Answer to the Iota Theta Eta Question....

[DSTRen13]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

So I ask that you be as accepting of my spiritual beliefs as I am of yours. Quoting Biblical scripture means nothing to me.

What?! You mean that quoting the Bible for proof won't convince people to believe in the Bible?!?

[RozRochelle]

Those of us who are Christians are one in the Body of Christ, despite our different approaches, and we have a responsibility to support and uphold one another, especially when one of us comes under attack as ITE did. Whom among us believers - besides me and the OP's sorors - have come on here and offered ITE public support and encouragement in the face of the ridicule and mockery they have received?

But how many believers were quick to jump down my throat for what I said in my response to the OP -- yet ignoring the topic of the thread? Even an admitted non-believer has been more positive than ITE's fellow GC Christians. If I am wrong, show me, I will gladly admit it.

ITE doesn't have to get an invite to Stomp Fest (whatever that is, if it's even a real event), but some kind of encouragement from other Christians would be nice, and I'm sure appreciated. As a whole, I feel GC's Christians have left their sisters in Christ blowing in the wind. That is not the way of our Lord when it comes to His people.

Originally Posted by pinkies up

Support for what?? What you want us to do? Invite them to Stomp Fest?

[AKA_Monet]

1. A website does NOT make or break a SORORITY.

Although quite "pretty", the story and font basis of the sorority's website is lost in the discussion, which made it too confusing. Moreover, I have to read font from non-contrasting colors that causes me to squint.

Well, I surf to more important websites related to my career, I do not feel like reading all that information I could not get it in 2-4 bullet points.

2. People do not care what your confession of faith is. Most of us are under the United States constitution and believe in freedom of religion. That includes those who are decidedly atheists. That does not constitute YOUR judgement.

3. An organization's legitimacy CANNOT be predicated and relayed to others by only YOUR epistemologies. You may convince SOME individuals to join, but it seems the organizations that are lasting are about the true meaning of Christ's mission and Church.

How much are you willing to sacrifice for Christ? Your life?

[epchick]

Originally Posted by RozRochelle

...but some kind of encouragement from other Christians would be nice, and I'm sure appreciated. As a whole, I feel GC's Christians have left their sisters in Christ blowing in the wind. That is not the way of our Lord when it comes to His people.

Wow, i guess i must have missed that part of scripture...

Is it essential to the life of ITE that you get GC support?

And i just gotta jump on the bandwagon--I wasn't aware that I had to proclaim that Jesus Christ is my Lord and personal Savior in a forum for fraternity and sorority organizations.

[RozRochelle]

I was quoting to the original poster and to the original poster only. She made it clear she was a Christian, so I posted the quote to her, from one Christian to another. It was not for anybody else. I don't accept your spiritual beliefs, but I'm not going to disrespect you by putting you down or trying to convince you to believe otherwise, either. I don't have a heaven or a hell to put anybody in.

Originally Posted by ladygreek

So I ask that you be as accepting of my spiritual beliefs as I am of yours. Quoting Biblical scripture means nothing to me.

[dgdramadawg]

Originally Posted by epchick

I wasn't aware that I had to proclaim that Jesus Christ is my Lord and personal Savior in a forum for fraternity and sorority organizations.

And don't forget the part where we also have to support an organization that judges other sororities on its national website while also admitting to know nothing about them. I guess I'm missing that page of the Bible...?

[RozRochelle]

I just want to make it clear that I'm not a member of ITE. But, as they are Christians, they are my sisters in Christ and that's why I'm speaking up.

Is it essential to them to have GC support? In my non-ITE opinion, I hope not. But, also in my opinion, I think it would have been nice if other Christians on GC had shown them some support, especially since they were being ridiculed primarily on the basis of their Christian beliefs.

I'm not addressing the rest of what you wrote.

Originally Posted by epchick

Wow, i guess i must have missed that part of scripture...

Is it essential to the life of ITE that you get GC support?

And i just gotta jump on the bandwagon--I wasn't aware that I had to proclaim that Jesus Christ is my Lord and personal Savior in a forum for fraternity and sorority organizations.

