The Creed
 

In your house or work, where do you have our creed posted to see on a daily basis?

Nowhere. I never learned the creed in college. Not sure it was even written then. I doesn't appear in the Paedagogus until 1995.

As it is, it's somewhat poorly written, the first part ending with "...in following that ideal", without stating what "that ideal" is. Rather ambiguous wouldn't you say? What ideal?

I have no idea who wrote it or when.

ZAX,
Jono

sitting on my wall in front of my desk. This is hte same copy that I got from my big bro when I AMed in September of 2002. Many things have been spilled on it, including vegetable oil, yet the sheet of paper still stands.

Jono and I discussed this last night. The Creed was not in the Paedagogus as of 1992, 45 th Edition.

The next Editin I have is 2000, 48 th has The Creed in it as the last one.

Strange when one thinks about it.

I would venture a guess that "The Ideals", would be service, sacfifice, suffering and humiliation if need be.

The creed was altered slightly when we went from pledges
to AMs (or when pledges were first allowed to attend
chapter meetings)....phrases refering to initiate-only
details were removed. The whole text was probably
secret before then. I believe the full text of the original
is in the High Phi manual....kinda neat.

I'm curious, why a crescent? I mean, it really isn't pure or ever growing. I can understand the cross with sacrifice, etc. (duh, Jesus!), but not the crescent.

Water is pure, fire is pure, etc., but a crescent? How is an eclipsed moon pure and ever growing?

Isn't the crescent an Islamic symbol anyways?

Maybe we should change it to the Cross and Dove Soap Bar if we want pure? (very bad joke)

No but seriously, why a crescent? I wouldn't be surprised if Cole just threw it in there because it looked cool.

So, what's the story behind the crescent?

I think one of the mythical founders of the fraternity, Rene d'Anjenou of France was the first to use the crescent (he formed the order of the crsecent in the 1500's) because the crescent was always seen to be growing. Getting larger. etc. I dont know why it got larger instead of smaller. Paging Chuck Psyer...

Also, the Sufffering and hummilliation thing, I always say that is probably the suffering and humilliation Jesus endured on the cross. Do think that passage could sound a bit intimidating to PNM's. They might think they would have to be humilliated to get in. Always struck me as odd. WHO did write our creed? Thats a damn good question!

I understand the cross part and how it relates to Jesus.

But thanks Life for clearing up that crescent thing, never really made much sense to me, good theory.

Crescent Symbolism
 

Brothers,

I love symbols! The Crescent, like most other symbols, has multiple meanings- natural growth (Astarte), classic purity (Diana), and Christian purity (Mary, Mother of Jesus). The original source for our use of the Crescent symbol was the Grange. Cole incorporated the crescent moon into his original 1912 Ritual. Later, Mason and McIntosh chose the Crescent because it was part of the symbolism associated with good King Rene' of Anjou. Our symbol, found on the "Order of Merit" award, is also associated with the Order of Mary Magdalen!

Our Creed, which I believe is in the need of an "overhaul," is lifted from parts of our current Ritual. Keep in mind "Per Crucem Crescens" or "Crescent in the Cross" when you think of our useage. Ours is a combined symbol, composed of a Cross and Crescent, that loses its meaning if each part is looked at as seperate elements. The Crescent represents the Ideal of our Order; pure, evergrowing, but unattainable spiritual perfection and the Cross represents our Guide to attaining ultimate perfection in the afterlife through the teachings of Christianity in this life. The Crescent is really the crescent moon and the moon's cycle of growth until it is fully luminated is an obvious symbol of more light (enlightenment) that impressed people all over the world throughout recorded history. Taken together this is a wonderful symbol of what Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity is really all about and what it can mean to our members.

By the way, don't panic... this is my interpretation of material that has appeared in old "Purple, Green, and Gold" magazines, the 1929 History Book, the 1992 History Book, and research I did for an article I wrote that is scheduled to appear in the next two issues of "The Cross & Crescent." No real secrets here. If you do some basic research in our open publications you will find this information all laid out for you to read.

Yours in ZAX,

Mike Raymond, Zeta-Upsilon Zeta

Well, now I REALLY can't wait to get the next issue of the C&C! In the meantime, Mike, do you know who wrote the Creed or why it seems to have been kept somewhat secret for so long?

ZAX,
Jono

Also it is ever growing because it is a waxing crescent, not a waining crescent. (sp?)

