Awake!, December 22, 1990

Awake! — December 22, 1990

Source: jw.org

Contents

Page Two

Why a Modern-Day Plague?

Who Develop Eating Disorders?

Winning the Battle!

Are They Consistent?

Christmas and New Year’s Celebrations in Antiquity

How Can I Be Happy Living With Just One Parent?

The Vicuña Wears the Finest Wool

Part 10—Perfect Government at Last!

Trees That Punish Thieves

My Agony on Flight 232

Watching the World

From Our Readers

Index to Volume 71 of “Awake!”

Have You Ever Wondered?

Page Two

Eating disorders were rare 20 years ago. Why has the incidence of these increased so dramatically? Why have so many young women—and some men—developed bizarre eating habits to the point of endangering their emotional and physical health?

Why a Modern-Day Plague?

“BEING thin became the most important thing in my life,” admitted 34-year-old Ann. Her fear of being overweight led to a greatly restricted diet and the loss of 60 pounds [30 kg] in a short time. “She became skin and bones and looked as if she had come out of a concentration camp,” her husband said.

Then, out of sheer hunger, she started to go on a food binge. Afterward, to avoid gaining weight, she used laxatives and induced vomiting to get rid of the food. ‘How could anybody get into such a revolting habit?’ you may wonder.

“It’s easier than you think,” confided Ann. “I just wanted to be thin. There’s a great deal of pressure put on women to look trim. I was bombarded by the fashion magazines, which stress ‘thin, thin, thin.’ So I was determined to be superthin and attractive.”

Ann thus fell into the relentless grip of eating disorders. She was held there for ten long years. As she noted: “You never dream that it will lead to what it does.” But Ann is not unique. She is among an estimated one million American women who develop either anorexia nervosa or bulimia each year. Many men have also developed these eating disorders, and many men are also very overweight. But just what are these disorders?

The Disorders

Anorexia nervosa is characterized by severe and prolonged inability or refusal to eat because of emotional conflict. It is not caused by physical illness. This condition leads to significant weight loss. The person—usually a young woman—is intensely fearful of becoming obese and feels too fat even when emaciated. Menstruation ceases. She refuses to maintain her weight above the minimum normal for her age and height.

Bulimia is characterized by repeated binges, that is, the uncontrollable eating of large amounts of food in a short time. Thereafter, a bulimic tries to get rid of the calories by self-induced vomiting, use of laxatives and diuretics, or vigorous exercise. The constant concern of the bulimic is body shape and weight.

Compulsive overeating is characterized by uncontrollable eating, followed by guilt and feelings of shame regarding the behavior and the subsequent weight gain. The compulsive eater seems to overeat when upset or excited. Obesity often results, since compulsive overeaters generally do not purge themselves of the food.

But simply gaining or losing weight, or being overweight or thin, does not indicate that you have an eating disorder. There may be genetic or physiological causes. An eating disorder exists when one’s attitude about food and weight has gone awry. Then one eats—or refuses to eat—because of profound emotional disturbances.

On the Increase

Most authorities report an increase in eating disorders, some even calling them an epidemic. In an article entitled “Eating Disorders: Implications for the 1990’s,” researchers explained that these disorders “have increased dramatically in frequency since 1970 and are now commonly encountered in clinical practice.” Reportedly, 150,000 die annually from complications associated with anorexia nervosa and bulimia.

Ann, however, fully recovered. She was fortunate. As many as 21 percent of those who develop anorexia nervosa die from the disorder. Suicidal thoughts are common in those with bulimia, and several doctors report that one third of their patients have tried to take their own lives.

These eating disorders affect all age, ethnic, and racial groups and cut across all social levels. This growing plague has invaded many economically developed lands. In Japan the increase reportedly “has been dramatic” since 1981. Sweden, Britain, Hong Kong, South Africa, Australia, and Canada all have had increases.

But why have eating disorders, though reported for hundreds of years, become epidemic in the 20th century?

“The Shrine of Slimness”

After 40 years of research, Dr. Hilde Bruch explains: “I am inclined to relate it to the enormous emphasis that Fashion places on slimness. . . . Magazines and movies carry the same message, but most persistent is television, drumming it in, day in day out, that one can be loved and respected only when slender.”

Before the year 1900, dressing in fashionable clothes was primarily the concern of the wealthy. But after World War I (1914-18), the advent of department stores, women’s magazines, and fashion photography created an increased interest in fashion among the masses of women. Chic new fashions were mass-produced in standard sizes. But to wear these, a woman had to have the “right” figure. Thus, figure flaws became a source of frustration and embarrassment for women who could not fit into such stylish clothing.

Then, in 1918, America’s first best-selling diet book linked weight control to self-esteem. Overweight in women became viewed as a character flaw and a social impediment. In her book Fasting Girls, Joan Brumberg explains the result: “In effect, by the 1920s outward appearance was more important than inner character because sexual allure had replaced spirituality as woman’s ‘shining ornament.’ . . . Many internalized the notion that the size and shape of the body was a measure of self-worth.”

Thus, an obsession with dieting and physical beauty developed. Today, an estimated 50 percent of the women in the United States are on a diet at any given time, most of them for appearance’ sake! A poll taken by Glamour magazine asked 33,000 women: “Which would make you happiest?” Forty-two percent answered, “Losing weight.” That was nearly twice as many as for any of the other selections offered by the poll, such as “Success at work.”

As we enter the 1990’s, thinness has become a symbol of strength, achievement, and attractiveness. “Given our longstanding and extravagant collective worship at the shrine of slimness, it is no wonder that so many contemporary young women make dieting an article of faith,” explained Brumberg. One apparent result? An epidemic of eating disorders.

Despite social pressure to be thin, not all women develop eating disorders. Thus, who are especially vulnerable?

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Health Risks From Eating Disorders

Anorexia Nervosa

Blood disorders, abnormally low blood pressure, abnormal drowsiness or weakness, irregular heartbeat, sudden heart failure, yellowing skin, hormonal disorders, cessation of menstruation, bone-mass loss.

Bulimia

Irregular menstruation, muscle weakness and cramping, dehydration, dizziness, tooth-enamel erosion and cavities, cold intolerance, fatigue, digestive problems, irregular heartbeat that can lead to sudden heart attack, tears and hemorrhages in the esophagus, abdominal pain.

