[ASTalumna06]

I know I'm late to this party, but I had to chime in:

“Our goal is to help students lead a Christian life inside the Greek system, as contradictory as that may sound,” said Eric Holmer, the communications director for Greek InterVarsity.

…

Jesus turned water into wine “to get the party going,” said a young woman who traveled here from Willamette University in Oregon, adding that parties were an opportunity to show that Christianity could be fun.

…

Kurt Skaggs, a junior at Indiana University, sees himself as something of a missionary. “Some people go to Africa or South America,” he said, explaining his decision to join Sigma Phi Epsilon. “I can go to my frat house, where my single goal is to glorify God and share the Gospel.”

…He said that he tried not to be preachy, but that he was not shy about confronting other professed Christians if they started drinking too much or engaged in casual sex.

…

Kaitlyn Boyce, a junior at the University of Cincinnati… said [at parties] she tries “to take care of friends as much as I can, trying to minimize the damage” by, for example, telling a sister she has drunk enough.

It is not solely the New York Times that made Greek IV sound bad (unless they misquoted everyone and no one had a problem with it).

Originally Posted by laylo

I don't think it would be different- as I said, I've been invited to many things I don't believe in. The word "missionary" means different things to different people. Preaching without invitation, taking away people's choice in whether or not to listen to you, or expressing judgments on their activities is pressure. Saying, "I'm going to have bible study in my room, you're welcome to join," is not pressure in my eyes.

Clearly you can see from the quotes above, and from this one here:

Joe Grotheer, a member of Phi Gamma Delta at DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind., said some Jewish brothers had objected to Bible study in the common area, so he and others moved the sessions to a bedroom.

… they’re not just inviting people to events and having bible study in their rooms. I know that I would also feel awkward if I walked into a common area of my sorority house and there was a bible study going on. It’s not even so much “pressuring” people as much as it is making others uncomfortable.

Originally Posted by laylo

I'd bet my entire salary that no one in this interview called non-Christians "sinners." This is the way people often assume Christians think about others.

So it’s ok for you to say that non-Christians are judgmental, but it’s not ok for non-Christians to say that Christians are?

Originally Posted by laylo

but we're not talking about any random Christians, we're talking about a specific organization with specific goals. As someone very familiar with this organization, I am confident that this wording does not fit the doctrine of its members.

Oh, so as long as Christians have goals, they don’t believe that non-Christians are sinners. Yea, I get it now..

Originally Posted by laylo

I'm saying that they are a specific group of Christians who agreed to certain statements before becoming leaders in the organization. I have extreme doubts that they would use these words knowing what those statements are.

Originally Posted by laylo

No, I don't know all of the members, but I highly doubt that someone said this particular quote…

Just as I wouldn’t assume that every member of this group is a “missionary” who has been sent from God to “save the sinners,” you shouldn’t assume that not one member of this entire organization does think that way.

Originally Posted by laylo

Sorry if the analogy was whack. My point was that my feelings aren't about knowing these individuals, but about knowing what the organization requires.

To make sweeping generalizations about all members of any group cannot be done with absolute certainty. Organizations can require one thing, but people are still free to do as they please. Just look at our fraternities and sororities – all of our members say our creeds, believe in our mottos and perform our rituals, yet I'm willing to bet that every GLO has had at least one member who hasn’t lived up to those creeds, mottos and rituals at all times. Most, if not all GLOs have a GPA requirement.. not everyone reaches it all the time. Many GLOs have required meetings that everyone must attend.. I’m sure at least a few people have missed a meeting with no legitimate excuse. And don’t even get me started about what other people think… I couldn’t tell you, because I don’t know every member of my sorority, and I don’t pretend to know them. We are all individuals who are free to say, think, and do as we please, regardless of what organization we are a part of.