"Christian" GLOs

[Kevin]

How does everyone feel about these things? They aren't NIC/NPC, they operate outside of the confines of our recruitment processes, they have houses, they generally compete for a lot of the same members we do.

I'm conflicted--while I generally have no problem with a little competition, by them calling themselves "Christian," the implication is that everyone else is not. I really haven't seen these groups have much of an impact at my school, but they appear to be growing and adding more chapters.

Has anyone had experiences with these groups where they've become more established?

[DSTRen13]

The Christian sorority we had on my campus was extremely conservative and very "in your face" about it. (They're still on campus, but can't speak as to whether they are still as rude now as they were then.) Their definition of what it means to be Christian is very ... precise. Again, I don't know if this is still the case, but it used to be that they had to approve of the church you went to and checked to make sure you went regularly. There was also pretty long list of things you weren't allowed to do on their website, and I can only imagine how much longer that list must have been in private

[GTAlphaPhi]

Originally Posted by Kevin

How does everyone feel about these things? They aren't NIC/NPC, they operate outside of the confines of our recruitment processes, they have houses, they generally compete for a lot of the same members we do.

I'm conflicted--while I generally have no problem with a little competition, by them calling themselves "Christian," the implication is that everyone else is not. I really haven't seen these groups have much of an impact at my school, but they appear to be growing and adding more chapters.

Has anyone had experiences with these groups where they've become more established?

Isn't that, in fact, true? Not all members of NIC and NPC groups are Christian. Being Christian isn't a good thing or a bad thing, just as not being Christian isn't a good thing or a bad thing.

[DSTRen13]

Originally Posted by GTAlphaPhi

Isn't that, in fact, true? Not all members of NIC and NPC groups are Christian. Being Christian isn't a good thing or a bad thing, just as not being Christian isn't a good thing or a bad thing.

My interpretation of what Kevin was talking about is that often these groups will give the impression that if you join any other type of GLO, then you are making an un-Christian decision. And if you are a Christian who is not a member of a Christian GLO, then that is an insulting allegation.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by DSTRen13

My interpretation of what Kevin was talking about is that often these groups will give the impression that if you join any other type of GLO, then you are making an un-Christian decision. And if you are a Christian who is not a member of a Christian GLO, then that is an insulting allegation.

In that case, I agree. This varies but for some of the Black Christian GLOs in some cities, the overall theme is extremism and anti-Greek sentiments. And some of them are rejects.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Kevin

...the implication is that everyone else is not.

<---lane swerve???

I don't consider that the implication. There is a difference between a Christian GLO "versus" GLOs that are said to be founded on Christian principles and have founders who were Christian.

Aren't there also traditionally Jewish GLOs in the NPC and NIC? Do all of those GLOs consider themselves Jewish GLOs? Genuine question.

I think it's also important to note that the Greek cliche' of "founded on Christian principles" is widely debated among some members of some GLOs. While I love Jesus and also love Delta (not as much as I love Jesus), I wouldn't have been interested in Delta if it was a "Christian sorority."

[33girl]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Aren't there also traditionally Jewish GLOs in the NPC and NIC? Do all of those GLOs consider themselves Jewish GLOs? Genuine question.

Some chapters are almost completely Jewish, some are not. SDT, for instance, has a chapter at York College of Pa (in the middle of nowhere). I would be very surprised if they are referred to as the "Jewish sorority" on campus.

Rudey had a couple good posts on this while he was here.

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh....php?p=1162687

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...d.php?p=832947

Originally Posted by DrPhil

I think it's also important to note that the Greek cliche' of "founded on Christian principles" is widely debated among some members of some GLOs. While I love Jesus and also love Delta (not as much as I love Jesus), I wouldn't have been interested in Delta if it was a "Christian sorority."

I would much rather have a Christian sorority like the ones mentioned who straight up say you have to do/not do this or that, believe this or that, than a chapter of an NPC that is theoretically "non-discriminatory" but that has nightly Bible study in the house or other things that might make the non-religious uncomfortable.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I would much rather have a Christian sorority like the ones mentioned who straight up say you have to do/not do this or that, believe this or that, than a chapter of an NPC that is theoretically "non-discriminatory" but that has nightly Bible study in the house or other things that might make the non-religious uncomfortable.

One of the women in my chapter held a bible study in our den. I was conflicted, because on one hand, it was her thing, not a chapter thing, but on the other hand, I can't think of any other equivalent group that held meetings like that in our house.

[honeychile]

I see it more as how various people identify themselves. Some Latinos or Asians identify themselves by culture first, then by religion. Some Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual people would identify themselves by their sexual orientation first, then religion. Those in a Christian fraternity or sorority most likely identify themselves by their faith first, then by their culture or whatever. I really don't see the conflict.

