the term 'brotherhood'

[cacian]

I have to admit I find the word 'brotherhood' assuming.
It seems to suggest the world is divided into packs or groups of people made out of brothers which isn't.
The term 'father' is also used to refer to the mighty God and was also used by the nazis I later on found to my shock and horror. I use to think the nazis refered to their dicator 'furor' until my partner pointed out it was not. I assumed all along it was 'furor' from 'fury'. Ah I guess it was not too bad an idea for a dictator. It hits the spot.

In the caribean community they refer to themselves as brothers and sisters.
This seems to suggest that they are all related which is not the case.

Even kids use the word 'bro' between them as a jargon for mate.
Then 'mate' is also tricky because its other meaning suggests 'mating'.
I am going with the correct use of language and some words such as these I feel are derogatory.
I have not heard girls in a group of boys refered to as 'sis'.

How do you feel about the term 'brotherhood' if and words in general when used outside their correct definition?

[Volya]

I have to admit i find this word rather annoying because it seems to suggest the world is made up of brothers which isn't.
The term 'father' is also used to refer to the mighty God and was also used by the nazis I later on found to my shock and horror. I use to think the nazis refered to their dicator 'furor' until my partner pointed out it was not. I assumed all along it was 'furor' from 'fury'. Ah I guess it was not too bad an idea for a dictator. It hits the spot.

In the caribean community they refer to themselves as brothers and sisters.
I feel the whole idea is quite incesteous because I have already got a family and do not consider the rest of the word to be related to me.
Goodness what a nightmare that would be.
Even kids these day use the word 'bro' between them as a jargon for mate.
Then 'mate' is also tricky because it also suggest 'mating' in sexual like we are all about to mate with each other. God forbid.

Anyway how do you feel about these denominative term.

It is in no way a derogatory term (which is what I assume you meant)...
How the heck is in an incesteous idea? I call my close friends 'bro' or 'brother' all the time, because we are like brothers. Mate does not suggest sexual relations, because it is not used as a biological term.

[cacian]

It is in no way a derogatory term (which is what I assume you meant)...
How the heck is in an incesteous idea? I call my close friends 'bro' or 'brother' all the time, because we are like brothers. Mate does not suggest sexual relations, because it is not used as a biological term.

Ok. Incesteous might be the wrong word.
You say you are like brothers. Aren't you friends first?
Refering to someone as 'bro' if you go with the correct language definition is incorrect.
You are not related.
Do you refer to a girl friend as 'sis'?

[togre]

"Blood is thicker than water."

There is an ancient and enduring belief/custom/whatever that your loyalty toward your blood relatives is one the most solid, unbreakable bonds that a person will ever have.

Terms of "brotherhood," "bro" and such call upon this language to emphasize and rhetorically enhance other relationships.

A community referring to one another as "brother" and "sister" probably has a strong feeling of community identity and community loyalty and obligation. A community that is made up of disconnected social groups that has no desire to work together would rarely use this type of speech.

"Brother" and "sister" language is used in the Christian church. The reason is we feel our shared faith and our shared relationship with Christ, creates a relationship between individuals that is as real, strong, good as that sibling or family bond.

[Volya]

Ok .Incesteous might be the wrong word.
You say you are like brothers. Aren't you friends first?
Refering to someone as 'bro' if you go with the correct language definition is incorrect.
You are not related.
Do you refer to a girl friend as 'sis'?

Of course if you're taking the literal meaning it's incorrect, but it's slang.

And I don't refer to girl friends as 'sis', that would just sound weird xD (nobody says 'sis' round here, many people say 'bro' though)

[cacian]

"Blood is thicker than water."
Interesting quote but does blood weigh more then water?
The answer is relative. Theory of relativity applies.
I don't know myslef as I have never tried it.

There is an ancient and enduring belief/custom/whatever that your loyalty toward your blood relatives is one the most solid, unbreakable bonds that a person will ever have.
Loyalty is quite an enduring word.
I would have thought that goes without saying that family is important and so one does not need loyalty to show how one cares or relateto family.
Family should be automatic.


