Home昔日真理報2018年 真理報文章2018 年 8 月【事事關心】信仰與最高法院的判決

【事事關心】信仰與最高法院的判決

 

Jack

 

Masterpiece 糕餅店老闆 Jack Phillips

 

今年 7 月,美國總統提名一名被認為保守派思想的 Brett Kavanaugh 作為美國最高法院的法官,提名前後兩段時間引起社會各階層極大的迴響,在國會的評審委員更引發激辯。為何一位法官人選會引起那麼巨大的關注?最高法院有什麼重要性值得基督徒關心?

這個議題可以先從它於今年 6 月初一個判決講起。一間基督徒經營的糕餅店(Masterpiece Cake Shop)於 2016 年向最高法院控告科羅拉多民權訟裁署(Colorado Civil Rights Commission)﹐因這糕餅店老闆於 2012 年拒絕為一對同性戀者製做 "婚禮蛋糕",而且表明自己的基督教信仰不認同 "同性婚姻",因而被該民權訟裁署判處巨額罰款。糕餅店不服,所以向最高法院上訴。這次最高判決清晰顯示:商業機構基於信仰原因,有權拒絕為同性戀人士服務,這樣的拒絕是一種宗教的公開表達方式,根據憲法的第一修正條例(First Amendment),行使宗教信仰權利的自由,不算是歧視罪行。最高法院認為科羅拉多民權訟裁署沒有對宗教保持中立性,剝奪了糕餅店老闆在商業上運用宗教信仰原則的權利。

美國的北方鄰邦則發生了剛好相反的高院判決。今年 6 月中,加國最高法院宣判 BC 省和安省(Ontario)律師公會有權不發執照給予西聖三一(Trinity Western University)大學(TWU)法學院畢業生,因為該大學要求學生簽性行為守則,禁止在就讀期間有一男一女婚姻關係以外的任何性行為。該兩個公會認為 TWU 的性關係守則有歧視同性戀人士的內涵,所以違反律師公會的既定原則。九位法官中有七位認為不能以宗教理由訂立這樣歧視同性戀的守則。於是,這七位法官的見解就產生了這樣的結果:同性戀的權利可以凌駕於西聖三一大學基於宗教信仰原則辦學的權利,雖然加國憲法賦予宗教團體有自由組織的權利!

在當今的美加兩國,基督徒在公共領域的言論自由越來越受到侵蝕,基督教機構在公眾事務上的權利(例如申請 2018 聯邦政府的暑假工作資助計劃)被逐步剝奪,迫使基督徒在有關道德倫理的議題上中消聲匿跡。

有見及此,筆者呼籲基督徒不怕指出現今主流傳媒和政府中一些人的虛偽。這些人以 "包容所有人" 的口號而自豪。不過,他們是不能容忍、甚至排拒基督徒的 "偽多元文化" 的推動者。現今這種 "偽多元文化" 以職業操守為名,侵蝕基督徒信仰的權利和自由。例如護理人員(醫生、護士)若為病人禱告,他們可能會惹上麻煩,受到紀律處分,甚至被解僱!

感謝神,從科州 Masterpiece 糕餅店老闆的堅持,我們得到莫大的鼓勵,不怕為信仰、為真理打那美好的仗,以致父神得著榮耀!

面對現今的情況,我們應該常常藉著禱告,求神帶領我們﹐讓我們知道怎樣在社會上扮演 "光和鹽" 的角色。基督徒同屬公民社會的一員,我們的基本權利及意見理應獲得尊重。遇到不被尊重時,我們也應該學習舊約先知如何表達信仰,例如阿摩司,原本只是一個園丁和牧羊人﹐卻勇敢地向深陷在偶像崇拜邪惡風氣中的以色列民眾宣告神的刑罰。但以理和他的三位朋友不怕威逼﹑不拜巴比倫王的金像,也是美好的榜樣。

還有,彼得和其他使徒們不怕強權的威脅手段(使徒行傳4:18–20),堅持在公眾地方傳道。基督徒也要效法使徒保羅表達自己的公民權利:在監獄中行使其羅馬公民權(使徒行傳16:37);他更遠赴羅馬帝國首都﹐當時的 "最高法院" 所在地,去申訴自己傳揚宗教信仰的權利(使徒行傳28章)


求神賜智慧和勇氣予我們,去行使國家憲法賦予的公民權利及自由,在以下各方面表達基督教信仰:

(a)良知及宗教信仰自由(好像 Masterpiece 糕餅店老闆);

(b)思想﹑信仰﹑意見及表達的自由﹐包括在報章及其他信息傳媒上

(c)公眾集會自由(例如組織獨立的地方堂會運作)

(d)組織和結社自由(例如西聖三一大學對全體學生的道德標準要求)。


我們的信仰自由表達的權利,最終倚賴最高法院的法官如何詮釋。所以,期盼基督徒都經常留意有關這法院的新聞,且為它作禱告。也要忠於遵行主的吩咐,不怕面對現今敵對基督的敗壞的社會風氣,甚至強權的威脅手段,在世俗的暴風中堅守信仰立場,成為基督的美好見證人,好像 Masterpiece 糕餅店老闆那樣堅韌的毅力。

 

      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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