Initiationphobia
 

After just becoming a member of a communication fraternity at my school, I am invited to initiation Wednesday! I am kind of er....scared to. Not to mention that APO's initiation is around the corner. Someone just tell me that these rituals won't conflict with some of my religious (Christian) beliefs?

I don't want to freak out and leave like I did my last initiation.

You should address these issues with either the chapter president or the adviser. However, I will say this, I am Roman Catholic and at no time did I feel that my religious beliefs were compromised at any initiation in which I participated.

I agree, my ritual affirms religion, not conflicts with it.

Ummm, communication fraternity. I highly doubt that it will conflict with anything under the sun.

I thought you had already intiated APO? Whats up with that?

So you have walked out of ritual from another GLO? Im really kicking myself for saying what I am getting ready to say, but I would be interested in hearing that story if you want to share it.

I suspect that the Communications fraternity is an honorary -- Like Alpha Epsilon Rho or Sigma Delta Chi.

As for religious beliefs, I would be amazed if APO has anything in its Ritual that would be offensive to any of the great religons. I agree that you should talk to the Chapter president or advisor if you are really concerned.

Most honorary organizations' initiation "rituals" are absolutely benign (I belong to a few). But, I will also say that if I remember your "situation" I can only say that if you found that you had a problem with your last initiation experience, you may end up having a problem with any type of fraternal organization.

To this let me add that almost all fraternal organizations (AND the one you walked out on) are founded with religoius principles at the heart of the organizations' aspirations. Therefore much of these organizations ritual is formed in delicate balance with these accords. Any org. of this nature will ask you for some type of pledge of loyalty and some may require a vow of secrecy (i don't know anything about APO). You should be made aware of what will be expected of you before you go through with everything. If you are not, YOU NEED TO ASK!!!!

I was pretty nervous before my initiation, but once it started I relaxed and had fun. It was more of a mental test than anything, you just have to keep your focus and you will be fine. As far as the religeous part of it, as mentioned earlier, you better ask before you start.

Nope, were not even a chapter yet. Were a petetioning group and we are expecting to get our charter back pretty soon.

I wouldn't say I walked out of a ritual, for some reason I started freaking out when I heard something start with "i", I thought it was inject! :eek: I told them that I didn't want to finish the ritual. Of course that wasn't what they said. Because of that knew NOTHING that took place. Also, I had second thoughts about the organization I was in the first place.

Needless to say, I partially blame my mom for the fear factor. She told me stories about an experience my grandfather had when he pledge for a popular order (NON-GLO).

I am an initiated member of APO and a Christian and I can tell you that nothing will controdict your beliefs. Keep in mind the founding principles upon which the fraternity is based and that gives you a pretty good idea what kinds of values are exemplified in the ritual. Obviously, I cannot tell you what it is, but it is neither scary nor strange. Enjoy!

Another APO brother weighing in...
 

The APO initiation ritual is beautiful. It will be a wonderful experience, and there is NOTHING to worry about! :)

:confused: :confused: :confused: inject? You really thought that you were about to be injected with something?:confused: :confused: :confused:
Heidi

Re: Another APO brother weighing in...
 

You couldn't be more correct! I still get teary-eyed at every one I witness!

Yes! :o
Obviously, my imagination just ran away with me that night.

WOW!:eek: Scary!

Yeah - afraid of being injected with some COMMON SENSE!

Just stop the insanity Slim Shady!