourselves and on God’s Word. We can check for the needed corrections and make them. When we fall we can get up, get back “on course” and continue on to eternal life.

[Blurb on page 13]

“The Christian must constantly refer to this Biblical ‘pathway’ to check whether he is keeping ‘on course’ or not.”

[Blurb on page 14]

“When the Christian is without a direct Biblical command on a matter, he may deduce the correct way to act by considering a Scriptural principle.”

The Making of a God

● Idolatry received a noteworthy blow centuries ago from Horace, noted Roman satirist and poet of the first century before the Common Era. As rendered from Latin, the ancient writer penned these words: “Formerly I was the stump of a fig tree, a useless log; when the carpenter, after hesitating whether to make me a god or a stool, at last determined to make me a god. Thus I became a god!”—Clarke’s Commentary, Vol. IV, p. 175.

● But the utter absurdity of images was even more dramatically shown long before by the prophet Isaiah, who represented the true God, Jehovah, during the eighth century before the Common Era. He wrote, in part: “There is one whose business is to cut down cedars; and he takes a certain species of tree, . . . So he takes part of it that he may warm himself. In fact he builds a fire and actually bakes bread. He also works on a god to which he may bow down. He has made it into a carved image, and he prostrates himself to it. Half of it he actually burns up in a fire. Upon half of it he roasts well the flesh that he eats, and he becomes satisfied. He also warms himself and says: ‘Aha! I have warmed myself. I have seen the firelight.’ But the remainder of it he actually makes into a god itself, into his carved image. He prostrates himself to it and bows down and prays to it and says: ‘Deliver me, for you are my god.’ . . . And no one recalls to his heart or has knowledge or understanding, saying: ‘The half of it I have burned up in a fire, and upon its coals I have also baked bread; I roast flesh and eat. But the rest of it shall I make into a mere detestable thing? To the dried-out wood of a tree shall I prostrate myself?’ He is feeding on ashes. His own heart that has been trifled with has led him astray. And he does not deliver his soul, nor does he say: ‘Is there not a falsehood in my right hand?’”—Isa. 44:14-20.

Shocking Assaults on Freedom in Puerto Rico

By “Awake!” correspondent in Puerto Rico

IT WAS just after midnight. Five armed men approached a tall building in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Three of the men were police officers in uniform. The other two were undercover agents.

It was very quiet as they went to an upper floor of the building, where they were joined by three women. These eight persons then slowly approached the door of a small room.

Was a dangerous criminal lurking inside the room? Or perhaps a terrorist threatening the lives of people in the area? Judging by what happened next, it would have seemed so.

Leaving one of the policemen on guard outside, the other seven entered the room after the door was opened. They approached a bed on which a forty-five-year old woman appeared to be dying. Seeing what was about to happen to her, she screamed loudly and resisted. But it was of no use. She was seized by force and tied to the bed. Her protesting husband and three children were prevented from coming to her help.

A few hours later, against her will and against the will of her husband and children, the critically ill woman was taken to another room. There, a knife was put to her throat. It was cut open to expose her jugular vein!

The woman could not stand the strain of this vicious treatment and went into shock. She never recovered. Her death was bitterly mourned by her husband, children and friends.

Crime Against Humanity

In many lands, the way this woman was abused would be considered a shocking crime. It would be viewed much like kidnapping, with assault and battery added. Surely it was a crime against humanity, against the freedom of choice that people should have.

Why is this so? Because the victim, Mrs. Ana Paz de Rosario, was completely innocent of any wrongdoing. Indeed, she was respected as a peace-loving, law-abiding citizen. Then why was she treated in this brutal way?

She had been operated on for a serious illness. She was willing to undergo that surgery, and also made it clear that she was willing to receive various types of medication. But she had one request. Of the various types of treatment available, she said that she did not want a particular one. She objected to it, not only on medical grounds, but because it violated her conscience.

Her doctor agreed that she did not have to be given this treatment. In fact, he performed the operation without it. He stated that the treatment would not be of significant value in her case anyhow, due to the nature of her illness.

Yet, both before and after the surgery, without her knowledge, and without the knowledge of her husband or children, a relative (by marriage) got court orders to try to force the doctor to give her the treatment she had forbidden. In this case, it was a blood transfusion.

A chain of events quickly followed. Prosecuting attorneys, judges, policemen, nurses and others conspired to deny her the freedom to decide what was to be done to her body. Three different court orders were pushed through, all without consulting either the patient, her husband or their children, two of whom were of legal age. Two court orders were issued without even consulting the doctor in charge!