Compulsive Overeating

Weight-related high blood pressure and fatigue, severe obesity (increasing the risk of diabetes), coronary heart disease, cancer, hormonal disorders, and gallstones.

Who Develop Eating Disorders?

While a reasonable interest in one’s appearance is normal, an eating disorder may develop if how one looks becomes an obsession. The following interview illustrates the matter.

AWAKE!: Were you overweight, Ann, when your problems began?

ANN: No, but I was starting to date, and I wanted to look good.

AWAKE!: Did your self-esteem depend on the way you looked?

ANN: I’m sure it did. When people looked at me, I would always ask myself, ‘What are they thinking?’ My mind kept saying, ‘You have to have the right shape to be attractive.’

AWAKE!: So when you felt you looked good, you felt good about yourself?

ANN: Absolutely! If I put on weight, I hated myself. When I looked in the mirror, I didn’t think about the inner qualities.

No one knows why some people develop an eating disorder while others in a similar situation do not. Culture, genetics, health or biochemical abnormalities, and family environment evidently all play a part. Yet, there are certain personality traits that seem to be characteristic of most sufferers.

Striving to Be Perfect

As a group, most of those with eating disorders tend to be high achievers and perfectionists who excel in school or at work. After treating over 130 patients with anorexia, Dr. Hilde Bruch, in her book The Golden Cage, describes the feelings that are typical of such ones: “You have one great fear, namely that of being ordinary, or average, or common—just not good enough. . . . You think you are worthwhile only if you do something very special, something so great and dazzling that your parents and other people you care about will be impressed and admire you for being super-special.”

Lee, who developed anorexia, admitted: “I was trying to do the superb thing, trying to be the best at everything I did.” Often this striving to be perfect is demonstrated by a fervent desire to please others, to be the ‘best little girl in the whole world.’

How a woman perceives her role in society may also make her especially vulnerable. Though men do develop eating disorders, those affected are predominantly women. The book Surviving an Eating Disorder explains: “Girls who become eating disordered have often grown up believing that they should be undemanding of others. The good girl is the quiet, unseen girl who learns not to show what is bothering her.” However, such an upbringing causes some to feel that they have no control of their lives.

For some women, trying always to please others while at the same time suppressing their own desire to take charge of their lives creates an inner conflict that can lead to an eating disorder. Dawn, now recovered from compulsive overeating and bulimia, explains: “My family expected me to do it all their way, to be what they wanted me to be. While on the outside I appeared very secure and very intelligent, inside I wasn’t that way at all. I never felt I could live up to their expectations. I couldn’t please anybody—my friends or my parents. Then I realized that I could control the weight! I could gain it, I could lose it, I could do what I wanted with it. That gave me a sense of control of my life. If I could control this, I could control everything.”

Feelings of Inadequacy

Dawn’s insecurity is typical of the self-doubts many with eating disorders have. Despite having talents, most have a basic lack of self-worth. Overeating may at times be an indication of low self-esteem. The person is saying, in effect: ‘I’m not worth anything. Why should I care about myself or my weight?’ Such feelings spawn depression, which afflicts nearly all who have eating disorders.

What causes this spirit of worthlessness? The Bible answers: “Because of the pain of the heart there is a stricken spirit.” (Proverbs 15:13) A variety of things can cause inner pain—bitter disappointments, rejection, an environment where one’s emotional needs are ignored, or traumatic childhood experiences, to name a few. Research reveals that a surprising number of patients with eating disorders have been sexually abused, even raped.

But low self-esteem may also develop because of the attitudes of others. “As far back as I can remember I was too fat and my mother always harped on it,” explained one young woman. “Everything was done to make me thinner; that was the only thing that mattered. That’s why I hate myself and my body.” Today’s social climate, which greatly praises slenderness, contributes to the self-hatred of some who are overweight.

In other cases the eating disorder itself strips away one’s self-respect. Lynn, who vomited as many as ten times a day, admitted: “I would look at my face in the mirror after I purged and say, ‘I hate you,’ and then I would cry. I felt worthless.”

Deep down, most people with eating disorders are convinced that their basic personality is defective. Thus, all their efforts are directed toward hiding the fatal flaw of their basic inadequacy and to finding ways to build their self-esteem. Those who become anorexic try to do this in a unique way. Their effort to find self-worth is what makes anorexia so insidious—and deadly.

When Lee was rejected by a man she loved, her self-esteem plummeted. “I wanted to prove that he passed up a good thing,” she said. “So I was determined to be superthin and supersmart.” To trim down, she stopped eating and became intensely busy. “I began to feel good about myself. I felt that I was really special because I could do something others could not do. I thought, ‘I’m a strong person.’”

Lee’s weight dropped from 160 pounds [73 kg] to a disturbing 103 [47 kg]. Reflecting on those who tried to get her to eat, she said: “I thought that all those people were trying to ruin my life and my happiness by taking away all my self-esteem. I thought that I would end up being just like everybody else.” That stance by Lee is typical of anorexics, who try to gain self-worth by subduing their desires and doing what others cannot do.

If a girl’s emotions have been exploited, her efforts to protect her fragile self-esteem from further abuse may also lead to anorexia. Shirley, for instance, was disturbed by the way boys treated her because of her newly developed shapeliness. Then her own father made improper advances. “I was so embarrassed and disgusted that I went to my mother and just cried,” Shirley said. “After I lost weight and got rid of my curves, no one was bothering me. I was free of the attention of the opposite sex.”

In some cases anorexia is a flight from the duties of adulthood. “I didn’t want to grow up and face family responsibilities,” Shirley commented. “How could I ever let myself gain weight? No, never! Not for anyone!” Sadly, her obsession with making time stand still led to a painful death due to self-induced starvation.

Not all anorexics fit these descriptions. However, it seems that all of them gain a feeling of strength by making out of themselves someone whom they can admire. They thereby gain a little self-esteem. Thinness becomes their pride and joy.

Handling Painful Emotions

Since food soothes and calms, it may be misused to cope with feelings of loneliness, anxiety, boredom, anger, depression, rejection, or betrayal. “While in school, I was a victim of a harsh experience that was too painful to talk about,” explained Dawn. “Whenever I thought of that incident, or there was a situation that I couldn’t face, I would go on a binge. I just tried stuffing these feelings with food.” The food numbed her emotional pain. But her compulsive overeating led to a 100-pound [45 kg] weight gain.

