一年一度的父女純潔舞會在美國科羅拉多泉市（科羅拉多州）舉行。舞會上，父親們會閱讀一份契約，發誓將盡力保護女兒的貞潔，并在承諾書上簽名。純潔舞會始于1998年，在科羅拉多州首先興起，現在已經在全美普遍開來。這是一個令人難忘的儀式，父親會簽署誠信書，承諾給女兒生活的完整性和純潔性。

Father talks with his two daughters before the Father-Daughter Purity Ball was held in Colorado Springs.[yahoo.com]

In a "counter-cultural" event, fathers and daughters from across the America are gathering for the annual Father-Daughter Purity Ball in Colorado Springs.

Girls and young women ages 10 and older who attend make commitments to live a pure life before God and set personal standards for themselves.

Fathers also read covenants over their daughters and promise they will protect the girls' commitments and serve as positive role models of purity and spirituality. Their dedication is symbolized by commitment cards the girls sign during the ceremony and white roses laid at the foot of a cross.

"The dads or mentors commit before God to be a living example of purity," coordinator Mona McDonald said. "The daughters are going to try to do their best to honor their fathers' involvement in their life."

The first Father Daughter Purity Ball was held in Colorado in 1998 by a Christian group called Generations of Light, according to Ashley Ellingson, development coordinator for the Arizona Baptist Children's Services.

"A woman who worked at ABCS heard about these Purity Balls and thought they were a really neat idea," Ellingson said.

Mitch McDonald said he feels the ball has become an annual way for his daughters to spend a special evening with their father.

"What really makes me feel good is that I know my daughters are going to be going to dances for the rest of their lives, but the first time they were dressed in a formal, their dad was the first one to slow dance with them," he said.

"I've been able to tell both of my daughters how precious they are to me," he said. "Those are moments in time that are very important."

(Agencies)

Vocabulary:

Father-Daughter Purity Ball：父女純潔舞會

covenants: 契約

commitment cards：承諾卡片

（英語點津 于楠 編輯）