What Do I Say?

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

Sure, but the OP has every right to feel uncomfortable in a chapter that does this.

Of course, she does, but understand that culturally in the South, church is second nature. Most chapters whether or not they are overtly religious will have very conservative members. Like any sorority, however, my experience in a chapter that had monthly church was that the chapter was not "religious". We didn't have bible studies and members were very social. It was part of the social norm to go to church. The OP sounds like she WANTS to be a part of the Greek life in her new college. She may have to put up with a little bit of discomfort with the religious aspects of life in Georgia. It's less about the sororities and more about the social expectations of small town South.

Personally, I wouldn't bring up your religious beliefs. I think you can gauge talking to people during recruitment how overly religious they are. If you get the feeling that they are hyper-religious, don't join. Most chapters will have a range of women from super religious to not religious or even atheist. I hope wouldn't find a chapter concerned that you aren't a christian in this day and age. Honestly, in the Bible belt of Louisiana, I had a non-Chrisitian sister in 1993. There was some dissent about that, but she was accepted and her sister after her. Sometimes people don't even know that it's a possibility that a non-Christian could make good sisters until they meet someone and realize they aren't the bogeyman they were led to believe. Your religious beliefs are your personal business. I don't see it coming up in recruitment at all. I wouldn't worry too much. I can't see any chapter requiring WEEKLY church attendance. That's nuts. 20 years ago we went once a month. I thought it was too much then. Forcing religion on members isn't really the purpose of a sorority.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

Of course, she does, but understand that culturally in the South, church is second nature.

Sure, and I'm obviously not a southerner, but it's not really that helpful for Christians to reassure someone she won't feel out of place in a sorority that is really Christian.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

Sure, and I'm obviously not a southerner, but it's not really that helpful for Christians to reassure someone she won't feel out of place in a sorority that is really Christian.

You assume what my beliefs are. I am posting only as someone with a background in the South. My religious beliefs are private.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

You assume what my beliefs are. I am posting only as someone with a background in the South. My religious beliefs are private.

Sorry, I didn't mean that directed at you, just the thread in general. A lot of people are saying stuff like "oh, it's not really mandatory, don't worry," instead of stuff like "oh, it's not really mandatory, so you'll have to decide your own comfort level."

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

Sorry, I didn't mean that directed at you, just the thread in general. A lot of people are saying stuff like "oh, it's not really mandatory, don't worry," instead of stuff like "oh, it's not really mandatory, so you'll have to decide your own comfort level."

Gotcha, and I agree. She will need to decide how much she can stomach. There will be a level of religiosity inherent in Greek life at a Southern school whether or not they go to church together.