"Christian" GLOs

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by thetaj

The only rules were along the same lines as NPC: No letters while drinking, you could not take off your letters (lettered shirt) for a guy nor could a guy remove your letters from you.

Neither of these are actual NPC (nor [Inter]National rules for most, if not all NPCs) rules. In fact, I've never heard the "no sex in letters" phrased in that way.

[thetaj]

^ Oh! I never knew drinking in letters was okay in other organizations, especially NPC. My b But yeah, those were our only "rules" and I know they're the same in my Theta chapter.

[ComradesTrue]

At TCU there is Beta Upsilion Chi, a Christian fraternity. It was founded as the group's Beta chapter 1-2 years before I arrived in 1991 and has since had expansion throughout the South.

Yes, they held rush separate from the NIC council, and yes, there were specific questions about drinking, pre-marital sex, etc. Pledges and members had to agree to certain lifestyle rules pertaining to those. The group was actually really strong on our campus, and was actually larger than many of the NIC fraternities. They threw two parties a year- their formal, which was a dry, invite-only affair, and a lake party towards the end of school that was also dry and open to the entire campus. Again, many of the NPC members held a BUX invite in high regard.

There was also a Christian sorority- Eta Iota Sigma (HIS)- that was founded a year later. They had similar questions as part of their rush process, including sharing the person's testimony. This group, at the time, probably had about 75 members, which was smaller than the NPC chapters but still had a strong presence on campus. At one point in the past few years they were offered housing, but passed on the opportuniy.

While both groups had strong memberships and campus presence, the NPC council was not threatened by them. I won't speak for the boys, but I suspect with the alcohol restrictions that they didn't mind them either. There was room for everyone.

No question that TCU is going to attract more students that subscribe to the Christian faith and that would have no problems adhering to these types of restrictions than a larger state school.

[cheerfulgreek]

For some Christian sororities, it's not really a matter of "knowing" if a potential member is a Christian or not. There really wouldn't be a way of knowing. I think some were established for women who don't have a relationship with God at all, but want to develop a relationship with Him. And then there are some women who already have a relationship with God, but might want to strengthen their relationship with Him.

[naraht]

Well, my question is whether you are including the NPHC fraternity Omega Psi Phi in this...

From http://www.omegapsiphifraternity.org/mofaq.asp

Q. What is the position of the Fraternity for Non-Christians who make application to become members of Omega Psi Phi?

A. Omega does not have an open admissions policy. It is a privilege to become a member of Omega Psi Phi and the Brotherhood is based on men who espouse Christian education and beliefs.

[DSTRen13]

Originally Posted by naraht

Well, my question is whether you are including the NPHC fraternity Omega Psi Phi in this...

This issue has been discussed with you on here before.

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by Kevin

... they generally compete for a lot of the same members we do.

Really? I can't imagine there being much overlap. Maybe there are some Christian men or women who are devout and are interested in going Greek and deciding whether to join a traditional social GLO + Christian club on campus or a Christian GLO. I'd think that with Christian GLOs with strict standards of behavior (no drinking, no premarital sex, etc) if you do adhere to that lifestyle, you might not feel comfortable surrounding yourself with people who don't share those same values.

The only type of school where I can see there being competition for members is at a private Christian college/University where most of the student body is devoutly Christian.

[Alumiyum]

Re: the problem of 2/3 of the members saying they are tolerant but still make others feel uncomfortable...I can say that became a problem in my chapter towards the end of my time there. For instance, I wasn't happy that chapter announcements often included bible studies or campus outreach while announcing other activities that were personal was frowned upon.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Alumiyum

Re: the problem of 2/3 of the members saying they are tolerant but still make others feel uncomfortable...I can say that became a problem in my chapter towards the end of my time there. For instance, I wasn't happy that chapter announcements often included bible studies or campus outreach while announcing other activities that were personal was frowned upon.

Yeah, that's the exact sort of situation I'm talking about. If you're going to announce those things because sisters are members, you should also announce that the College Democrats are having a bake sale or the RPG Club is sponsoring a movie, if sisters are members of those groups.

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Yeah, that's the exact sort of situation I'm talking about. If you're going to announce those things because sisters are members, you should also announce that the College Democrats are having a bake sale or the RPG Club is sponsoring a movie, if sisters are members of those groups.

Agreed. Drove me nuts. I hate to add to southern stereotypes, but that type of situation apparently arises in almost every chapter on campus at points...very irritating.

[DrPhil]

That doesn't just happen in the south.

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

That doesn't just happen in the south.

I'm sure it doesn't, but in some parts of it religion (which means Christianity) is expected of you.

[DrPhil]

That doesn't just happen in the south, so this doesn't fuel some southern stereotype.

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

That doesn't just happen in the south, so this doesn't fuel some southern stereotype.

Ok great. Then I'll word it this way: I've spent my entire life down here and it is part of the culture, even for the non-religious/non-Christian. Doesn't change the point.

[DSTRen13]

Originally Posted by Alumiyum

Ok great. Then I'll word it this way: I've spent my entire life down here and it is part of the culture, even for the non-religious/non-Christian. Doesn't change the point.

I think that's part of the culture of the majority of the United States ...