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【时代论坛讯】位于湾仔的国际教会葡萄藤教会（The Vine Church），应香港基督教协进会呼吁，于七月十七日在面书发表英文声明，从教会与社会关系、政府与掌权者、《港区国安法》本身及市民期许四方面回应该法例，促政府尽快设立独立监察组织，并汇报法例对港人现有自由的影响，以消除公众疑虑。

声明指出，基于人人皆平等地按神形象而造，圣经明确教导基督徒要站在社会最脆弱、受伤、哀伤及边缘者一方。处身社会中，教会便要追求公义、真理、自由和广传福音；若政治议题影响到社会，并非政治实体的教会也要发声。政府和领袖不仅要向人民负责，也要向上帝负责。圣经教导信徒顺服掌权者，同时也挑战在位者要向神和人民负责。

声明指出，此法的引入及诠释引起公众关注。对于当局没就法例的适用範围、性质、动机，广泛谘询港人，该会表示失望；而在港行使中国司法管辖权，令人对「一国两制」框架下香港可享的自治存疑。

声明指，因法例用词及定义不精确，令市民焦虑堕入法网，以致言论、集会和宗教等自由缩减。虽然，法例无追溯力，但许多人担心此法用来惩罚立法前的反对者，多于防止将来的违法者。声明认为，法例原意是在香港普通法框架内运作，维持本港司法独立，结果却被质疑带来恫吓效应。

该会认为，特区及中央政府有责任觉察港人的合理关注，包括：一、尽快设立独立的监察组织，并汇报法例对港人现有自由的影响，消除公众疑虑；二、检视法例有否影响《基本法》赋予港人的权利和自由，监察机制要透明。

声明又提到该会的四大承诺：

一、基于掌权的都是神所命，该会承诺尊重（committed to honouring）特区和中央政府的领导角色，并为政府求智慧和安稳，但若施政对市民不敬什至损害民生，会向政府问责；

二、对于港人，该会承诺服侍有需要者，鼓励人齐心建立医治、复元和公义之地，为最弱小、被边缘和受伤者发声；

三、该会会缔造观点和意见多元的环境，却不分裂，反而在神家中更合一，无畏无惧教导圣言，本着爱说真理、作主门徒爱邻舍、自我装备去明白上帝公义的心；

四、该会尊上帝为高于地上一切权势的至高掌权主，并会在香港见证他，尊崇他的名，先求他的国。

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