Making the decision to depledge

[NutBrnHair]

I've loved it as a pledge, active and alum; however, I do think things can evolve as you go -- My freshman year, I hung out only with the girls who had the same interests as I did. As I matured, I found others who believed differently and we formed close friendships.

Don't forget that next year, you will play a role in selecting new members -- women who you will love.

It also lasts a lifetime. I know that it is difficult to see past next week, but trust us on that -- it's worth it.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by NutBrnHair

I've loved it as a pledge, active and alum; however, I do think things can evolve as you go -- My freshman year, I hung out only with the girls who had the same interests as I did. As I matured, I found others who believed differently and we formed close friendships.

Don't forget that next year, you will play a role in selecting new members -- women who you will love.

It also lasts a lifetime. I know that it is difficult to see past next week, but trust us on that -- it's worth it.

Very good points.

I would also posit that there are also more nonreligious or at least less pious women in your chapter than you realize. Your experiencing culture shock, which is not unusual. Southern chapters can be overwhelmingly Christian. The key is can you find your place without feeling like you are being forced to pretend to be something your not or judged for not being Christian. I suspect you can, but I hope you'll investigate before you quit. The new member period can be difficult. It's not always sunshine and roses. Adjusting can take a lot of work. Good luck. I hope what ever you decide is something you can live with.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

. . . (if anybody asks you that, just say you've found a church home - you don't have to elaborate).

I had a friend who used to say he was a "fallen Catholic"—"I get out of bed on Sunday to go to Mass and then fall back in."

Originally Posted by NutBrnHair

As I matured, I found others who believed differently and we formed close friendships.

Having grown up in a small Southern town, I found one of the most valuable lessons in fraternity life was to see guys who weren't like me as brothers. It was easy to consider guys with similar backgrounds as mine as my brothers. But learning to see guys from very different backgrounds not just as friends but as brothers is a lesson that has stuck with me.

I'm not saying the OP should stick it out when it doesn't feel right just to learn this same lesson. But I wouldn't discount the possibility of forming some real bonds either.

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

Regarding the religion thing, I can definitely feel your pain. While I was in college I still considered myself Catholic, but now as an adult I really consider myself agnostic (believe there is a god of some sort, not a fan of organized religion). This is something that people of strong faith REALLY can't wrap their mind around.

Some of us can

[DubaiSis]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I had a friend who used to say he was a "fallen Catholic"—"I get out of bed on Sunday to go to Mass and then fall back in."

I call myself a Recovering Catholic. I have yet to relapse. I have successfully been on the wagon for about 15 years.

[Jill1228]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

I call myself a Recovering Catholic. I have yet to relapse. I have successfully been on the wagon for about 15 years.

Join the club. I'm recovering too

[scrapcat]

Originally Posted by Jill1228

Join the club. I'm recovering too

Funny but I've always called myself "NPC". Or non- practicing catholic! So when I read about the NPC here I just giggle....