Rites of Passage VS 1 Single Ritual
 

I am a member of a BMP chapter, and have a friend at a "tradional" chapter. We were just discussing how we both agreed with the idea of having several rituals was a better idea, in that it takes longer for a member to learn all that is to know about the fraternity. Unlike a pledge system, where you learn everything after just one semester.

I like the idea that if someone drops or is kicked out after their first semester, they havn't learned all the "secrets." I was just wondering how others felt about this.

--ps i'm not here to discuss what is in the ritual or how it's ran--

I feel that no matter the way go through ritual, its going to be an experience you will never forget. I come from a Balanced chapter, and I love the 3 stage process. It takes longer, but I feel it give you more in the end.

I too come from a BM chapter and I can speak for not only myself but for all of my brothers, that having the three stages of Sigma, Phi, and Epsilon brings a whole new meaning to our beliefs. I feel that each ritual is appreciated more and that we get more out of the time we spend learning ritual rather than just going through the motions.

Hailing from a traditional chapter, can't think of the ritual being in three different stages. Just like the BMP chapters can't imagine the ritual being meshed into one night. Just different perspectives. In the end, we all learned the same thing and are all brothers in the bond.

Actually, Phi and Epsilon are actually the original initiation ritual. The Sigma RoP is also used for incoming pledges at traditional chapters.