Religion?

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

Re: Praying at chapter meetings. It's entirely possible that it's part of ritual too. I don't know how that works if there are non-ritual chapter meetings (informal vs formal chapter for example.)

For us it was purely something the chapter members wanted to do (or in the case of some of us, didn't object to), and not part of ritual. It was usually done at the end of chapter, and was sometimes skipped if the meeting was running too long.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by Alumiyum

For us it was purely something the chapter members wanted to do (or in the case of some of us, didn't object to), and not part of ritual. It was usually done at the end of chapter, and was sometimes skipped if the meeting was running too long.

Yes, I just meant that (in this case) ADPi might have some sort of ritual prayer. I don't know, just pointing it out as a possibility.

We've talked enough about religion on here to give the impression that religious texts and prayers may be used in multiple GLOs' rituals. I'm obviously not looking for confirmation, just raising the possibility that it wasn't exclusionary but was part of ritual. (Which kind of makes it exclusionary still, but it's what they signed up for, vs an optional thing.)

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

Yes, I just meant that (in this case) ADPi might have some sort of ritual prayer. I don't know, just pointing it out as a possibility.

We've talked enough about religion on here to give the impression that religious texts and prayers may be used in multiple GLOs' rituals. I'm obviously not looking for confirmation, just raising the possibility that it wasn't exclusionary but was part of ritual. (Which kind of makes it exclusionary still, but it's what they signed up for, vs an optional thing.)

I was mostly clarifying to make sure no one thought I was revealing my organization's ritual but I probably should have added that.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Lady Pi

With all do respect, you don't know what happens in my ritual so you can't judge where it should be on my list of priorities or how closely it ties in with my religion.

By that same token, I presume you have no idea what happens in the rituals of other organizations, so you really have no idea to what degree, if any, religion plays a role in their rituals. You might want to steer clear, then, of generalizations like "religion plays a big role in many chapters and their sorority's rituals."

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

Wait, the Fluer de Lis is a cross? I thought it was just a stylized flower.

As noted, it's a flower -- a lily, to be exact. Aside from being a symbol of French royalty, it's a traditional symbol of the Virgin Mary.

Originally Posted by Alumiyum

Also...just have to say that some very religious people might not be keen on the idea of comparing holy communion with sorority ritual. Two very different animals there. Doesn't offend me, because I'm not one of these people, but I know that if I said that in front of my mother she'd have a cow.

As a religious person, I agree. While I wouldn't have a cow, I would roll my eyes. I think it's an odd comparison.

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

I find it interesting that you prayed at every chapter meeting. Was this a Christian school?

Originally Posted by Drolefille

Re: Praying at chapter meetings. It's entirely possible that it's part of ritual too.

This. It is, of course, also possible that some chapters pray together in non-ritual situations.

I don't know about other organizations, but in my fraternity, probationary members are given information about what to expect ritual-wise. No details or secrets of course, but along the lines of the ritual not being a religious ceremony and that no man will be asked to do anything that would run counter to his personal religious beliefs. I think I have seen similar statements in information from other orgs. Seems like a good idea to me.

[honeychile]

May we put a bottom line on this?

Many years ago, many sororities (and fraternities) were founded upon one religious principle or another. Not all, but many. Those of y'all who have a Baird's Manual only have to read about the founding of these GLOs.

Time went by, and religious boundaries became more blurred. People didn't choose their friends solely by religion, in or outside of the Greek system. At that point, decisions were made within various GLOs to accept members outside of their previous boundaries. My own recruitment story is full of these boundaries!

Many rituals may still retain aspects of their previous heritage, though. Those members who are not comfortable with these aspects need to either accept them, mentally substituting their own beliefs, or work with their Inter-/National organization to change the ritual.

We need to retain some respect for each GLO, though, as this thread is getting entirely too close to ritual.

Thanks for listening - I'm off my soapbox now!

PS: BTW, I was recently at such a discussion within my own sorority. The key word is respect - for both one's own sorority and for the rituals of the others.