Home昔日真理報2019年 真理報文章2019 年 12 月【事事關心】如何看待公民抗命?

【事事關心】如何看待公民抗命?

 

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過往幾個月,在國際間受到觸目的新聞中,法國、香港、南美洲的智利和委內瑞拉的社會動亂肯定榜上有名。這些暴亂都多多少少牽涉到公民抗命這個議題。基督徒究竟應該怎樣來看待這個題目呢?是完全不用想的議題,還是在某些情況下可以有限度的表達呢?

基督徒應該是渴慕和平、與人和睦的,而且根據《聖經》羅馬書13:1的教導,要作良好、順服的公民,這是重要的信仰原則。不過,這是使徒保羅基於公義之前題的教導,所以他隨即在13:3-4節補充其教導:

「作官的原不是叫行善的懼怕、乃是叫作惡的懼怕......,因為他不是空空的佩劍。他是神的用人,是伸冤的,刑罰那作惡的。」

保羅很清晰地指出:官員所佩帶的劍是為人伸冤的,意思就是官員的職責乃糾正不公義的事情。所以,官員本身所作的也要履行、符合公義的原則,他們不能在這法律之外或之上。於此強調,政府官員也同樣 (平等) 地被法律管治,而不是他們可以逍遙法外!這就是為何基督徒一定要認真辨明『以法統治』(Rule by law)與『依法管治』(Rule of law)的分別,法律不是臣服於政府,法律並非為了配合政府的政策而隨意運用或詮釋,一定要有清晰的區分去討論關於政府官員的行為和政策!!我們不應該隨便說,政府和警察為了平息暴亂就可以沒有限制地隨便打擊街頭巷尾的人們,以驅散人群為藉口而瘋狂使用自己的武器裝備。這一點在西方國家的公民都普遍認同、不會質疑的,這也是『人治』和『法治』社會倫理的重要分野。

基督徒如果沒有基於公義的『公民抗命』的理據,那麼 16 世紀時馬丁路德和加爾文就不會帶領宗教改革,反抗當時與政權掛鉤的羅馬教廷。若他們盲目地順服當權者,就不會創立過往 500多 年在歐美的更正教(Protestantism)的教會模式,建立正確的信仰基礎,這是所有讀過歐洲歷史的人都能了解的事實。

當時,馬丁路德(Martin Luther)強調法官要慎思實際情況,不應死守法律條文,要用「公義」精神來糾正嚴刑峻法所欠缺的判斷。同時期的法學家 Johann Oldendorp 更擴充路德的思想,認為所有法律的實施與執行皆要被公義所衡量。因此,更正教(即發展成為現今的基督教)認為當人面對公義和法律條文的衝突時,應該越過法律條文以保持公義,這是須要被我們理解的。加爾文(Jean Calvin)更提出,官員應以他們的權力抵制暴虐的君王(統治者):「如果現在有一種官員被任命來約束君王的意志......,我非但不會阻止他們照自己的職分反對君王的暴虐、放肆的行為,我反倒認為他們若對欺壓民眾的君王睜一隻眼、閉一隻眼,這種怯懦的行為不過是邪惡的背叛,因為他們出賣了人民的自由,而他們知道保護這自由乃是上帝託付給他們的職責。」

現今基督徒值得審慎地思考以上兩位宗教改革領袖談到為何可以接收公民抗命這個理念。他們談及衝破法律條文,實踐更高的命令時,對象都是立法、司法或執法者:目的是見到政治制度裡有變革、有良性進展的善治。

宗教改革領袖所顯露的『公民抗命』其實是延續舊約先知的榜樣,就是勇敢地指出社會上不公義的事情,面對面地向政府官員指出那些偏離正義的行為,不單好像以賽亞、耶利米、但以理、阿摩司那樣批評當時社會上種種不公義的事情,更加盡力教導其他人如何正確地了解當時當地的事情。

固然,面對現今社會上所有暴亂事情,就算行使公民抗命的舉動時,基督徒也應該兼顧憐憫和公義的關係,正如先知彌迦的名句:「世人哪、耶和華已指示你何為善。他向你所要的是甚麼呢?只要你行公義、好憐憫、存謙卑的心,與你的神同行。」(彌6:8)

基督徒當然不應該鼓勵或贊同以暴力方式去達成目的,但這不應該攔阻信徒花時間去了解誰是造成或引致暴亂的因由,更要嘗試明白為何事件不斷擴大和延續的主要原因,不應該只懂得將責任全部壓在暴動分子的一方面,不應只為了維持安定繁榮的生活就不顧社會須要重視公義的理念。

盼望基督徒追求社會和平的背後真正原因不是這些:各家自掃門前雪,休管他人瓦上霜﹔沒有理想的結果我就不用理會公眾的事情﹔不要惹麻煩破壞我的安定生活方式。

盼望基督徒追求社會和平的背後原因是耶穌基督的啟示:「使人和睦的人有福了,因為他們必稱為神的兒子。」(太5:9)

舊約時代的摩西是我們的好榜樣。若他只停留在思想、認知和辯論的時空,不覺得自己應該用行動來幫助以色列人,若不帶著憐憫心引領他們脫離在埃及的痛苦境況乃自己的義務,聖經還會記載他嗎?

願望信徒都能動用微少的力量去關懷社會事情,努力於付諸實踐,而不是只滿足於頭腦知識而已。

 

      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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