Is being in a fraternity or sorority against Christianity?!?

[Princess4real]

Originally Posted by missann

So why is that reason (or any reason) so funny? Do you think it's impossible for a certain group of ladies to come across as immature or simply "extra"? I can understand a mature person not feeling the need to pledge an organization in order to conduct community service or other activities.

This sentiment is confusing. Again it seems as though you assume everyone desires to join a sorority and is jealous if they aren't in one. You're projecting the same "bashing" dynamic you accuse non-members of exercising.

When people say that it seems like they think only immature women join a sorority, IMO. I'm sorry, but I do find that to be funny if that is what the person believes. I see we are not getting anywhere, enjoy your weekend Miss Ann.

[Princess4real]

Originally Posted by myoung

Let me start by some organizations no longer say Pledge because of the stigma behind it. This is their way of speaking out against those things that they do NOT believe in.

I think that what Princess4Real might have been trying to say is that if a person does not want to join a certain organization for whatever reason then there isn't anything wrong with that....clearly there is something for everyone and this is the reason why there are a variety of organizations. But in the meantime, don't try to put yourself on a pedestel or more importantly, down others in order to justify your reason for not wanting to join. If the mature person was really interested in the organization and their mission they would look at the big picture and possibly wait to join a grad chapter instead of downing the entire Organization or organizations. If not, maybe they can just find another one (a Church ministry, NAACP, educational field or whatever) that is more in line with their interests.

Another thing, I hear alot of people saying that they do not need to join a Sorority to perform community service. The funny thing is those are the same folks that I have yet to see perform any community service.

Just my two cents...now we can get back to whether or not it is against Christianity.

Exactly!

[NitaChantell]

I'm soooooooo excited about this thread!!! I am seriously considering two NPHC Sororities, but I'm sooo indecisive.I'm doing A LOT of research, but it can go both ways! I have a few questions for you ladies in BLGOs:
1.How did you chose? Like, how did you know "this is for me?"
2.What about hazing..it's supposed to be illegal...but I hear a lot of scary/crazy things on my campus
3. What's the purpose of social isolation??????
4.Why does it cost so freaking much????????????????

[Mai Tai]

I am not greek but I agree with the fact that regardless of what organization you choose, whether it is a GLO, a professional or social org., etc the key is that you have to pray about it first.

I think we live in a world where anything secret, hidden, or privileged is automatically deemed evil. Instead of people having their own beliefs, and respecting those of others, many people find comfort in condemning others, thus exhaulting(sp) themselves. It is such a hypocrisy.

If I understand the tone of this thread correctly then I can conclude that all GLO are evil-doing organizations, that are rooted in satanism and the occult because members take a vow, are sworn to secrecy, and wear letters and symbols? Was that the whole point of the thread? Or was this subject matter introduced so that Non-greek Christians, can learn about Christians in GLOs and hopefully form some sort of understanding that can help someone decide whether joining a sorority is a good choice to make?

Were the extreme religious views in this thread meant for people who take other types of vows also? Are we supposed to go through life never making promises to anyone or anything in fear of being struck down?

What about those who take marriage vows? Or the soldier who pledges to protect his country? Should we not pledge allegiance to the flag in grade school? Should Obama be wearing a cross on the lapel of his suit jacket, instead of the American flag?

If one can vow to a marriage in the PRESENCE of GOD, recite an oath of loyalty to the Republic of the United States of America to remain one nation UNDER GOD, then why can't one join a sorority/fraternity still PRAISE GOD?

[Princess4real]

Originally Posted by Mai Tai

I am not greek but I agree with the fact that regardless of what organization you choose, whether it is a GLO, a professional or social org., etc the key is that you have to pray about it first.

I think we live in a world where anything secret, hidden, or privileged is automatically deemed evil. Instead of people having their own beliefs, and respecting those of others, many people find comfort in condemning others, thus exhaulting(sp) themselves. It is such a hypocrisy.

If I understand the tone of this thread correctly then I can conclude that all GLO are evil-doing organizations, that are rooted in satanism and the occult because members take a vow, are sworn to secrecy, and wear letters and symbols? Was that the whole point of the thread? Or was this subject matter introduced so that Non-greek Christians, can learn about Christians in GLOs and hopefully form some sort of understanding that can help someone decide whether joining a sorority is a good choice to make?

Were the extreme religious views in this thread meant for people who take other types of vows also? Are we supposed to go through life never making promises to anyone or anything in fear of being struck down?

What about those who take marriage vows? Or the soldier who pledges to protect his country? Should we not pledge allegiance to the flag in grade school? Should Obama be wearing a cross on the lapel of his suit jacket, instead of the American flag?

