Dr. Collins' daughter all her life growing up wanted to be part of that sorority. When you meet her you can see how emotional it was for her to experience that treatment. And how each time she tells of that she has to hold back the tears. But its okay as I don't see it as a negative but a positive. I honestly think it was just that chapter that treated her that way and not based on DST overall. I wish I can say it didn't happen to the sister, but then I would be lying. News articles always seem to put a spin on the facts, which is oft times frustrating to say the least. I don't think Dr. Collins was attempting to name names and your sorority should not take it as diliberate. Its sad that had to happen, but then again there wouldnt be a Gamma Gamma Chi for me if it had not.

Islamic principles are vast - not consuming or touching pork or pork bi-products, not drinking alcohol, not smoking, dressing modestly, not committing shirk, acknowledging who the creator's prophet is. And it goes on and on. Certain things a student of Islam just knows are the underlying principles.

The sorority has established its' own principles but when the article(s) mentions no alcohol, there is just no exception to that rule because that is one of the things that all muslims adhere to. Fridays is the holy day (jummah) for muslims all across the world, that's just something we know. Fasting during Ramadan that's just what we all know so when the sorority speaks of it or does something in that regard, we wont be shocked.

I could not tell you all of the Islamic principles without leading into a religious post.

One of the sisters asked could she ask questions of the new sorority and certainly she can, but I only have limited knowledge and don't want to offend anyone. So I tread lightly:D

PEACE and always Love

So basically following Islam is the Islamic principles, but of course you want a piece meal version of shariah where prayer is not required but alcohol is a no-no.

-Rudey
--You don't have to be Muslim to join but you have to practice Islam and follow the shariah (sometimes).

I'm glad you said this.

I agree Islamic principles are vast. Again I wasn't trying to put you on the spot but I just wanted to make sure I understood correctly. I think you gave a good description of general Islamic principles, thank you for making it clearer for me. :)

I dont see why that's so funny. Do you believe that there are no american muslims? surely you are jesting if that is your thought. Secondly, when you see Arabic lettered organizations let me know. And truth be told, these smaller GLOs would have no need to be formed if all people in America were accepted for who they were. That's very bold of you to state that a newer group is attempting to assimilate, when doesnt assimilate mean "try to fit in" If these muslim women were in fact assimilating they would join the sororites that already exists and then change to "fit in and be accepted" isn't that correct. So my brother please choose your words wisely.

The only thing that is constant in this world is change, while I suspect the Islamic sorority will change, I do not foresee that it will stray far from its Islamic-base. And that IS the underlying difference between this sorority and others.

PEACE

but i am confused---atlg1rl, are you or are you not a member of gamma gamma chi?

if you are not are you hoping to join a chapter or help found a chapter somewhere?

you seem to be privy to a lot of insider information.

Rudy, I believe that by this sorority being available it just gives women another option, so if they want to stay true to their religion they will have a sorority that will accept them as is. The reason prayer is not required would probably go into the fact that their are different sects and interpretations of Islam and to make prayer mandatory at certain times would be more like hazing or of being non-tolerate. Some women where hijab others dont, so that cant be forced on a person.

By saying islamic principles a potential member would know that alcohol will not be entertained and having a ham smoke out wouldnt be on the agenda, things like that. A sister will not have to keep asking "is there pork in that" when they go to social outings. And they won't be the only ones stopping what they are doing for prayer. Or they wont be the only one fasting during Ramadan and having to explain why they aren't going to the Christmas party. Their environment will just be better suited for them based on their religion is all.

It is a sorority Rudy, not a mosque or temple. They would probably be doing the same thing that other sororities do, service projects, pursuing academic achievement etc. Its just that you might recognize this sorority by their hijabs instead of their curvasious bodies, so to speak.

And a potential member doesn't have to be muslim, but then they should not be offended by certain practices or the name we call our Creator, or who we say our prophet is. They shouldnt be offended if we find passages from the Qu'ran more than the other holy books. They shouldnt be angry over what are considered our holidays as opposed to theirs. If that's the case then Gamma Gamma Chi wouldnt be a good fit for them. There's nothing discouraging them from joining, if they meet the requirements and believe in the mission of the sorority. Even if they never accept Islam as their religion, that doesnt mean they can't be a member. However, they should agree with the sorority in some way or why else would they join it.

PEACE

I wish you, them, the best. But it doesn't fit in with my idea of what a sorority is. That doesn't mean I think you shouldn't exist because if you exist it means there's a need for it. So I'm sure you'll do well, but in my view it will always be a religious organization. Good luck.