[modorney]

I'd cut these ladies a lot of slack. They are on a mission, and are straight up with what they want out of life. As far as the symbolism of the greek letters and what they may look like, that's their call, we all stretch our symbolism a bit.

As far as naming chapters, whether you use greek letters, or non-greek words (like California Alpha) or some other alphabet like Hebrew or Katakana, what's the big deal? Or, like one house that uses the greek alphabet, but not in the normal alphabetic sequence?

Most of us are in GLO's with a prior history of restricting members to one religion. Over time, that evolved into most of our houses that allow any religion today. Some "encourage" one religion, but admit anyone who is comfortable with, but not a member of, that religion.

(Protestant) Christianity has evolved into a few large megachurches of more than a thousand, each. The neighborhood church of a few hundred parishoners that all knew each other, with a staff of half a dozen, is fading from the scene. The megachurches feature a well-produced service, with a distinct worship team of musicians, that is distinct from the large audience.

The "business model" of these churches does not lend itself to fellowship, the worship service is the biggest priority. As a result, Christian fraternities and sororities fill this vacuum. Just like they did a century ago, when Billy Sunday preached in large tents and tabernacles. That happened to be one of the greatest growth periods for GLO's.

Just because nobody here talks about Religion doesn't mean they don't practice it - this is a greek forum, not a religion forum. That doesn't mean you can't bring it up, it's a forum, so anything that's not offensive is OK. If you aren't into that religion, just ignore the posts.

GLO's are organizations, and we can learn from other organizations - whether they be corporations, non-profits, churches, or even other styles of GLO. Greek life faces a lot of challenges, we need to work together, what's good for one greek is good for all.

[Sock Puppet2]

FHITY?

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by RozRochelle

I just want to make it clear that I'm not a member of ITE. But, as they are Christians, they are my sisters in Christ and that's why I'm speaking up.

Is it essential to them to have GC support? In my non-ITE opinion, I hope not. But, also in my opinion, I think it would have been nice if other Christians on GC had shown them some support, especially since they were being ridiculed primarily on the basis of their Christian beliefs.

I'm not addressing the rest of what you wrote.

One's religion does not mean that one is right in what one does.
Doing something in the name of one's religion or one's God does not mean that one is right in what one does.
Doing the right thing is doing something for God.

No one was ridiculing them based on their Christian beliefs, but on their poor use of Greek, their insulting attitude toward other sororities and yes, that the entire sorority from improper Greek letters (TWICE) to the pledging process was divinely inspired. Even then, most people said that if it worked for them, so be it, but thankfully God gave us the ability to think that something is weird as hell.

I am not honor bound as a Christian to support another Christian regardless of her actions. I do not support priests who molest children, preachers who have affairs and do drugs, or Christians who forget Jesus' lessons on humility. If God had wanted sheep he wouldn't have given us free will.

(And if you've missed the many discussions about religion on here, you aren't looking. Don't open your mouth and claim things like you did if you don't educate yourself first. )

[moe.ron]

