The link between Greek membership and social conservatism

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by summer_gphib

I think there is truth to that, but I also think that sororities and fraternities are steeped in tradition. That tradition has appeal to those who are more unwilling to embrace new ideas.

Or, perhaps, they are people who are open to embracing new ideas, but unwilling in the process to ignore or lose the wisdom of those who have gone before.

Originally Posted by AlethiaSi

. . . but there is actually a rule in our consititution that forbade anyone from discussing politics or religion in the house (obvi we didn't always follow this, but the rule made sense and we tried to as best we could)

Originally Posted by Dionysus

The "no discussion of politics/religion" rule is a good idea...if people cannot be civil.

I would have been very uncomfortable with and put off by a rule like this. What kind of brotherhood could I experience in my fraternity if I was forbidden or discouraged from discussing the values -- spiritual and political -- that matter to me and that are an intrinsic part of who I am? To me this seems like a cop-out that deprives members of one of the lessons I value from my fraternity experience -- learning that I can still honestly call someone "brother" when we have different views.

[AlethiaSi]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I would have been very uncomfortable with and put off by a rule like this. What kind of brotherhood could I experience in my fraternity if I was forbidden or discouraged from discussing the values -- spiritual and political -- that matter to me and that are an intrinsic part of who I am? To me this seems like a cop-out that deprives members of one of the lessons I value from my fraternity experience -- learning that I can still honestly call someone "brother" when we have different views.

Like I said, we didn't always follow the "rule", it was more of a guideline. If it got out of hand (which it did on a few occasions, but it was mostly outsiders discussing with sisters) it was reinforcement that we should probably stay away from those topics for awhile. However, on the whole, I had really great enriching conversations with my sisters.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by AlethiaSi

Like I said, we didn't always follow the "rule", it was more of a guideline. If it got out of hand (which it did on a few occasions, but it was mostly outsiders discussing with sisters) it was reinforcement that we should probably stay away from those topics for awhile. However, on the whole, I had really great enriching conversations with my sisters.

I understand what you're saying. I would just rather learn how to talk about those things without it getting out of hand than feel like we had to "stay away from those topics for awhile."

[AlethiaSi]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I understand what you're saying. I would just rather learn how to talk about those things without it getting out of hand than feel like we had to "stay away from those topics for awhile."

I agree with you, I wish it didn't have to be that way.

[AlexMack]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I understand what you're saying. I would just rather learn how to talk about those things without it getting out of hand than feel like we had to "stay away from those topics for awhile."

As usual MysticCat is right on the nail. Why deal with the elephant in the room? If these organizations are for bettering ourselves (which I believe they are, there are certain skills I have learned from my chapter that I wouldn't have elsewhere), then I believe it's also necessary to discuss these topics and learn to be civil to one another. One thing I didn't care for during my active time was being told what to wear, what to say, where to go.
We had one republican in our chapter, whom we all adored. We had jewish girls who just wouldn't participate in the christian aspects of ritual, and who were allowed to observe their religion if it conflicted with a sorority function.

If someone told me I couldn't discuss politics or religion? Hello?! I'm a poli sci major! The only times to avoid it are during recruitment.

[TSteven]

The Spirit of Sigma Chi, as conceived by the Founders more than 150 years ago yet visible and alive today, is based on the theory that...

... Friendship among members, sharing a common belief in an ideal, ...

... and possessing different temperaments, talents, and convictions, ...

... is superior to friendship among members having the same temperaments, talents, and convictions, and that. . .

... Genuine friendship can be maintained without surrendering the principle of individuality or sacrificing one's personal judgment.

"The Spirit" is a concept that comes straight from the founders' unfortunate experience in another fraternity, which the founders saw as a group focused on conformity for political gain. The founders wanted a spirit of nonconformity in Sigma Chi. Though "The Spirit" calls for men who are inherently "different," it is expected that the members, in their differences, remain responsible, honorable, gentlemanly, friendly -- indeed all those characteristics listed in "The Jordan Standard."