Home昔日真理報2019年 真理報文章2019 年 8 月【事事關心】言論自由乃民主社會的基石

【事事關心】言論自由乃民主社會的基石

 

David

傳道人 David Lynn 被拘捕

 

上月中,一位基督教傳道人 David Lynn 在多倫多被警察局告知,由於他在早一個月前在該市街道上傳道,引起一些同性戀者不滿﹐向警察局投訴他引用聖經「煽動仇恨」。警方已經正式向法庭起訴他,罪名是破壞社會秩序(擾亂公安),將會在 8 月初開庭審訊。根據一個相當可靠的基督徒組織 Citizen Go 所報導,Lynn 曾經向警察投訴被那些同性戀份子衝撞,卻被警察認為他是在街上「向對方挑釁,是自討苦吃」,因此不接收他的投訴,雖然他根本沒有向他們說同性戀是罪!

這是一個在加國的劃時代先例,是一件令不少基督徒產生擔憂的事情,也是所有加拿大人(不論基督徒與否) 需要關注的趨勢。基督徒就算在不知不覺中引用上帝的話語而使其他人覺得冒犯或受到侮辱,言者(信徒) 可能會被人拉上警察局和法庭。在任何的民主社會裡,這是一個危險的里程碑,因為言論自由乃社會上人身安全的基石,它的消失會使任何政府容易趨向一種濫權﹐甚至極權的發展!1920 年代史達林的蘇聯、1930 年代希特勒的德國、1960 年代毛澤東的中國,這些都是非常貼切的例子以警惕這個世代的人!

引用聖經若構成 "煽動仇恨" 後果是﹐其一﹐不單基督徒隨時被任何人指控他傳福音是犯法行為;其二﹐連信徒的下一代 (兒孫)都更加難以建立起對基督教信仰的信心,因為首先兒孫們自己不希望有犯法行為,再者懼怕自己的朋友容易被冒犯,以致自己存於一個孤立的世界!

正常來說,絕大多數基督徒不會以破壞性行動成為社會秩序的擾亂份子,所以不會在例如墮胎診所門前或同性戀人士的集會時干擾他們,而會抱著愛心去表達對他人的尊重。然而,在上月內,當一齣描述一位曾在墮胎組織 Planned Parenthood 的行政人員的電影 "Unplanned" 在加國幾十間戲院上映之前幾天,不少支持墮胎人士透過所有電視和電台新聞時段大事向全國人們指控,斥責該電影對墮胎的女性是一種冒犯和甚至仇恨。在上映的頭幾天,一些戲院的門口還出現了一些舉著橫額的示威者,造成一種對那些看那電影的人士產生威嚇的氣氛。雖然有人向警方投訴,警察卻沒有採取任何警告示威者的行動。

由此可見,在現今這個顛倒是非的世代,本來帶著善意去提倡或捍衛生命價值的訊息,居然會被有些人指責為製造仇恨。事實上,在今天的西方國家(包括加拿大),左派人士經常將『煽動仇恨』的"罪名"隨意扣在所有反對他們意見者的頭上,作用是要封殺所有『異見人士』。

另外一個例子,在溫哥華 6 月的一個星期六早上,有些人站在市中心藝術館門前作合法的抗議,反對在公立學校內摧毀傳統性別觀念的課程。當天集會的整個過程不停受到同性戀陣營人士的干擾,而且被辱罵為攔阻進步的『仇恨』人士!這種手段若不停止,言論自由的空間只會越來越小,對整個社會而言,其實絕對不是好事。

不知道讀者們的感覺如何,你認為這樣的境況值得你的關注或擔憂嗎?你希望你所居住的社會沒有言論自由嗎?若你祈求你在這問題上有所貢獻,那麼,你應該認真考慮如何於今年 10 月 21 日的加國聯邦選舉中,投下明智和負責任的一票, 因為這次選舉會決定性地影響到未來 4年加國的言論自由。

過往三年半,自由黨所主管的聯邦政府沒有認真地維護基督教團體在公眾領域的言論自由,而且漠視了如下的國民權利:

[1] 隨便高舉人權意識去修改法律,損害了家長管教兒女的權利,例如大力推動和通過違反自然的 SOGI (Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity) 立法,並且將大麻合法化,毒害不少國民,特別是年輕一代﹔

[2] 宗教組織由於持守信仰立場而不認同聯邦政府的墮胎政策,因此失去了政府提供資助暑期工作的資格。

基督徒須要珍惜自己的公民權利,投票選舉認同或接近自己理念的人作為本區的國會議員( MP ),這是任何公民都應該堅持的理念。盼望大家都認真去維護基督徒在公眾領域的言論自由,常常求神賜予智慧和勇氣,秉承聖經的教導 :「人所行的﹐在自己眼中都看為正﹐惟有耶和華衡量人心。」「行仁義公平﹐比獻祭更蒙耶和華悅納。」(參閱箴言21章)

 

      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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