I have been a lurker for quite some time now, and I am inspired to post. A little background... 14th corps, even a athletes of the spirit performer. Now I know you are impressed! NOT! Got out in 87 shortly after marrying a non-corp and catching major grief for that!!
The dove pin reminded me of an incident during family day at Emporia. My parents come all the way from Cali to see what nonsense their children are up to first hand. The only thing my Dad commented on was the pie. In the dining hallduring lunch, JAL went off on the dining room staff for not making the point of the pie face the edge of the table. Of course he did this in front of everyone for maximum effect. My Dad asked why was this so important, I of course towed the party line and mumbled something about details and God is a God of order, blah, blah, blah. (My Mom commented that it was nice we weren't fenced in. She thought we were being held against our will. No Mom, I actually signed up for this abuse ;)).
So the dove pin has to face a certain way like the pie, because if we focus on the physical details, we don't have to do anything spiritual. And even better- make it seem like it is spiritual to fuss about these things. And it is alot easier.
I just came from a wedding, my niece is in an off- shoot. I don't know which one, I didn't ask. But it was the same old jive. Lots of frenetic running around, setting up tables, putting out placecards, setting up chairs etc. Meanwhile there I was, a "new person" being ignored because there were glasses without ice in them. What heart!