Wood

[Sir Genesis]

I thoroughly believe in the breaking down of a man to build them back up stronger than before. I just think the breakdown should be mental instead of physical.

What brings line brothers/sisters closer together is not the wood itself-it's experiencing emotions they've never felt before and being able to fight through it with blood, sweat and tears together. Any foreign situation that takes teamwork and a sense of brotherhood/sisterhood will foster that love and dedication that we all strive to instill in each potential brother/sister. Once again, the issue is when it goes too far.

Taking strokes for founders and things of the like are one thing; taking 100+ strokes over the course of 6+ weeks is another. When people are celebrating the "Century Club" more than they are the History and the Ideals there's a problem.

But I do agree with SNUIGC that humiliation and injury is unnecessary. No tradition was created to do that and they've been taken way out of context in this day and age. Many traditions have evolved due to negative energies like anger, jealousy, shame, etc. and pledging in many respects has become more of a competition than a lesson. It's just something to think about.