Greek acceptance in the church!
 

Too many individuals in the church believe that sororities and fraternities are not needed and would do away with them if they could.

Our founders saw a better principle for our organizations and all greeks should respond as such.

pinkice9

I think a lot of churches take advantage of the greek letter organizations on their nearby campuses. From what I've witnessed, a lot of churches love to have greeks involved because they can be active role models for the young children and youth. They can show leadership skills and also help plan and run church activities. They can also help with fundraisers and get people on campus involved in church activities, just by wearing letters or wearing a church t-shirt. Lots of greek letter organizations have people with different religious backgrounds, so it's not the actual whole sorority or fraternity that gets involved, but even one or two members can make all the difference.

I totally agree with you, I just wish everyone felt the same way. Not all Greeks are Christian and not all Christians understand the importance or initial importance of a greek lettered organization.

pinkice9

that's very true. I've met a few "Christians" who have told me in no uncertain terms that I am going to hell because I'm in a Sorority. I've also heard of Sorors who have denounced us for that very reason. This puzzles me because we were founded on Christian principles and there's a definite spiritual presence in our ceremonies.

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Kelli
12-DN-94
SSU c/o 1997

I agree soror and if those sorors that denounced knew their history they would know that God is present in all things including AKA. God uses us in various organizations. I think the reason why the church tells us that we will go to hell is because of the mistreatings that occur during the "process" some people wonder what religion has to do with pledging. Christ would not perform the acts of hitting His children with wood so why should we? To be a Christian is to be like Christ and if you can not accomplish that task than you will be going to hell.


Just a little gospel note

Pinkice9

Hi pinkice9!

"To be a Christian is to be like Christ and if you can not accomplish that task than you will be going to hell."

You are not serious on this, are you? Otherwise, I am really wondering what kind of a picture you have of Jesus. I mean, we are humans and that's why we have to fail in trying to be like Jesus - What is asked of us as Christians is to try to be as "Jesus-like " as possible, but failing doesn't mean necessarily that we drive right into hell....
Not even the Pope in Rome would write something like that.

Best greetings, matthewg

member of a catholic German fraternity www.kdstv-bodensee.de

Hi Pinkice9,

I am glad to hear that you meant everything cynically.
However, I think we have to keep the different churches in Christanity somewhat seperated even though they all refer to the Bible and the New Testament. Unfortunately there seems to be a tendency towards the development of new radical movements within certain churches and these are really scary. Fortunately, this development seems to be concentrated to North America but all those who take christan beliefs seriously should watch out that these charismatic and creationist movements don't take overhand.
Christianity, to my mind, is a religion that leaves a lot of space for interpretation - as opposed to sectist movements who have very strict frameworks. This open space leaves much space for the different directions that we currently find among the churches. It should first and foremost teach us tolerance towards other opinions. Afterall, we are all humans and thus might not be right with our believes..... who knows?

Best,
matthewg

Well i think the main problem of church memebers accepting you are greek is lack of knowledge of the greek world. When i went off to the University of North Florida 3 years ago, i pledged The Sigma Chi Fraternity. When i came home over Christmas break a lot of people were like woah frat boy!! But after talking to them about all the philanthropy Sigma Chi does for the Childrens Miricale Network, 6 of our 7 founders were ordained ministers, our symbol is the White Cross, our public motto is In Hoc Signo Vinces...in this sign you will conques, and that our history has an amazingly large christian history they seemed to understand that Greek life isn't about who can sleep with the most women, drink the other under the table and all the other animal house antics. That and the fact that when everyone saw my minister is a sigma chi from the Univ of Illinois everyone was cool with it. Educating people in the church and elsewhere about what true greek life is about and that you don't buy your friends....it is true brotherhood is the only way people will understand and respect you are greek.
Kinny P.
Sigma Chi Fraternity
Kappa Beta Chapter

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In Hoc Signo Vinces

I agree with what both of you are saying and I am aware of the Christian and or religious background routed in the BGLO's and I can not speak for everyone but being greek has brought me closer to God.

I have had several testimonies since becoming greek and with out my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ I would not have had a positive outlook about certain situations.

Pinkice9

We have a ceremony that we do to initiate our mothers (after they meet certain criteria like community support, etc.), but my mom won't do it because she says that her church is against secret societies. It doesn't bother her that I'm in one, but she says her church wouldn't approve. She says the church (the whole denomination - not just her church) does this to prevent people from joining org's like the KKK. But the Shriners are a secret society (I think) and they do all kinds of good things for humanity. It confuses me. Has anyone else heard or read about secret societies in church or the Bible? Thanks!

I have not heard of secret societies but I do know that greeks are seen as bad in the church when we were founded on Christian principals.

Greeks have made a bad name for us everywhere because of this hazing thing. My grandfather is a shriner and he is in his church choir. I don't know if it is your mother's religion or what but this is not uncommon.

Pinkice9

Rather hypocritical don't you think? Historically, during some of the Roman Empire's greatest points of persecution against Christians, they became secret societies, in effect, to protect themselves - even so far as to use the fish as a symbol rather than the cross, met in private, secret locations, etc.... ?

I've never had a problem with my GLO membership and my church affiliation. In fact, we recently used the church building to hold our initiation ritual. I've explained to my pastor that our Ritual is based primarily on Christian teachings, and that my intitiation started me on the path to Christianity. I even serve my church as a deacon.

The hardest thing to overcome with GLO membership and church are the stereotypes we are all too familiar with. We can point fingers, blame the media, etc. The best way to overcome these stereotypes, if you attend church, is to have people get to know YOU - if they know YOU, they will know what the majority of your chapter's membership is like.

I'm not saying going to church is a requirement of GLO membership - please don't get me wrong. But, if you do go, you'll be able to show the positives that many people often don't see about us.

I think this is a great topic to discuss. The college students involved in these organizations need to realize what they are really in. Knealing down before people, dressed in all black with candles lighting the room is kind of freaky- would you think so?
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If we read the Bible, we can see that the very first commandment says "Do not worship any god before me." The 10 Commandments also contain the statement that we should not make an idol for ourselves to worship. Therefore, any type of organization which involves idols (such as Minerva or Demeter), is evil. Greek organizations that have a goddess or god as their patron, are bad because this type of thing promote the worshipping of FALSE GODS.

A true Christian would not continue to participate in a club or organization that has a false god as its symbol/patron/mentor.


If these organizations' rituals were brought out into the open, observed and researched, then it would help us put an end to their evilness.


You know that ancient temple... the one where the Eleusinian Mysteries (Demeter's Cult) were held (at Eleusis)? It was destroyed by the Christians. Any true Christian would know, deep inside their heart that an organization that involves strange rituals and false gods is evil.

God is a loving god and if we turn away from these evil organizations and denounce them, he will help free us from their binds.

God is a Judge, and he judges these organizations, and those who are involved with them. Isaiah 33:22

As Christians, we need to team up together and fight against wrong doings- I believe that many of these GLOs are founded on evil principles.

I hope that Chi Omega is the only Greek organization that does this kind of thing. Am I wrong?

Wow- this is an interesting topic. Are any of these organizations actually anywhere near Christian?