[BluPhire]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I would much rather have a Christian sorority like the ones mentioned who straight up say you have to do/not do this or that, believe this or that, than a chapter of an NPC that is theoretically "non-discriminatory" but that has nightly Bible study in the house or other things that might make the non-religious uncomfortable.

This is probably the reason why Christian organizations do exist.

I think I said it before in another thread, but I will say it again. I would only feel that there would an issue if the organization/chapter does NOT allow people of other faiths and beliefs or non-beliefs to hold whatever they feel comfortable holding.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by BluPhire

This is probably the reason why Christian organizations do exist.

I think I said it before in another thread, but I will say it again. I would only feel that there would an issue if the organization/chapter does NOT allow people of other faiths and beliefs or non-beliefs to hold whatever they feel comfortable holding.

Well, a chapter can say till they're blue in the face "go ahead! Be a Druid! We don't care, we accept all faiths!" but if every night 2/3 of the house is sitting around talking about what Jesus did for them today, and doesn't really want to listen to you say what Druidism did for you, it's going to make the Druid uncomfortable. Technically, they're fine with it, but in practice, it's not a welcoming environment. This also becomes a problem when ABC starts getting referred to as "the born-again house" or when "tent talk" says that ABC doesn't take anyone who's not Christian.

[DSTRen13]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Well, a chapter can say till they're blue in the face "go ahead! Be a Druid! We don't care, we accept all faiths!" but if every night 2/3 of the house is sitting around talking about what Jesus did for them today, and doesn't really want to listen to you say what Druidism did for you, it's going to make the Druid uncomfortable. Technically, they're fine with it, but in practice, it's not a welcoming environment. This also becomes a problem when ABC starts getting referred to as "the born-again house" or when "tent talk" says that ABC doesn't take anyone who's not Christian.

I understand what you're saying, but really, this is true of anything. For example, universities which are technically non-sectarian can, and often do, get reputations as being extremely Christian - it's just the kind of students that they tend to attract for one reason or another. If a student can't handle being in that environment, then they probably shouldn't go to that school. Or, for another example, the company where my mom works is strongly founded on Christian principles and ethics, but anyone of any religion is welcome to work there. Honestly, though, non-Christians probably wouldn't find it to be the most comfortable environment. I guess it's just a matter of perspective - who is responsible for an individual's sense of comfort in these types of situations? The individual in choosing where to work/study/socialize/etc., or the organization in ensuring that everyone's choices will make them happy? Personally, I tend to think it lies somewhere in the middle.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

<---lane swerve???

I don't consider that the implication. There is a difference between a Christian GLO "versus" GLOs that are said to be founded on Christian principles and have founders who were Christian.

There's a difference between being Christian and being un-Christian. I think the disturbing part to me is that the implication is that non-Christian GLOs are un-Christian. It's a fine line and perhaps I'm oversensitive about this.

And as far as not being Christian, while many NIC groups are open to people from all walks of life, many (probably most) have decidedly Christian, decidedly Protestant origins. Look at the badges of Sigma Chi and Alpha Tau Omega and tell me that these groups don't have decidedly Christian character.

[KSUViolet06]

I enjoyed my NPC experience (as a Christian) in college because I valued having friends of different faith backgrounds. I doubt I would have had that opportunity in a Christian GLO. If Tri Sigma were exclusively Christian, I probably wouldn't be in it.

Random sidenote: how would a Christian GLO even know that a potential member is a Christian? Is there an application or something? lol.

[thetaj]

I rushed a Christian sorority at my first school, but did not go through initiation because I knew I was transferring. I was in the Alpha pledge class (the first one) and I did not want to become an alumna at the same time that the founders did, it felt like I would be cheating them somehow.

The chapter I was shortly involved with did not force their beliefs on anyone, but they did outline their beliefs and values in an information meeting before rush even began. There was also an interview process at the end of rush before bids were sent out, where they briefly and casually asked you about your personal beliefs. It didn't feel like judgement at all to me, and I understood where they were coming from: Having established a Christian sorority, they wanted to make sure members were all on the same page. It was very general stuff, not going into specifics. There were girls from all sorts of denominations involved.

I really enjoyed my time with them and would have been initiated and remained very active with them if I had stayed at that school.

Members were allowed to rush anywhere that would allow them (NPC, whatever APO is) but it was more of a time issue than a faith thing, that most girls did not rush both. But it was nowhere in the rules that you could not. The only rules were along the same lines as NPC: No letters while drinking, you could not take off your letters (lettered shirt) for a guy nor could a guy remove your letters from you.

I know they are a very small group of GLOs so I would love to answer any questions that I can! Sorry I'm not exactly a resident expert, though!