Home昔日真理報2017年 真理報文章2017 年 9 月【事事關心】從同性領養到信仰權利

【事事關心】從同性領養到信仰權利

 

richard-page這次專欄將大家的目光聚焦到英國一位基督徒公職人員,他名叫李察﹒培基(Richard Page),他因為忠誠地說出心裡對於領養兒童的意見,結果於今年初被僱主解聘,更被不少人無情地用言語攻擊。

他本來是國家保健制度的一位負責評審領養個案的委員(NHS Trust Director),由於在一次個案中,他認為應該給予一對一男一女的家長去領養那兒童,結果被其僱主 Kent & Medway Partnership Trust(KMPT)解雇,理由是「他這種觀念使同事們對他失去信心」,尤其是引起一些同事中的同性戀和跨性別人士不滿。

李察﹒培基於是聘請律師,向法庭控訴僱主歧視及不合理解雇,因為他覺得僱主的 "政治正確" 觀念排斥他的信仰見解,他被解雇其實是以為上司和同事們不能容納他的信仰觀念。固然,一般合理的僱主有權不接納、不聽從僱員的意見,但不應該因為僱員提出這樣的意見而將他解雇。可見現今的英國已經步加拿大之後塵,不少人由於懼怕 "同運分子" 的壓力而採取 "政治正確" 立場,寧願得罪怕事的基督徒,因為基督徒一般是不會因小事而把事情弄得更大更糟糕的!

在現今以 "多元文化" 為榮的加、英兩國,不少人由於怕惹火燒身,以致對於許多事情敢怒而不敢言,都懂得跟從大眾傳媒的說法是最穩妥的。也許有些基督徒會批評這位英國基督徒為何那麼愚蠢,不懂得避重就輕,不懂得用 "語言藝(偽)術" 去包裝自己意見,以致惹禍上身。

筆者感嘆的是,連很多基督徒都怯於現今社會的趨勢和汹湧暗潮,不但不敢對許多心裡認為對的事情明白表態,更遑論公開支持這位英國基督徒的立場!假如現今社會仍然有 40 年前社會上尚存在的一股 "正氣",歐美國家便不至於發生類似這位基督徒被荒謬解雇的遭遇。加拿大國民還記得約 10 年前,一位 BC 省公立學校教師 Chris Kempling 也碰到類似的、令人悲憤的事情,即因為批評同性戀行為而喪失教師資格的個案吧?

加拿大的基督徒會鄙視李察﹒培基本著基督信仰而堅持的立場呢﹐還是會為他抱不平?

令很多英國基督徒敬佩的是,去年李察﹒培基不怕受到預期的言語欺凌,多次上電視節目去表達自己的信仰立場,雖然單人面對在場多個支持同性戀的人士,包括政府官員、法官和律師,他仍舊理直氣壯地強調自己並非歧視同性戀人士,只是重視兒童若能成長在有父(男)和母(女)親的家庭,就能夠體驗父親和母親的不同性格,對孩子將來面對男女的特性會有比較好之感受。他的勇氣在現今世代確實是難能可貴的,值得所有基督徒效法,而不是跟隨這世代的潮流,為了表示自己是富有同情心的好人而違反聖經的教導,去大力支持、高舉某些人的特殊權利!

根據英國一個社會行動團體 Christian Concern 透露,超過 6 千人曾經簽名要求其僱主將李察﹒培基復職,但僱主一意孤行,於是他唯有爭取自己合理合法的權利,在法庭上控告僱主以尋求公道。

Christian Concern 的總幹事 Andrea Williams 評論這件事時說:"這案件突出了那些自由派人士之缺乏容納度,與多元文化精神背道而馳,他們懲罰這個服務社群的好人,是反映了當中之 '同性戀運動分子' 醜陋的欺凌行為。"

當今居住在北美洲的基督徒需要特別儆醒,因為我們現在享有的各種言論、結社、集會自由,正如李察﹒培基現在所面對的境況,正在逐步被蠶食,教會若不正視這樣的趨勢,等到火頭燒到教會和信徒個人身上之時才採取緊急救災行動,恐怕會為時已晚了!

教會和信徒群體需要認定,現今不少荒謬的社會情況,乃由於過往 30、40 年來教會失去了在社會上作光和鹽的影響力,以致某些人可以明目張膽、毫無顧忌地去做出他們的畸形怪誕的行為,還強迫別人認同他們。在今天我們尚能有所作為之際,盼望基督徒都從李察﹒培基的勇敢見證,以及上帝所重用的使徒保羅以下的一句話中得到激勵:

"因為神賜給我們不是膽怯的心﹐乃是剛強、仁愛、謹守的心。"(提後1:7)

 

      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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