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.