Two Things- Creed & Crescent
 

Jono,

I don't know the orignator of the Creed. I do know that most of it is "patched together" from long existing sources. I took a quick look at the 1992 History Book and found no mention of the creation of the Creed as a unique statement. In a "round about" way I think Jack Mason has to get some credit for the wording of the Creed. I do have a very vague memory of something about the Creed appearing on the old IHQ webpage years ago. It is also possible that the "Open Ritual" (I can't remember the exact title right now) booklet has something to say about it. Let's continue to look into this one!

And,

EM1843,

You make an excellent point about the nature of the crescent symbolism we have adopted. The waxing crescent moon fits our traditions perfectly.

Yours in ZAX,
Mike Raymond, Z-U Zeta

Going Back to the Original Post
 

Right now I don't have the Creed posted anywhere in my office at home. This fact surprised me when I read your original post. Back in the mid-1960s, when I was an Active, it really was not emphasized by my Zeta. But, I think that over the past 20 years or so it has become very important to our Zeta members. I don't think I ever memorized it, but many of the younger guys, say 40 years and under, know it by heart. So, I will have to do something about my oversight.

Also, I believe that the Creed needs a good review and a "make-over" to make it easier to read, understand, and memorize. Nothing radical needs to be done, just a good edit. As I have mentioned before, I think the creed was "lifted" from another important document in bits and pieces with little attention to the readabilty and flow of the text. I hope someone at IHQ can do this revision someday and get the proper approvals to issue a new version of the Creed. Any thoughts on that idea....

Yours in ZAX,

Mike Raymond, Zeta-Upsilon Zeta

Matt does make an excellent point. Beta Theta Pi is one fraternity that originally got it wrong when they had a crescent on their badge.

"In 1841 Alexander Paddock (Miami, 1841) improved the badge by making its surface of black eneamel and replacing the crescent by the wreath and diamond. As to the crescent it might be recorded that one reason for the change was that, as borne on the Beta emblem, its horns were turned to the right as one faces the badge. Some Miami student, knowing more heraldry than his mates, or being a closer observer of the devices in the almanac, pointed out that the Beta badge bore the waning crescent, and ridicule hastened the change." ---The Story of Beta Theta Pi, Francis W. Shepardson (1927)

Ours looks just like the one I can see out my window. :)

ZAX,
Jono

Order of Mary Magdalen
 

Jono,

Great quote from one of my favorite writers! I love reading his books about Beta Theta Pi and I am proud to say I have a number of items in my collection that were owned by him! Some with his signiture....

The Crescent & Cross motif of the Order of Mary Magdalen, that we use as our Order of Merit Award, is another wonderful "take" on the waxing crescent moon symbol. The Cross is actually centered in the Crescent which appears at the base of the Cross. The symbolism of the growing Crescent Moon associated in this manner with the symbolism of the Cross is very powerful. I also have a famous painting on my office wall called "The Aspirant" that depicts a woman (representing Mary Magdalen?)inducting a young knight into this Order. The Crescent is emblazed on his garment newly superimposed over his family crest!

I know that Jack Mason envisioned our fraternity as a continuation of this type of feudal Order of Knights. I think that he wanted a greater emphasis on this concept then we now acknowledge. I would like to see this "mythical" tradition made a greater part of our fraternity today.

Yours in ZAX,

Mike, "The Knight," Raymond- ZUZ

I cant believe the timeleness of this post I made yesterday, as I had a meeting (its an ongoing series of meetings) with the UIW administration. They dont want the chapter to do a pre-rit, of any sorts. They have been given the schedule of it. HQ has approved the external event planning form, and Shane Foley has even reviewed the schedule to make sure there is no overt or covert hazing in it. Its textbook. The administrator finally agreed that it wasnt hazing, but with all the issues the NPHC groups have faced (she's a member of an NPHC org) she's still real skeptical of LXA. (She has no reason to be). After our meeting today, she said that she was on lambdachi.org and was reading about our org and was concerned after reading the 'suffering and humilliation' part of the creed. So I have to drop her an email explaining it. I figure at a catholic university they will probably get that whole 'passion of the christ' reference.

Its just so wierd, we were all talking about it on here and it came up today.

Re: Going Back to the Original Post
 

I think the protocol for revewing/editing it woud be that someone would propose legislation at GA to ammend/change it and it would be refered to the rituals/emblems committee for review and they would reccomend action to the entire body at the GA.

So lets have some fun with it here. Post your reccomeded edit to the creed and lets discuss them.

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Creed of Lambda Chi Alpha

We believe in Lambda Chi Alpha, and its traditions, principles and ideals. The crescent is our symbol; pure, high ever growing, and the cross is our guide; denoting service, sacrifice, and even suffering and humiliation before the world, bravely endured if need be, in following that ideal.