Terms of "brotherhood," "bro" and such call upon this language to emphasize and rhetorically enhance other relationships.
Will all due respect to you togre I personally feel that family including brothers or sisters are totally different form say friends.
I do not relate to my friends in the same way as I do to my family.
I much rather develop a sense of friendship, completely different from that of a brother/sister because I wish my sense and personality different from that of a sister or brother.
A friendship bond is different from that of a family simply because it operates in a diferent environment outside the family circle. The needs and experiences will different when being and dealing with friends.
I must differentiate between the two in order to keep my sanity if anything.


A community referring to one another as "brother" and "sister" probably has a strong feeling of community identity and community loyalty and obligation. A community that is made up of disconnected social groups that has no desire to work together would rarely use this type of speech.
I have to admit that I find the concept quite domineering because the idea behind it requires commintment and hard work.
I do not wish to come together with anyone I just want to live with others have my own space. I commit not myself to anyone but me and certainly not to a brotherhood in case I disppoint a group or do not keep up with loyalty. No one is perfect.


"Brother" and "sister" language is used in the Christian church. The reason is we feel our shared faith and our shared relationship with Christ, creates a relationship between individuals that is as real, strong, good as that sibling or family bond.
Belief for me is private and it remains that way.
Faith is individualistic and not a big happy family. It has nothing to do with anyone else this is just in case I one day decide to change my mind and opt out from god.
I do not want family on my back getting at me about it.

[papayahed]

Will all due respect to you togre I personally feel that family including brothers or sisters are totally different form say friends.
I do not relate to my friends in the same way as I do to my family.
I much rather develop a sense of friendship, completely different from that of a brother/sister because I wish my sense and personality different from that of a sister or brother.

How do you do that?



A friendship bond is different from that of a family simply because it operates in a diferent environment outside the family circle. The needs and experiences will different when being and dealing with friends.
I must differentiate between the two in order to keep my sanity if anything.

How do you keep it separate?

[stlukesguild]

Sister... you seriously must let us know just what it is you are drinking... or smoking... :lol:

[cacian]

Sister... you seriously must let us know just what it is you are drinking... or smoking... :lol:

bro would love but couldn't it is each to their own when it comes to these things ;)

[cacian]

How do you do that?

How do I do that ?
Ok well it is just simple. I keep my family out of my daily business and keep my friends for myself.
I go out partying with my friends and attend formal dinners with my family.
I talk family stuff with my family what's in the family stays in the family.
And I am done with family stress and I go and find my friends to chill out with my and let my hair down.
I never mix the two.
Kind of really simple for me.

How do you keep it separate?
Well for a start but I might share a flat with my friends then I keep my family happy by letting them know where I am at and go visiting for a day or two.
I keep it tidy.
I never mix family with friends I don't want marriage of friendship and family in case I have to chose between the two.
I keep one at bay and the other I get to know better.
I know who my family are already I grew up with them but I am just about to discover who my friends are and If I am very lucky I might get to keep one or two.
Call it a learning curb a friendship one.

[Delta40]

Sounds like a great formula. I'm going to start today. Thanks Sista (a term used by indigenous people to those who they respect)

[OrphanPip]

I've been working lately on Renaissance and classical ideas of friendship for a seminar paper on the Faerie Queene. I suppose the use of familial words to infer intimacy is obvious because of the supposed naturalness of kinship ties. Christian theology has always used the language of family metaphorically to imply intimacy, particularly a non-sexual intimacy. Just as neighbourliness has a far different connotation in the Christian context than its denotative sense.

Although, this discussion is pointless, as we're faced with yet another instance where Cacian seems to struggle with the subtleties of connotation versus denotation, as well as her strange tendency towards irrational etymologizing of words based on superficial similarities.

[cacian]

Sounds like a great formula. I'm going to start today. Thanks Sista (a term used by indigenous people to those who they respect)

Respect is great.
What about a friend's respect?
Is that not as important?