Need for Freedom to Choose

Would you like to be treated that way if you were an adult in control of your mental faculties? For example, if a doctor recommended a certain kind of food that he felt was good for you, but you did not want it, would you appreciate it if he tied you to a bed and forced the food into your stomach over your objections? Or, if he recommended a medicine that you disapproved, how would you feel if he injected it into your veins by force?

What, then, of a treatment that you objected to on several grounds? What if you objected because of conscience, as well as the fact that the treatment admittedly kills thousands of persons every year and injures other tens of thousands? Surely, as an adult, you would want to be free to make up your own mind about the kind of treatment you would accept for an illness.

In Mrs. Rosario’s case, she died after the brutal treatment. It is more than possible that her death was hastened, perhaps even caused, by the shock that this vicious handling caused to her system. It is also highly possible that the blood transfusion itself could not be handled by her body and worked against her. It is of interest that the doctor in this case already had operated on others without blood. He had not lost a single patient due to operating without the transfusion of blood.

More Surgery Without Blood

More and more doctors are performing surgery without blood. Why? Because of the complications associated with the use of blood.

World-famous open-heart surgeon Dr. Denton A. Cooley of the Texas Heart Institute in Houston said: “The fact is evident now that most major surgery can be done without transfusion. . . . Our goal is to see how little we can use.” Dr. Jerome H. Kay wrote the following to The Journal of the American Medical Association: “We have avoided blood transfusions. as much as possible. . . . We have now done approximately 6,000 open-heart operations at the Saint Vincent’s Hospital in Los Angeles. Since we have not been using blood for the majority of the patients, it is our impression that the patients do better.”

Medical World News reported: “Even if all donor blood is screened by the most sensitive tests now available . . . , many patients will still develop post-transfusion hepatitis.” And statistics show that at least 10 percent of such hepatitis victims die as a result. Famous open-heart surgeon Dr. Charles P. Bailey of New York city’s St. Barnabas Hospital stated: “Damages of incompatibility and kidney damage from transfusions, though much reduced, can never be abolished, no matter how carefully the blood is ‘matched.’”

In the magazine Let’s Live, a surgeon said: “In performing upwards of 20,000 surgical operations, I never gave a blood transfusion and never had a patient die from lack of it.” Also, the authoritative Davis-Christopher Textbook of Surgery notes that “only about 1 per cent are given as lifesaving procedures.”

Thus it can be seen that blood transfusion is a risky procedure. As noted, thousands die and tens of thousands are injured by it each year. In view of this, the patient certainly should have the right to accept it or reject it. That would be the same right that you surely would want in selecting your own food, medicine, vitamins, doctors or dentists. It is your body that is involved. As an adult of sound mind, you want the right to decide what will happen to it.

But to deny persons this right, and to overcome them by force, is something one would have expected in the “Dark Ages” or in some Nazi concentration camp. It is completely out of place in civilized society.

Religious Objection

In addition, where there is a religious objection to a procedure, then the person’s conscience is at stake. His worship of Almighty God is involved. Freedom of choice here should be even more carefully guarded by the law and its enforcement agencies.

Mrs. Rosario objected to the blood transfusion, not merely on medical grounds, but principally on religious grounds. She followed the counsel of the Holy Bible, which she accepted as God’s inspired Word. She looked to it as a guide for those who want to worship God properly.

Mrs. Rosario knew that the Holy Scriptures prohibit the taking of blood into one’s body. Where does the Bible say that? In a number of places, both in the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures. As just one example, The Jerusalem Bible (a Roman Catholic version) says at Acts, chapter 15, verses 20 and 29, that Christians are “to abstain . . . from blood.” The Catholic Douay Version says “refrain . . . from blood” (Ac 15 verse 20), and “abstain . . . from blood” (Ac 15 verse 29). The prohibition is repeated elsewhere in the Bible.—Gen. 9:3, 4; Lev. 17:10-14.

Some may say that this is talking about drinking blood, taking it into the body through the mouth. But the prohibition is against taking blood into one’s system regardless of how it is done. For instance, if a doctor told you not to drink alcoholic beverages, would it be following his instructions if you put the alcohol into a hypodermic needle and injected the alcohol into your veins? Of course not.

True, many people ignore the Scriptural prohibition against blood. That is their business, and their responsibility. But Mrs. Rosario was one who did take it seriously. Thus, on the ground of religious conscience, as well as on medical grounds, and also on the basis of the human right to choose what may be done to one’s body, what happened to Mrs. Rosario was a shocking assault on her freedom. It is shameful that such barbaric acts could have been perpetrated against her. It was nothing short of assault and battery.

How the Case Developed

The case developed when Mrs. Rosario went to a neighborhood clinic with stomach pains. She was given a pain pill and sent home. But about a week later, she was admitted to Doctor’s Hospital in San Juan as an emergency case under a doctor’s care.

