What Do I Say?

[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.

[BraveMaroon]

I am a Secular Humanist who went to college in Ga. I joined a historically Christian sorority and never felt pressure in or outside of ritual because of my beliefs. In fact, my Little Sister and I first bonded because she is Jewish and was worried about ritual, etc. The pledge trainer knew my background and sent her to me for a heart to heart.

I'm not guaranteeing you'll never be uncomfortable. Living in the South as a non Christian still leaves me uncomfortable at times. Like the HS graduation last night that opened with a Christian prayer. At a PUBLIC SCHOOL.

But I thought our ritual was lovely and fine and, yes... there were a few times I just didn't say the words.

And please understand. In a sorority of any size you'll have the whole spectrum of beliefs. I even went to Church once or twice to see what I thought about it.

Just keep an open mind and trust yourself.

[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.

[clemsongirl]

Originally Posted by BraveMaroon

I am a Secular Humanist who went to college in Ga. I joined a historically Christian sorority and never felt pressure in or outside of ritual because of my beliefs. In fact, my Little Sister and I first bonded because she is Jewish and was worried about ritual, etc. The pledge trainer knew my background and sent her to me for a heart to heart.

I'm not guaranteeing you'll never be uncomfortable. Living in the South as a non Christian still leaves me uncomfortable at times. Like the HS graduation last night that opened with a Christian prayer. At a PUBLIC SCHOOL.

But I thought our ritual was lovely and fine and, yes... there were a few times I just didn't say the words.

And please understand. In a sorority of any size you'll have the whole spectrum of beliefs. I even went to Church once or twice to see what I thought about it.

Just keep an open mind and trust yourself.

Could not agree with this more. The amount of overt Christianity I see in the South still makes me uncomfortable more often than I care to admit, not because there's anything inherently wrong with it but because I was raised in a society where religion wasn't discussed at all outside of church. I've found in my chapter that while we do offer many opportunities for religious and spiritual growth, none of them are mandatory or come with punishment if you don't attend.

Like BraveMaroon said, all chapters, especially ones as large as at UGA, are going to have a range of women in every way. You'll find at least one other person who feels the same way you do, even if they aren't necessarily the most vocal about their beliefs.

[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.

[DGTess]

Not having been through a southern rush, I'm thinking the OP could ask during one of the parties what the chapter functions are, and which beside chapter meetings are mandatory. Obviously not at first party, but before pref, no?

[carnation]

If the OP is at West Georgia (she posted something about DZ coming there), I am really thinking that she has nothing to worry about re: required church.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by DGTess

Not having been through a southern rush, I'm thinking the OP could ask during one of the parties what the chapter functions are, and which beside chapter meetings are mandatory. Obviously not at first party, but before pref, no?

Weelll, that can kind of come off like you're asking what's the least amount of time you can contribute and get by.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by carnation

If the OP is at West Georgia (she posted something about DZ coming there), I am really thinking that she has nothing to worry about re: required church.

FYI: Carnation has a lot of knowledge about Georgia schools.

[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.