At times the eating disorder becomes an escape from the pressures of life. For instance, Anne was reared in a home with an alcoholic father and was constantly teased about her weight. She explained why she became bulimic: “It was my way to deal with everyday stress, and it worked because when you are obsessed with something, you don’t have to think about your real problems. You blame everything on your being overweight and tell yourself that when you lose the weight, life will be great.”

While all of us may eat a little more if we are upset or lonely, a person at risk of developing an eating disorder does not use the normal means of dealing with inner turmoil. For instance, the individual may feel an underlying hostility toward some person or situation but would rather eat to soothe his hostility than voice such resentment.

The Role of Dieting

Adopting a rigid diet, according to research, is the most common reason people give for binge eating. A 1989 study of the causes of obesity revealed: “Dieting behavior in response to weight concerns appears, perversely, to be implicated in increasing overweight.” But why?

When people try to follow a strict diet, they usually cut out sweets and other good-tasting foods. These “forbidden” foods become a constant temptation. Then, when upset, anxious, or lonely, they feel sorry for themselves. To improve their mood, they gorge on the very foods that they have deprived themselves of. Then follows an even more stringent diet, leading to the same result—a binge. This vicious cycle leads to weight gain and eating disorders. Lee explained how dieting created the environment for her anorexia: “I had tried all kinds of diets. I would lose weight, and then I would gain it back. This time I wanted to keep it off.”

While knowing the causes of an eating disorder is not the full answer to overcoming it, such knowledge can help one to break free. It can also help prevent problems from starting. But what if you recognize some of these personality traits in yourself, your family, or a friend? How can such traits be overcome?

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An intense concern for one’s physical appearance may lead to an eating disorder

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Some go on an eating binge to handle painful emotions

Winning the Battle!

When you first meet Lee, an articulate, outgoing, and slightly overweight young woman, it is hard to believe that five years ago she almost died from anorexia. But when you begin to talk to her, you are deeply impressed with the mental changes she had to make—some very difficult—to defeat this deadly eating disorder. “It was not just a battle with food,” she explains.

Since eating disorders are the result of underlying emotional problems, the battle to overcome them is fought in the mind. Trying to develop a different set of values is one of the first steps to recovery. All of us have certain established values, things that we consider important. This shapes our viewpoint of ourselves and directs our response to stressful problems. Those with eating disorders must change their values, which means developing a different mental attitude.

“By your new attitude of mind be transformed,” urges the Bible, “so that you can find out what God’s will is—what is good, pleasing, and perfect.” (Romans 12:2, An American Translation) Yes, one’s attitude must be molded by God’s view of what is pleasing. Our Maker knows us intimately. He is certain of what will bring us lasting happiness. Just what does he consider important?

Focus on Real Beauty

God values what we are inside. “The secret person of the heart,” when adorned with a quiet and mild spirit, “is of great value in the eyes of God.” (1 Peter 3:4) Yet, we live in a world where women are commonly evaluated by their appearance. But how unwise to adopt this same standard, for what if today’s thin-is-in mentality changes? A hundred years ago in the United States, plumpness was chic. In 1890 one ad urged: “Respectfully tell the ladies get plump with . . . ‘Fat-Ten-U’ foods which are GUARANTEED to make the Thin Plump and Comely.”

“I had always measured others by their physical appearance,” admitted Lee, who then made some changes in her attitude. “But now I learned to value Christian qualities in others and in myself. I now try to develop likable qualities. I realize how superficial it is to judge myself and others by physical appearance.”

Maintaining the right attitude about looks is not easy. We may need to avoid constant association with those who are obsessed with their weight or who harp on physical appearance. “It is a constant struggle to fight society’s pressures and keep the right attitude,” admits Lynn, who successfully recovered from bulimia. “I didn’t automatically have the right attitude, but I had to make myself think the right way.” This change in thinking also affects the type of things upon which we build our self-esteem.

Reject “Empty Glory”

Many people with eating disorders build their self-worth by striving for perfection or by totally dominating their hunger. The self-centered praise they find for themselves is in reality vain or empty. God’s Word tells us to do nothing ‘out of egotism, but with lowliness of mind consider that others are superior.’ (Philippians 2:3) The original Greek word for “egotism” literally means “empty glory,” or praise that is hollow. So those who do things out of egotism try to draw attention to themselves for reasons that are void of any genuine or lasting value. They glory in things that are empty.

For instance, Lee said: “I felt special because no one could make me eat.” Yet she admitted: “I believed if I was only thinner, I would feel better about myself. But when I took off more weight, I still felt bad about myself.”

Lee then revealed a major turning point in her recovery. “I realized,” she said, “that to God I was like a tiny drop in a bucket, so why did I have to be the greatest? One doesn’t have to be the best. It’s okay if others are better than you in certain things.”

Yes, Lee learned to ‘consider others as superior.’ Actually, others do have certain abilities and assets that are superior to ours, even as we may excel in certain things. Yet, that does not mean that others are of intrinsically greater worth than we are or that we are of greater worth than they are.

Since those with eating disorders ardently desire to feel good about themselves, they must focus on what brings real self-esteem. “Rather than trusting in my looks for praise,” confided Melissa, a recovered bulimic, “I found that accepting God’s values and respecting his view has given me a greater sense of self-worth.” Yes, just as the Bible says: “Charm may be false, and prettiness may be vain; but the woman that fears Jehovah is the one that procures [genuine, not empty,] praise for herself.”—Proverbs 31:30.

Friendship With God

The proper “fear of Jehovah” is not a morbid apprehension of divine punishment but is a dread of displeasing God because he has become our Friend. “Happy is the man in fear of Jehovah, in whose commandments he has taken very much delight,” states Psalm 112:1. As God’s friend, one can find pleasure in obeying His laws. This gives strong motivation. But how does God view the matter of eating disorders?

God’s Word tells us to respect our bodies, a precious gift from God. (Romans 12:1) The apostle Paul listed ‘uncleanness of every sort and greediness’ as things displeasing to God, noting that there are ‘things that take place in secret by unbelievers that are too shameful to relate.’ Among these things likely was the custom of some Roman banqueters of relieving themselves by vomiting during a feast and then returning to continue eating greedily. (Ephesians 5:3, 5, 12) The apostle wrote: “I will not let myself be brought under authority by anything.” (1 Corinthians 6:12) Thus, to enjoy God’s favor, we cannot allow food and dieting to dominate our life.