If one can vow to a marriage in the PRESENCE of GOD, recite an oath of loyalty to the Republic of the United States of America to remain one nation UNDER GOD, then why can't one join a sorority/fraternity still PRAISE GOD?

AMEN!

[divya]

Originally Posted by Mai Tai

I am not greek but I agree with the fact that regardless of what organization you choose, whether it is a GLO, a professional or social org., etc the key is that you have to pray about it first.

I think we live in a world where anything secret, hidden, or privileged is automatically deemed evil. Instead of people having their own beliefs, and respecting those of others, many people find comfort in condemning others, thus exhaulting(sp) themselves. It is such a hypocrisy.

If I understand the tone of this thread correctly then I can conclude that all GLO are evil-doing organizations, that are rooted in satanism and the occult because members take a vow, are sworn to secrecy, and wear letters and symbols? Was that the whole point of the thread? Or was this subject matter introduced so that Non-greek Christians, can learn about Christians in GLOs and hopefully form some sort of understanding that can help someone decide whether joining a sorority is a good choice to make?

Were the extreme religious views in this thread meant for people who take other types of vows also? Are we supposed to go through life never making promises to anyone or anything in fear of being struck down?

What about those who take marriage vows? Or the soldier who pledges to protect his country? Should we not pledge allegiance to the flag in grade school? Should Obama be wearing a cross on the lapel of his suit jacket, instead of the American flag?

If one can vow to a marriage in the PRESENCE of GOD, recite an oath of loyalty to the Republic of the United States of America to remain one nation UNDER GOD, then why can't one join a sorority/fraternity still PRAISE GOD?

Marriage and sorority/fraternity life are not comparable for purposes of this discussion. The first is an institution given to humanity by God, the second is not. I believe we stand in dangerous ground when we demote Divine institutions to the level of human ones...

ETA: Under God was added to the Constitution in 1954, and it is not required for one to recite the pledge.

[LovinLocks]

Yeah, it is!

I haven't even read the entire thread but I am almost sure some good Christian here answered the why-fors. Read any post about allegiance and there you have it.

This was "interesting" for me to acknowledge 'cause nobody was more 'down' for DST than I. Yet, I love it when the Bible speaks of being "a two-edged sword; discerning intentions of the heart". God's word ain't no joke.

[LovinLocks]

[COLOR=Blue]

Originally Posted by msa

Please please please, if you have scriptures, share them. PLEASE. I've been asking over and over and over again and no one has shared any. I want to know if I missed something or if I read something and just didn't take it to heart. This discussion would have been much richer if it had been based on scripture from start to end, and not opinion.

Okaaay ya wanna talk scripture lemme take a stab at this, please. I have counted no less than 13 scriptures and could go on and on, but the discerning individual will see. These scriptures were chosen based upon the reader having inside knowledge of what sorority/fraternity pledging is allllll about and keeping it real.

Jehovah’s Jealousy. Jehovah describes himself as “a God exacting exclusive devotion.” (Ex 20:5, ftn; De 4:24; 5:9; 6:15) He also says: “Jehovah, whose name is Jealous, he is a jealous God.” (Ex 34:14) Over what and with what kind of jealousy? Not with the envious, selfish jealousy of humans. It is a jealousy, a zeal or ardor for his holy name, concerning which he himself says: “I will show exclusive devotion for my holy name.”—Eze 39:25.

The Scriptures make it clear that, to please God, one must “flee from idolatry.” (1 Cor. 10:14) It is also well known that the second of the Ten Commandments says: “You must not make for yourself a carved image or a form like anything that is in the heavens above or that is on the earth underneath or that is in the waters under the earth. You must not bow down to them nor be induced to serve them, because I Jehovah your God am a God exacting exclusive devotion.” (Ex. 20:4, 5) Yet national emblems bear such likenesses, and they are viewed as sacred, which means that saluting them takes on a religious significance. As pointed out by Arnold Toynbee, it is worship that is given to the flag; and, bearing this out, the governor of Virginia in the United States not long ago declared: “I not only respect, I worship the flag of my country.” In the light of these facts it can be seen that it is not out of disrespect for the flag, but out of obedience to Jehovah God, that Christians refrain from saluting the flag.