Originally Posted by liveit07

Heathens? Holier than thou attitudes? Apparently, none of you fully understand what Christian organizations are about. First of all the organization, just like the church, are the people that form it. The organization is Iota Theta Eta.... "ITE" for those that did not understand. There is a play on letters being that the Theta is shaped like an O - I owe Him...He died for me so I live for Him" That is all... there is no deeper explanation. Yes, This is an organization founded by One person, I am not sure why the criticism on that note? Anyhow, the founder, as all Christian women do, has a personal relationship with a Her Lord and Savior. Through prayer and meditation - which most Christian women do - she had an idea, a dream, and she went to her Father (heavenly of course) for permission and confirmation. That is all, that is all the divine inspiration one needs. It is nothing difficult to understand there.
Unlike some other organizations, ITE is strictly Bible based. This is a group of women that joined together in the bonds of Christian Unity to build each other up, empower each other and to support each other in our faith. That is the Alternative part....It has absolutely nothing to do with Academics, it is Community Based, it is not a "be what you want to be", "how you want to be", "when and where you want to be" type thing. These are women STRIVING to live for God's purpose. Notice the striving. These women are not holier than though, nor have that attitude, frankly I can't stand that either. They can really care less where you are on your PERSONAL spiritual journey with God as long as you are striving to live for His purpose. If you fall as we all do, there is now someone to lift you up. Yes, sometimes you can find this type of thing in our churches, however, unfortunately the church has more of those holier than though type attitudes you speak of in this chatroom, than anyone really wants to deal with. This is not a fake thing. It is not a you vs me thing, this is a God thing and no one is going to distract us from this. We are learning more about how we live, learning more about how we should live and keeping each other company in Christ through His Word.
There are some of us that have been involved in other Greek Letter Organizations and to tell you the truth, it has absoluetley nothing to do with you. No one is dogging anyone out, the way I have seen us dogged out here. The difference between This organization and many others, is that we are all about our walks with Christ and empowering each other to stay on that path.
Oh, as for the chapter names...It is not a Greek thing.... Alpha and Omega....God is the Alpha and the Omega... the beginning and the end.... No need to further explain that one...As for the words in between look them up, if you like, for their biblical reference and to what they mean.
Our spirituality is not a joke. We can not speak for other Christian Fraternities and Sororities, because even with them, there will be differences and similarities. But that does not make us enemies...We are all Sisters and Brothers in Christ and should love each other accordingly. Not try to tear each other down for things we don't undrerstand, nor judge each other. BTW - The reason we are in this chat room is because someone gave us a heads up that we were being slammed. So, we came to check it out for ourselves.
Any other information you would like to know, just ask? Nothing is secretive here. Pics on the website are for our family and friends, our rituals are open, everything that goes on and is said, you can read about it in the Holy Bible, doesn't matter what version. There is nothing for us to hide from or be ashamed to show others. So anything else on your mind, or perhaps that you don't understand...Please feel free to contact us and ask.

Anybody got the cliffnote?

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

One's religion does not mean that one is right in what one does.
Doing something in the name of one's religion or one's God does not mean that one is right in what one does.
Doing the right thing is doing something for God.

No one was ridiculing them based on their Christian beliefs, but on their poor use of Greek, their insulting attitude toward other sororities and yes, that the entire sorority from improper Greek letters (TWICE) to the pledging process was divinely inspired. Even then, most people said that if it worked for them, so be it, but thankfully God gave us the ability to think that something is weird as hell.

I am not honor bound as a Christian to support another Christian regardless of her actions. I do not support priests who molest children, preachers who have affairs and do drugs, or Christians who forget Jesus' lessons on humility. If God had wanted sheep he wouldn't have given us free will.

(And if you've missed the many discussions about religion on here, you aren't looking. Don't open your mouth and claim things like you did if you don't educate yourself first. )

Ms. Drolle,

It doesn't matter how well you explain something to them, they fail to understand... I've tried several times and they have called me "all kinna names but a child of God..." Their MO is to belittle others for self-aggrandizement. I don't care if they disagree with me or anyone else, but they cannot debate and argue point by point. Then they want YOUR gratification for saying they cannot argue your points with a personal attacks...

Good luck though!

I am just wondering where all the Rev. Fred Hatcher Ministries cult members--I mean membership are...

They just bash the NPHC Sororities--guess we are the easiest since we were founded by African American women nearly 100 years ago...

ETA: good post though! Really interesting POV...

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by moe.ron

Anybody got the cliffnote?

HAAAA HAAAA!!! I was going to do a medical psych evaluation. Here is a classic sign for mania. The actual MD Consult is in the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. threads.

[moe.ron]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

HAAAA HAAAA!!! I was going to do a medical psych evaluation. Here is a classic sign for mania. The actual MD Consult is in the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. threads.

What are you doing up this late?

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by RozRochelle

I was quoting to the original poster and to the original poster only. She made it clear she was a Christian, so I posted the quote to her, from one Christian to another. It was not for anybody else. I don't accept your spiritual beliefs, but I'm not going to disrespect you by putting you down or trying to convince you to believe otherwise, either. I don't have a heaven or a hell to put anybody in.

That's fine. You don't accept my spiritual beliefs. But I accept yours, because they are yours. As a Humanist we believe in the intrinisic good of Humans, and we believe you make your own Heaven or Hell while living. So you are right, neither or yours to put anybody in.

And for those of us Humanists who do believe in a Higher Power, we feel that He/She smiles upon us, too.