Home昔日真理報2018年 真理報文章2018 年 11 月【事事關心】美國兩件社會大事

【事事關心】美國兩件社會大事

 

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 美國參議院 10 月 6 日 下午以 50 票對 48 票,確認最高法院大法官卡瓦諾(Brett Kavanaugh)提名案 (Alex Wong/Getty Images)


上月,美國發生兩件社會大事,其影響涉及整個國家,值得基督徒關註。
首先,上月在美國發生的一件社會大事,是國會參議院以 50 對 48 票之極少差額,通過委任卡瓦諾(Brett Kavanaugh)為最高法院的法官。為何這人的委任引發美國國民的註意和那麼多人的反對聲音?

最主要原因乃這位法官是敬畏上帝和祂的話語、愛慕基督的,像副總統彭斯那樣,因此他曾公開反對墮胎和同性婚姻。鑒於有些基督徒團體在時機未成熟之前已大事提出對墮胎翻案的聲勢,以致婦女解放運動的組織和同性婚姻倡議團體達成聯合陣線,慫恿一些卡瓦諾中學時代的女同學出來,指控他 37 年前曾試圖在狂歡派對中性侵犯她們。固然,民主黨人士也由於黨派政治的形勢,在背後推波助瀾也是顯而易見的。

就事論事,根據西方民主社會對法治的守則而言,一個人在未被正式審判之前不應該受到惡意的批判定論,形成被公眾輿論定罪。然而,從九月初爆出有一位姓福特的女士指控開始,左翼人士在國會參議院門前大事聲稱他是性罪犯,所以不應讓他作大法官。筆者聽到、看到美加兩國的主流傳媒不遺餘力地這樣報導,不覺得有何問題!

其實,卡瓦諾於十多年前已經是低一層次的州法官了,為何過去十多年來這些女士和女權運動份子不出來揭發他的罪行呢?

顯然,這次最高法院的委任將會影響到未來二、三十年整個國家的道德走勢。一位保守派思維的法官一定會攔阻那些假借人權事件去修改法律,目的是除掉傳統的道德規範的所謂先進人士,因此,引起左翼人士竟然策動大規模街頭抗議行動。

感謝主,一位敬重基督的法官能把守這重要的一關!

第二件大事發生在西岸加州,是關於三藩巿的毒品問題。八月中,加州政府正在考慮三藩巿政府要求開設合法毒品注射站的申請書。市政府及其支持者引用運作了十多年的溫哥華作為借鑒,認為開設合法的注射站能夠減低毒品致命這個問題,而他們所根據的,乃加拿大主流傳媒只是一面倒 "唱好" 該注射站的報導,關於負面的情況卻少有人知。一個三藩巿基督徒社關團體擔心加州政府只聽到片面的消息,也因為知道筆者熟悉此問題,就邀請我出席一次公開給主流傳媒的記者招待會,傳達溫哥華注射站一些沒有被傳媒重視和報導的實況,提出為何社區人士反對毒品注射合法化的原因。

筆者應邀出席記者招待會,在當地一間華人教會裡陳述那些沒有被主流傳媒報導的負面實況,讓主流傳媒包括 NBC 和 ABC 這兩國主流電視台,能全面報導注射站對附近社區的不良影響和實際上不能壓制毒品禍害的擴大,正確地傳達它不能解決毒品的實際問題,它只能延長吸毒者的痛苦而已。我還指出設立注射站只不過好像將垃圾掃進地毯之下。真正解決的良方是引導吸毒者接受戒毒之治療--長痛不如短痛!

可喜的是,三藩巿的華人社區也積極協助那基督徒團體,參與向加州政府發聲。華人社團高調反對這毒害特別影響到年輕人的政策,這是加州政府不能不衡量的一個因素。

記者招待會之後,邀請筆者的那個基督徒社關組織感覺有點驚奇,NBC 和 ABC 這些左傾的傳媒電視台,通常不會樂意報導保守派、傳統思維人士如基督徒的立場,但這次奇怪地,他們不再以懷疑和挑剔的言詞來報導,反而甚為詳細地播放反對者(包括教會)的立場,不隱瞞溫哥華毒品注射站不能幫助遏止毒品泛濫,還使附近社區產生許多治安難題這個事實。

十月初,筆者收到三藩巿那基督徒團體傳來的好消息,加州州長在衡量正負兩方面的論述之後,否決了三藩巿政府的申請。在決議中州長清晰地表達縱容毒品擴大的危險,與基督徒的立場幾乎相同,對筆者來說,確實有點驚喜。固然,兩年後加州政府若有人事改變,支持者捲土重來仍有可能,但起碼這次結果使美國其他州和市於短期內不會面對同樣要求毒品合法化的衝擊。而且,三藩巿這次事件反映出:只要社區發出巨大的反響,政府人員不能不三思任何負面效果,以致這次不敢如溫哥華和加拿大那樣輕舉妄動,漠視人民的訴求。只要信徒經常留意社會動向,樂意支持發起正義行動的組織,將來仍然會見到一些期望的成果。

由此看來,在民主社會裡,只要社團同心合力發揮其功用,見到成果是甚有可能的!盼望信徒們不要輕視自己一點參與所產生的力量。惟願加拿大的基督徒都重視社會公義,勇敢抗衡社會黑暗的擴張,相信神引領我們在世事上與祂同工:"公道的天平和秤﹐都屬耶和華;囊中一切法碼﹐都為祂所定。"(箴言16:11)

 

      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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