Potential Touchy Subject!

[missnatural]

Ahh. Thanks for clarifying. I was really stressing, because it's such a HUGE part of my life, and I'd feel awful having to not allow myself to chat at least casually about it.

[HannahXO]

I might stay away from "Jesus is my personal savior. How do you feel about Him?"

But it's totally fine to talk about being active in your Church, how that's been a support system for you, and how you've met greeks there, or expressing interest in religious groups on campus. And of course, your major is 100% OK to talk about. When I went through recruitment, one of my major leadership activities was through a religious group. That is fine to discuss.

[psusue]

Originally Posted by missnatural

Ahh. Thanks for clarifying. I was really stressing, because it's such a HUGE part of my life, and I'd feel awful having to not allow myself to chat at least casually about it.

I would consider myself a pretty serious Christian as well and I was very, very involved with my youth group and church in high school and Campus Crusade in college. During recruitment the things I did in youth group and Campus Crusade (I rushed as a junior) definitely came up, but I always just said how it grew me as a person and gave me a wonderful, close community and how I was looking for that in Greek life as well. It only gets weird if you're talking about how much Jesus means to you when you're talking to a Buddhist (or devout atheist). Just be respectful and if you're unsure about whether or not it would be awkward to say, err on the side of caution. Obviously if you end up joining you'll probably have more in-depth conversations about deeper and more meaningful things, but there is a time and a place for that. If you wouldn't talk about it during a job interview or first date, it might also come off as strange or off putting while you're meeting these women for only 5 or so minutes each during recruitment. Best of luck to you, let us know how it goes!

[UGAalum94]

Yep, that's how I see it too. Recruitment is no place to evangelize or proselytize, but you don't have to hide who you are either. Since you will be trying to gain membership in a primarily social organization, however, you probably want to make sure that your conversational topics are varied.

While I doubt being strongly religious would be a problem at very many chapters, being the recruitment guest who can talk only about religion might be.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Religion as a course of study isn't the same thing as theology.

Yeah, don't say your major is something it isn't. That would make you sound like an idiot. It's called what it's called.

Theoretically, you can be a religion major and be an atheist.

[DubaiSis]

My biggest rush crush was a mortuary sciences major. Speaking of things you shouldn't discuss during rush! My bump wanted to kill me, but what was I gonna do?

If you keep in mind that the person you're speaking with may not have anywhere near the same views as you and address the issue accordingly, you should be fine. And you will absolutely positively be asked what's your major and why. Now is the time to come up with a clear, concise answer that shows your passion without sounding like The Church Lady.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Yeah, don't say your major is something it isn't. That would make you sound like an idiot. It's called what it's called.

Theoretically, you can be a religion major and be an atheist.

Yes, I was only going with theology as I've not heard of a Bachelors in Religion. If it's Religious Studies or something similar, or whatever it is actually called use that.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

Yes, I was only going with theology as I've not heard of a Bachelors in Religion. If it's Religious Studies or something similar, or whatever it is actually called use that.

You can major in religion at many schools. The degree will probably be a bachelor of arts, as it's considered part of the humanities.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

You can major in religion at many schools. The degree will probably be a bachelor of arts, as it's considered part of the humanities.

Well yeah a BA in religion is what I meant. I guess I've only ever seen 'religious studies' or theology but then my selection of schools has probably been biased on those lines.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

Well yeah a BA in religion is what I meant. I guess I've only ever seen 'religious studies' or theology but then my selection of schools has probably been biased on those lines.

It certainly one of those things different schools call different things. I've seen "religion," "religious studies," "religion and culture," "comparative religion" and others. In the schools I'm familiar with, theology would be a different, more specialized course of study, as theology usually implies a Judeo-Christian focus, whereas the more general "religion"-related terms do not.

Bottom line: The OP should refer to her major however her school refers to it.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

It certainly one of those things different schools call different things. I've seen "religion," "religious studies," "religion and culture," "comparative religion" and others. In the schools I'm familiar with, theology would be a different, more specialized course of study, as theology usually implies a Judeo-Christian focus, whereas the more general "religion"-related terms do not.

Bottom line: The OP should refer to her major however her school refers to it.

Agreed.

[missnatural]

Haha. At my school, it is indeed religion. But I intend on going into the ministry after college, so either way it's sort of Christian-based. Thanks, y'all!