Fraternities, Secret Societys?

Years ago my manager at work was in a frat during college. He refused to tell anyone what his intitaition deed or whatever you call it was. He also didnt talk about the Frat business, as what he called it. So im asking, since ive never been in a frat. Anyone here ever been in a frat & can you talk about your initiation or other frat business. Also whats the deal with the secrecy if there is any.

I'm a member of delta kappa epsilon. The "frat business" he was talking about was probably just the pledging and rituals that his chapter performed. In terms of talking about initiation, most fraternity members probably won't talk about it, not only because often times parts of it are unpleasant, but also because if it was just open knowledge to the general public then there wouldn't be much appeal in terms of wanting to be a member of the fraternity. The initiation and rituals are kept secret so as to preserve the traditions, culture, values, and mysteriousness (or exclusiveness, not sure what word i'm looking for here) of being a fraternity brother. The secrecy is in part usually do to the fraternity wanting to preserve their traditions and rituals in a country that is constantly trying to destroy and control what it does not know or understand. Also, what would be the point in becoming a a member of the fraternity if everyone already knew everything it was about? The whole pledging procedure is a learning process. Hope that helped.

I am also a member of a college fraternity and I do not talk about its secrets because I was sworn not to do so. I did not have to do anything unpleasant, and am still active in my Fraternity.

Many fraternities do indeed consider themselves secret societies.

Boat

Originally posted by jonSUN
Years ago my manager at work was in a frat during college. He refused to tell anyone what his intitaition deed or whatever you call it was. He also didnt talk about the Frat business, as what he called it. So im asking, since ive never been in a frat. Anyone here ever been in a frat & can you talk about your initiation or other frat business. Also whats the deal with the secrecy if there is any.

if your so interested why dont you join a frat? if you cant you can always join another type or brotherhood, IE freemasons, eagles, lions club.

Originally posted by umwolves123

Originally posted by jonSUN
Years ago my manager at work was in a frat during college. He refused to tell anyone what his intitaition deed or whatever you call it was. He also didnt talk about the Frat business, as what he called it. So im asking, since ive never been in a frat. Anyone here ever been in a frat & can you talk about your initiation or other frat business. Also whats the deal with the secrecy if there is any.

if your so interested why dont you join a frat? if you cant you can always join another type or brotherhood, IE freemasons, eagles, lions club.

Nah, no frats for me, plus im a lil too old. My Dad was a member of the Lions Club back in the 70's & 80's, so i dont think theres anything secret there.

Originally posted by jonSUN
Nah, no frats for me, plus im a lil too old. My Dad was a member of the Lions Club back in the 70's & 80's, so i dont think theres anything secret there.

True. No secrets in Lions Club. It's a service organization (like Rotary, Kiwanis, etc)

But you're not too old for Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Eagles, Elks, Moose, etc. (If you're interested) They're adult fraternities, not college groups.

Regards

Originally posted by senrak
But you're not too old for Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Eagles, Elks, Moose, etc. (If you're interested) They're adult fraternities, not college groups.

I thought that Elks, Moose and Eagles were also service organizations, as opposed to fraternities like Freemasonry, Odd Fellows, KofC, etc. Basically, any organization named after an animal seems to be service oriented.

Originally posted by sebatwerk
I thought that Elks, Moose and Eagles were also service organizations, as opposed to fraternities like Freemasonry, Odd Fellows, KofC, etc. Basically, any organization named after an animal seems to be service oriented.

No. While they DO have charities that they work with, they also have initiation ceremonies, pass-words, etc (pretty simple in comparison to Masonry and other fraternities...and even MORE simplified in the last few years) The Elks Lodge even has an outer guard officer called the "Tyler"

A close relative was in the Kappa Sigma fraternity in the US. He and all his borthers were required to learn about the history of their group in order to become a member, as with any other society like this.

One thing that he told me that was interesting was the fact that his fraternity was started by a mason.

I wonder whether or not this is the only fraternity to be started by a mason. Research project anyone?

Originally posted by benign
One thing that he told me that was interesting was the fact that his fraternity was started by a mason.

I wonder whether or not this is the only fraternity to be started by a mason. Research project anyone?

I would dare to say that a majority of college fraternities have been started by Freemasons, or based upon Freemasonry. When you study most of these frats and their rituals, modes of recognitions, etc, you see Freemasonry figuring quite prominently in there.

Also, Odd Fellows have been involed with starting, fraternities.

Originally posted by Boatphone
Also, Odd Fellows have been involed with starting, fraternities.

True, but the Odd Fellows also used Freemasonry as their basis. Many many Freemasons were also Odd Fellows.

[edit on 17-7-2005 by sebatwerk]

Originally posted by sebatwerk
True, but the Odd Fellows also used Freemasonry as their basis. Many many Freemasons were also Odd Fellows.

Actually, noone really knows that. The Odd Fellows history is as mysterious as Masonic history. Early records weren't kept. Some speculate that they WERE Masons who split from the Order or who never joined the Grand Lodge when it was formed, etc.

The forms and ceremonies are quite similar in places to those of Freemasonry and the officers titles were once VERY similar...not so much any more though. In the U.S.A. the ritual underwent a tremendous revision in the late 1800's so the ritual is quite different today than it was in the 1850's or 60's in the USA.

Originally posted by jonSUN
Years ago my manager at work was in a frat during college. He refused to tell anyone what his intitaition deed or whatever you call it was. He also didnt talk about the Frat business, as what he called it. So im asking, since ive never been in a frat. Anyone here ever been in a frat & can you talk about your initiation or other frat business. Also whats the deal with the secrecy if there is any.

well, we can't tell everyone where we get the blood for the sacrifices, or the cops get involved. Its hard enough to find virgins on campus, even if they just think you wanna score.
You have to tell your pledge master the names and home addresses of your family members, with pictures, so if you ever tell a secret, they hunt them down and kill them.
when you graduate, you are given $15,000 and lifetime membership in an elite society which gives you better chances at landing corporate jobs, and a get out of jail free card.

hope this helps !

Originally posted by syrinx high priest
[a lot of garbage snipped]
hope this helps !

It sure does help. It helps prove that it's %$#@%* impossible to have a serious thread on this forum.

Is there NO intelligent discussion here? Apparently not.....[sigh]

serious discussion about.........

vampires
moon landing hoax
big foot
reptilian overlords
titor

Originally posted by syrinx high priest
serious discussion about.........

vampires
moon landing hoax
big foot
reptilian overlords
titor

Apparently you're incapable of reading the topic thread...which has NOTHING to do with the stupid topics you list above. Thanks for your total lack of contribution. [shrug]