[cacian]

I've been working lately on Renaissance and classical ideas of friendship for a seminar paper on the Faerie Queene. I suppose the use of familial words to infer intimacy is obvious because of the supposed naturalness of kinship ties.
Hi OrphanPip.
I must come from a different world and so please allow me to explain myself and my differences.
I am not trying to be rude but just try to express how I perceive friendship familty and intimacy.
They are to me totally unrelated.
I consider intimacy to be that of two people who are either having a relationship or married.
I tend to keep one meaning per word in order not to confuse myself with other meanings that might have emerged as I was not looking.
Intimacy for me means sexual involvement.
Family is blood relation and therefore one is tied by this link. Respect should be automatic. One does not have to strive to prove they are a brother or a sister. They have that bond and respect already because of the title they hold.
Friendship however is different because it is not automatic one has to work on it to become and friend with another.
Friendship can be tricky if one is not very good at keeping up with the expectations of one's idea of friendship and vice versa.


Christian theology has always used the language of family metaphorically to imply intimacy, particularly a non-sexual intimacy. Just as neighbourliness has a far different connotation in the Christian context than its denotative sense.
That is christianity and I do not obide by it because I do not agree with its theology.
I entitled my views.
I do not consider religion to be a family affair I see it as a very personal concept.

Although, this discussion is pointless, as we're faced with yet another instance where Cacian seems to struggle with the subtleties of connotation versus denotation, as well as her strange tendency towards irrational etymologizing of words based on superficial similarities.
Again with all due respect I feel that this conversation might be pointless to you and that you are entitled to it but please do not dismiss just because you do not agree with it.
I take words as first meaning first served. That is how I can learn and have always done.
A language, any language, must keep to its original definitions of words in order not to mislead those who wish to learn it.
Differences must reinforce learning and understanding thus bringing people together because of it and not let it to be the reason for falling out.
That is how I perceive communaction and trying to find out about things.

[tonywalt]

I've been working lately on Renaissance and classical ideas of friendship for a seminar paper on the Faerie Queene. I suppose the use of familial words to infer intimacy is obvious because of the supposed naturalness of kinship ties. Christian theology has always used the language of family metaphorically to imply intimacy, particularly a non-sexual intimacy. Just as neighbourliness has a far different connotation in the Christian context than its denotative sense.

Although, this discussion is pointless, as we're faced with yet another instance where Cacian seems to struggle with the subtleties of connotation versus denotation, as well as her strange tendency towards irrational etymologizing of words based on superficial similarities.

You should be a lawyer. You are effectively explaining in a lucid way the inexplicable. Cacian does mean well - it must be said.

[Revolte]

Your mind never stops does it? Hahaha, love it.

Anyway, to be honest the only thing the word makes me think of anymore is Assassins Creed. Either that or neo-nazis. But mostly Ezio.

[BienvenuJDC]

You ask us all how WE feel, but the answers given by those here, you dismiss the points of views of others...the ones that you asked. I'm a Christian, and I share a very real brotherhood with the people in my congregation. We have a very endearing love for one another, and we care very much about each other. Even to the point of sacrifice (sacrificing things, time, etc). I've had several of my brothers agree to loans...considerable loans, because I was in need. With nothing but my word that I would repay. We eat together on regular basis. We do all the things that regular family members would do. You can hold whatever beliefs you wish, but don't belittle and scrutinize my beliefs without thinking that someone might scrutinize yours. And leave my family alone...whether they are biologically blood or not. We are bonded in blood spiritually.

[cacian]

Your mind never stops does it? Hahaha, love it.

Anyway, to be honest the only thing the word makes me think of anymore is Assassins Creed. Either that or neo-nazis. But mostly Ezio.

Haha it does not haha.
Interesting it makes you think of that.
The word makes think of a group of thuds gathering together to destroy or kill.
The muslim brotherhood comes to mind. Nothing but trouble they are.

[Volya]

cacian, may I ask what exactly is the problem you have with calling friends 'brother' or 'sister'?

[cacian]

cacian, may I ask what exactly is the problem you have with calling friends 'brother' or 'sister'?


I have brothers and sisters and I know they are not my friends.
I have friends and they are different from my family.
I am one person with my family and another one with my friends.
I would not want to refer to my friends as family because I did not grow up with them.
I got to know and learn about my friends. I also get to learn to adjust around new people and their personalities as I eventually with time get to call them friend.
I grew up with my brothers and sisters. I call them brother and sister ever since I was born.
Two very distinct ideas there.