I reject the Iron Ring
Upon graduation every engineering student (in Canada) is encouraged, nay expected, to partake in the "Ritual Calling of the Engineer." At this ceremony, overseen by the Corporation of the Seven Wardens Inc., these graduates receive the famed "Iron Ring."
The ring has much lore and history and most engineers look forward their entire degree to getting this symbol of their commitment to the profession of engineering.
While not required of engineers, the ceremony is attended by the vast majority of graduates, and the faculty and peers highly push students to partake in the event.
Today I took a stand and rejected the Iron Ring.
Some background: The ceremony originates from a poem by Rudyard Kipling. It continues what the overseers find to be "traditional" wording and the obligation (see slide 26 of this presentation) all Iron Ring wearers take contains the following that I object to.
...I will henceforth, not suffer or pass, or be privy to the passing of, Bad Workmanship or Faulty Material in aught that concerns my works before mankind as an Engineer, or in my dealings with my own Soul before my Maker.
This passage I could let pass as I see the intent behind it, but the following (which is at the bottom), which they refused by request to strike out, was the dealbreaker:
Upon Honour and Cold Iron, God helping me, by these things I propose to abide.
They claim to have debated this wording before but have decided to stand firm and reject calls for change. As such I reject the calling and urge you to as well (or at least ask any friends you have in engineering).
If I can take a stand for the convocation at the University of Alberta, I will take a stand here.
Recent Posts
- The Atheist Census–obnoxious and obscure marketing?
- No, I don’t
- CFI Canada skips critical thinking
- State of Albertan Politics
- Successful in Ottawa, Religious Right turns to Edmonton
Recent Comments
- Per Smith on The Atheist Census–obnoxious and obscure marketing?
- Veronica Abbass on The Atheist Census–obnoxious and obscure marketing?
- rosa on Edmonton Riverview Candidates Forum
- Tumi on If it smells like a cult…
- DanDare on The Atheist Census–obnoxious and obscure marketing?
Categories
Politics Religion Links Atheism Media NDP Elections Personal Science Conservatives Alberta Secularism Edmonton School Scepticism Canada BC UofA Atheists and Agnostics Creationism Vancouver Liberals Economics Site Parody Fun Video CFI Global Warming Evolution Humanism Bible Capitalism SFU The Peak Free speech Anti-choice Philosophy Gay rights Books Companies Computers Random USA movies
Subscribe to posts
March 12th, 2012 - 15:40
Me and my friends just replaced “God” and “maker” in the obligation with “kittens.”
“I will henceforth, not suffer or pass, or be privy to the passing of, Bad Workmanship or Faulty Material in aught that concerns my works before mankind as an Engineer, or in my dealings with my own Soul before my kittens.”
“Upon Honour and Cold Iron, kittens helping me, by these things I propose to abide.”
March 12th, 2012 - 15:42
April 3rd, 2012 - 00:34
BTW, for all those who say it is a secret or even private ceremony across Canada, do some basic research. Go to the sites of the Wardens across Canada, in Quebec at least (except for McGill and Concordia) the ceremony is OPEN to guests (non-engineers) and there is even a video on youtube of a guy getting his from ETS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhXVrjkYFfA
Even if you don’t somehow speak french, the SST anvil hits are heard and you can see them get their ring
April 25th, 2012 - 08:33
I dont want trash like you to wear an Iron Ring, you are an unworthly towelhead
Go have a romantic afternoon with your camel in your cave
Steve
April 25th, 2012 - 15:22
That’s perhaps the most ignorant/racist thing I’ve ever been called.
April 30th, 2012 - 09:15
And even more fun is the fact that “god” is a unscientific idea, which have nothing to do in engineering, hence showing the that the “professional eng” probably is just a pretender.
And now that I am replying to this post, I would support the removal of religion from that oath, if I was a Canadian engineer, but since I’m a Danish engineer, I cant but support in spirit.
And then of cause warn you that not having the ring, when it is seen as a way of pledging that you’ll do good work, might give the wrong idea of you being a bad engineer. (not fair, but people are narrow minded)