Since there are several types of eating disorders and different degrees of involvement, the seriousness of one’s conduct in God’s sight may vary. Yet, the desire to be a friend of God will move one to overcome eating disorders. “The biggest thing in my recovery,” said Ann, “was realizing that I couldn’t practice this habit and please God.” But what if there are some setbacks in one’s fight?

“The guilt that came with bulimia is indescribable,” admitted Melissa. “Nights and days when no one was around, I cried and cried, begging God for his help and forgiveness.” How comforting to know that God “will forgive in a large way” and will show “mercy to those fearing him.” (Isaiah 55:7; Psalm 103:13) Even if our hearts may condemn us, “God is greater than our hearts and knows all things.” (1 John 3:20) He sees more than our weaknesses. He knows the depth of effort we are putting forth to break free and the progress we are making.

Never weary of turning earnestly to God, seeking his forgiveness no matter how often you have to approach him about the same weakness. If you are sincere, he will give you a cleansed conscience because of his undeserved kindness. (Romans 7:21-25) “Through it all,” affirmed Melissa, “God was a true and dependable Friend who heard my prayers.” Not giving up is a key to winning the battle!

Handling Painful Emotions

To win the battle, one must learn to handle negative feelings rather than resorting to food as a tranquilizer. Often, obtaining relief requires telling someone about such feelings. For instance, her father’s teasing her about her weight led to Mary’s bulimia. “It was really my fault because I didn’t tell anyone how bad I felt about his teasing me,” explained Mary. “I would just go into my room and cry.”

But expressing such feelings is not easy for a person obsessed with pleasing others. Yet, the book Bulimia: A Systems Approach to Treatment states: “Recognizing feelings of anger and learning to express them in a safe and appropriate manner are major issues in recovery from bulimia.” How fitting is the Bible’s advice: “Be wrathful, and yet do not sin; let the sun not set with you in a provoked state”! (Ephesians 4:26) When angered or pressured to say yes when you really feel like saying no, ask yourself: ‘How can I be honest and straightforward without being caustic?’

Remember also that the Bible does not describe a woman’s role as simply being a people pleaser. Faithful women of God, while submissive to their husbands, were at times properly open with their feelings. They showed initiative and chose ventures that were not always easy. (Proverbs 31:16-18, 29) Of course, there is the risk of failure when pursuing an unfamiliar endeavor. Those with eating disorders are often terrified of making mistakes and appearing foolish. But everyone makes mistakes! “The righteous one may fall even seven times, and he will certainly get up,” says Proverbs 24:16. Learning to profit from mistakes and failures is vital for recovery and for prevention.

At times, painful emotions involve what happened in the past. While memories of those experiences may still pain you, strive to ‘show yourself attentive toward Jehovah’s acts of loving-kindness.’ (Psalm 107:43) Surely, there were some good times when you could see evidence of God’s goodness and love. Try to focus on these. Even if you were terribly victimized, it does not mean that you deserved such mistreatment, nor does it determine your worth as a person.

Get Help!

A person trying to overcome an eating disorder needs to confide in someone he or she can trust. Don’t try to go it alone. Lynn explains what was a major turning point in her recovery: “One night I brought my mother to my room. After crying for ten minutes, I finally blurted out that I was bulimic.” She adds: “My parents were so understanding. Mom helped me to be patient and not to expect an overnight recovery. Dad gave practical suggestions and prayed with me. If I hadn’t opened up, I would have missed all this help.”a

Having the support of others is often essential for full recovery. Avoid isolating yourself, especially when you feel vulnerable. (Proverbs 18:1) When she gets upset, Lynn no longer turns inward. She says of her recovery: “Mom and I would go for a walk and talk about the upsetting problem. Instead of returning to bulimic behavior, I would do something, such as calling a friend, rather than isolate myself.”

Within the congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses are persons who have been helpful to some who were trying to break free of an eating disorder. “I could no longer help myself,” admitted Ann, who had reached her lowest point in her struggle with bulimia. “So I poured out my heart, revealing the problem I had kept secret for ten years.” Christian friends were very supportive. “My pride had kept me from seeking help, and it almost cost me my life. The relief was beyond words. With the help of my friends, I made a full recovery.”

In some cases help is needed from professionals who specialize in treating eating disorders. Usually, a medical evaluation is the first step. The help available may include various types of talk therapy, nutritional counseling, and perhaps the use of medication. In extreme cases hospitalization may be required. Likely a doctor or a hospital would know of any such specialists in your community.

Reasonableness and Hope

“The doctor assured me that if I just ate balanced meals, my metabolism would return to its normal state, and I wouldn’t get fat,” explained Lynn. “And that’s exactly what has happened.” Thus, how wise is the Bible’s recommendation: “Let your reasonableness become known to all men.”—Philippians 4:5.

Success in losing excess weight can be achieved by consistently cutting back on the amount of fats and refined foods, such as sugar and white flour, and increasing the intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Moderate exercise is important too.b Because of genetics, age, and other factors, however, some people are heavier than what may be fashionable.

Lisa, who overcame a long battle with dieting and bulimia, reached a sound conclusion: “I do not feel that the victory is in losing weight. I think the victory is in achieving moderation in all things, even if that means weighing more than this world dictates is fashionable.” However, as one develops a reasonable view of physical appearance, he or she may seek weight loss, not solely for appearance’ sake, but to avoid the health risks associated with obesity.

Instead of constantly trying to reduce to fit into smaller sizes, a person can wear clothes that are becoming and that also fit comfortably. Try to keep occupied with wholesome activities rather than daily weighing and measuring yourself. If you are battling bulimia, make sure that you remove all extra food you may have stashed away, and when food shopping, have someone go along. Strive to eat meals with others. Work to maintain a reasonable schedule, and take necessary time for leisure activities.

Above all, cultivate a purpose in life. Focus intently on the Bible’s hope of a coming new world of righteousness. God will soon rid the earth of the many frustrations that lead to eating disorders and end forever this 20th-century plague.—2 Peter 3:13.

