Quote:
Originally posted by Godfather
We don't lay a hand on our pledges, nor do we force them to drink, as I already said. Exercise and making them memorize things (With the consequence of getting yelled at, etc.) is an entirely different animal.
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So, if I read this correctly, you're saying "it's OK - we only haze them in specific ways, not in others...", correct?
That's like saying "I'm only a little bit pregnant"
What starts or seems to be only harmless pranks will eventually escalate, with no one in the chapter noticing the slight, yet ever ocurring, escalation, will eventually lead to disaster.
The real scary part is the forced exercise - what if? What if someone has a physical ailment that they don't disclose, even if asked? (heart condition, diabetes, epilepsy - all aggravated by stress (e.g. exercise)). What if something happens? The chapter WILL be held accountable, even with the lame excuse of "we didn't know" being offered.
The "different animal" you describe is still a dangerous one, and, given time, WILL bite you in the end.
DA, you're right - closing a chapter is something we ever WANT to see happen, but, for the greater good, sometimes it's the ONLY thing to do to wake up the remaining chapters of the fraternity that certain behavior is against the rules, and the rules must be enforced.
As I've said before, we are all somewhat responsible for the creation of today's hazing issues...what DA may have gone through in years past, described has "fun" or "harmless" activities, or to other members in this forum, have unfortunately escalated to the dangerous practices that make headlines and take lives today. If we are to move forward, we have to take whatever actions necessary to ensure that BROTHERHOOD is emphasized, not the humiliating activities that are purported to promote it, but instead promote the opposite: anger, divisiveness, and resentment.
So, please answer my original question: If you feel hazing is SO important that it can't be eliminated without destroying your chapter, why don't you go ahead and advertise the fact - "join our fraternity - we'll humiliate and beat the crap out of you to make you a 'real' man!"?