英语课程计划-World Marriage Day（在线收听）

Marriage is forever. “Until death do us part”. At least that’s what people promise at the altar when they say “I do”. World Marriage Day (WMD) is celebrated on the second Sunday in February. It is for people to think about their marriage and perhaps renew their own vows of faithfulness and love. It is quite surprising this day does not have a higher profile in the world. After all, marriage is perhaps the most important social bond in our lives. The WMD website says: “World Marriage Day honors husband and wife as head of the family, the basic unit of society. It salutes the beauty of their faithfulness, sacrifice and joy in daily married life.” In 1993, Pope John Paul II gave his support for WMD. It continues to grow every year.

Marriage is under threat today. More and more marriages are ending in divorce and many couples are choosing not to marry at all. In the developed world, people are leaving it later and later to marry, or are deciding to stay single. So why do people get married? They want to show their lifelong commitment to the partner they love or they believe children should have married parents. For most people, it is the natural thing to do. One rather strange reason people often give for getting married is financial security. There are so many different and difficult issues surrounding marriage. Societies are still wondering what to do about same sex marriages and in some countries, polygamous marriages. I suppose every marriage is different.