[Richard(SNU)]

Well, when most of the NIC Fraternities and NPC Sororities were
founded, the founders seemed to draw a lot from secret societies like
Masonry and the Rosicrucians, and of course the literary and honor
societies that were the first true GLO's. Over the years there have
been confidential studies conducted by the NIC and NPC which confirm
what I just said.

What the founders didn't anticipate was the social aspect that came
along with advent of coeducation, the idea of "Greek Systems" and
social customs like pinnings, serenades, etc. I think if some of the
founders could get in a time machine and travel to a modern college
campus, they'd be pretty shocked at what happened to the rituals they
so carefully designed and passed on as something sacred. I mean, a
Fraternity pin, on a woman? You gotta be kidding, right?

Anyways the rituals aren't really what's important. It's all about
how you feel when you are going through it. The secrecy is there not
to protect the information, or even the organization, but to protect
you. There have been millions of initiates into GLO's over the past
two-hundred-plus years, but it's a fresh and new experience every time
it happens to an undergrad. The only real justification for secrecy
is to preserve the freshness of the experience for each new generation
of initiates. And GLO's like Delta Upsilon have shown that even that
isn't really necessary (I'm surprised no DY's have been in this thread
as far as I can tell).

So, blabbing something to your boyfriend or girlfriend, or even to a
close friend who happens to be in a different GLO isn't really all
that bad. I think we've all done stuff like that at least once or
twice. Just don't disrespect the ritual in front of a pledge. Shame
on anyone who does THAT.

OK I'm off the soapbox now...