While there is some Christian-specific religious symbolism within the traditions of my sorority, it never bothered me as a non-Christian. Like others, I keep it in a historial context. I found the rituals to actually be much closer to ones I'm religiously familiar with as a Pagan. :) There were times that I felt a bit out of sync with everyone, since Paganism wasn't as common a faith as it is these days... but all of my sisters respected me for my differences of beliefs (since I gave them the same respect back)

It would bother me if I had joined an organization and then, only after initiation, discovered that members were extremely strict about religious devotion. I'm sure this varies from chapter to chapter, depending on the region of the country.

~ Mel.

This isn't a GLO thing, but in high school, kids who considered themselves "non religious" would always just "tune out" in our mandatory daily chapel services. As long as they stood when they were supposed to and sat when they were supposed to, the faculty really didn't care.

I am agnostic and I looked at ritual as historic...

My chapter has many Christian Traditions. We pray before each regular meeting, we regularly have chapter church, and we have Pike Bible studies (optional, of course). Chapter church is a very positive thing in my eyes. We generally rotate among the many different Christian churches in the town. No one seems to have a problem with any of this, and I certainly don't because I'm a Christian myself. Of course, I am from the Bible Belt and,
Christianity is a very common thing here. Many of our members are not Christians, but no one has ever voiced complaints about any of these things.
I don't agree that ritual or other traditions should be forced to change just because some members do not agree with it. I think that GLO's are PRIVATE organizations, and the ACLU needs to butt out and let the members of the GLO's decide for themselves.

But what you described ISN'T ritual. It's something the chapter does. Do the members who aren't Christian attend church too? Are they active in the chapter in general?

Re: Religion and its role in Greek Organizations
 

-

I'm Jewish, and while I have never felt "out of place" in my sorority, I can understand how she feels...I'm going to school in Alabama! :p

My question is, are there some Religions that dont beleive in a Supreme Being of some sorts, no matter what name it is called?

Or is it Aliens who populated the earth, or the decision to bring up the Scopes trial of which came first, Man or monkey?

Just curious!

Yes. Classical Buddhism, for one.

While in some of it's forms, Buddhism is somewhat "non-theistic" -- that is, noncommital about whether there is a Supreme Being -- it can also be atheistic. For example, I have heard the Dalai Lama teach that there is no God. In any event, the existence of a Supreme Being is somewhat irrelevent in classical Buddhism.

Questions: If a chapter served meals, could a Kosher Jew or a Muslim get out of having to pay for them if they could not eat the food?
Or prehaps they could serve a vegatarian option (i know a good few kosher people that will eat veggie meals out)

I know of several that do involve religion in ritual. Yes don't dare jump on me for that. Anyway, it's fine but I don't think people should hide it.

-Rudey

Okay, Buddah. I dont know alot about that religious beleif.

Who is Buddah and what are the beleifs?

Hell, I hope I can always try to learn.:)

Now, from what I understand about being Jewish, unless certain facits, Jewish people can eat anything as long as it is Kosher, which means blessed by a Rabbi. Well, maybe besides pork?

If I am wrong then help me and many others understand.

I heard Christians can eat anything as long as Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell bless the food. Is this true? Educate me if I'm wrong. Please.

-Rudey

We had a girl in my chapter that was strictly Kosher. I'm 99.9% sure she got a discounted price on our meal plan. Our cook served a variety of dishes every night so that the Kosher or vegetarian sisters didn't feel excluded from our lunches or dinners. If she made hamburgers, there were always veggie burgers offered as a substitute. She also had pastas and soups available.

Jews who eat a Kosher diet cannot eat shellfish, either.