Where Raucous Is the Norm, Bible Study
 

INDIANAPOLIS — Imagine 475 college students — all members of fraternities and sororities around the country — flooding a hotel for a weekend. Imagine, come Sunday, that not one noise complaint has been lodged, no chairs are broken, no beer stains the carpets and the hotel housekeeper says, “What a nice bunch of kids.” ......
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/07/us/07greek.html

I had a very, very negative reaction to that article this morning. It makes me sick.

Why does it make you sick?

I would hope that their sole purpose in joining a GLO was not to become "missionaries". But I salute the fact that they are proud of their faith, and live that out in various ways in their organizations. As long as they don't shove it down their sisters/brothers throats, I don't see a problem with it.

What does upset me about the article is the stereotype reinforcement by the New York Times. I would hope that journalists for this paper would know better than that.

Since you did not provide any explanation to your reaction, hard to understand causes or reasons.

I did not enjoy parts of it either because the story shows how the actions of a few members of GLO's impact the rest of us. And I am not referring to the actions of those in the story.

I am referring to those who do not understand Risk Management and proper behavior.

This is great, and I’m happy for those that are involved in this group who feel like they can share religion with other members of the Greek community.. but this article is terrible. It makes it sound as if all Greeks need to be saved, that we’re all leading a life of sin, and that we need the members of this group to help us see the light.

Yeah, that's called most of the collegiate NPHC formals that I have attended since college.

Stupid, stupid, stupid article. NY Times editorialized when they should've just shared the awesomeness of that group and that event. Why would collegiates who don't drink and have sex want to join a fraternity and sorority? Because drinking and having sex are not formal or informal requirements for joining a fraternity or sorority. What some chapters and individuals do is what chapters and individuals do.

And this is important to note because when we talk about fraternities and sororities, the average person (including GC discussions) is thinking of NPC/NIC and going based on those stereotypes.

:) It isn't a "few" so people need to stop pretending that it is because that's as extreme as saying "all."

More accurately, "some" and even "many" do those things but "the average" doesn't; and I'm talking across the nation and across councils, conferences, and GLOs.

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Moreover, I have yet to see proof that even the craziest GLOer is crazier than the craziest nonGreek college student. GLOs just provide an additional context for college students who are looking for the opportunity to act carefree and crazy. Not all of us were like that as college students but we certainly knew those who were.

I also compare the humor of this article to when I read about A.C. Green. He was considered a good guy when it comes to the NBA. Danny Ainge, as well. Why would they want to be a part of the NBA, which is known for hard partying, alcohol and hazing violations (yes, they haze), and casual sex? Could it be that they saw a larger goal and something greater to be gained? Duhhhhhhhhhhh.

one of my friends helped found Greek InterVarsity at her school, and I can confidently say she'd hate this article. its tone is ridiculously judgmental..."rub shoulders with the sinners?" I would have a serious problem with anyone in my Bible studies using this kind of language. Just because I don't drink or have sex doesn't make me less of a sinner than someone who does...they may engage in more public behavior but that's no worse than the mean thoughts I might think about someone or the gossip I might spread in a weak moment. Quite frankly, the way this article speaks makes the members of Greek InterVarsity sound down right manipulative. There's a difference between spreading the Gospel by just behaving in a manner that God would want you to among friends and purposely inserting yourself into groups for the sole purpose of preaching at them. This article makes the members of Greek InterVarsity sound only interested in the latter. And guess what? I joined the sorority on campus with the worst "party reputation" and I've found not only that no one judges me at all, but also so many girls share my faith. the assumptions in this article are obnoxious.

"...to expand Bible studies and Christian recruiting in fraternities and sororities at mainstream universities."

Proselytizing is exactly what InterVarsity does. I know people who have been spiritually abused by this cult.

Moreover, it is my opinion that (most) GLOs are places where people of different faith systems can come together in a secular community based in values. Whether I am an Alpha or a Teke, I shouldn't have to be recruited to somebody else's faith. Leave it outside of the chapter.

I may have not presented my case all too well DrPhil-For the most part, I do agree with you.
And as you point out, all kinds of living and social groups do crazy, stupid, dumb things. However if something of that nature happens in Todd Hall or Jones Dorm it just does not get written up anywhere.
It will get written up, it will get coverage if it happens in a national named group. And it will be covered even more so if something really bad comes out if their actions or deeds.

I did like the one guy who started a forum for the members to talk about their faith if they wanted to.

Unrelated to the central theme of the article: The only party I've ever been to that was full-scale shut down by the police was an IV dance party at my old school :p

True.

But where was the justification here for referring to all members of the Greek community as "sinners?"

Don't act brand new. You know we all killed a goat, snorted some goat cheese, got high off of goat milk and praised Pan the god just this morning!