But, someone may protest, how can you say that flags come under that Scriptural prohibition when the Bible itself shows that even the Israelites had ensigns or standards around which their three-tribe divisions gathered while in the wilderness? (Num. 2:2) In this connection the comment made in McClintock and Strong’s Cyclopædia is of interest. After discussing the Hebrew words used, it says: “Neither of them, however, expresses the idea which ‘standard’ conveys to our minds, viz. a flag.” Furthermore, they were not viewed as sacred, nor were any ceremonies associated with their use. They simply served the practical purpose of signs, showing the people where to gather.

NATIONAL ANTHEMS

Standing while the national anthem is played carries with it a significance similar to saluting the flag. In fact, the flag is frequently displayed when the anthem is played, so that, to Jehovah’s witnesses, participation in one ceremony would be comparable to participation in the other.

In this connection the Bible records an incident that is very much in point. The third chapter of Daniel reports that in ancient Babylon King Nebuchadnezzar set up an image, a symbol of the State, and commanded the people to worship it when certain music was played. It was in effect a patriotic ceremony, and participation was viewed as evidence of loyalty. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, three faithful Hebrew servants of God, refused to participate, not because of any disloyalty to the State but because they reserved their worship for Jehovah God, who requires exclusive devotion. When officials took steps to punish them, Jehovah unmistakably demonstrated his approval of the course of his servants by delivering them unsinged from the fiery furnace.

Oftentimes national anthems are, at least in part, hymns or prayers that have been set to music. They give expression to petitions or praise to God. For that reason, as reported in the New York Times of August 30, 1962, after the United States Supreme Court had ruled that school officials could not compose a prayer and then have the students repeat it as part of their school activities, the school board involved in the case wanted to adopt part of the national anthem as the official school prayer.

Since the matter of prayer is involved in the national anthem, what the Bible has to say on this subject is also pertinent. It is true that there are many religious leaders who regularly in their churches pray for the various institutions of the world and who would therefore see nothing amiss in a patriotic anthem that expressed like sentiments. However, those who are governed by the Word of God cannot pray for the perpetuation of a system that the Bible shows to be out of harmony with God and for that reason due to pass away. (Jas. 4:4; 1 John 2:17) They recall God’s command to his prophet Jeremiah, who lived in the midst of a people who professed to serve God but whose society was permeated with stealing, murdering, committing of adultery, false swearing and idolatry: “Do not pray in behalf of this people, neither raise in their behalf an entreating cry or a prayer nor beseech me, for I shall not be listening to you.” (Jer. 7:9, 16; 11:14; 14:11) The situation today is not at all unlike the one that prevailed in Jeremiah’s time, and Christians wisely take note of God’s specific command regarding prayer under such circumstances. They also are aware of the precedent that Jesus Christ set when he said: “I make request, not concerning the world.” (John 17:9) Therefore, it is not out of any self-righteousness on their part, but in imitation of Christ and out of obedience to God that Jehovah’s witnesses refrain from indicating their participation in the sentiments of the occasion by standing when the national anthem is played.

Of course, it is true that not all national anthems include petitions to God. Some are war songs extolling the country and recounting the nation’s fight for independence or the wars fought to preserve its sovereignty. But this does not change the situation as far as the Witnesses are concerned. They cannot exult over the wars of any nation. They are governed by the inspired scripture that says: “Though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage warfare according to what we are in the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly.” (2 Cor. 10:3, 4) They submit to the judgment of God that requires his people to be at peace. As foretold at Isaiah 2:4:God “will certainly render judgment among the nations and set matters straight respecting many peoples. And they will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears . . . neither will they learn war any more.” All this emphasizes the fact that Christians are to be no part of the world. This is as Jesus said it would be. With reference to his followers he declared: “They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world.” (John 17:14)

[msa]

^^^LovinLocks, maybe I'm just dense and not making the connection, but what does that article have to do with the subject at hand?

[LovinLocks]

Originally Posted by msa

^^^LovinLocks, maybe I'm just dense and not making the connection, but what does that article have to do with the subject at hand?

Hello msa,

Your question just made me realize something. I started out by saying "These scriptures were chosen based upon the reader having inside knowledge of what sorority/fraternity pledging is allllll about and keeping it real." Well other people's pledging experience and knowledge may have been unlike mine (duh, to self). So, the article may seem like gobblety gook. I was trying to respond without dogging out sorority practices (again which is why I was targeting folk with knowledge of pledging which is not too far fetched from what many have seen portrayed in the media). So, even going by that example alone exclusive devotion (as far as Christianity is concerned) and as far as scripture goes to one . . . Jehovah God. The article goes on to discuss idolatry . . . again, I can not speak for everyone's Greek experience however I have firsthand knowledge that it is ripe with idolatry among other things. That's what the article has to do with whether or not Frats and Sor. are against Christianity.