Expert: Brenda Martin - 7/31/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi Brenda,
i would like to know why God neglected Australia's Aboriginal people up until only 200 years ago. Before white man came to Australia the Aborigines had no idea who Jehovah or Jesus were. Infact, there are still tribes in the Amazon that have yet to see white man or be influenced by white man customs or religious beleifs. If God loves all people, why is there no bible in these remote places and why do they not know of Jehovah and Jesus ?
Thanks very much, Steve
p.s so far i've been a fan of all your answers

ANSWER: "GOD NEGLECTING AUSTRALIA'S ABORIGINAL PEOPLE?"

Searching for Deserving Ones in Australia’s Outback

I quote from our watchtower magazine of 2005—

“A VAST inland section of Australia is affectionately known as the outback. Some parts of this remote area had not received a witness in 12 years. So Jehovah’s Witnesses in Darwin, the Northern Territory’s capital city, organized an intensive nine-day preaching campaign to search out deserving ones.—Matthew 10:11.

Careful planning began 12 months ahead of the campaign, including the mapping of more than 300,000 square miles an area three times the size of New Zealand. To get some idea of how isolated this vast territory is, consider that the average driveway in a cattle station (ranch) stretches more than 20 miles from the front gate to the house! Moreover, some stations are 180 miles or more apart.

A total of 145 Witness volunteers shared in the campaign. Some came from as far away as Tasmania. Some arrived in four-wheel-drive vehicles packed with camping gear, spare parts, and fuel. Others hauled their gear in trailers. In addition, two 22-seat buses were hired to carry those who did not have suitable four-wheel-drive vehicles. Those travelling by bus concentrated on witnessing to the inhabitants of small towns in the selected territory.

Before setting out, the brothers arranged talks and demonstrations to provide guidelines on how to present the good news in this unusual territory. For example, to preach effectively in Aboriginal communities usually requires following certain protocol and being aware of Aboriginal customs. Environmental concerns were also discussed to help protect the wildlife.

Many outstanding experiences were enjoyed. For instance, in one Aboriginal settlement, the brothers arranged to deliver a Bible-based public talk. The head-lady in the community personally went to inform people about it. Afterward, 5 books and 41 brochures were placed with those in attendance. In another settlement an Aborigine was contacted. He even had his own Bible, a King James Version, but it was old and tattered. When asked if he knew God’s name, he said yes and then proceeded to pull out of his jacket an old issue of The Watchtower. He read from the magazine, quoting Mark 12:30, which says: “You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart.” He said, “I really like that scripture.” After an extensive Bible discussion, he accepted a new Bible and other Bible-based literature.

Near the Gulf of Carpentaria, the headman of a million-acre cattle station showed some interest in the Kingdom message. When he was shown the publications My Book of Bible Stories and Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life, he asked if there was any literature available in the Kriol language. This was unusual because even though many Aborigines speak Kriol, few can read it. It turned out that all 50 of the workers on that station were able to read Kriol. The headman was delighted to obtain Bible literature in Kriol, and he gladly provided his telephone number so that he could be contacted.

During the nine days of intensive witnessing, a total of 120 Bibles, 770 books, 705 magazines, and 1,965 brochures were placed. Additionally, 720 return visits were made, and 215 Bible studies were started.

Indeed, the spiritual hunger of many deserving ones scattered across this vast area was at last being satisfied.—Matthew 5:6”.
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Another article reads—“When I was a little girl, I was told that I would go to hell because I am an Aborigine. Years later, in 1936, I heard a recording of a Bible lecture (given by JW’s) that turned the hose on hell and lit a flame in my heart. That flame is now brighter than ever.”

So as early as 1936 Aborigines were hearing the truth.
--

I quote this from our 1986 yearbook—“Good progress is being made among the aboriginal communities. In a place called Duck Creek, an entire community has been studying with the brothers for a number of years, and they now call themselves Jehovah’s Witnesses, though no congregation has yet been formed there. However a new clergyman in the area decided to introduce himself to the community as the new minister. Well, the aboriginal folk decided to put him to the test. They asked him what God’s name is. He had anticipated that question and so replied: “Jehovah.” Then they asked him to show them where the name is in the Bible. He had no idea. Proudly they declared: “We all know it is in several places in the Bible, and one of them is Psalm 83:18.” At that, they politely informed him that he need not bother calling again”.
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Awake 94 reads—“Many Aboriginal men and women are now busy telling others about the grand blessings that God’s Kingdom will bring to mankind.—Revelation 21:3, 4.

One Aborigine explained regarding many of her fellow Australians: “They are discerning that a view held in common by whites, Aborigines, and most other people on earth is erroneous. It is that Australia belongs to Aborigines by right of original discovery or to the whites by right of conquest. Neither is true. It belongs to Jehovah God by right of creation.”—Revelation 4:11.
Indeed, our Creator, Jehovah God, does own Australia and all the rest of the earth. And in fulfillment of the prayer Jesus taught, God’s Kingdom will come, and the entire earth will be turned into a global paradise inhabited by people of all races and nationalities who love and serve the true God”.

So no need to worry, the Aboriginal people are receiving the truth of God’s word from JW’s :¬)

All the best
Brenda







---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The majority of Aboriginal people beleive in traditions such as dream time and other ritual events. They very much beleive in the land. When white man conquered Australia just over 200 years ago, they wiped out  half the Aboriginal people and raped many more of their women. There are very few full blooded Aboriginal people today. I think we can all understand their gripe with white man and I can definately understand why most Aboriginals do not beleive in the bible or God but stay true to the land which has taken care of them for the past 60,000 years, maybe longer.
My follw up question is. Will God judge these people for not beleiving or will they automatically pass Gods judjement because he has not given them a fair chance to beleive ?

Thanks, Steve


Answer
HI Steve, you asked--"WILL GOD JUDGE THESE PEOPLE FOR NOT BELIEVING OR WILL THEY AUTOMATICALLY PASS GODS JUDGEMENT BECAUSE HE HAS NOT GIVEN THEM A FAIR CHANCE TO BELIEVE?"

The bible tells us that “God in NOT partial, but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.” (Acts 10; 35)

When God brings about Armageddon shortly there will be no-one who hasn’t heard the good news, so those who are destroyed at Armageddon will be those who have CHOSEN not to “believe”, all on earth will have had a “fair chance” (Matthew 24;14)

(Revelation 14:6) In fulfillment of this prophetic vision, the good news of God’s Kingdom is being preached worldwide in various tongues, or languages. Many of these languages are spoken by immigrants living far from their native lands. These individuals too are hearing the good news from zealous Witnesses of Jehovah who have learned another language.

As a result of this preaching work, millions are responding to the good news. Lives are being transformed. Deadly addictions are overcome. Family life is improved. Racial hatred is replaced with love. The truths found in God’s word have united nearly seven million people from over 235 lands into an international brotherhood & as subjects of God’s Kingdom; they are being prepared for eternal life in Paradise on this planet.

All the best
Brenda