-Rudey

I am not currently a member of Gamma Gamma Chi but it is my hope that some day I will be. I went to their informational where they explained their mission and principles. I have been following the sorority since fall last year. I subscribe to their newsletters and when certain news articles have errors in them it would be explained as to what is and what isn't true about Gamma Gamma Chi.

During their informational a lot of questions came up, so nothing I've stated has been privy information. Plus as stated I'm not yet a member to even disclose privy information. I do love the sorority and am a big supporter of it. When I started the search for a sorority it was just certain things that did not sit well with me, the main one being 'should I disclose my religion' That worried me greatly. When I spoke to others in those sororities they would always mention Christianity and its values. They would mention things about pledging that truth be told scared me and of which I could not understand the point of them doing it. I know that when you pray for something long enough it will come to pass. I don't ever think Dr. Collins' daughter ever thought she would be in any other sorority than her mother's but apparently the creator had other plans for her. And for that cause I support her and the sorority 100% and I've seen so many other sisters that convinced me that the time for this sorority is right. Apparently they had been saying the same prayers.

PEACE

I think if you are trying to stand out, as an "Islamic" sorority, why accept Greek (and of the classical period, pantheonic) letters? I believe they are accepted for who they are. If they are not trying to fit in, then why the hell would you use greek lettering? Your sentence structure is poor and therefore, it is difficult to understand what you are trying to say. Why would one wish to not assimilate into American culture, if one is to live and work here? Assimilating does not mean losing one's religion or morals, mind you.

Well if and when you do become a member I would like to know. Please keep us posted.

I don't see your signature line showing your affiliation to a fraternity but I'll go ahead and assume you went to college. With that said, that means you should know how to use deductive reasoning also called critical thinking.

Many assume that Greek letters equal caucasian christian male but that is far from the truth. Greek letters are used because it is in the Colleges and Universities where individuals start to rationalize and begin to critically think. Prior to college students were only getting the basics. That means all they were learning was how to function in this world.

It is in College that they begin to apply thought. (if you are confused let me know, otherwise I'll keep going) Plato, Socrates, Pythagoreas and most of all of our great minds came out of the Greek era. So when a fraternal organization comes together (usually in college) they apply the greek letters to show that they too are pursuing academic excellence, growth and critical thought. In fact most fraternities and sororities are created to help facilitate the learning environment of students and encourage them to complete their degrees. The whole University system is based from Greek culture, so do you believe I should not attend college as well?

I don't believe any new sorority is trying to fit in, moreso they are trying to have something for themselves without disrupting or causing confusion with the already existing organizations. It's better that they go off on their own than to sit in your organization causing you grief and poorly representing you. (If you cannot agree with that statement then why are we talking)

It is not my objective to confuse you or to write where you cannot understand me. However, since you are the first in this board to use derogatory words, then its safe to assume that you don't understand me because your vocabulary is limited. So in this regard, what more can one expect.

PEACE

Do not insult my vocabulary, when your sentence structure leads me to believe that you have not been in America for too long. Do not insult my intelligence, because I am agnostic and am therefore smarter than you.

I will reply when your sentence structure and vocabulary have reached to a point that enables us to discuss the issue. That is, take ESL for a couple more years.

We wont continue this discourse. I am born and bred American. In fact my ancestors have been on this land far longer than when yours stumbled upon it, but we won't go there, at least I won't. I write legal briefs for a living, so the problem you are having with my writing structure is either (1) you have a limited vocabulary or 2) you do not know law.

Had I not been American, your comments are biased and prejudice and proves why several fraternities and sororities are needed in this country. America where freedom rings. You don't know all there is to know about all americans. Admit that and move on. You do not have the solution to cure all, so get off your high horse and let people be themselves.

So busy trying to force people to fit in your mold of what you perceive things should be. So busy trying to force people to write, speak and dress like what you think is the right way, best way and only way. That you are blinded to the fact that those same acts are what discriminates and seperates people from one another. It bothers you that people are not what you expect them to be. It bothers you that an islamic sorority can come to exist. It bothers you that the black sororities and gay/lesbian and multicultural ones came to exist. "Why cant we all just join one group hold hands and be happy" is your answer. That could happen if people didn't try to force themselves on one another. Don't you worry about my sentence structure, for if you are so much smarter than me as you claim to be, then you understand clearly what I have stated herein.

This conversation is taking a turn for something unproductive thus, I'll end it as it began in . . .

PEACE

:confused:

Well (and not to knock her for forming a new sorority) if she wanted it that badly then she could have waited until alumnae. And trust many have been denied in a collegiate chapter and gone on to be accepted in an alumnae chapter.

Thus I don't think she or her mother needed to bring up our name in their press interviews.

Having said that, I wish Gamma Gamma Chi much success.