Home昔日真理報2013年 真理報文章2013 年 10 月【事事關心】宗教表達的自由和平等

【事事關心】宗教表達的自由和平等

 

Charterofvalues 1九月中,魁北克省的滿地可市(Montreal)有數以千計省民上街抗議,反對《魁北克價值憲章》(CharterofQuebecValues)禁止魁省公務員佩戴有宗教象徵的物品,要求省長馬華(PaulineMarois)停止宗教歧視。遊行以包容和多元文化為主題,吸引伊斯蘭和錫克教社群參與,當中也包括無宗教信仰之人士。一位頭戴穆斯林(伊斯蘭教徒)花帽的男士呼籲所有宗教信徒應該為同一信念而努力:「我們全都是為了自由而來。」

引起了這次抗議行動乃因執政之「魁人黨」計劃頒布《魁北克價值憲章》,禁止公務員佩戴頭巾、猶太圓帽、面紗和顯眼的十字架等宗教象徵物品,不單引起省內外嘩然,也在加拿大其他省份產生極多迴響,因為牽涉到宗教信仰表達自由這個非常重要的議題。

該計劃適用于有宗教信仰的公僕所佩戴的面紗﹑小圓帽﹑頭巾和顯眼的十字架。它將為大量公務員帶來職業或信仰的兩難抉擇﹐包括法官﹑警察和檢察官、公共日託員工、教師和學校僱員、醫院員工、市政人員。不過,當負責計劃的廳長(BernardDrainville)被質問時,他為政府辯護說:"這計劃能在世俗化的邦族內保證平等"。

Charterofvalues 2然而,這樣自辯卻被不少人認為,這價值憲章不是一視同仁對待所有主要的宗教,因為皇家山(MountRoyal)公共物業上豎立的龐大十字架﹐就獲得豁免﹐而且,省議會上方的十字架同樣不受影響。根據推行計劃的廳長(BernardDrainville)的進一步透露,此舉是為了幫助保護魁北克的歷史身分,他說﹕「為了歷史﹐為了傳統文化﹐要保留那些十字架。」

為何執政之「魁人黨」政府要推動這種計劃呢?筆者的見解是有鑒于伊斯蘭背景的移民愈來愈多,他們從長遠角度看以此種政策逐步維護魁北克的獨特文化,更以此作為他們號召選民對該政黨的更大支援。我看此舉固然有政治利益可圖,不過,更深一層次是法裔魁人憂慮阿拉伯和伊斯蘭文化的逐步在魁北克的擴張,而非企圖維護天主教在該省文化的領導地位,因為那些政府領袖多數不是天主教徒、也非基督徒。

從宗教自由和平等的角度來看,《魁北克價值憲章》將會迫使穆斯林、錫克教徒和猶太人若要在政府公職上繼續工作便要放棄他們的頭飾。若根據這憲章來執行,肯定會影響到這些宗教信徒在政府或其他公職(例如公校教師)的就業機會。

對基督徒來說,以佩戴的飾物或穿著的服飾來决定那人是否在表達宗教信仰實在十分可笑。我們都有此遭遇:現今許多女士都喜歡在胸前佩戴一個十字架,若你問她是否基督徒,很大機會她會說「不」。也許,這就是那些魁北克政府領袖振振有詞的根據吧。

我認為魁北克要合理禁制的,應該是任何人不可以宗教理由把自己的面孔遮蓋,這正是現今該省愈來愈迫切要解决的問題。魁北克政府應該理直氣壯地指出:基於辨認身份和促進不同族裔的社交,每個人在公眾地方都有權看到對方的真正樣貌。試想一下,你在政府或公衆機構辦事或詢問,若你完全看不到對方的面部反應和究竟是誰,你辦事會有信心或安全感嗎?

歸根究底,若魁北克政府只因一小撮的穆斯林的服飾而胡亂立法禁制,以為此舉能討好某些選民的話,那他們將會發覺自己是引火自焚,因為此舉不單令眾多的伊斯蘭信徒反感,也同樣使許多從亞洲和非洲來的佛教徒、錫克教徒,甚至基督徒覺得魁北克政府不歡迎他們到該省定居。

不過,若該省政府真的是為了衛護他們的傳統價值觀,那就另當別論。哪有一個政府不先照顧自己國民的價值和意見呢?

魁北克政府現在計劃禁止的若確實是宗教表達這個題目,那麼,值得我們大家思考的一個問題是:法庭內的證人和民選政客若還繼續手按聖經宣誓,那算不算是違反《魁北克價值憲章》呢﹖

 

      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

Go to top