The doctor took many tests over a period of seven days. But he claimed that he could find nothing. However, he told Mrs. Rosario that if she had to have surgery, he would not operate without blood. Due to the fact that Mr. and Mrs. Rosario felt that she was not being well attended to, they decided to look for another doctor who would respect their view on blood.

Mrs. Rosario transferred out of Doctor’s Hospital. She was admitted to San Martín Hospital in San Juan. There a doctor who respected her view on blood agreed to take the case. In his investigations the doctor discovered that she had gangrene of the small intestine and would require surgery.

Interference

However, the day before, a relative of Mrs. Rosario, by marriage, took it upon himself to go to the prosecuting attorney of the district court in San Juan. He stated that Mrs. Rosario was in need of surgery and that the doctors wanted permission to use blood. Of course, this was not the case with the doctor in San Martín Hospital. It only reflected the view of the previous doctor at the other hospital.

Accepting this man’s word, and without consulting either Mr. or Mrs. Rosario or her present doctor, District Judge Carlos Delgado made out a court order. It gave the medical director of the first hospital, Doctor’s Hospital, permission to use blood. But, of course, Mrs. Rosario had already left that hospital.

The next day, in San Martín Hospital now, Mrs. Rosario underwent surgery. Her doctor removed nine feet (2.7 meters) of gangrenous small intestine. The operation was performed without blood, just as the patient and her husband had requested. Mrs. Rosario’s condition after the operation was serious, although it was stable, and she was conscious.

The following day, the court order of Judge Delgado reached the doctor at San Martín Hospital. It was late because it had been directed to the first hospital, Doctor’s Hospital. But since the operation already had been completed at San Martín Hospital without blood, the doctor saw no need now to administer it.

The matter should have ended there. But the interference continued. The day after the operation, the aforementioned relative took it upon himself to go back to the prosecuting attorney for the district court and made another sworn statement. He said exactly the same thing as in his previous statement. The court ignored the doctor in charge who had performed the operation. It did not consult with him, the patient, her husband, or her children.

Nevertheless, District Court Judge Alberto Toro Nazario then issued another court order. It copied word for word the order issued a few days earlier. Only this time it was addressed to the doctor at San Martín Hospital.

Afterward, the doctor asked Mrs. Rosario if she wanted a blood transfusion. Emphatically, she answered NO! She was a grown person. She knew her position on blood, and her husband agreed. The doctor then had the three nurses who were attending sign a statement to the effect that the patient was fully conscious and had refused to accept a blood transfusion.

An Order for Arrest

Because no blood had been given, the court issued an order for the arrest of the doctor! He was cited for contempt of court. Served with a summons, he was made to appear the same day before District Court Judge Edgardo Márquez Lizardi. The patient, husband and children were not invited to the hearing. They were not even consulted. In fact, they had no knowledge of this hearing or of the order for the arrest of their doctor.

The judge questioned the doctor at length. The doctor said that he was not in contempt of court because the previous order of Judge Toro Nazario did not specifically state that he had to give blood forcibly, against the patient’s will. He also testified that because of the progressive nature of the disease, he could not guarantee that the patient would survive even if blood were administered.

Judge Márquez Lizardi then made out another order, dated the same day as the hearing. But this time it was more detailed. It specifically instructed that blood should be administered in spite of the patient’s wishes. It prohibited anyone from interfering with the forced transfusion. The judge stated that the police of Puerto Rico should see to it that the order was carried out.

Despite all the appeals that were made to him, the judge would not cancel his order. It was to be carried out the next day.

Patient Goes into Shock

At 1:30 the next morning, the armed men—the three policemen and two undercover agents—joined the three nurses at the hospital. They entered the semi-private room and told everyone else to leave. The husband insisted on being permitted to stay, and was allowed. But he was prevented from doing anything to stop the procedure.

As Mrs. Rosario resisted, she screamed, “Don’t do this to me! I’m not a delinquent!” She tried to stop the nurses. But she was quickly subdued. Her hands and feet were tied to the bed. In this way she could not resist as the transfusion was about to be forced upon her. At this point, Mrs. Rosario went into shock.

But the doctors were unable to administer the blood through her arm. So they arranged to perform an operation for the sole purpose of cutting open her neck to reach the jugular vein so that blood could be administered at that point. She was then taken into the operating room, the jugular vein was exposed, and the blood was. forced into her.

Mrs. Rosario remained in a state of semicoma for a few days, never being able to talk with anyone again, and then went into convulsions. The nurses immediately put her on a kidney machine, a lung machine and another machine. A doctor administered more blood. Soon afterward, Mrs. Rosario died.