But what can a parent or a spouse do to help someone in the family who has an eating disorder? A later issue of Awake! will consider this.

[Footnotes]

In some cases of eating disorders, a parent may be the central part of the problem. Hence, parents may need to seek help as well. When such counseling is given privately, it makes it easier for the child to maintain parental respect. The parent is thus able to play a continuing role in the recovery.

See the article “Is Losing Weight a Losing Battle?” in our May 22, 1989, issue.

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Learn to reject the world’s propaganda that your worth depends on your looks

Are They Consistent?

WHEN Roman Catholic cardinal John O’Connor indicated that Catholic politicians could be excommunicated if they do not support the church’s position on abortion, syndicated columnist Mike Royko wrote: “Meanwhile, we have a priest [Louis Gigante] going into court and saying that one of New York’s best-known gangsters, a career mug and menace, isn’t really a gangster at all.”

Royko added: “I’ve never read anything about O’Connor announcing: ‘Anybody who is connected with a crime family—the Genovese outfit, the Gambino mob and the rest of them—faces excommunication. Just because someone became a member of our church as a tiny tot doesn’t mean that we have to tolerate his anti-social behavior when he becomes the Godfather.’”

Christmas and New Year’s Celebrations in Antiquity

Aleksander Krawczuk, professor of history and former minister of culture in Poland, wrote an article for Polityka, a weekly magazine in that country. After discussing the historical background of New Year’s celebrations, he stated:

“Were ancient Romans acquainted with New Year’s celebrations? There can be no doubt, especially when one considers imperial Rome. . . . Such gaieties were occasions of great joy and laxity. This in turn influenced the attitude ancient Christians had toward celebrating the official New Year. They considered the custom to be scandalous and thoroughly pagan, alien in form and spirit to the worshipers of enlightened religion. After all, sacrifices to deities were offered. For this reason the church categorically forbade its worshipers to have any part in New Year’s celebrations, especially in the gaieties.”

The professor then goes on to explain the fixing of the date for Christmas:

“The Roman custom of celebrating December 25 prevailed only from the fourth century. It was thus possible to Christianize the popular holiday of the Unconquered Sun.

“Despite the fall of its empire, Rome slowly but steadily forced first Western civilization and finally the whole world to accept its tradition and will regarding both calendar dates. Taking January 1 as the beginning of the new year, however, meant a triumph for a tradition of parties, feasts, wedding festivities, gift-giving, and wishes, and this in spite of the intense aversion of ancient Christians.”

Having established that New Year’s celebrations are of pagan origin, how does Professor Krawczuk feel about Christians’ sharing in these festivities? His own wish for Christians:

“That [Christians] should morally be in a position to repeat the words of their fellow believers of antiquity. When scoffed at by pagans who said: ‘What kind of religion is that, without splendid temples containing images and statues, without precious garments or liturgical vessels?’ the early Christians answered: ‘It is true that we are poor. But our temples are hearts full of love for God and neighbor; our liturgical garments are modesty, industriousness, submissiveness and humility; and the vessels are our good deeds.’”

Pointedly, the Bible states at 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 that Christians should “not harness [them]selves in an uneven team with unbelievers; how can uprightness and law-breaking be partners, or what can light and darkness have in common? How can Christ come to an agreement with Beliar and what sharing can there be between a believer and an unbeliever? The temple of God cannot compromise with false gods, and that is what we are—the temple of the living God. . . . ‘Get away from them, purify yourselves,’ says the Lord. ‘Do not touch anything unclean.’”—The New Jerusalem Bible, a Catholic translation.

How Can I Be Happy Living With Just One Parent?

Young People Ask . . .

How Can I Be Happy Living With Just One Parent?

“Kids with two parents can have their own rooms and buy new clothes. But I have to share a room; I hardly ever get the kind of clothes I like. Mom says she can’t afford them. With all the chores I have to do around the house while she works, I feel like a maid—like I’m being cheated out of part of my childhood.”—Shalonda, 13 years old.

THE two-parent home is ideal. Two loving parents can usually offer more guidance, protection, and support than can one. “Two are better off than one,” says the Bible, “because together they can work more effectively.”—Ecclesiastes 4:9, Today’s English Version.

It is no surprise, then, that despite the spiraling increase in one-parent households, many youths feel ashamed to live in such families. They may feel that they aren’t ready to cope with the pressures and problems to which such a life subjects them. What, then, if circumstances beyond your control deprive you of the love and care of one of your parents? Are you doomed to misery? Hardly.

Much has to do with your view of the situation. Proverbs 15:15 says: “All the days of the afflicted one are bad; but the one that is good at heart has a feast constantly.” In harmony with this principle, Dr. Helen Mendes says: “Single-parent families must view themselves as teams and accept themselves as intact families,” not broken homes. She adds: “Such families have an entirely different attitude and outlook on life when they begin to consider themselves as socially acceptable units.” But is it realistic to have such a positive view?

Quality—Not Quantity

Researchers for the journal Family Relations remind us: “The presence of two parents in a home is no guarantee that love, proper nurturance and wise guidance are being provided.” They also note: “A physically present parent in a home may be psychologically [mentally] absent much of the time.” Hence, your happiness depends, not on how many parents you live with, but on the kind of parent or parents you have in the home and the interest and concern they show in your well-being. As psychologist Richard A. Gardner observed: “Bad parents, whether one or two, cause children to be unhappy; and good parents, whether one or two, help children grow up healthier and happier.” And single parents often make admirable efforts to give their children needed attention.

Seventeen-year-old Melanie says: “It hasn’t been easy since my dad left us. It’s been real hard on my mom because she works now. But we get to our Christian meetings and have regular Bible studies, something we rarely did when my father lived with us.” She adds: “We do more things as a family, and we are very close. Of course, I miss my father, but I’m very happy living with my mom.” If your one parent is putting forth similar effort to raise you in “the discipline and mental-regulating of Jehovah,” you can still thrive and flourish even if your family structure is not ideal.—Ephesians 6:4.

