What Do I Say?

[Griffins&Quills]

I don't think that it should be too much of a concern for you. Even in Georgia, unless you are attending a specific religious school (i.e. a catholic university) which I'm guessing you don't, it is really a non-issue.

As DubaiSis said, it is also not good rush conversation. There are certain topics active members are encouraged to stay away from, and religion is almost always one. It's unlikely that it will come up in conversation, and on the off chance it does, just politely word your answer and move on to another topic.

As for required mass, 1) "required" is thrown around a lot in sororities, but as AOII Angel said, not 100% of the chapter attends and 2) it is possible that your friend is in a christian sorority (such as Alpha Delta Chi or Sigma Alpha Omega, the two most common christian sororities in GA I believe) in which case, I can see the required mass, otherwise, I can't see that being enforced in a traditional NPC sorority

And, as other posters have mentioned, there are religious and often christian elements in rituals, but they tend to be small parts, perhaps a bible passage relating. Just listen quietly and move on. My chapter did have a prayer request book we passed around during chapter but you could also put quotes in there, and bible study was an option for those who desired it, but it certainly was not forced upon us.

TLDR: I don't think it will be an issue for you, even in GA. It shouldn't come up during rush, NPC sororities don't generally require you to be a certain faith and don't force their beliefs on you.

[FSUZeta]

Originally Posted by Griffins&Quills

As DubaiSis said, it is also not good rush conversation. There are certain topics active members are encouraged to stay away from, and religion is almost always one. It's unlikely that it will come up in conversation, and on the off chance it does, just politely word your answer and move on to another topic.

As for required mass, 1) "required" is thrown around a lot in sororities, but as AOII Angel said, not 100% of the chapter attends and 2) it is possible that your friend is in a christian sorority (such as Alpha Delta Chi or Sigma Alpha Omega, the two most common christian sororities in GA I believe) in which case, I can see the required mass, otherwise, I can't see that being enforced in a traditional NPC sorority

Has your friend just completed her first year in her sorority? If so, while I am sure that she has the best of intentions in the information she is sharing, you should be aware that she is most familiar with her chapter, and other sororities on your campus will have their own ways of operating. Back when I was a collegiate member in the late '70's, we had one day a month where the chapter chaplain would arrange for anyone who wanted to, to attend a religious service as a group. It was not required. If you wanted to go, you just showed up at the appointed time in the foyer, dressed and ready to go. We visited a different church every month, and not just Christian churches, since we had sisters of different faiths. No one thought any less of those sisters who stayed in bed, and frankly, the majority of the chapter stayed in bed. I would be very surprised if NPC chapters are requiring members to attend religious services on a regular basis.

This is what Alpha Delta Chi says about church attendance:

Alpha Delta Chi sisters nationwide adhere to the same thirteen membership requirements. These requirements are to designed compliment the aims and purposes of Alpha Delta Chi by strengthening our sisterhood spiritually, socially, and scholastically.

Upon pledgeship sisters commit to following these thirteen membership requirements. They are:

Personal acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
Enrollment in a university where a chapter of the National Fraternity has been chartered by the National Board.
Active participation in Christian service.
Regular attendance or membership in an evangelical church or in some other church approved by the National Board.
Interest in leading others to Christ.
Willingness to avoid situations which would cause one's sister or brother to stumble.
Willingness to abstain from sexual relations until marriage.
Willingness to abstain from smoking and illegal use of drugs.
Willingness to abstain from alcohol in circumstances where the Christian witness would be adversely affected.
A scholarship rating of at least a "C" or its equivalent maintained in all university work.
Passage of annual examinations on the National Constitution, II Corinthians 3, and the active chapter's bylaws.
Procurement of a membership pin.
Payment upon graduation or leaving the university, of an amount specified by the chapter to their Scholarship and Housing Funds.

This is what SAO says:

We are a Christian social sorority. First of all we are founded in Christ and secondly in sisterhood. We encourage one another to grow in love through life in Christ. Some of the ways in which we fellowship include Bible studies, social activities, retreats, and service projects. Sigma Alpha Omega® is a great way to get involved and enjoy college life while remaining true to your identity as a child of God.

We are a Christian social sorority. First of all we are founded in Christ and secondly in sisterhood. We encourage one another to grow in love through life in Christ. Some of the ways in which we fellowship include Bible studies, social activities, retreats, and service projects. Sigma Alpha Omega® is a great way to get involved and enjoy college life while remaining true to your identity as a child of God.

[Sciencewoman]

We have a written, open policy of non-discrimination and I do not think any non-Christian should have any concerns about joining Gamma Phi. That's all I'm saying.