Wedding rings promise a peaceful life

It may sound overblown – the idea that whether or not you and your partner exchange wedding rings could impact on a wider, social scale, but the Pope believes marriage is the key to world peace. In his New Year address, Pope Benedict XVI pleaded for peace for the ‘human family’ in a world scarred by war, violence and poverty.
 

Wedding rings – Make love not war

The message is in essence the same as that famously advocated by John Lennon with his ‘make love not war’ slogan alongside songs, Give Peace a Chance. But unlike Lennon, the Pope believes love must be conducted within the traditions and laws of marriage. The exchange of wedding rings is the ultimate act of love and security – a union that can build a safe, loving environment for children and offer a support network for relatives. The Pope said at St Peter’s Basilica during New Year’s Day mass that the ‘traditional family’ was the foundation of world peace.
 

World peace

The Pope emphasised the notion of traditional marriage, where a man and a woman exchange wedding rings, which was seen as an attack on civil unions. Nevertheless, the idea that exchanging wedding rings could help nurture world peace has merit – marriage has been proven to offer a healthier life for couples and married people statistically live longer. But some may say the Pope’s message is politically naïve and even ironic in a world where religion seems to fuel conflict and war. The Pope said: “We all aspire to live in peace, but real peace is not the simple conquest of man or the result of political agreements: it is above all a divine gift…The family is the primary agent of peace, and the negation or even restriction of rights of the family threatens the very foundations of peace.”
 

Wedding rings and family values

The notion that exchanging wedding rings is one way of preserving family values is a strong one, although gay activists begged to differ, feeling sidelined by the Pope. But the Pope believes it’s only the exchange of wedding rings between a man and a woman that is the foundation for a healthy society – he believes everything else is “an obstacle on the road to peace”. Getting married is certainly a solemn commitment, but of course most couples marry out of love rather than out of a notion of contributing to world peace.
 

Buy your wedding ring from the Jewellery Company

The Jewellery Company has a wide range of wedding rings to suit all tastes and budgets. From plain gold bands to contemporary diamond rings, you can find your perfect wedding rings and order online.

Set in tasteful ring boxes and with free UK delivery, The Jewellery Company is the perfect place to find wedding rings for your big day. For more information, browse our website, or call us on 0800 023 2283