Making Do With Less

There are some practical concerns that may arise, however. One study indicated that immediately after a divorce, a single-parent household may suffer a 73-percent decline in its standard of living. Understandably, then, money is a big concern in most one-parent families.a

What can you do? You probably have little control over your family’s finances. But you can help conserve and stretch what resources you have by avoiding waste. (Compare John 6:12.) Young Rodney says: “Around the house, I try to be careful not to break or misplace things, since it costs money to repair or replace items. I try to turn off electrical appliances or lights not being used. This helps to lower our electric bills.”

Fourteen-year-old Tony tries a different approach. He says: “Kids in my school demand that their parents buy them designer sneakers and clothes. They refuse to go to school without them.” Tony adds: “I don’t have the latest designer clothes, but I’m neat and clean, and I take care of what I have. My mom’s doing the best she can; I don’t want to make it harder for her.” Such fellow feeling not only conserves limited resources but is a real source of encouragement to a parent.—1 Peter 3:8.

Cutting back on or eliminating snacks and junk foods may also be helpful. Young Rita observes: “Eating at home may not be as appealing as eating at a fast-food restaurant, but it saves money.” A wise assessment indeed! Other youths donate part of their earnings from part-time jobs to the family fund. Thirteen-year-old Danny gives his mother the money he makes on his paper route. His mother explains: “After I pay the mortgage, the gas, the telephone, the food, and buy the clothes, that’s the money we have to live off. And Danny is really a super kid; he doesn’t really mind.” Cooperating in this regard is one way to ‘honor your parent.’—Matthew 15:4.

Before you seek part-time employment, though, discuss it with your parent.b A part-time job may interfere with your schoolwork, household duties, and Christian meetings. (Hebrews 10:24, 25) Parents are usually able to work out some means of supporting their children without their children having to take on a major portion of the responsibility. Still, you may have to cope with having a limited income. But remember that while material things and money are useful, Christians are admonished to be content with “sustenance and covering.”—1 Timothy 6:8-10; Luke 12:15.

For example, your family may have to move from a larger home to a smaller one or to an apartment, requiring that you now share a room with a family member. But you can still be content. And with a little ingenuity, you may be able to retain a measure of privacy. Some families, for example, have built sleeping lofts in the living room, screened from view by bookcases. Simply organizing the available space or using a room divider may likewise suffice to give you at least a sense of privacy.

At any rate, psychologist Richard A. Gardner reminds one-parent youths: “It is important to remember that money—and the things that money can buy—are not the most important things in life. It’s . . . things like the kind of person you are and how you treat other people that will determine how happy you are going to be in life.” (Compare Acts 20:35.) Along these lines, the apostle Paul said: “I have learned to be satisfied with what I have . . . so that anywhere, at any time, I am content.”—Philippians 4:11, 12, TEV.

You may also have to assume a greater share of the responsibility for the functioning of your home than if you lived in a two-parent home. But rather than viewing this negatively, try to see it as a chance both to help your parent and to train yourself for future responsibilities.

How to Handle Overload

Sometimes, though, a youth ends up with more responsibility than he or she can handle. This is particularly likely to happen if you are the oldest child. What should you do? Try talking to your parent and explain how this problem is affecting you. Perhaps you can suggest that the chores be more fairly distributed. For example, some families post a list showing all the chores that each family member must perform. So that no one has to do the more unpleasant tasks all the time, some families regularly rotate the chores among capable family members.

The foregoing suggestions may prove helpful in making the most of your situation. This is not to say, however, that you won’t from time to time wish you had a second parent at home. But a youth named Carrie puts it this way: “You never really get over the pain, but it gets smaller. It’s like a big freckle on your hand. It’s always there, but sometimes you don’t notice it.”

Much has to do, though, with how hard you endeavor to cope with your situation. For in spite of the disadvantages of living in a one-parent home, you can help make your life there a success and a joy!

[Footnotes]

One-parent homes headed by fathers fare better economically than those headed by mothers because (1) men enjoy a higher pay scale and (2) noncustodial fathers frequently default on alimony or child-support payments.

The November 22, 1990, and December 8, 1990, issues of Awake! discuss the matter of afterschool employment more thoroughly.

[Picture on page 16]

Making your own lunches is one way to save your parent time and money

The Vicuña Wears the Finest Wool

By Awake! correspondent in Bolivia

WHAT makes the wool of the vicuña so special? And why is its wool so rare?

You may have seen a similar animal, the llama—that snooty-looking, slow-moving beast of burden so common in zoos. Its wool is coarse. You may also have seen garments made from the soft fleece of the alpaca, another domestic animal of the Andes kept for its wool. But have you ever seen a vicuña?

The vicuña is different. It is wild! Touch its coat if you can. It is the finest wool on earth, with hairs less than half the diameter of the finest sheep’s wool.

The vicuña needs that insulating coat, since it lives at an elevation of from 12,000 to 18,000 feet [3,700 to 5,500 m] on the slopes of the Andes Mountains. There, near the snow line, days are delightfully sunny, but at nightfall the temperature suddenly drops to many degrees below freezing. Also, many areas on this western side of the Andes are dry deserts. How do vicuñas survive in such a place?

Besides having a special coat, the vicuña has blood that is so loaded with red cells that even at the high altitudes where it lives, the animal can run at 30 miles an hour [50 km/hr] for some distance without tiring. And like camels they can survive under extremely dry conditions. In fact, vicuñas, llamas, alpacas, and guanacos are often called cameloids because they are like camels. But our Creator has given vicuñas another advantage to help them survive.

Whereas llamas and alpacas give birth at any time of the year, vicuñas give birth in March and April. This is at the end of the rainy season, when there is more food. In addition, the birth is usually in the morning, to give the little one time to dry out before it encounters its first freezing night. The mother separates from the rest of the herd of about 20 vicuñas and, after less than half an hour’s labor, gives birth to a creature weighing less than 14 pounds [6 kg]. She does nothing to help it, not even licking it. If it rains, the cold will weaken the newborn and make it easy prey for the world’s largest flying bird, the Andean condor. But soon the newborn is on its feet, and within 30 minutes it is able to outrun a man.

However, it is sad that greedy poachers have nearly exterminated the vicuña, often killing the animals with machine guns. In some years up to 50,000 pounds [23,000 kg] of wool has been exported, nearly all from illegally slaughtered animals. In an effort to save the creature from extinction, some nations have banned the import of vicuña wool and skins.

Why Is the Wool So Warm?

