Home昔日真理報2020年 真理報文章2020 年 10 月【事事關心】過份高舉民權的弊病

【事事關心】過份高舉民權的弊病

 

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新冠肺炎 [Covid-19] 疫情爆發之後,令歐美國家官員要緊急處理不少很複雜的社會問題,不單是醫療物資的供應和分配到位的問題,更牽涉到國民對政府的信任程度與服從政策和法律等問題,以致政府的權威受到極大考驗。

很多美加兩國的人民懷疑世界衛生組織 [ W.H.O.] 的決策者太過受到偏頗的政治考慮牽制,以致反應緩慢和錯誤。還有,不少美加國民公然抗拒戴口罩的法令,認為該法令是侵犯基本的人權。他們認為戴和不戴應該是個人的權利,政府無權干涉。因此,政府不能強迫戴口罩,於是兩國政府都處於兩難之間,不少美國的州、加國的省政府都不敢強制人們戴口罩。在此情況下,到8月中,美國已經死了超過 15 萬人,加國則接近一萬人死於這病毒。

面對這種人權思維,基督徒應該如何思考呢 ? 筆者的回應是:無論你住在哪裡,大家都應該有『愛你的鄰舍』 [馬太5:43] 這種信念,這是上帝透過聖經對世人的教導。從現實生活而言,真正的民主社會是尊重每個人的生存和表達意見的權利,大家透過溝通、言辭的傳遞去表白意見,從而達到互惠互利的和平解決問題的地步。真正的民主社會不單有公平公開的選舉,更讓普遍大眾都能夠顧及他人的同等權利,這個原則也可以應用於新冠肺炎的疫情上。

筆者雖然贊同和支持民主制度,但會從『愛你的鄰舍』這個信念認同有需要戴口罩—— 我這樣做是避免我有可能將不知道的病菌在不經意的情況下傳染他人,我是出於顧及他人的健康和生命權利而戴口罩,出於愛人如己的精神, 不只是自私自利的出發點 !

對於居住在亞洲而未聽聞或經驗過歐美社會文化的人,也許他們會奇怪歐美人士居然將戴口罩搞得那麼大的一件事 ! 然而,任何生活於歐美世界超過35年的人都可能感受到這35年來的社會文化之改變,原因在於人權被曲解和濫用。筆者就有這樣的感受!

我移民到加國最初的幾年,發現加拿大一般人認為偷盜是可恥的事,因為《聖經》十誡中第八誡明顯地塑造出誠實清廉的社會風氣 ,例如: 擺放在街頭的報紙箱不用上鎖,絕大部份的人都先放下錢才拿報紙離開;很多人離家出外沒有鎖門鎖窗的習慣,因為在電台和電視上絕少聽到或看到房屋被偷竊,所以他們就不需要鎖門吧 ! 你問一些已到退休年紀而在加國長大的居民,他們樂於告訴你四、五十年前加國社會文化的優美之處。

Those were the days ! 為何加國居民的房屋過往不怕被偷盜 ? 因為失業率過往很低而現今很高 ? 不是,根據官方的統計數字,絕對不能如此立論,因為失業率沒有多大的變化,卻在於社會觀念的重大改變—— 偷竊的人不再覺得這種行為是可恥的 ! 他們的論點是:得到足夠的生活所需是基本人權,政府有責任照顧所有 (我強調: 所有) 貧窮的人,若政府照顧不周,使他們要挨餓受凍就是政府的恥辱。所以,貧窮人士若逼不得已去偷竊,他們不應該覺得羞恥,不用自咎,因為責任應該在政府身上 ! 這是典型西方左翼思想人士教育出來的社會主義式之 "人權公義"信念,個人不再需要為自己的所作所為負責,因為一切都由政府承擔 !

話得說回來,基督教會在社會上失去過往的影響力也是其中一個重要因素。當教會領袖不再教導和實際協助信徒在教會以外要作光和鹽之後,一般世俗人在社會上就很難看到光明的一面,只可看到種種貪污腐敗的事情而隨波逐流、同流合污、與人看齊、跟大隊走, 正如英語世界的著名格言: If you can't beat them, join them ! 淪為欺騙和偷竊的人也不是這樣的想法嗎 ?
願上帝的話語成為世人得智慧的開端,世人不再從自私自利角度看人權而盼望黑暗被擊敗。願神的話也讓基督徒的生命得到勁力的來源,在這世界上形成一股疾風吹醒全人類:

[詩篇119:105] 你的話是我腳前的燈、是我路上的光。

[詩篇1:1-2] 不從惡人的計謀、不站罪人的道路、不坐褻慢人的座位、惟喜愛耶和華的律法、晝夜思想、這人便為有福。


(本文為作者個人意見,不代表真理報及短宣中心立場)

 

      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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