Home昔日真理報2014年 真理報文章2014 年 7 月【特稿】加拿大是基督教國家嗎?

【特稿】加拿大是基督教國家嗎?

 

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每年的七月一日是加拿大的國慶日(Canada Day),全國放假一天。設立這個節日的原意,是為了紀念加拿大在 1867 年 7 月 1 日由原來的英屬北美的領地按《英屬北美條約》被合併為一個聯邦。該節日原稱「自治領日」,於 1982 年 10 月 27 日被改名為加拿大日。但你是否知道,加拿大是一個以基督教立國的國家呢?

加拿大是基督教國家嗎? 當然,我們不是看見加拿大各城市教堂林立,許多更成為旅遊名勝景點嗎(如:滿地可聖母院等)。可是,在許多宏偉的教堂內,聚會人數卻寥寥可數,有些教堂因人數太少而關門,或賣給其他宗教作廟宇。


加拿大怎不會是基督教國家?只要看公眾假期就知道了,聖誕節、復活節,不都是基督教節日,卻不見有佛誕、回教節日。可是,現在聖誕節主人翁幾乎已被聖誕老人取代了,復活節好像已和耶穌拉不上關係了。


不少民意調查都指出,許多加拿大人相信上帝,相信耶穌,都高於其他宗教,豈不是基督教國家的明證嗎?可是,說相信上帝的人卻多,參加教會的人卻越來越少。許多宗派人數不斷下降。最近一報告推論說:「加拿大其中一個最大的(基督教)宗派之一,若按現時人數減少的速度算起,六十年後該宗派就會只剩下一個人!」


加拿大憲法中的導言明顯說到加國是建立在上帝的基礎上,這豈不是基督教國家的明證?正如中國憲法說明共產黨一黨專政,跟隨馬、列、毛、鄧思想,表明中國是共產主義國家。可是,今日的中,,雖然明言是共產主義,但從社會實際情況看來,已經不大像共產主義,甚至有人說今天的中國社會在某程度比美國更資本主義哩!加拿大雖然在憲法上提到上帝(但導言是沒有法律的約束力的),但無論在國會、省會、市議會的運作中,都似乎沒有上帝的份。有人把聖經審判同性戀行為的經文登在報章上,被人控告散佈仇恨文字,要罰款收場!


在加拿大當神職人員會有不少優惠,例如:稅務上的免稅額優惠,而教會又不用交地稅,這不是基督教國家的特徵嗎?不錯,教會確實有此優惠,但回教清真寺、印度廟、佛教廟等...都享有同等優惠,各宗教的神職人員都和神父、牧師一同享有同等的權利與義務,並不限於基督教。


加拿大人幾百年來都以基督教為主要宗教,基督教的價值觀念已深入民心,也深深影響社會制度,這也是基督教國家的特徵啊!對!在過去的日子,從歐洲來的移民都以基督教為主要宗教。所以,加國社會的文化價值系統都以基督教為基礎。其實,不僅加拿大,美國以及眾歐洲國家都是深受二千年基督教文化的影響。


從文化主導地位來說,或許我們可以稱加拿大是基督教國家,不過雖然文化是以基督教價值為主導,並不表示社會上都尊重神的真理,沒有不公不義的事。從加國短暫的歷史看來,不公義的事多得:土著被欺負、華人受歧視、日裔加人不公平的對待等等,比比皆是。


二次大戰之後,西方社會在世俗化的過程急轉直下,許多傳統的道德價值都被推翻,神所創立的婚姻制度竟被更改,生命的神聖在墮胎與安樂死的訴求下被漠視等等,今天的加拿大社會,已步入後基督教時期,主流傳媒都有一種反基督教價值的態度,連總理在演講中以「上帝祝福加拿大」結束,亦受到傳媒的非議,真的令人費解。


加拿大是基督教國家嗎?在文化主導性的意義上,或許可以說:加拿大曾經是以基督教價值為主導思想的國家;但如今時移世易,現今已面目全非了。


或許,就在這個國慶的日子中,讓我們好好再思想一下加拿大國歌之真正意思吧!


O Canada! 啊,加拿大!

Our home and native land! 吾國園吾國土!

True patriot love in all thy sons command. 愛國真心,統領您眾兒女。

With glowing hearts we see thee rise, 心懷赤誠,看您崛起,

The True North strong and free! 真北之邦自由强壯!

From far and wide, 無遠弗屆,

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. 啊,加拿大,我們為您站著崗!

God keep our land glorious and free! 神佑我土,自由榮光!

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. 啊,加拿大,我們為您站著崗!

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. 啊,加拿大,我們為您站著崗!

 

      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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