Religion and GLOs
 

I was wondering what national GLOs are associated with some sort of religion. I've heard people on here say before that Pi Phi is a Christian sorority and that LXA is a Christian fraternity, and I know that Phi Mu mentions God in their creed. I also know that most GLOs aren't going to discriminate against anyone based on their religious affiliations. But, besides being a personal factor that may be major within many of the groups individual chapters, does religion play a big or official part in any of these GLOs?

Trying again...

If you do a search on this, you will find a lot of good answers, since this has been discussed before. I just found a bunch of links, but the Comcrap lost them, like it always does. Let me try again for you! :)

Christianity in Ritual

Joining a GLO and not being religious

Greek Acceptance in Church

I know there are more posts on this, but my searching ability is not tip-top.

From personal experience, my sorority is founded on religious principles (our open motto, "Founded upon a rock," is a Biblical verse) but I know there are atheist members of my organization who are still very comfortable with our ritual.

ASA is kind of Christian, but it's definatly not a consiteration in recruitment. Christ and St. Valentine are 2 of our Exemplars...but so are Hermes and King Asa.

Our founders took their original oaths swearing upon the Bible. I'd say that Christian thought and action are extremely important to Sigma Nu.

Pi Kappa Alpha is founded on christian ideals and many of the founders were christians and one or two became presbyterian ministers, though there are jewish and non religious men that have been initiated into the bonds.

Sigma Alpha Mu (SAMmy) and Zeta Beta Tau were originally Jewish fraternities if I'm not mistaken, I think however that the emphasis on religion has diminished out of these organizations.

I know that there were several sororities that were Jewish as well, but not sure of what they were.

Farmhouse has a very large emphasis on Christianity, and enhancing spirituality is a "goal" of the Fraternity. (I've seen this listed on several Farmhouse chapter websites).


I'd say that overall in these days of enhanced tolerance and such, religion is becoming a less vital component to the overall character of the National GLO's, but at the chapter level might be very important. Also, I think your more likely to find groups that have separated themselves out as being non-christian (ie. Jewish).

As for Beta Theta Pi, there are quotes from the Bible in our ritual, but none that are explicit to God or the supernatural...

You're correct. The Sammys and Zebes allowed membership of gentiles (non-Jews) in the early 1950s. Today, any man of "good moral character" that's enrolled in a college where there's a chapter can rush.

Alpha Delta Pi was founded at a Methodist college, with most of the founders daughters of pastors, so there is a heavy Christian focus on ritual. That said, there is no religious nor cultural barrier to membership in Alpha Delta Pi.

For that matter, Phi Mu was founded at the same college (Georgia Wesleyan); however, I don't pretend to know much about their founders, and will let the Phi Mu ladies speak for themselves.

Delta Tau Delta makes reference to "The World's Great Religions."

Without prolonging this thread any longer than it has to be, this has been descussed on previous threads.

I beleive that all of the Greek Social Organizations were based on and hold the beliefs for some form of Religion.

Whether is be called Christian or Jewish, is not the point!

Yes LXA has a basis for its Ritual on Christian Beliefs along with many others who were started with members from the Masonic Order.

Good point, Tom.

Lots of Masonic influence on early fraternities. Delt is one of them. That's why there are similarities between many of our Rituals.

I think most GLO have some kind of basis on religion. I know one of Tri Delta's founders almost didn't join, based on her beliefs.

"Isabel...had refused sorority bids because deep religious convictions made her question being a part of a selective organization. After learning of the Christian principles and aims of Tri Delta, she consented to become a member." (taken from the Tri Delta Website)

I think if someone in very conservative and very religious 1888 constented to join a GLO, I don't know why anyone today would think its 'cult-like'.

For a couple of reasons:

1. The amount of secret information, when the Bible says that the secret things belong to God.

2. The requirement of such strong loyalty and giving oaths.

3. Times have changed - there is not the emphasis today there was 115 years ago on religion and Christianity.

4. There are often Biblical and religious references, but not always the follow-up in the actions of the members.

Do I agree that it is cult-like? No. I do think a GLO can be made into an idol if you are giving more time and energy and resources to it than to God, just as money, work, or even grades can be made into idols.

Was that a tangent?

PHi Mu was founded originally as a christian literary society, but as PMmamma has said, women who are Catholic, Protestant, Lutheran, Muslim, and Jewish have all been initiated.

