Home昔日真理報2013年 真理報文章2013 年 4 月【事事關心】卑詩省選關注什麼?

【事事關心】卑詩省選關注什麼?

 

提到政府選舉,一般人多數從參選者及其政黨的政綱來決定選哪些人。然而,我想先從信仰的角度考慮社會議題去看加拿大西岸的 BC 省於 5 月 14 日舉行的省政府選舉。

Vote 1現今大部份選民只關心財政問題:政府如何減輕收入和銷售稅,如何使用納稅人的金錢,官員有沒有貪污,財政預算是赤字還是有盈餘。從政治理念來看,新民主黨(NDP)主張大政府主義,權力範圍越大越好,喜好無事不管,後果當然是高稅率和龐大開支。其對手的 BC 自由黨(Liberal Party)則比較提倡大企業和自由市場經濟,後果一般來說是令私人商業蓬勃,營造出一個樂觀和有利的社會經濟環境。

對於升斗市民來說,人人可平等地享用醫療制度和廉價且準時的公共交通服務,是他們的渴望。大溫哥華地區的交通由 Translink「運輸聯網」這個由各城鎮市長組成的委員會去負責領導。然而,此委員會只懂得加稅和自己加薪酬,服務水平甚低。下一任的省政府若能重新組合這委員會,並加強這個委員會的問責機制去控制支出,應該對這議題有改進,因為現今 Translink 委員會人員的素質,已成為如何建立這地區的有效公共運輸系统之重要一環。

Vote 2然而對基督徒而言,政府不單要在理財方面有智慧,量入為出,更應該重視倡導美善的事、打擊罪惡、懲惡揚善,稟承聖經羅馬書13章的指引。同時要有堅定的公義原則,正如箴言14:34 所說:"公義使邦國高舉,罪惡是人民的羞辱",例如對於大麻和毒品問題、學校性教育等議題。

先講大麻和毒品,作為一個良好政府不單立法明確地指出服用此等物品會危害國民的身體健康,不會因為一些壓力團體製造聲勢便隨便妥協,而應該以國民健康為首要,不以收稅大於一切而改變立場,同時鼓勵執法機關努力依據法律辦事。從政黨領袖的言論和過往業績來考慮,BC 自由黨領袖和當中比較多主張對毒品和大麻不妥協,而且嚴厲打擊。相對而言,新民主黨則絕大部份是主張放縱的立場,只重視將大麻合法化而增加稅收而已。

談到重視和重視倡導美善的事,我們須要興起更多敬畏神的教師,培育我們的下一代。在這議題上,政府可以在教育政策和執行上指引教師工會(其實,現任自由黨領袖曾在這方面致力,只可惜不成功),並且運用財政鼓勵國民生養兒女和願意花時間在家裡教導自己的兒女,尊重和確認傳统家庭是穩定社會的基石。在這議題上,新民主黨NDP是不贊成家長自己在家裡看管和教導兒女,卻倡導「國家託兒」(National Day Care),由國家執行中央主導計劃去教育兒童,帶有典型的社會主義和共產主義的色彩。相對而言,BC自由黨之中多數有傳統家庭觀念而認同聖經所顯示的倫理道德。

整體而言,新民主黨對傳統的倫理道德觀念是比較抗拒的,而 BC 自由黨之中則仍然有一群基督徒黨員願意持守傳統的倫理道德和價值觀念。特別是關於「性別身份」(Gender Identity)這個議題,新民主黨的黨員都比較推崇一個人沒有固定的性別,他們樂於提倡性別只是主觀思維的產物而並非外在客觀的定義。BC 自由黨之中雖然並非人人有傳統的保守意念,卻仍有相當人反對在學校裡推行「性別身份」(Gender Identity)這個議題。對於基督徒來說,這是一個值得特別關注的問題,因為它將會全盤推翻聖經對性別和婚姻關係,並且家庭培育的教導。

很多人認為所有政黨都是「天下烏鴉一般黑」,誰來當政都沒有分別。這是錯誤的觀念,從世界歷史看許多國家,不同的政黨因著不同的政治理念而帶領不同的進程,政策註定了國家的興衰成敗。對比非洲許多落後、很動蕩、生命沒有保障的國家,有不完美或不如意的政府總比無政府管理較為安定和帶來樂觀的盼望。

一張選票固然在一般情形下不能決定勝敗或某人當選,但許多選民若同心的意志去投票支持一人或一個政黨,則一定能影響大局,在最近幾次的美國和加拿大的政府選舉中確實有這樣的例子。

願基督徒都慎重考慮如何投票,肯花一些時間去認識其選區的參選者,投下有智慧和責任感的一票。

 

