Home昔日真理報2014年 真理報文章2014 年 1 月【事事關心】道德經不起良心考驗?

【事事關心】道德經不起良心考驗?

 

 HeadlineImage1401 Van 1 Act

 

HeadlineImage1401 Van 1 Act 1在 2014 新年的開始,加拿大過去一年有一件國家大事值得所有基督徒回顧和慎思。除了擁有和販賣大麻應否合法化的議題越來越迫在眉睫,從年初到秋天越來越多有權勢人士公開表態支持之外,最高法院更於聖誕節前幾天作出歷史性裁決,一致裁定現行三條與禁止賣淫有關的法例違憲。這些禁止經營性交易場所和依靠賣淫收入維生的法例,全部須在一年後廢除。最高法院法官以一致立場(9比0),推翻聯邦政府 34 年前訂立的反賣淫法,裁定相關法例對性工作者安全帶來嚴重威脅,違反憲法對國民生命、自由和人身安全的保障。

贊同此法庭判決的大部分意見,都著眼於重視妓女的 "工作安全" 和生存權利,從 "工作平等" 觀念和遵守國家憲法作出發點去考慮。修改法律以改善她們的生計環境是絕對無可厚非的,我也認為值得國會花時間去處理這個問題,以減少妓女被兇殺的悲慘結果。

不過,從另一個角度來看,這判決的含意是對賣淫行為的接納,是每一個人都要容忍的事情。若你不這樣認同,那你就是 "不人道" 和沒有同情心,或甚至被人視為沒有良心的人!

同情心是否就叫我們廢掉傳統的道德觀念呢? 再者,國家法律應否指引國民認定什麼是對什麼是錯的行為呢?

事實上,這兩個問題都是非常重要的,因為其答案將會直接影響到社會上更多其他問題,例如墮胎、吸毒、安樂死等問題。令人慨歎的是,從報章、電台、電視上的評論,我完全接觸不到任何從這兩個問題作起點的討論或辯論。這樣的情況似乎反映出加拿大人普遍覺得法庭這判決對社會上大部分人的影響不大,所以不願意花任何時間面對最高法院的此項判決。

這正是危機所在: 多數人(包括基督徒)根本不理這件事所產生的後果,連基督徒都沒有戒心,不知道此案例會帶來整個社會風氣的敗壞!當法律視賣淫為正當工作之一種的時候,家長和學校老師又怎能勸告年青的男女不要加入賣淫這行業? 也許法官們是處於兩難之間,不能同時兼顧道德觀念和同情從事賣淫的婦女,以致 9 對 0、一面倒認為要取妓女的安全作修改法律的依歸。

自從 1970 年當時的總理杜魯多修改離婚和性行為的法律之後,自由主義的放縱觀念幾乎無孔不入,逐步滲透社會每一個階層人士的意識形態,導致黃賭毒越來越不被視為有問題的行為。其後果是誤導及鼓勵國民嘗試這些不道德的行為,以致這類 "市場" 日益擴大,爭奪這類地盤的黑幫越來越多,原本是純良的年青人被引誘加入這類不道德勾當的亦不斷增加,以致父母對兒女的管教更為荊棘滿途,助長惡勢力的威嚇!

過去三﹑四十年,北美洲的社會風氣急轉直下,令不少人唏噓不已的原因,是見到越來越多人完全不講道德。不單公開、毫無羞恥感地高舉胡亂的性關係,更有系統地逐步將一些顛倒是非的觀念向政府施加壓力,要求寫進國家的法律裡,同時在公立學校展開向兒童洗腦的攻勢!

基督徒和教會領袖應該加強戒備,因為隨著互聯網的推波助瀾,傳統的道德分辨能力逐漸被蠶食,在不知不覺中甚至令基督徒的道德觀也改變,認為這樣的社會風氣改變是進步的象徵!

的確,筆者曾於日常交談中,與一些在北美洲文化中成長的年輕人探討性關係這議題,不出我所料,他們多數認為歐美的「性解放」運動絕對是好事,是社會進步的指標,不需要顧慮太多道德倫理和責任等問題。可悲的是當中不少還是在基督徒家庭成長的子女!

美加兩國人民越來越多遠離基督教,這是鐵一般的事實。矛盾的是他們卻嚮往於另一種新宗教 -- 縱容(tolerance) -- 社會若要有和諧和進步,就一定要認同縱容是美德!我從主流傳媒上聽到不少對基督教這樣的指控:聖經貶低其他宗教,沒有容忍其他人的信仰之度量。這樣的指控有力地迫使很多基督徒不敢再在公眾地方談及神對聖潔和公義的要求。

但願基督徒的道德意識和對上帝的信心都好像風雪中屹立不搖的楓樹(加拿大的國徽),在敗壞的時代中不懼怕世俗輿論的評擊,為了上帝的心意和榮耀之故,同心合力、團結一致、勇敢打那美好的仗,在混亂的公共領域中見證神的品格,履行作光作鹽的使命。

 

      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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