Consider the possible adverse effects of any blood transfusion. Add to that the shock of forcing it upon an unwilling patient, even tying her hands and feet. Yes, it is quite possible that all of this was responsible for, or at least contributed to, her early death. The blood of this woman can be on the heads of those who were responsible for the entire disgraceful and appalling affair.—Ex. 20:13; Acts 20:26.

“Where Am I?”

Mr. and Mrs. Rosario had asked the assistance of their friends, and also of several ministers of their religion. But even they were unable to stop the events from taking place. All their appeals to the authorities were in vain.

One of these ministers was outside the room when the foul deed was being committed. He heard the moans and screams of Mrs. Rosario. But with the policeman on guard right outside the door, there was nothing he could do.

At one point, the door flew open and the husband, Mr. Rosario, came out. “Look what they are doing to my wife!” he cried. But someone from within the room pulled him back as the policeman in front turned toward him. The door was shut again.

The minister could stand no more. He went downstairs, sick at heart, and literally sick to his stomach. What had happened was absolutely revolting to him. He describes the feeling he had in these words, saying to himself: “Where am I? Is this Puerto Rico? Is it here in this country that a helpless and critically ill woman is being attacked in a hospital? It just seems impossible that such a terrible thing could happen in Puerto Rico! But it did!”

Her own doctor, to his credit, cooperated with the Rosarios as much as he could. But just as his patient’s hands were tied literally, his hands were tied in a figurative way. He could do no more to help. But as the San Juan newspaper El Vocero later reported, the doctor did tell the court that “in her condition blood transfusions give no certainty that the patient will survive because of the progressive condition of this disease in most cases.”

The newspaper also noted the comment of a well-known constitutional lawyer in Puerto Rico. This lawyer declared that the forced imposition of a practice contrary to a religious belief, whenever that belief is not contrary to law, “is a violation of civil rights.”

Other Cases

This shocking assault on freedom is not an isolated case. This is not the only time that this has happened in Puerto Rico. In recent years, there has been a number of similar cases. Both adults and children have had blood transfusions forced upon them by court orders.

For example, recently a thirty-six-year-old man objected to the use of blood in regard to his illness. He signed a statement relieving the hospital and doctors of any responsibility that might come from not taking blood. His wife agreed completely with his view. But doctors insisted on a blood transfusion. A terrible ordeal was experienced by the patient and his wife. He was given drugs to make him sleep, and while he was unconscious the blood was given to him, against his will.

As with Mrs. Rosario, this man respected the law of the land. He was a conscientious citizen. But just like Mrs. Rosario, he believed that when there is a conflict between what humans want and what God wants, the right thing to do is to “obey God as ruler rather than men,” as God’s own Word says.—Acts 5:29.

True, others may not feel as conscientiously about this matter. And that is their privilege. However, those who have conscientious feelings should be allowed their God-given right to choose the kind of medical treatment they want. To force an unwanted medical treatment on a patient is medical arrogance. It is an insult to the freedoms people have fought so hard to gain over the centuries. It is an insult to human dignity. Most important, it is an insult to God. And someday, as the Bible says at Romans 14:12, “each of us will render an account for himself to God.” And that includes those who try to prevent sincere worshipers of God from obeying His laws.

[Picture on page 18]

Thousands die and tens of thousands are injured by blood transfusions each year. Dr. Charles P. Bailey says: “Damages of incompatibility and kidney damage from transfusions, though much reduced, can never be abolished, no matter how carefully the blood is ‘matched.’”

[Picture on page 19]

Mr. Rosario regularly studies the Bible with his family. His wife was also a Bible student, learning about God’s law on blood from the Holy Scriptures

[Picture on page 21]

The San Martín hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Here is where Mrs. Rosario was held against her will and forcibly operated on without the consent of herself, her husband or her daughters

“The Bag of Life”

■ The discreet woman Abigail said to David: “When man rises up to pursue you and look for your soul, the soul of my lord will certainly prove to be wrapped up in the bag of life with Jehovah.” (1 Sam. 25:29) Anciently, valuables were wrapped up in bags for safekeeping. Like a precious possession, David would be under Jehovah’s protective care when threatened by his enemies. As if in a bag, David’s life as a person would be in God’s hands.

Making a Natural Wine

IF YOU want a fine wine, obtain a pound or two of ripe purple or black grapes. They will have a whitish film on them. From the way it looks, most people think that this is insecticide. It is not. It is a natural, dormant yeast, just waiting to start fermenting the juice of the grape. It is the secret of natural wine. One may want to rinse the grapes off with water, but do not wash off or rub off this whitish powderlike or filmlike substance.

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Awake!, May 22, 1977