[JonoBN41]

quote:
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The Creed of Lambda Chi Alpha

We believe in Lambda Chi Alpha, and its traditions, principles and ideals. The crescent is our symbol; pure, high ever growing, and the cross is our guide; denoting service, sacrifice, and even suffering and humiliation before the world, bravely endured if need be, in following that ideal.

May we have faith in Lambda Chi Alpha and passion for its welfare. May we have hope for the future of Lambda Chi Alpha and strength to fight for its teachings. May we have pure hearts, that we may approach the ideal of perfect brotherly love.
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In my opinion the second part is very good, in fact it's damn near perfect. It's the first part that has some oddities that simply don't make sense when looking at it objectively.

"...in following that ideal" is a non-sequitor since "that ideal" is neither mentioned nor defined in the statement that preceeds it. In other words, we don't know what "that ideal" refers to.

I'm not sure how a cross denotes service, although within Christianity it certainly can denote sacrifice, suffering, and humiliation. But do these apply to us as fraternity members? Do we suffer humiliation before the world simply because we are Lambda Chis? It sounds a little righteous and grandiose, especially with respect to the entire world, when the most likely scenarios might involve losing intramural football, having a bad Rush, or getting caught with a keg in the closet.

What's even more bothersome, however, is the addition of the qualifier, "if need be". It implies there might be times when we need NOT bravely indure suffering and humiliation. When would that not be needed? And would we just say, "Aw the hell with it" and walk away? Either we endure it, or we don't. Who decides when it's needed and when it's not?

Oh well, just my thoughts from a rather grammatical point of view. What do the rest of you think? I hope no one gets too upset with our picking apart the Creed, but we should all understand exactly what we are saying when we recite it. I agree with Brother Mike that some revisions are in order, particularly now that Lifesaver has been called upon to explain the wording of it.

In ZAX,
Jono