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【時代論壇訊】位於灣仔的國際教會葡萄藤教會（The Vine Church），應香港基督教協進會呼籲，於七月十七日在面書發表英文聲明，從教會與社會關係、政府與掌權者、《港區國安法》本身及市民期許四方面回應該法例，促政府盡快設立獨立監察組織，並匯報法例對港人現有自由的影響，以消除公眾疑慮。

聲明指出，基於人人皆平等地按神形象而造，聖經明確教導基督徒要站在社會最脆弱、受傷、哀傷及邊緣者一方。處身社會中，教會便要追求公義、真理、自由和廣傳福音；若政治議題影響到社會，並非政治實體的教會也要發聲。政府和領袖不僅要向人民負責，也要向上帝負責。聖經教導信徒順服掌權者，同時也挑戰在位者要向神和人民負責。

聲明指出，此法的引入及詮釋引起公眾關注。對於當局沒就法例的適用範圍、性質、動機，廣泛諮詢港人，該會表示失望；而在港行使中國司法管轄權，令人對「一國兩制」框架下香港可享的自治存疑。

聲明指，因法例用詞及定義不精確，令市民焦慮墮入法網，以致言論、集會和宗教等自由縮減。雖然，法例無追溯力，但許多人擔心此法用來懲罰立法前的反對者，多於防止將來的違法者。聲明認為，法例原意是在香港普通法框架內運作，維持本港司法獨立，結果卻被質疑帶來恫嚇效應。

該會認為，特區及中央政府有責任覺察港人的合理關注，包括：一、盡快設立獨立的監察組織，並匯報法例對港人現有自由的影響，消除公眾疑慮；二、檢視法例有否影響《基本法》賦予港人的權利和自由，監察機制要透明。

聲明又提到該會的四大承諾：

一、基於掌權的都是神所命，該會承諾尊重（committed to honouring）特區和中央政府的領導角色，並為政府求智慧和安穩，但若施政對市民不敬甚至損害民生，會向政府問責；

二、對於港人，該會承諾服侍有需要者，鼓勵人齊心建立醫治、復元和公義之地，為最弱小、被邊緣和受傷者發聲；

三、該會會締造觀點和意見多元的環境，卻不分裂，反而在神家中更合一，無畏無懼教導聖言，本著愛說真理、作主門徒愛鄰舍、自我裝備去明白上帝公義的心；

四、該會尊上帝為高於地上一切權勢的至高掌權主，並會在香港見證祂，尊崇祂的名，先求祂的國。

STATEMENT FROM THE VINE CHURCH

- Introduction -
In response to the Hong Kong Christian Council’s call on churches in Hong Kong to give their views on the National Security Law, the Vine Church offers the following statement:

- The Church and Society -
As a Christian community of faith, the Vine Church believes in the important role the local church plays in caring for and serving the people of its society. This includes people from all sectors of that society, both in authority and those under their care. We believe the Bible is clear that Christians should stand for and on behalf of the most vulnerable, hurting, marginalised, and distressed, joining with the Holy Spirit in seeking justice where it is needed. The Christian faith affirms that all human beings are created equal by God, in his image, and with dignity and honour for the flourishing of relationship with God, themselves, one another, and creation. This compels us to pursue justice, truth, and freedom in society, as well as the proclamation of the gospel to all. We believe that while the church is not a political entity, it should be able to speak into political issues when these issues impact the wider society it serves.

- The Government and Authority -
Christians believe that governments and political leaders have accountability not only to the people governed but also to God whose heart is for peace, stability and justice. Christian scriptures call us to honour those in authority while also challenging them to be accountable to God and to the people under their care.

- The National Security Law -
The introduction and operation of the National Security Law in Hong Kong have raised many concerns amongst the public, due to the process by which it was introduced, and the subsequent uncertainties surrounding the law’s interpretation. Of these issues, we note the following:

• While providing for national security in Hong Kong is a legitimate concern for the Central Authorities, the National Security Law has been imposed without due consultation with the people of Hong Kong. We express our disappointment with how the lack of this due process has shown a clear sign to the population about the scope, nature and intentions concerning the exercise of China’s jurisdiction within Hong Kong, and how this has called into question the ‘One Country Two Systems’ framework of autonomy our city should enjoy.

• While both the National Security Law and the Basic law provide for a wide range of freedoms to be maintained in Hong Kong there is concern among many that the imprecise language and lack of clear definition of what will constitute a breach of the law will lead to a curtailment of those freedoms (freedom of speech; freedom of assembly; religious freedom etc.) in the interests of national security or the central government’s social and political agenda for Hong Kong. This lack of clear definition also leaves the people of our city anxious as to what constitutes a violation of the law itself.

• While the scope of the National Security Law has no retro-active effect many are concerned that its provisions are being used to ensnare and punish those who protested prior to the passing of the law instead of providing a framework for preventing future security breaches.

• While the National Security Law is intended to operate within the legal framework of Hong Kong’s common law system and maintain the judicial independence of the courts in Hong Kong, questions are being raised about the intimidating effect it might have on the operation of the law as a whole.

Under these circumstances and recognizing the change in political climate indicated by the government in introducing this law, we believe that it is incumbent upon the Hong Kong and Central Authorities to recognize the legitimate concerns of the Hong Kong people and,
1. As soon as possible take practical measures to reassure the Hong Kong people of its commitment to safeguarding Hong Kong’s cherished freedom under the rule of law by establishing an independent review body to monitor and report on the impact of the National Security Law on those freedoms; and,

2. Provide for transparent review procedures to be put in place to regularly assess the impact of the National Security Law on society and on the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong established under the Basic Law.
We choose to believe that the Hong Kong government and Central Authorities want a united and flourishing Hong Kong society. To this end, we call for true reconciliation and restoration for Hong Kong people to occur, which can only take place through an active engagement by the authorities in open, honest and purposeful two-way dialogue with its citizens designed to seek understanding and change.

- Our Commitment -
The Vine Church is committed to being a community of Christian believers whose interests are invested in the sustainable, long term future of Hong Kong in the following ways:

• To the Hong Kong Government and the Central Authorities we are committed to honouring its role as leaders under God’s authority; to pray for its wisdom, peace, guidance and stability; and, to bring to its account in love, actions which dishonour and harm the wellbeing and flourishing of its people.

• To the people of Hong Kong we are committed to seeking ways to serve the needs of all in society; to building up and encouraging all to work for the common good of one another and the city; to creating a place of healing, restoration and justice for many in need; and becoming a voice of justice for the most vulnerable, the marginalized and the hurting.

• To our own community of faith we are committed to being a community that is welcoming to all; to creating an environment where our diversity of perspectives and opinions do not divide us but instead, unify us under God’s family; to teach the word of God boldly and without fear; to speak truth in love; to disciple us as followers of Jesus for radical love of neighbour throughout our city; and to equip us to know the heart of God for justice.

• To our God we are committed to serving Him as our sovereign Lord above all earthly rulers and powers; to making Him known through all we do in the city of Hong Kong that we love; and to honour His name through putting His kingdom first.

A Benediction for the City of Hong Kong
May the peace of God enfold us, the love of Christ uphold us, and the wisdom of the Spirit lead us. Amen.

The Vine Church Leadership