Quote:
Originally Posted by Thetagirl218
If I got a dollar for every time some non-greek as me that, I would be rich!  |
Probably every Greek could say that. I was guilty of the confusion before I was Greek as well, thank you Dazed and Confused. Also, with the word "ritual", some people hear the word and think of human sacrifice and torture so they think that ritual=hazing. For the OP, a quick definition of a few important and often confused terms....
Initiation: A ceremony that makes pledges/new members into full members for life. Almost all GLOs reveal secrets in the initiation ceremony (except DU). Of course I only have experience with my own GLO's initiation ceremony, but I would bet that the founders of every National GLO, and most locals, designed a beautiful, moving initiation ceremony that does not involve hazing.
Ritual: An all-encompassing term for several ceremonies that are limited to initiated members and pledges/new members (except DU). Some GLOs only consider initiation to be ritual. Ceremonies held usually include an official beginning to the pledge/new member period, initiation, and a ceremony to induct graduating members into the alumni/alumnae phase of membership. These rituals were designed by the founders of your organization and have likely changed very little if at all since the founding of the organization. Again, I would bet that hazing was not intended to be a part of any ritual ceremony. Whether a chapter follows their ritual book may be another story, like Kevin mentioned.
Hazing: Many people disagree on the exact definition of hazing, but I think
most would agree that hazing is any activity, action, or attitude (usually directed toward new members) that causes or has the potential to cause physical or mental discomfort or harm. Hazing is against the values of any GLO founded on brotherhood or sisterhood (which is all of them), which is why it is not a part of rituals designed by founders. As if being counter to the ideals of every GLO isn't enough, hazing is also illegal.