There are thousands of churches throughout this country and many have strong ties, no? As for ritual...isn't most of organized religion ritual - from the songs and hymns, to the text, to the symbols?

I'm just pecking and asking questions :) You guys exist and that's good for you, but I'm just wondering how you're different from other christian groups and how your rush would be different from say...missionary work.

-Rudey
--Curiosity killed the cat I suppose.

Another interesting question that Gator's post detailing the growth of Christian greek life...could we possibly see Christian Greeks branch off into their own governing body? Or seek membership in one of the existing councils? (correct me if any allready have.)

Just something that was stewing in my mind.

Currently, in the NIC there are some "faith based" fraternities. Off the top of my head there is Alpha Delta Gamma (National Catholic Social Fraternity), Alpha Epsilon Pi (International Jewish Social Fraternity), and Beta Sigma Psi (National Lutheran Social Fraternity).

There are other NIC fraternities that have a historic "faith based" tie as well.

I think you're confused. If you go to ATO's website you will see there is a section on prayers and quite a few Christian aspects to the fraternity. There are Christian aspects for many/most NIC and NPC fraternities and sororities - including references and symbols like a cross. I don't know about the Lutheran or Catholic fraternities, but Jewish fraternities are not religious fraternities just like you wouldn't consider most of the NPC/NIC to be religious. AEPi is a social fraternity.

-Rudey

I agree, they are not specifically religious but social first, then cultural.

Alpha Epsilon Pi - http://www.aepi.org/

"Alpha Epsilon Pi, the Jewish Fraternity of North America, was founded to provide opportunities for a Jewish man seeking the best possible college and fraternity experience. We have maintained the integrity of our purpose by strengthening our ties to the Jewish community and serving as a link between high school and career. Alpha Epsilon Pi develops leadership for the North American Jewish community at a critical time in a young man's life."

Beta Sigma Psi - http://www.betasigmapsi.org/

"Beta Sigma Psi is the National Lutheran College Fraternity, founded in 1925. The purpose of Beta Sigma Psi is to provide an environment in which the Lutheran college man can grow Spiritually, Scholastically, and Socially. To that end, Beta Sigma Psi undertakes programs to develop Christian leaders and to aid the individual in assuming a satisfying and useful role in society. Through its alumni and undergraduate leadership, Beta Sigma Psi endeavors to assist each member develop character, develop intellectual awareness, develop responsibility to chapter, college, community, state, nation, and world, develop spiritual welfare, develop brotherhood, develop integrity, promote friendship, and advance justice."

Either way, AEPi is a social fraternity.

It isn't a place to come to study the bible.

Really, I've never once seen anything about prayers or bible study at any AEPi chapter but I've seen it for countless orgs like ATO and I've heard Pike and Sigma Chi have bible study as well.

-Rudey

Congratulations on your founding of a new Christian sorority:)

May the Lord bless:D


ETA: Spelling corrections

Some/many/few chapters of social GLOs (IFC/NPC) have bible study. However, I am not aware of any IFC/NPC GLO where it (bible study) is mandated (mandatory) by the GLO's HQ.

I'm just saying that bible studies (mandated or not), prayers on your national website, and crosses are neither atheist nor agnostic to me.

-Rudey

Not the same as mandatory Bible studies, but Alpha Tau Omega does have a Fraternity-wide "prayer web" and publishes, among other "Spiritual Resources," an ATO Devotional book.

Exactly. The difference is that none of these orgs are like the Christian fraternities and sororities that were being discussed in this forum. They are social. I don't know about the Lutheran one so someone from that fraternity probably knows better.

-Rudey

And I'm still in 100% agreement. These are social organizations first and foremost. (Which is why I made sure to include "social" in my descriptions.)

My reply to PhoenixAzul's question - "...could we possibly see Christian Greeks branch off into their own governing body? Or seek membership in one of the existing councils? (correct me if any already have.)" - was to simply note that their is an existing council - the NIC - that already includes various "types" (for lack of a better word) of social fraternities. Including, but not limited to, faith, academic, and culture. As such, I would venture to guess that any fraternity that meets the NIC's membership requirements would be welcome into the NIC.

:) I just don't think that these Christian sororities and fraternities are social as much as religious. I'd even bet that those religious principles would preclude them from most social activities that would involve NPC/NIC houses.

If they were social with just a Christian founding principal they wouldn't be different from ATO or most other fraternities out there. Whether someone sees them as a fraternity/sorority or just another student group is up to that person, but they don't seem to be operating in the same realm as a traditional fraternity/sorority. To really boil it down into a one sentence reply to phoenixazul: What if pigs could fly?

-Rudey

Great job on your new organization! Your pledge manual is well written and very thorough. I have a question: it says that pledges are required to attend church and weekly bible study. Would that be considered hazing... or is everyone in the organization required to do that (pledges and actives).

haha not church hazing!


that is just absolutely ridiculous.