This Is Interesting
 

dailyillini.com/news/2044

I'm going to say it...is he retarded????!!!

He's been a member for two and a half years!!!!! He should have asked and at first mention of anything religious he should have left if it was that offensive to him.

This really irritates me. If the ritual didn't mean anything to him he should never have joined or he should have left. Now after 2 and a half years he wants to sue them for violating his civil liberties?!

I'm not religious and I find it extremely offensive when the Jehova's (sp?) Witnesses come knocking on my door first thing in the morning to talk to me about saving my soul. But I'm not going to sue them.

What this kid needs is a good swift kick in the arse!

I'm pretty sure he never knew the ritual before he initiated, and then, well, it's kind of too late.

I doubt this lawsuit will make it past an initial hearing because he didn't have to join Sigma Phi Epsilon, and at any time he was free to turn in his badge.

What I do find interesting, though, is that the kid pledged a fraternity founded by 12 divinity students. What on earth possessed him to think there would be no religion in their ritual?

That's true.

But I still think he's a moron.

He may have not known the ritual before he initiated, but the article says he's been a member for two and a half years! Once he initiated, why did he keep quiet for two whole years before he suddenly got offended? Was it not offensive to him then?

Even without that, there must have been plenty of other signs of religion, such as what you mentioned, GeekyPenguin, about the founders, and he could have found out these things before he initiated. I found this quote by one of Sig Ep's founders on their website, that states:
"This fraternity will be different, it will be based on the love of God and the principle of peace through brotherhood..."
C'mon here. Based on the LOVE OF GOD. There's a pretty big clue right there.

It's a sad situation that this guy had to resign, but (just from the article) it seems like he may not have taken enough steps to try to work it out before resigning. It sounds like he just started skipping ritual without letting anyone know why until they disciplined him for it. Had he spoken with the rest of the exec board and tried to work something out, they most likely would have been more understanding, and let him participate in ritual without him having to hold the Bible. It could have been worked out better for everyone involved. He's silly to try to sue.

12 divinity students, eh?

Yeah, he's an idiot. Looking at my chapter right now as an alum though, maybe he's just immature. He didn't do his job as VP and now he's looking to blame the consequences on anyone but himself.

Maybe his parents should force him to get a job. I mean.. he went to the ACLU over *voluntarily* resigning from a private organization. If the ACLU even wants to waste its time with this, the case will go nowhere.

Correct me if I'm wrong in this assumption, but aren't most fraternity and sorority rituals religious in context? I mean I know ours are, but we were also founded in 1851 and religion was a very big part of peoples lives back then, so it's like a no brainer to assume that some our rituals might be religious in context.

I think this person is a total moron. Let's be a member for two and a half years but once I get a "high" position, I'm suddenly offended. As if he didn't know about these religious rituals prior.

The ACLU is pretty stupid for wasting their time on a lawsuit that isn't going to go anywhere.

As someone else said, he did not have to join nor did he have to remain a member once he was initiated and discovered the 'religious rituals'.

I wonder if fingerbang or josh80 know this guy......I don't

Well, correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the article say that he had only "contacted" the ACLU -- nothing about whether or not the ACLU laughed him off the phone.

I wont say that this person is a Moron even though it does come to mind!:rolleyes:

For god sake, He was not taught about The Fraternity before He was initiated or what? Then, he holds a National position, maybe Moron is more right than I thought!:rolleyes:

Then, He wants to Sue? Idiot also sounds good along with Moron!

He was the Vice President of Programming for his chapter. He never hold any National position.

I'm reading the article as he got offended for having to participate in the rituals...Granted he would have somewhat participated during his first two years, but it sounds like as VP of Programming, his specific job during ritual was to read something from the bible, etc. As a member without an office, he most likely just had to "stand there" in the crowd...meaning he could "tune out" the religious parts on his own.

So here's my question: If he'd seen ritual for two and a half years, and knew which chapter officer was to perform which part of ritual, WHY did he run for the office that would offend him the most???? If he wanted to work with chapter programming, he could have been the VP Programming's "right hand man" and do a lot of work that way without having to mess with the ritual. He should have run for the position that simply told the secrets or opened the door during ritual (something "non offensive" to him).

I'm sure during officer inductions he took an oath saying he understood all the responsibilities of the office and agreed to follow all of them.

I agree with ktsnake....I think the religion thing is an excuse for his failing to fulfil the officer responsibilities. He could have always talked with someone or resigned the position if he didn't want to do the ritual part of the job.

PsychTau

moe.ron, my bad, did not read it and took your post as what I saw posted! Regardless, where was this guys head! Now he complains ignorance?

Give me a Break, if any Legals are looking and reading it, no one will take it unless they are Meat Wagon Chasers! Ambulance is to big a word to spell!:D

If I was a lawyer with scrupples I would look at this KID and ask, "Are You Out Of YOur Friggen Mind":eek:

Everyone has their right to what they believe in. As brothers of the fraternity, I'm sure they would have worked something out with him though. I agree that with his founders being divinity students and the statement about God on their website, he should have known. I don't say or stand for the pledge of alligence, but my chapter knows that and they know why. If that ever comes up they know I stay seated, those are my beliefs and they respect that. If he had such a problem, he should have discussed it with the chapter and I'm sure they could have worked something out...someone else could have done his parts in rituals.

Yes, no on disagreed with what His beleifs are, just how He went about it! This was nothing new to him. He had his choice, belong or not belong!:o

Now, He wants to Sue??? Paleeze!:eek:

Again, my question if you do not beleive in what That Greek Organion beleives in, then why did you join?

Usually, if someone Joins a Greek or anyother type of Fraternal Group, you are in not for just an Ounce, but a Pound or why did you or anyone else join?