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If a group of founders were of a certain religious persuasion (which isn't secret), it's no surprise that their religious beliefs are reflected in their high ideals. But to what extent is something that you probably can't tell unless you're initiated, although sometimes it's more obvious that others.
Eg: Sigma Chi's symbol is a cross. ZBT advertises itself on the national website as "the nation's largest historically Jewish fraternity with over 50 years of non-sectarian brotherhood. It doesn't take much to figure out that Sigma Chi was influenced by Christian ideals and ZBT by Jewish ones (not that they're far different, but if I was placing bets, I'd be pretty surprised to see references to Jesus in the ZBT ritual!)
It's not just religion: Phi Mu seems to place more of an emphasis on femininity than other sororities, perhaps because of its old Southern origions. And Phi Sigma Sigma was deliberately founded to be inclusive, perhaps because it was founded on a diverse campus to begin with.
But of course as I am a member of none of these organizations, I don't know how far those influences extend, nor will I ever know.
That doesn't change the fact that on certain campuses certain chapters are known as "Jewish" or anything else - be it "pretty" or "unpopular" - and that in some cases this may not align with their national reputation.
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Alpha Xi Delta
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