Home昔日真理報2014年 真理報文章2014 年 7 月【事事關心】七月慎思公民責任

【事事關心】七月慎思公民責任

 

Sophia-Woo-and-Ken-Denike2014 年 6 月,在 BC 省發生兩件值得基督徒非常關注的事情。首先,溫哥華公立學校的一些華裔家長向該市教育局請求,不要隨便修改學校政策以方便教導學生質疑自己的性別,但結果家長被鄙視為 "患上同性戀和變性恐懼症" 人士,而該教育局政策最後是輕易通過。

另外,BC 省律師會進行沒約束力的投票,其結果是超過 3 對 1 的壓倒性比率反對承認西三一大學(Trinity Western University)將來發出的法律學位,因為該大學要求所有申請讀法律學系的要簽署有關性行為的聖潔守則,故此,反對的律師們覺得是對同性戀人士的一種歧視。


也許很多基督徒覺得這兩件事與他們毫無關係,不值一提。其實,這兩件事的連鎖效應將會牽涉到不單是基督教信仰在公共領域的權利和自由,更影響到基督徒團體合法運作的權利。


在現今的加拿大,留心社會動態的人都不難發覺這事實:主流傳媒、眾多職業工會、學術界上層(包括律師和教師們)、都被性解放運動所控制,認為自己支持同性戀是 "抱打不平",卻不感覺現今已經發展到一種逆向歧視行動(英文是:reverse discrimination),任何不接納同性戀的行動都要壓制,不管你西三一大學的教育水平是多好,不管它其實已經通過了所有學術上和省政府標準,只因為它遵循聖經教導履行一夫一妻制的性道德和行為守則就要壓制它。


私立的基督教學校將來不能倖免於這兩件事所帶來的惡果,就是:它不能要求就讀的學生遵循聖經教導的道德行為標準。其實三年前,在東部的安省一間天主教學校已經遇到類似的挑戰而不能執行對學生的要求:學校畢業典禮不能攜帶同性戀朋友作嘉賓出席!


所以,家長若以為把子女抽離公立學校而進入私立的基督教學校就安心,那相當於駝鳥政策,以為看不見就安全!況且,基督教學校有大約一半的經費來自省政府撥款,若政府跟隨反對西三一大學那些律師的論點和立場,不可只收納認同聖經教導的家庭,基督教學校可以自由運作嗎?若基督教學校不收取政府資助,家長要付出雙倍的學費,有誰會願意負擔倍增的學費?若局勢繼續惡劣下去,基督教學校可以維持多久將會是個疑問!

主內的弟兄姊妹,如今最佳之計是這樣:履行我們在民主制度之下賦予的合法權利,去為上帝作光作鹽的勇敢見證,支持和甚至推舉基督徒去從政和讀法律,這是我們在這個世代應該作信仰角色和立場!

回想我們華人來北美洲的主要原因是可以享受這個民主社會帶來的自由,兒女不再被迫接受填鴨式教育,而基督徒更可以自由敬拜耶穌基督和自由組織教會,不受到政府無理和無禮對待。然而,很可惜,過去 30 年加拿大和美國社會的改變使基督徒在公共领域的宗教表達權利越來越被剝奪,在一般人以為越來越多自由之際,其實是政府不能再推行過往一致認為良好和正確的法律和政策,任由個人民權隨意擴張,去敲打和推翻傳統基督教帶來的社會倫理和公義原則,以致加國和美國同樣墮入敗亡的圈套裡。而且最可悲的是認為對國家是好事,這應該是基督徒要正視的問題。

今年七月,當普遍人慶祝加拿大和美國國慶之際,基督徒應該慎思現今基督教在加美兩國的處境,以及了解過往移民北美洲的清教徒和其他基督徒如何理解『政教分離』這個意念。當時,他們多數是脱離國教組織的基督徒,來北美洲是為了尋求宗教自由和建立一個敬畏耶穌基督的國家。因此現今我們要留意國家大事,特別是影響到基督徒的自由集會和在公共領域的表達權利,若需要集團行動之時,求神給予智慧,讓我們懂得有效力地、同心合力一起為作美好見證。

讓舊約先知阿摩司的一段話[第6章1-7節]使我們清心去檢討自己和這世代,幫助自己省察現今社會的罪惡,以致有痛悔的行動:

國為列國之首,人最著名,且為以色列家所歸向,在錫安和撒瑪利亞山安逸無慮的,有禍了。......你們以為降禍的日子還遠,坐在位上盡行強暴。你們躺臥在象牙床上,舒身在榻上,吃群中的羊羔、棚裡的牛犢,彈琴鼓瑟唱消閑的歌曲,為自己製造樂器,如同大衛所造的,以大碗喝酒、用上等的油抹身,卻不為約瑟的苦難擔憂。所以這些人必在被擄的人中首先被擄,舒身的人荒宴之樂必消滅了。

 

 

      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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