      聖經金句 (Bible Verses)

喜樂 Joy

喜樂的心乃是良藥;憂傷的靈使骨枯乾。箴言 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

然而,我要因耶和華歡欣,因救我的 神喜樂。哈巴谷書 3:18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18

要常常喜樂,不住的禱告,凡事謝恩。帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-17
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

饒恕 Forgiveness

主啊,你本為良善,樂意饒恕人,有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告你的人。詩篇 86:5
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5

你不要說:“我要以惡報惡”;要等候耶和華,他必拯救你。箴言 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. Proverbs 6:14

你們饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯;馬太福音 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

你們不饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。馬太福音 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

你們各人若不從心裡饒恕你的弟兄,我天父也要這樣待你們了。馬太福音 18:35
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Matthew 18:35

謙卑 Humility

敬畏耶和華是智慧的訓誨;尊榮以前,必有謙卑。箴言 15:33
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

敬畏耶和華心存謙卑,就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。箴言 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

凡事不可結黨,不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀;只要存心謙卑,各人看別人比自己強。腓立比書 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

驕傲 Pride

驕傲來,羞恥也來;謙遜人卻有智慧。箴言 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

驕傲只啟爭競;聽勸言的,卻有智慧。箴言 13:10
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Proverbs 13:10

驕傲在敗壞以先;狂心在跌倒之前。箴言 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

忍耐 Patience

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

並且你們要為我的名,被眾人恨惡,惟有忍耐到底的,必然得救。馬可福音 13:13
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

不但如此,就是在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Romans 5:3

我們行善,不可喪志;若不灰心,到了時候就要收成加拉太書 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

你們也當忍耐,堅固你們的心,因為主來的日子近了。雅各書 5:8
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:8

溫柔 Meekness

回答柔和,使怒消退;言語暴戾,觸動怒氣。箴言 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

溫柔的人有福了,因為他們必承受地土。馬太福音 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人;或者 神給他們悔改的心,可以明白真道。提摩太後書 2:25
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:25

只要以裡面存著長久溫柔、安靜的心為妝飾;這在 神面前是極寶貴的。彼得前書 3:4
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4

嫉妒 Envy

不要為作惡的心懷不平,也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。詩篇 37:1
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. Psalm 37:1

心中安靜是肉體的生命;嫉妒是骨中的朽爛。箴言 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

在何處有嫉妒、紛爭,就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。雅各書 3:16
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

生氣 Anger

當止住怒氣,離棄忿怒;不要心懷不平,以致作惡。詩篇 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. Psalm 37:8

好生氣的人,不可與他結交;暴怒的人,不可與他來往。箴言 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered. Proverbs 22:24

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

生氣卻不要犯罪.不可含怒到日落。以弗所書 4:26
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

我親愛的弟兄們,這是你們所知道的,但你們各人要快快的聽,慢慢的說,慢慢的動怒,因為人的怒氣並不成就 神的義。雅各書 1:19,20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19,20

災難 Calamity

謹守口與舌的、就保守自己免受災難。箴言 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

民要攻打民、國要攻打國、多處必有地震、饑荒.這都是災難的起頭。馬可福音 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:8

憂愁 Worry

你們不要憂愁、因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是你們的力量。尼希米記 8:10
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

主雖使人憂愁, 還要照他諸般的慈愛發憐憫。耶利米哀歌 3:32
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:32

凡勞苦擔重擔的人,可以到我這裡來,我就使你們得安息。馬太福音 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

我留下平安給你們、我將我的平安賜給你們.我所賜的、不像世人所賜的.你們心裏不要憂愁、也不要膽怯。約翰福音 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

應當一無掛慮,只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝,將你們所要的告訴神。神所賜出人意外的平安,必在基督耶穌裡,保守你們的心懷意念。腓立比書 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

因此, 你們是大有喜樂, 但如今, 在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁。彼得前書 1:6
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6

患難 Trouble, Suffering

義人多有苦難,但耶和華救他脫離這一切。詩篇 34:19
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

神是我們的避難所,是我們的力量,是我們在患難中隨時的幫助!詩篇 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

耶和華本為善,在患難的日子為人的保障,並且認得那些投靠他的人。那鴻書 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7

為義受逼迫的人有福了,因為天國是他們的。馬太福音 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

不但如此,就是在患難中,也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

我想現在的苦楚,若比將來要顯於我們的榮耀,就不足介意了。羅馬書 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

因為你們蒙恩,不但得以信服基督,並要為他受苦。腓立比書 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Philippians 1:29

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