Discussion of cults vs fraternities

Post by **_Mercury** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 3:57 pm

Are frats cults? If I were to pledge would I be joining a cult? What about Freemasonry? What makes it cult-like when compared to frats or sororities?

Post by **_MishMagnet** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 4:49 pm

According to the definition for cults, no, I don't consider fraternities to be cults. It's an inclusive group, hyped by an initiation ceremony, secret rituals and handshakes and a sense of comraderie amongst those who are also part of the group. My husband is part of a fraternity. We've discussed it at length. My husband challenged me to find the intiation ceremony for his faternity on the web. This was after I said one could find anything and someone was always disgruntled. No go. There was nothing to be found.

Also, there's so, so much more drinking available to fraternities than one ususally sees in a cult environment.

Post by **_Gadianton** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 6:00 pm

It's a good question. Other organizations can be cult-like as well. For instance, I was approached by a recruiter to interview for a job for their company, a position I could do but I'm not really qualified for, certainly there are others more qualified. After I had researched the company a little, I decided the company was a cult. Daily motivational speeches from the president, emphasis on stock options, sometimes doesn't pay salary...

hah.

Post by **_Gadianton** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 6:02 pm

oh..by the way, more to the point, yes, frats are mini cults. This is proven by the fact that BYU doesn't have any fraternities. Cults tend to like monopolies and the church certainly wouldn't want any competition.

Post by **_John Larsen** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 6:11 pm

I think the word “cult” is simply a pejorative. There are human organizations. Some are psychologically damaging to its members. Some do outside harm. Some are worse than others.

We won’t make any real progress in deciding which is which until we stop using insulting terms.

John

Post by **_Some Schmo** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 6:20 pm

John Larsen wrote:I think the word “cult” is simply a pejorative. There are human organizations. Some are psychologically damaging to its members. Some do outside harm. Some are worse than others.

We won’t make any real progress in deciding which is which until we stop using insulting terms.

John

Well, the word "cult" never used to be a pejorative. It's only become so because it refers to something distasteful, but there's nothing strictly wrong with the word itself.

It kind of reminds me of the word "midget." I just found out recently that's now considered a pejorative word, and they'd prefer to be called "little people." Why is that now an offensive term, for crying out loud?! Because of what it means? It just seems so stupid to me.

I guess I can look forward to the day when words like "church", "god" and "religion" are all pejoratives as well. There's no doubt about how much they offend me.

Post by **_The Nehor** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 6:25 pm

Gadianton wrote:oh..by the way, more to the point, yes, frats are mini cults. This is proven by the fact that BYU doesn't have any fraternities. Cults tend to like monopolies and the church certainly wouldn't want any competition.

The Priesthood is a fraternity and that is why there are no fraternities on Church campuses.

Post by **_John Larsen** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 6:28 pm

Some Schmo wrote:
I guess I can look forward to the day when words like "church", "god" and "religion" are all pejoratives as well. There's no doubt about how much they offend me.

I would agree. Then we won't give religions special dispensation.

John

Post by **_Some Schmo** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 6:43 pm

John Larsen wrote:
Some Schmo wrote:
I guess I can look forward to the day when words like "church", "god" and "religion" are all pejoratives as well. There's no doubt about how much they offend me.

I would agree. Then we won't give religions special dispensation.

John

Hmmm... wouldn't that be glorious.

Almost as glorious as this, my 1000th post!

(OK, it's only semi-glorious. Clearly, I was just posting here just to hit 1000, although I really do agree that not giving religions special dispensation is a good thing... but did I really have to say so? Obviously not. So you, gentle reader, and you alone, can decide on the actual authenticity of the gloriousness of this, my 1000th post).

Post by **_KimberlyAnn** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 6:55 pm

Some Schmo wrote:
John Larsen wrote:
Some Schmo wrote:
I guess I can look forward to the day when words like "church", "god" and "religion" are all pejoratives as well. There's no doubt about how much they offend me.

I would agree. Then we won't give religions special dispensation.

John

Hmmm... wouldn't that be glorious.

Almost as glorious as this, my 1000th post!

(OK, it's only semi-glorious. Clearly, I was just posting here just to hit 1000, although I really do agree that not giving religions special dispensation is a good thing... but did I really have to say so? Obviously not. So you, gentle reader, and you alone, can decide on the actual authenticity of the gloriousness of this, my 1000th post).

Yay, Schmo!!

You're not just Some Schmo anymore, you're Some God!

Congrats!

KA