Why the secret rituals in college business fraternities?

[Scepcop]

I have a question.

In my last year of college back in 1998, I joined a fraternity for aspiring business professionals, out of boredom and to see if I could meet some girls through it, since I had no social life or dates at the time.

I won't name this fraternity because I took an oath not to. But they had their own secret handshake, and during the initiation ceremony, the senior members were dressed in cloaks with hoods while the room was darkened and lit by candles. Each new member swore an oath of allegiance and the typical mumbo jumbo about honor and values that is usually recited during Boy Scout initiations.

I never went beyond that though. But what I don't understand is: Why were all these secret handshakes and rituals in dark rooms with cloaked hooded people necessary? Isn't business all about cold calculating performance in an office where you show up, perform and get paid? Why would a fraternity for aspiring business professionals involve such "esoteric" rituals? What do they have to do with the business world? What purpose does all this serve?

Could such rituals be a sort of "junior level" practice secret society where they train and screen people for entrance into higher levels of the Illuminati or Secret Societies?

What do you all think?

[ProfWag]

I think you would have discovered the importance of it yourself had you stuck with it. I would tell you, but I'm sworn to secrecy...

[NinjaPuppy]

It's a dumbass 'guy thing'.

[Scepcop]

It's a dumbass 'guy thing'.

This was a co-ed fraternity with guys and girls.

Are Wiccan witchcraft rituals a guy thing or a girl thing? lol

[NinjaPuppy]

It's a dumbass 'guy thing'.

This was a co-ed fraternity with guys and girls.

Are Wiccan witchcraft rituals a guy thing or a girl thing? lol

You mean the dumbass kind that you see on TV or in the movies? Those plots and scenes are written by men.

Not to mention, but I will.... that most of what is known about today's Wicca comes from a man who was a bit showy. It's not like it's some big secret as you can buy his book and many like them to know all there is to know. The reason things were kept quiet was because of the other religions that wanted to have ultimate control over the common person. Being burned alive or drowned wasn't fun.

[NinjaPuppy]

For the record, my preferred wardrobe for a Wicca ceremony is a simple black Jersey cotton, form fitting, low cut, 'a-line' dress. No metal such as zippers and no fancy embellishments. It does however, have pink rose petals sewn into the hem. Those Hollywood type polyester robes catch fire a tad too easy. I can wear this dress to just about anything. Looking the part is for wannabes and Goth kids that want to make their parents cry.

[ProfWag]

For the record, my preferred wardrobe for a Wicca ceremony is a simple black Jersey cotton, form fitting, low cut, 'a-line' dress. No metal such as zippers and no fancy embellishments. It does however, have pink rose petals sewn into the hem. Those Hollywood type polyester robes catch fire a tad too easy. I can wear this dress to just about anything. Looking the part is for wannabes and Goth kids that want to make their parents cry.

You mean you actually wear something for those ceremonies? Why was I thinking that not a lot of clothing is present at them? I guess it's probably just my male fantasy thing coming through...sorry...

[NinjaPuppy]

You mean you actually wear something for those ceremonies? Why was I thinking that not a lot of clothing is present at them? I guess it's probably just my male fantasy thing coming through...sorry...

It would be totally acceptable to go 'skyclad' (or nekkid) for such a thing but it's generally frowned upon in most public places.

[ProfWag]

You mean you actually wear something for those ceremonies? Why was I thinking that not a lot of clothing is present at them? I guess it's probably just my male fantasy thing coming through...sorry...

It would be totally acceptable to go 'skyclad' (or nekkid) for such a thing but it's generally frowned upon in most public places.

Oh. Understood.

Note to self: Plan a Wiccan ceremony at my house with the shades drawn...

[NinjaPuppy]

Note to self: Plan a Wiccan ceremony at my house with the shades drawn...

You'll need a good sized (empty) room to fit 13 nekkid people, in a circle, waving double edged knives.

[Twain Shakespeare]

Why were all these secret handshakes and rituals in dark rooms with cloaked hooded people necessary? Isn't business all about cold calculating performance in an office where you show up, perform and get paid? Why would a fraternity for aspiring business professionals involve such "esoteric" rituals? What do they have to do with the business world? What purpose does all this serve? What do you all think?

They are like the vermiform appendix, or better yet tonsils. They once served a vital cultural purpose, initiating tribals into the responsibilities and world views appropriate to each stage of life, but know they cause problems. This cultural purpose survives mainly in Bar Mitzvah's and communions. Although fraternities still work for initiation and creation of an us vs them mindset, it is mostly people playing.

[ProfWag]

Note to self: Plan a Wiccan ceremony at my house with the shades drawn...

You'll need a good sized (empty) room to fit 13 nekkid people, in a circle, waving double edged knives.

I got the room, but not so hip on the double edged knife idea. Couldn't ya'll just whip up some jello in an inflatable pool instead?

[Twain Shakespeare]

Note to self: Plan a Wiccan ceremony at my house with the shades drawn...

You'll need a good sized (empty) room to fit 13 nekkid people, in a circle, waving double edged knives.

I got the room, but not so hip on the double edged knife idea. Couldn't ya'll just whip up some jello in an inflatable pool instead?

For that, I think you have to join The Martian Water Brotherhood of Michael Valentine Smith, Prof. How'd the match go?

[ProfWag]

How'd the match go?

The tournament is this coming Friday through Monday. I'm a little concerned as the weather is supposed to be 95 all weekend and I'm just not able to keep up the pace with some of the younger guys in that kind of heat.