Atheists as members?

[Lady of Pearl]

I stated that Alpha Kappa Alpha is Christian based, others may choose to affiliate with any religion, but once in the organization they will see that our members are mostly comprised of those upholding Christian principles and our members serve in many capacities in various churches. I have been a member for over twenty years and do not recall reading any obituaries of members who were not affiliated in some aspect with some religious affiliation . I think an atheist and an AKA is a misnomer and I don't know of any of my Sorors who have sponsored as such Upon what would she have based her critieria for membership? since we are selective about our membership- I don't see how something as important as that would have been overlooked- and more importantly what moral compass does she follow internally? As an organization founded on Moral principles- I believe that a belief in God would include that also. I'm sorry if you were given the impression otherwise Perhaps with more maturity within the organization you will truly find out its purposes.

[Lady of Pearl]

Originally posted by Strongbeauty
I am baffled. If an organization claims to have Christian principles, then clearly they intended for Christians to be a member of it. Why would someone who does not even believe in God want to be a member of something that goes against that? This is especially true if Christianity is used in the rituals... If someone is willing to violate their own belief system, what makes you think they will uphold the tenets and ideas of the org?

My sentiments exactly-we wouldn't know what they believed in.:

[ADSigMel]

Originally posted by Lady of Pearl
... and more importantly what moral compass does she follow internally? As an organization founded on Moral principles- I believe that a belief in God would include that also.

I don't know anything about AKA and what beliefs its members have to have. But I don't think that, in general, the fact that a person does not believe in God means that they don't have morals. I believe that morals are something that is built into humans (other than, for instance, sociopaths, of course), and no one needs to believe in God in order to know the difference between right and wrong. I do believe that God gave us the knowledge of right and wrong, but that is a different question - you don't have to believe in God to have what he gave you. In fact, I think that it is probably more impressive for an atheist to still be moral, because they really are doing what is right for right's sake, instead of out of fear of post-death retribution.

I know this was beside the point (sorry, y'all), but I thought I'd throw that in.

[MSKKG]

Originally posted by DSTRen13
very select Protestant denominations to be "real" Christians - Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and my own church (since we rejected the Protestant label) were not allowed in the club.

Just so you know, the Orthodox Church is neither Protestant nor a denomination. She is the Church founded on Pentecost and has not changed her doctrine since then.

[enigma_AKA]

Originally posted by ADSigMel
I don't know anything about AKA and what beliefs its members have to have. But I don't think that, in general, the fact that a person does not believe in God means that they don't have morals. I believe that morals are something that is built into humans (other than, for instance, sociopaths, of course), and no one needs to believe in God in order to know the difference between right and wrong. I do believe that God gave us the knowledge of right and wrong, but that is a different question - you don't have to believe in God to have what he gave you. In fact, I think that it is probably more impressive for an atheist to still be moral, because they really are doing what is right for right's sake, instead of out of fear of post-death retribution.

I know this was beside the point (sorry, y'all), but I thought I'd throw that in.

Thanks for that...

enigma_AKA

[enigma_AKA]

Originally posted by Lady of Pearl
I stated that Alpha Kappa Alpha is Christian based, others may choose to affiliate with any religion, but once in the organization they will see that our members are mostly comprised of those upholding Christian principles and our members serve in many capacities in various churches. I have been a member for over twenty years and do not recall reading any obituaries of members who were not affiliated in some aspect with some religious affiliation . I think an atheist and an AKA is a misnomer and I don't know of any of my Sorors who have sponsored as such Upon what would she have based her critieria for membership? since we are selective about our membership- I don't see how something as important as that would have been overlooked- and more importantly what moral compass does she follow internally? As an organization founded on Moral principles- I believe that a belief in God would include that also. I'm sorry if you were given the impression otherwise Perhaps with more maturity within the organization you will truly find out its purposes.

Soror, check your PM...

enigma_AKA

[DSTRen13]

Originally posted by MSKKG
Just so you know, the Orthodox Church is neither Protestant nor a denomination. She is the Church founded on Pentecost and has not changed her doctrine since then.

I apologize if my post made it sound like I was saying that the Eastern Orthodox Church is a Protestant group. I am saying that many Protestant groups in my area do not recognize Eastern Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, or various other forms of Christianity as being part of Christianity - not only do they disagree with parts of their doctrine, they consider them outside of the realm of "acceptable" Christianity.

[preciousjeni]

Originally posted by DSTRen13
I apologize if my post made it sound like I was saying that the Eastern Orthodox Church is a Protestant group. I am saying that many Protestant groups in my area do not recognize Eastern Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, or various other forms of Christianity as being part of Christianity - not only do they disagree with parts of their doctrine, they consider them outside of the realm of "acceptable" Christianity.

I just presented a seminar at my parents' home church (Protestant). I was talking about different types of prayer than the congregants were used to. Then a woman spoke up, saying, "This sounds awfully Catholic to me" or something to that effect. After that, the seminar took a turn for the worse only I had the support of the pastor (who recognizes all sects of Christianity) so it wasn't as bad as it could have been.

Before I went in, I knew that I was speaking on a topic that had very distinct Catholic elements but I knew it was the right message to give this particular church. My roommate (Roman Catholic) and I constantly defend ourselves at this seminary where the general view is that non-Protestants are "misled." *SMH*

[MSKKG]

DSTRen13, no offense taken.

[ksig-nu-tau]

I am a kappa sigma and I would have to say that it is understood during pledging and initiaition that our fraternity is founded on christian principals and a belief in GOD......Steven Alonzo Jackson revised our ritual and added components to do so....and to my chi omega friend.....the four sisters approached Dr. Richardson and with the help of his brothers he helped the women organize the "first finest forever" chi omegas

[shinerbock]

Well from what I've seen I don't see why this should be a problem. If it is an organization based on Christian ideals, and the members really care about that, they probably should only have Christian members. For greek systems where this is very common, like those in the Midwest or South, most students probably profess to be Christians, so I doubt this is much of an issue. Meanwhile, on Western or more urban campuses, there is probably likely to be openness to having someone who believes differently, so that shouldnt be a problem either. I realize this is a generalization, but I personally haven't seen too many incidents where it is really that much of an issue. In either situation (or one in between) I think the members interpretation of what the ideals of their organization are should decide who is allowed in.

[JonInKC]

Originally Posted by ksig-nu-tau

I.....the four sisters approached Dr. Richardson and with the help of his brothers he helped the women organize the "first finest forever" chi omegas

I thought "First, Finest, Forever" was ADPi's slogan?

[Adelphean]

Originally Posted by JonInKC

I thought "First, Finest, Forever" was ADPi's slogan?

You'd be correct.


And as far as this whole conversation goes, I'm an atheist, and I'm also an initiated member of Alpha Delta Pi. Most GLOs are based on the idea of "Christian Principles". So basically, GLOs are based on what is accepted as a social norm (i.e., don't kill, don't steal, etc.). My lack of belief in a higher power has not in any way detracted from my time in ADPi.

[33girl]

"Love one another" is a Christian principle. That doesn't mean if you're Jewish or Buddhist you have to hate everyone's guts for fear of being mistaken for a Christian.

[blkwebman1919]

Originally Posted by ktsnake

Well, if you're going to let the jews and Catholics in, you might as well allow athiests also.

As a Roman Catholic myself, I would take offense to that, if I didn't see the humor in it....