Quote:
Originally posted by Rain Man
I trust that everyone here can protect their letters from "unauthorized use" within reason. I have no problem with that.
However, I do take issue with Greeks who worship their letters to the point that a nonmember can't use a pen or umbrella, or even drive a car that has the Greek letters or org's name on it. To those Greeks, I say, "Get over yourself; it's not that big of a deal"
That, IMHO is outright idolatry, and at that point, you are not protecting your letters, you are worshipping them almost as if the letters were a god itself.
I suspect that at least one poster in this thread (one of the most outspoken ones at that), is worshipping her letters and is curious why everyone else isn't doing the same.
Of course, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.
*But I doubt it*  
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Some people take their letters to extremes, just like some football /soccer fans, school alumni.....
I think the reason some people do this, idolatry as you call it, is based on their experiences of how they became 'whatever'.
For example, let's say there was a young woman who grew up in Boston going to the Boston Red Sox games with her dad. Sadly, her dad dies and the one true connection she had with him was the Boston Red Sox. She is such a strong fan of the Boston Red Sox because of an emotional connection she made via the team. Its not so much the team that she is connected to, it is the relationship that she made while going to the games with her dad - the team represents a strong relationship she had that meant something to her.
Same with greek letters. One is not worshiping the letters / organization per se, it is just that during the intake / pledging period relationships were formed, emotions were expressed, you learned more about yourself and others. The greek letters represent a period in your life when you changed. Some people are protective about their letters because 1) they know and respect what they have learned about them and 2) it is a represenation of bonds that were made and since not everyone experienced that bonding, then that person feels that not everyone can 'use a pen' with his / her letters on it.
And...I've seen some greeks who are not very protective of their letters for various reasons.