Many Greek-letter groups were founded by Christian ministers and Christianity was a central impulse motivating them in their ventures, whether Catholic, Lutheran, Protestant, etc. Altough almost all groups don't officially discriminate according to creed, in many groups there still is a strong Christian ethos. These are not side issues but they are indicative of the what these groups are. Similarly, there are historically Jewish and non-sectarian groups(Jew-Gentile) and general non-sectarian. One of the genius of the Greek-letter system is that there is something for everyone. And it also highlights the fact that Greek-letter groups are about more than wine,women(or men) and song;they were founded on much deeper principles which are often obscured.

Follow or adhere to a particular faith... yeah I can see that as an issue - but to follow the ideals/virtues/tennets of a faith that are common to many others... why not? After all they aren't joining because of the faith, but because of the ideals the org. espouses...

Funny thing is he might not have had a problem up here, after all we've had many athiests, agnostics, and non-Christians join the Brotherhood ~ basically because we are careful to explain that while our Creed and AM ceremony are based on Christianity, it is the virtues espoused by Jesus and the Bible not the faith the we care more about... you can respect and follow the ideals without following the faith...

Why wouldn't it make sense? I have no problem joining an atheist group or organization as long as I agree with their goal/work and they don't try to push their belief in no God on me...

Well that all depends though doesn't it - afterall in the example you brought up the young man didn't seek to join a Christian organization, but rather an organization that looked to and respected Christian virtues as it's guide... if this distinction had been made clear to him and he rejected and disrespected these virtues (regardless of his feelings about the faith) then he obviously didn't belong.

I myself will admit that I have felt uncomfortable with the emphasis that some chapters place the Christian faith (or even a particular denomonation) as the actual message and mission of the Fraternity ~ when really Christianity is only the foundation, not the totality.

I don't really keep up on it myself, as I don't particularlly care to follow or track the myriad of Protestant denomonations, sects, and cults out there (I'm more of a Mediaeval/Early Church kinda guy) but the rejection of the divinity or humanity of Jesus was huge issue in the early Church because of Gnostic teachings..

But as for modern cases, there are some United Church groups (up here in Canada) that do not believe Jesus was God because it is impossible for something infinite (God) to be contained in something finite (Man/Jesus); and for example Unitarians don't believe that he was Divine, but the divinely inspired and greatest prophet of God... as for the plethora of little Churches run out of storefronts/warehouses/tents/people's basements who can really say as they represent so many different interpretations of Christianity...

Regardless of waht anyone says, no one is forced to join a certain group.

If it is not for them then they can leave and find what they beleive somewhere else.

I just hope it is before they are Initiated.

This is what I'm getting at. We never told this guy "You HAVE to be Christian to be a member!" He made it a point to speak out against what was mentioned in our associate ceremony and say that it was infringing on HIS beliefs (or non-belief, if you prefer). I would NEVER change the wording in our associate ceremony, which has been around longer than I have, for one single guy who has a problem worthy of the ACLU.

I myself follow no specific denomination of Christianity. Our chapter was primarily Catholic, but there were also members who were of other faiths. When referring to an "atheist group" I meant a group that exists specifically to promote atheism. As a Christian it would make no sense for me to join such a group. My wording was misleading and I should have been more clear. My fault on that one.

May I quote "scripture"?

From the Creed Of Lambda Chi Alpha:
"We believe in Lambda Chi Alpha, and its traditions, principles, and ideals. The crescent is our symbol...and cross is our guide..."

"RESOLUTION APPROVED BY THE FORTY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY, DENVER, COLORADO, 2002.
A Mandatory Resolution Regarding Discrimination
Be it resolved that membership selection on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or disability has no place within Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. The Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, therefore, condemns all discrimination and will actively seek to prevent it in all of its Chapters/Colonies."

From the American Heritage Dictionary, Second College Edition:
creed n. 1. A formal statement of religious belief; confession of faith. 2. A system of belief, principles, or opinions. , Lat. credo, I believe.

In ZAX,
Jono

Tri Delta is based in the Christian tradition and bears several Christian references, but that didn't stop our Jewish girls from joining and professing their love and loyalty to Tri Delta. I just think it's a matter of personal feelings. If you're comfortable joining a group with Christian traditions without being Christian, then it shouldn't be a problem! :D

Well, we never told this guy he couldn't join. It was he who made it a point to say that our associate ceremony mentioning the Bible was infringing on his rights. I say if he wanted it changed he should have gone somewhere else. That was about a decade ago and I'm still glad he dropped.

Then it was His decission wasn't it, as well it should be!

Jono tell Me if I am wrong, but it is not Total Christian Principles that Members of LXA Join, but for the Fellow Ship of Being With Brothers and it is not forced upon them.

The original question asked, "Would your fraternity/sorority allow initiation of a declared Atheist?", and I believe I answered that question as far as Lambda Chi Alpha is concerned.

Well, our national fraternity probably has a similar non discrimination policy, but thankfully we don't follow it in our chapter.

^^exalt.

I have a feeling that our Eastern Orthodox brothers and sisters might disagree with the suggestion that the Roman Catholic Church was the universal church prior to the Reformation.

What's with all the religious debate today?? Did someone take an extra shot of Holy Spirit last night?

Prior to that schism then? The RCC was the only real Western Church, just as the Orthodox were the only real Eastern Church. They've gotten along and fought at different times throughout the years. But as far as what most people consider "Western Civ." goes, the RCC was it.

/Took a Byzantine history class, am well aware that "western" doesn't always mean what we think it means.