Mikki, I for some reason overlooked you are DZ - we have them on my alma mater as well - just as a side note - the best girls on campus too (true ladies and fun to be with - and man could they SING!).
Getting back to our discussion - first of all, please don't think I want true fraternal secrets disclosed. By true secrets, I mean the items you and I probably both took an oath to uphold, meaning the initiation ritual and symbols, etc. (And I'll bet you if we all sat down and went over our particular secrets, we'd find more in common with each other's organizations than differences - however, we both took an oath, so that won't happen) ...However, to me, hazing is not covered by a membership oath, in fact, it flies in the face of the oath one takes at initiation. In short, I believe it makes a hypocrite out of members who perpetuate hazing. However, our "new members" (as you may know, we do not have Pledges, we have Associate Members, and the distinction is MORE than semantic) - are told UP FRONT when they join that they will be asked to do nothing a true man could not or should not do.
I agree that scavenger hunts and other "fun" activities should not be classified in the same category has a hazing activity - however, being forced to drink during an activity does cross a line - at that point, it is no longer just a "scavenger hunt". I also believe new members should wear their pledge (sorry, new member) pins, and they should be worn with pride, not out of obligation. This would help protect them from learning true secrets of the organization, that could spoil their initiation experience.
Our Founding Fathers/Sisters all had secret activities and Rituals upon founding, this is true. But, these Rituals and activities were all tied directly to the ideals, beliefs, and vision of the order. I find it hard to believe that founding fathers of any fraternal organization would approve of many of the hazing practices that are around today (forced consumption of alcohol, sleep deprivation, smearing of food, denial of basic hygiene, calisthenics, the list can go on....) - how would rolling around in last nights dinner leftovers have anything to do with such ideals common to most organizations as Honor, Respect, Brotherhood, Morality, etc...? That is where I'd like to see someone argue the perspective.
I think you and I are very close in our beliefs, and yes, many hazing practices fall into a "gray" area of definition. (And I believe an attempt to create a list of what is or is not hazing is pointless - the activity isn't the issue, it is the intent or motivation behind the activity that is the hazing litmus test) However, there are many more that obviously cross the line, into the loss of personal self-respect in order to belong. To me, that is the greatest tradegy of them all.
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Don't be your brother's keeper; rather, be your brother's Brother.
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