Fraternity Rituals

itsgreat2bgreek · #1 05-30-2003, 05:50 AM

As an initiated member of a GLO, I have been doing some internet research on Fraternity Ritual. The numerous sites I have found have, for the most part, been fairly informative. Unfortunately, I was somewhat disappointed with my initiation and the ritual. Granted, the ritual was there with all the bells and whistles...I just didn't get "that" feeling that I was anticipating when I entered the initiation room.

Anyway, I am just curious to learn some other opinions on fraternity ritual. If there is one thing I learned from browsing the web, its that many of the rituals are fairly similar. I didn't come across any specific GLO rituals (other than this really angry guy who has an anti-Sigma Chi site). Most of the info I found was general description of a fraternities ritual. Does anyone have any stories of initiated members talking a little too much about ritual? I know that when I was pledging, our class was reprimanded several times for accusations of revealing fraternity activities to non-members. Any comments??

ZZ-kai- · #2 05-30-2003, 09:53 AM

Often times, intiation is not all that it is cracked up to be for the 'pledge', because his/her pledge program was not as effective as it should have been. Initiation should be the pinnacle of your pledge process, not the end of your pledge process.

How was your pledging, were you hazed? If so, initiation probably wasn't what you expected. Were you educated properly on your fraternity lore? If not, then you may not have fully understood what was to take place anyway.

Take a few minutes each week and read through your own ritual book. It may be that the initation put on by your chapter, wasn't done correctly in the first place. Some chapters, especially old chapters, start bringing their own traditions into ritual, which actually distracts from what should really be happening.

Hope this helped. PM me if you want to discuss more.

MysticCat · #3 05-30-2003, 10:22 AM

Welcome to GreekChat, itsgreat2bgreek. ZZ-kai- makes some good points, and you might also be interested in the thread Dirty Little Secrets.

But don't expect anyone to give you any specifics on any rituals, or to talk too much about " any stories of initiated members talking a little too much about ritual," or to make other than general, generic comments. Anything specific tends to raise red flags for lots of folks around here and, often, to result in a locked thread.

itsgreat2bgreek · #4 05-30-2003, 12:14 PM

To start, yes I was hazed as a pledge, but the pledge education program was done properly to my knowledge and I don't think that had any baring on my personal initiation experience. As far as not getting specifics on ritual...no need to. As I mentioned, I learned a great deal from internet sources as well as having gone through it myself. Basically, I think what it boils down to is that despite my very ritualistic initiation ceremony, I failed to feel any aww or profoundness. To me, most college fraternities were at one time (some still are) considered secret societies. I guess I just expected the ceremony to be a little more inspiring and meaningful. BTW, the ritual was performed properly according to our fraternities book. Thanks for the warm welcome!

wptw · #5 05-30-2003, 12:41 PM

I wouldn't use what you find on the internet as any kind of yardstick by which to judge rituals.

wptw

AXO Alum · #6 05-30-2003, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ZZ-kai-
Often times, intiation is not all that it is cracked up to be for the 'pledge', because his/her pledge program was not as effective as it should have been. Initiation should be the pinnacle of your pledge process, not the end of your pledge process.

How was your pledging, were you hazed? If so, initiation probably wasn't what you expected. Were you educated properly on your fraternity lore? If not, then you may not have fully understood what was to take place anyway.

Take a few minutes each week and read through your own ritual book. It may be that the initation put on by your chapter, wasn't done correctly in the first place. Some chapters, especially old chapters, start bringing their own traditions into ritual, which actually distracts from what should really be happening.

Hope this helped. PM me if you want to discuss more.

zz-kai -- EXCELLENT POST!! You have hit the proverbial nail on the head, and its worth a second read!!! Thanks!

Tom Earp · #7 05-30-2003, 10:14 PM

2be a Greek or what ever,

it aint nice to ask people about their Rituals!!!!

You look all you want on National Sites, they are not going to say anything about it on a web site!

With your total of 2 posts and no Bio, we do not know who you are and not sure if we do!!

If you were a Greek, you would know that the first time is an experience to go through and then you learn from each time you see it!

I have been seeing it for @ 30 years!

kateshort · #8 05-31-2003, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by itsgreat2bgreek
As an initiated member of a GLO, I have been doing some internet research on Fraternity Ritual. The numerous sites I have found have, for the most part, been fairly informative. Unfortunately, I was somewhat disappointed with my initiation and the ritual. Granted, the ritual was there with all the bells and whistles...I just didn't get "that" feeling that I was anticipating when I entered the initiation room.

Fraternity and sorority members often feel this way the first time through. You may feel differently after you go through it a few times on the other side. Seeing it over and over makes it more comprehensible, and you may say to yourself "Oh yeah! Now I get it!"

Just a thought.