All wool is warm because, unlike silk, cotton, or polyester, there are tiny scales on the hollow, air-filled fibers that cause them to interlock and trap insulating air. Also, wool has a natural crimp, or wave, that remains even after processing and washing. This means that less wool touches the skin than is the case with other fibers. In addition, wool continues to absorb moisture—up to 30 percent of its weight—without feeling damp to the touch.

Significantly, silky vicuña wool is finer than any other wool. And, usually, the finer the wool, the finer the quality. Fine wool means finer yarn and finer cloth—cloth that feels soft, light, and warm. A scarf made of vicuña is so fine that it can be drawn through a wedding ring. Because the fine fibers are very sensitive to chemical treatment, vicuña wool is normally used in its natural golden color.

The vicuña fleece has been appreciated since the time of the Incas, before the Spanish conquest of the 16th century. Millions of vicuñas thrived in the Andes in those days. Every few years the Incas would organize thousands of people to surround entire mountains and trap the herds of vicuñas so that they could be sheared. Vicuña cloth was a respected mark of rank; only the highest-ranking ones in the kingdom could use it. Today, it is almost impossible to obtain legally.

Why So Rare?

Whereas an alpaca can provide 15 pounds [7 kg] of wool every two years when it is sheared, a vicuña provides only one pound [0.5 kg]. Yet, is it possible to produce sufficient quantities of wool for commercial use from domesticated vicuñas?

“Personally, I think it’s a Utopian dream,” explained a warden at a research station on the Bolivian altiplano. “You see, llamas and alpacas are domestic animals, but the vicuñas are wild. They leap our fences, and we have to spend many hours catching them again. They fought so furiously when we tried to dip them that two died.” Evidently, some animals were created to be domesticated and others not. Regarding this, the Bible says that God created “domestic animal and moving animal and wild beast of the earth according to its kind.” (Genesis 1:24) But what about crossing vicuñas with domestic alpacas?

This has been tried, but the offspring become sterile after just a few generations. “The only hope of legally produced vicuña cloth,” the above-quoted warden said, “lies in protecting the wild animals until their numbers grow sufficiently so that they can be herded into nets. Then they can be sheared and released, as in Inca times. Some countries hope to achieve this soon.”

Surely, to care better for earth’s animal life is a worthy goal. This was done in past generations, and it will certainly be done in the future under the rule of God’s righteous government.—Isaiah 9:6; 11:6-9.

Part 10—Perfect Government at Last!

Human Rule Weighed in the Balances

Part 10—Perfect Government at Last!

Theocracy: from the Greek words “the·osʹ” (god) and “kraʹtos” (a rule); thus, a government by the direction or administration of God, at times through appointed representatives.

IF YOU could afford to buy a genuine pearl necklace or a diamond ring, would you settle for a poor imitation of the real thing? Probably not, unless you had been deceived into believing that what you were getting was the best that could be had.

As regards government, hundreds of millions of people have been deceived into believing that they are getting the best that can be had. In reality they are ending up with poor imitations. No wonder they are disappointed, dissatisfied, and frustrated.

The Search for Good Government

William Ralph Inge, onetime Anglican Church dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, wrote in 1922: “A good government remains the greatest of human blessings, and no nation has ever enjoyed it.” Why?

A partial explanation can be found in the words of John F. Kennedy, 35th president of the United States. “No government is better than the men who compose it,” he said. Since even the most gifted politician is imperfect, every government that humans set up is doomed to failure.

Seventeenth-century English playwright Philip Massinger was correct when he wrote: “He that would govern others, first should be the master of himself.” But what imperfect human is really master of himself? Really, no politician has sufficient knowledge and wisdom to control events and situations and thus ensure his own happiness and well-being, much less the happiness and well-being of millions of fellow humans. And even if he were always able to make correct decisions, he would not have the power to carry them out.

American essayist Brooks Atkinson, recognizing the problem, concluded back in 1951: “We need supermen to rule us—the job is so vast and the need for wise judgment is so urgent. But, alas,” he said, “there are no supermen.” Today, four decades later, there still are none.

Actually, God never intended for humans to rule themselves. In order to enjoy perfect government, humans need more than just government by supermen. They need theocracy, government by God.

What Kind of Theocracy?

Theocracy is the type of government that prevailed in Eden, where God placed the first human pair. As rightful Sovereign, God originally administered affairs and exercised authority.

When Jewish historian Flavius Josephus first coined the Greek word translated “theocracy” about 19 centuries ago, he used it to refer to the ancient nation of Israel. This was a correct identification, since Israel at that time was a nation chosen by God. It was actually ruled by him, even though his rule was administered through earthly representatives.—Deuteronomy 7:6; 1 Chronicles 29:23.

When the term “theocracy” was introduced into other languages, it was at first mostly limited to the meaning Josephus intended. But it later took on additional connotations. According to The Encyclopedia of Religion, it has been “widely applied to such varied cases as pharaonic Egypt, ancient Israel, medieval Christendom, Calvinism, Islam, and Tibetan Buddhism.”

Historian W. L. Warren says that there was “in the English monarchy an element of theocratic kingship—the king as the chief instrument in the divine scheme for the ordering of the world, the king as God’s representative and judgement-deliverer.” In modern times the word has even been used, explains Dewey Wallace, Jr., of George Washington University, as an expression of “‘enlightened’ contempt for ‘priest-ridden’ societies.”

The broad scope of meaning now included in the word allows for the existence of many kinds of theocracy. Which kind do we need?

Counterfeit Theocracies

The first human government in recorded history was founded some 4,000 years ago by Nimrod. This great-grandson of Noah made himself a king and became, as he is described in the Bible, “a mighty hunter in opposition to Jehovah.” (Genesis 10:8, 9) By setting himself up as ruler in opposition to Jehovah, Nimrod made himself a political god. As such, he had the backing of God’s chief opposer, the false god Satan the Devil. (2 Corinthians 4:4) So Nimrod’s rule was a counterfeit of the real theocracy.

When the inhabitants of Nimrod’s empire were later scattered throughout the earth, people continued to assume that their governments were theocratic, that is, deriving authority from the god or gods they worshiped. (Genesis 11:1-9) “Theocracy” thus came to be used, says The Encyclopedia of Religion, “to describe that early phase of ancient oriental civilization in which there was no distinction between religion and the state.”