May we have faith in Lambda Chi Alpha and passion for its welfare. May we have hope for the future of Lambda Chi Alpha and strength to fight for its teachings. May we have pure hearts, that we may approach the ideal of perfect brotherly love.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


In my opinion the second part is very good, in fact it's damn near perfect. It's the first part that has some oddities that simply don't make sense when looking at it objectively.

"...in following that ideal" is a non-sequitor since "that ideal" is neither mentioned nor defined in the statement that preceeds it. In other words, we don't know what "that ideal" refers to.

I'm not sure how a cross denotes service, although within Christianity it certainly can denote sacrifice, suffering, and humiliation. But do these apply to us as fraternity members? Do we suffer humiliation before the world simply because we are Lambda Chis? It sounds a little righteous and grandiose, especially with respect to the entire world, when the most likely scenarios might involve losing intramural football, having a bad Rush, or getting caught with a keg in the closet.

What's even more bothersome, however, is the addition of the qualifier, "if need be". It implies there might be times when we need NOT bravely indure suffering and humiliation. When would that not be needed? And would we just say, "Aw the hell with it" and walk away? Either we endure it, or we don't. Who decides when it's needed and when it's not?

Oh well, just my thoughts from a rather grammatical point of view. What do the rest of you think? I hope no one gets too upset with our picking apart the Creed, but we should all understand exactly what we are saying when we recite it. I agree with Brother Mike that some revisions are in order, particularly now that Lifesaver has been called upon to explain the wording of it.

In ZAX,
Jono

I agree w/Jono...paragraph #2 stays as it is. As for the "suffering...if need be" portion, my personal take on that has always been that LCA is more than just a drinking club. Granted, many of my brothers initiated alongside me must've felt that it WAS, because I've only seen about 6 of them show up for anything in the last 10 years.

However, if one listens to the words of the Rx, it details...well, just a great way to live your life, basically. It's not our fault if each and every one of our brethren doesn't feel that way.

In 12-Step programs, they say that "The efforts are ours, but the results come from God.", which is the Higher Power of one's choosing (God, Yahweh, Mohammed, Buddah, etc.). It'd be nice if all of our alumni brothers came back, but it's their life to choose what they want to do w/it.

I think the Creed's asking us to follow the tenets put forth in the Rx and to stand up for what we believe in about LCA. This has sometimes caused ridicule in varying ways.

For example, "You've graduated from college...leave that stuff back there", paraphrases what my ex used to say about me being involved w/any sort of alumni activity.

Another occurrence was during my senior year when I brought a potential member over to Spring Rush. He immediately took a liking to our resident potheads.

When we did our slide show to review the biddees, I stood up and said I didn't want him to get a bid. I was roundly chastised by the segment that liked the guy, but I shouted back in response, "I'm NOT going to leave this house w/THAT as my legacy". Bravely endured, I suppose...

I further believe we're supposed to conduct our lives as gentlemen, per the writings of the Rx. At this year's High Pi Conference I was reminded that Warren Cole made it a point to not swear or curse...not an easy thing to do in his day, let alone in the 21st Century.

Okay, lunchtime's over...next?

In ZAX,
BF

I agree with everyone on the second paragraph. I think its perfect as is. The first paragraph does need tweaking. I need to meditate on it. I do like the references to the C&C inthe first paragraph, but it seems like a hodge-podge of things; all thrown in. Theres little cadence to it (unlike the second paragrapha) and the items seem unrelated. Its like the two paragraphs are from different creeds or something.

Well, I disagree with everyone who has so appointed them selves To as changing The Creed.

Okay, maybe Humbling would be possibly Better, but what good would that do?

It seems to point out that There are points in our times as New Associates and Members for not adhereing to the Ideals of LXA.

How much more Do We need to change of Our Fraternity to be pasturized it to be Milky White.

We as a Greek Organization (LXA), who have been leaders in so many ways need to change something like this?

I dont care about it being Milky White. I think everyone on here agrees that it shoudl be changed to help in the understanding of the creed. I've been in 12 years but am still confused by the creed. NONE of us should be confused about our creed.

Our ritual has been changed about six times since Mason finished it. Always in a way that enhances a participants understanding of it. So what would be wrong with doing the same to the creed? If it helped members in their understanding of it, I say go for it. I'd rather have our members understand it and strive to live towards it, vs. have members who dont understand it and just have it memorized.

Yeah, we're required to memorize it.. it's said before every meeting.