Video Depicts Sororities as Cults, Angering EVERYONE!

Yesterday, someone posted a video comparing sorority women to cult members and it is profoundly disturbing! Is this supposed to be funny because their satire didn't go as planned.

I am a fan of recruitment videos where everyone is having a good time to show off their chapter. I understand the benefits of a sorority. It has opened many doors for me and I have met so many great people in my organization and out of it.

What I don't understand is how someone can compare us to a cult?

Ron Rhodes, author of The Challenge of the Cults and New Religions: The Essential Guide to Their History, Their Doctrine, and Our Response, listed six sociological characteristics of cults. 

1. Authoritarian Leadership, "Authoritarianism involves the acceptance of an authority figure who exercises excessive control on cult members."

2. Exclusivism, "The cult views itself as the single means of salvation on earth: to leave the group is to endanger one's soul."

3. Isolationism, "Cults require members to renounce and break off associations with parents and siblings."

4. Opposition to Independent Thinking, "Some cultic groups discourage members from thinking independently. The “thinking,” as it were, has already been done for them by the cult leadership; the proper response is merely to submit. . . ."

5. Fear of Being "Disfellowshiped", "People are urged to remain faithful to avoid being “disfellowshiped,” or disbarred, from the group."

6. Threats of Satanic Attack, "Finally, some cults use fear and intimidation to keep members in line. Members may be told that something awful will happen to them should they choose to leave the group. Others may be told that Satan will attack them and may even kill them, for they will have committed the unpardonable sin. Such fear tactics are designed to induce submission. Even when people do muster enough courage to leave the group, they may endure psychological consequences and emotional baggage for years to come."


All of which sorority women are not a part of.

Sorority women raise money for their philanthropies, we offer community service, we uphold strong academics, we support each other and the community, and we pride ourselves with our letters. One sorority member on Facebook commented, "This is sickening. I am a member of a philanthropic organization. I am a member of a family. I am a member of a support system. I am a member of a 24 hour comedy club. I am a member of a house. I am a member of a service team. I am a member of a study group. I am a member of a council. I AM a member of a sorority. I AM NOT a member of a ‘cult’"

Is Christmas Here Too Early?

Is it me or has Christmas not been very Christmas-feeling lately in the past years? I always knew the quadruplet major holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years) compete with each other and overlap each other with consumerism.

Halloween is tomorrow and those decorations have been displayed in stores since August. AUGUST! I shouldn't be seeing a scarecrow or pumpkins until September, when it is actually Fall. 

Christmas, however, is on a whole 'nother league. The famous Grove in Los Angeles just put up their big tree to display and Target stores already have everything from Santa to fake snow for your Christmas needs. I love Christmas, but not when it's October. Let me wear my cat ears first before I put on the Santa hat, please. 

The marketing strategy for these displays comes from the idea that "it's never to early to celebrate a joyous holiday". Last year, consumers thought stores were putting up decorations too early because it completely made people not enjoy Thanksgiving. It turned into "let's have this turkey and ham dinner that Mom slaved over and buy Christmas presents on Black Friday". Keep in mind, stores also had their Black Friday sales on Thanksgiving day. 

The time of giving and joy is no longer present (pun intended) because the holiday turned into it's own marketing campaign for you to spend your money and time at department stores.

Branching Out To Other Organizations

Do it. It will do you some good.

While joining a sorority will look great on a resume with the ever-lasting commitment you display, good character traits, your ability to lead -- it should not be the only thing that shows what you are capable of doing.

As it is still the beginning of the school year, try to look into other organization to not only build up your resume, but to also build up your networking. It will create a lot of connections to a field of interest.

All college campuses varies by what clubs are offered but each has a consensus for an enjoyable student life.

Look into an academic or business fraternity. It will show that you are goal oriented to prove your own leadership potential and your LinkedIn profile will be blasted with so many connections from your peers and current business employers who will be impressed with your endorsements.

Community service clubs are a great way to connect with something bigger. It can be for a national community service organization like Circle K International or Habitat for Humanity, where you vie for the same type of services for a common goal. Each organization not only provides their services to the community with something small like trash pick up or big like building a new home, but they also fundraise money for their counterparts! You'll get that heart warming feeling when you see so many smiling faces from a job well done.

Get cultural with culture clubs, even if you aren't born into it! You'll get a whole new perspective on an exciting lifestyle for people who are eager to show you! You'll learn something new every time and there will also be an abundance of food from all of the potlucks that will ensue. Yes, please.

Step out of your chapter to develop a better college experience. This will create many memories with different people who, too, share the same interests as you!