In some cultures, such as Egypt under the Pharaohs, the king was believed to be the spouse of a great goddess or the son of a god. Other cultures said little about the king’s supposed divine qualities or descent, stressing rather the idea of his having been divinely chosen. In the Greece of Alexander’s time and thereafter, the king was considered divine, explains the book A History of Political Theory, “because he brought harmony to his kingdom as God brings harmony into the world.” This history book continues: “He possessed a divinity which the common man did not share and which brought to disaster the unworthy usurper who claimed the high office without the blessing of Heaven.”

This concept that the king is divine was carried over into the so-called Christian era. After the Teutonic tribes were converted to Catholicism, the king’s prestige increased. The crowning by the church implied that God himself had chosen the king to rule. From this background, the doctrine known as the divine right of kings gradually developed.

Even before the “Christian” era, the Caesars of Rome had given their government a theocratic twist by claiming godship. In Roman eyes, human rule was the equivalent of god-rule, making their government, after the fashion of Nimrod, a counterfeit theocracy. So when Jewish clergymen of the first century C.E. rejected Jesus as prospective King, saying, “We have no king but Caesar,” they were, in effect, expressing preference for a counterfeit theocracy over the real one that Jesus was proclaiming.—John 19:15.

Since theocratic rule by Jehovah is vastly superior to every other form of rule, Satan has, not surprisingly, tried to incorporate some of its aspects into his man-made counterfeits—but unsuccessfully. All these self-styled theocracies have fallen far short of the ideal. In reality, none of them has been a rule by God or by his representatives. They have been poor imitations of the real thing, expressions of imperfect human rule under the control of a counterfeit god.

Appropriately, the Bible calls this god “the ruler of this world” and “the god of this system of things.” (John 12:31; 14:30; 2 Corinthians 4:4) That is why he was able to offer “all the kingdoms of the world and their glory” to Jesus, a temptation Jesus resolutely rejected. (Matthew 4:8-10) Knowing that genuine theocracy is rule by the one true God, Jehovah, Jesus was not deceived into accepting man-made substitutes that are incapable of expressing in perfect balance the divine attributes found in the real thing.

Perfect Government At Hand

Some years ago, Hugh Brogan of the University of Essex concluded: “If man, the political animal, is to save himself and his civilizations, he cannot yet rest from seeking new forms of government to meet the ever-new needs of his times.” Since Nimrod’s day, humans have been doing just that, repeatedly devising new forms of government to meet the needs of the times. But just how much time is needed to prove that human rule simply does not work?

Happily, in 1914 the time came for senseless experimentation in human government to be challenged by the establishing in heaven of Jehovah’s Messianic Kingdom!a Since 1914, human governments, although still clinging to life, have been living on borrowed time. (Daniel 7:12) We are living in the period that the Bible identifies as “the last days.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5) The handwriting on the wall that bodes imminent destruction for human rule is so plain that no one can honestly overlook it. It can be ignored, but it cannot be erased.

Theocratic rule by means of Jehovah’s Messianic Kingdom is represented in the Bible at Daniel chapter 2 by a stone “cut out not by hands” that “struck the image [symbolic of human rule] on its feet of iron and of molded clay and crushed them.” This means that God’s established Kingdom will soon strike bad human rule in its every form, crushing it. How completely? The Bible answers: “At that time the iron, the molded clay, the copper, the silver and the gold were, all together, crushed and became like the chaff from the summer threshing floor, and the wind carried them away so that no trace at all was found of them.”—Daniel 2:34, 35.

If evil human governments are to be swept away so completely that no trace of them will ever be found, it is obvious that advocates of human rule are in for difficult times. Millions of people, recognizing this fact, are seeing the wisdom of shifting their trust from corrupted human rule to something better. Only rule by Jehovah God, the Creator of the universe, can solve the problems caused by thousands of years of human misrule and mismanagement. Only true theocracy can meet the needs of our times.

Awake! hopes that the ten-part series “Human Rule Weighed in the Balances” has impressed upon you the importance of making a personal decision in this matter of government. And above all it is hoped that it will help you to make a wise decision. Human rule has been weighed in the balances and found deficient. What will you choose? Will it be a cheap counterfeit or the real thing? Will it be human rule or rule by the true God, Jehovah?—Daniel 2:44; Matthew 6:10.

[Footnotes]

For proof that God’s Kingdom was established in 1914 and that this world has been in its last days since then, see chapters 16 and 18 of the book You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth, published in 1982 by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.

[Box on page 22]

What Theocratic Rule by Jehovah Will Do

◆ Restore feeble old people to youthful vigor.—Job 33:25.

◆ Make wars a thing of the past.—Psalm 46:9; Isaiah 9:7.

◆ Furnish every family with excellent housing.—Isaiah 65:21.

◆ Heal the sick and the disabled.—Isaiah 33:24; 35:5, 6.

◆ Resurrect the dead.—Isaiah 25:8; Acts 24:15; Revelation 20:13.

◆ Rid the earth of corruption, immorality, and crime.—Proverbs 2:21, 22.

◆ Provide abundant food for all.—Psalm 72:16; Isaiah 25:6.

◆ Reinstate a peaceful relationship between humans and animals.—Isaiah 11:6-9; Ezekiel 34:25.

◆ Assign everyone meaningful and rewarding work.—Isaiah 65:22, 23.

◆ Transform the earth into a global paradise.—Isaiah 35:1, 6, 7; Luke 23:43.

These are not empty political promises made by humans; they are promises made by God, and “it is impossible for God to lie.”—Hebrews 6:18.

[Picture on page 23]

The eternal blessings of perfect government can be yours!

Trees That Punish Thieves

In some lands the Christmas tree is considered indispensable to celebrating Christmas, but not all who want a tree are willing to pay for one. Parks and landscaped rights-of-way of many highways in the United States have been invaded by tree thieves. In search of the ideal fir, spruce, or pine, thieves chop them down and haul them off regardless of who owns the land.

Some states have begun to fight back. During last year’s Christmas season, authorities in various northern regions began spraying some trees with a special chemical. It isn’t noticeable in the cold outdoors, but once a tree is safely inside the thief’s warm living room, the chemical makes its presence known. According to The Wall Street Journal, it stinks “like a fertilizer factory.”

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Awake!, December 22, 1990