Completely agree with you on this one, Crystal.

It's all about perspective and priorities.

The whole "idol" idea comes up in lots of places. GLOs and martial arts are two good examples. I've studied Taekwondo for years, and I've been a Christian all my life. I've heard plenty of people say that martial arts are not appropriate for Christians because of all the bowing to people and some of the original Eastern roots. For me, it's all about where you place martial arts (or anything) in your life. I bow out of respect, not worship. I pledged myself and my time to Beta Sigma Phi and Alpha Phi Omega, but my heart is still God's.

While Kappa Sigma is not a religous organization, religion plays a very high role in the fraternity. Kappa Sigma has two basic requirements for initiation, of which MUST be met with no exceptions:

You are not the member of another secret college organization,
And you must profess belief in a higher supreme being.

It does not matter which higher being you believe in, just that you believe in God.

Our beloved creed goes: The Star and Crescent shall not be worn by every man, but only by him who is worthy to wear it. He must be a gentleman... A man of Honor, and Courage... A man of Zeal, yet Humble... an Intellegent man... a man of truth... one who tempers action with wisdom, and above all else, one who walks in the light of God.

Kappa Sigma will not take away from, replace, or add onto your personal religous beliefs. However, holding these beliefs take a huge role in your being a Kappa Sigma.

We are much like Freemasonry in regards to religion.

Iconocatic,

I beleive this is your way of spaming site and as you well know is not allowed on greekchat!

Please cease!

Re: Stop the madness
 

I can only speak for the organization of which I am a member when I say that it was definitely founded upon Christian principles. That is one of the things I love about it! :)

When do you expect to have your forum up and running? I think your point of view is extremely interesting and I'd love the opportunity to read more on the subject!

Thanks,
Tracy

Iconoclast,

As a former missionary, as well as a future one, as a girl who has committed to serving God in whatever ways I can, as a girl who will be going through recruitment, planning to join a chapter ONLY if it is based on Christian principles and realizing it is up to me to live these principles, let me say this to you:

You shall know a tree by its fruit.

You shall know they are Christians by their love.

You have never shown any love on these boards. You have done nothing but deter the cause of Christ through your ignorant, HATEFUL comments and judgements to Greeks. God alone is judge. Please either stop embarrassing Christians everywhere by your utter lack of Christlike behavior here or cease telling people that you are a Christian. You're hurting our witness and example, and ruining our good name. Read in the Bible what it says about false prophets and those who would speak in the name of God things which He did not have them speak. Be quick to hear and slow to speak. As of yet, you've not proven this quality.

Now, please return to your regularly scheduled program...

One of my favorite people in the world is an ADPi, and she was my Bible Study leader. I never knew until later that I was the only one in the group who was not an ADPi.

Very well said!

Re: Stop the madness
 

How are you not using Christianity and Christ's name as a moral crutch in your fight against GLO's?

Why are we flaming the fire of this debate instead of just dropping it. I know the truth, and i don't think anything we say will change the mind of the other.

Let's get back to the original intent of this thread and not another debate.

i tend to be very non-controversial, so i agree when people say not to continue arguing. obviously what mr. iconclastic is saying, and what he has said, has annoyed many people. if we ignore him, perhaps he will go away =) he may not ACTUALLY go away, but in my mind, he is already gone. *poof* - disappeared!
i appreciate everyone who replied to my original question. i didn't realize how many times this subject had been brought up before, but i was very curious as i tend to be very agnostic.

edited for bad grammar. i had bad grammar!

I agree, I have flamed Iconoclast before and found that it did nothing but piss me off. I totally understand (and echo) the dissenting viewpoints, but have found the best way to keep him off our site is by ignoring him. I even posted a reply to his inflammatory post and then editied yesterday so that it would be on topic. Almost all of us here love being greek, support being greek and will probably NEVER change our minds about that. So there's no need to argue.

As I do strongly believe in free speech, I do think that if anyone feels strongly enough to desire to talk about this subject they should (in another thread devoted to that source). not that I have any right to tell anyone else what to do...just my personal opinon.:D :D :D

I LOVE being Greek, and even though I'm not a Christian I enjoy and appreciate the presence of Christianity within my sorority and the hearts of my sisters. I think the Christian references we use are very appropriate for anyone, it enforces principles that any caring and mature person would want to incorporate into their life. I don't see how it could be offensive to a non believer.