Saturday, 03 July 2010
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Sororities, Fraternities and Secret Societies: Should Christians Pledge Their Allegiance?
The secret societies of fraternities and sororities have always fascinated me. If I had known more about them in high school, I probably would've pledged in college. Belonging to a sect of people with similar views and opinions sounds like a rewarding experiencing.Especially as an African-American female, I would've like to pledge to one of the Black Sororities. But, are sororities, fraternities and secret societies outside of God's will for Christians? How might belonging to a fraternal organization impact the life of a Christian? Should Christians take the oath of fraternal organizations?
In C.S. Lewis' novel The Screwtape Letters, he pens the utility of secret society's for the devil's purposes in Chapter VII. Lewis writes: "Any small coterie, bound together by some interest which other men dislike or ignore, tends to develop inside itself a hothouse mutual admiration, and towards the outer world a great deal of pride and hatred which is entertained without shame because the "Cause" is its sponsor and it's thought to be impersonal...."
Upon first glance, fraternal organizations have the appeal of joining like-minded individuals. The other side of the coin is the ultimate reality of exclusivity which these organizations perpetuate. Of all things, God wants His people to be unified. Secret societies assemble with noble intents of unity, hope and dedication to higher morals.
Lewis continues to write: " the uneasy intensity and the defensive self righteousness of a secret society or a clique." Lewis, one of the greatest Christian authors of all times, writes that inherently secret societies are self righteous and intense. Clearly, Christians struggle with enough intensity and severe self righteousness. Why heap more on our plates?
With every new addition to their ranks, fraternal organizations violate moral codes of Christianity. A small group of older members of the sorority "pledge" the interests to test if s/he is suitable for their organization. Love is free in Christ's eyes and acceptance is a given. Should we seek acceptance into groups with people who require us to "prove" we are "good enough" for their club? This line of reasoning goes against the message of salvation and Jesus' death on a cross.
Fraternal organizations require that their members take an oath to one another and to the organization. Though the wording may be different, most oaths include this life long promise to each other and their group. I'm guessing that there isn't a mention of God in the oath, the creed or the life long promise. Christians may be in the organization but it is not necessarily a faith organization. Christians can and should partake in secular groups and activities but should we pledge our lives and its purpose to an organization that doesn't have the purpose of furthering the Gospel?
While admirable, fraternal organizations also strike a nerve of uneasiness within me. Creeds, rituals and symbols that represent their cause are eerily Middle Century cult like. Shouldn't Christians be solely represented by the cross? Not to sound like a religious fanatic, but symbols of ancient Greek lettering and colors seem unsettling in my spirit. I'm truly torn on this topic. There is an undeniable appeal to Greek organizations but I'm curious if Jesus would pledge His life to one of them.
What are your thoughts on Greek organizations? Do the fundamental beliefs and rituals of groups stand outside the inclusive loving message of Christ? If Christ were alive, which fraternal erg would He pledge to?
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- From: EBailey
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Comments (24)
Hmm, this entry is quite interesting and fascinating to me. I think you have to be the judge of the organization into which you pledge. It's hard to tell from the outside, but after one is in, one must be 100% sure that its values and actions correspond with a Christian lifestyle. Rituals are typically very secret and probably meaningful. Symbols are kind of the same way, although sometimes they're more public. I think it depends on the organization, but if the organization recognizes religion and follows the Bible well, it isn't a problem.
If Christ were alive, I feel like he wouldn't join one Greek organization because typically the focus of each one is too narrow for someone who applies so broadly. My fraternity is solely focused on band, so I can't see Jesus deciding to join mine and mine only. I feel like Greek organizations are more focused on earthly pursuits than Christ was/is.
i believe you are confused. sororities and fraternities, on college and university campuses, are not technically secret societies, because it's not a secret that they exist.
additionally, many of the nationally-recognized sororities and fraternities are founded on Christian principles. i myself am a member of a sorority, and when i went away to college i waited before entertaining thoughts of becoming part of such a group. i learned what i could about all of my options, what they believed, and i waited to be certain that i had chosen a group that would enrich my life rather than bring me down. yes, there are definitely individuals who join sororities and fraternities for the partying, or the popularity, but that's the same as anywhere.
I don't know that I would join a sorority or anything like it because it has never been my style. I dated someone in highschool for two years and one year my freshman year of college. He read a poem or pledge of a some sort to me out of his "secret" book - that he was not suppose to share with me but he did. One line of the pledge said, "I sought God and could not find him" In that instance I knew that I did not support this particular phrase. I had been praying for God to show me if the person I was dating was a Christian or not. I asked him before and he had said yes and went to church with me regularly in highschool. I asked him again based on that and he said he believed that line with all of himself and no he wasn't a Christian. I broke up not long after that, knowing I should not be dating a nonChristian.
There are tons of women in my sorority who are religious. we have bible study once a week, and a greek wide "campus crusade" for anyone who wants to join. many of my sisters go to church together too.
if christians want to be apart of the greek system, then they should do it. I think its silly to say that the greek system isn't for christians. Many of the houses have been built upon religion and Christianity.
Love this post!
Having went to a school where over a third of the students were in a frat/sor., it was unusual not to be a joiner.
I never joined one, and honestly, though it might just be my experience at a southern university, but being in a frat/sor didn't have particularly good connotations. The girls were rich, cliche-ish and skanky. The guys were less than committed to their studies, often womanizers and generally more interested in beer and football than anything else.
I do apologize for the stereotypes; I just never saw much good come out of Greek organizations beyond self-congratulation and self-promotion.
I agree with C.S. Lewis.
@StephanieP -
"I do apologize for the stereotypes; I just never saw much good come out of Greek organizations beyond self-congratulation and self-promotion."I agree with you. What's worse than fraternities in college is seeing members long after they leave college still acting like boys in college fraternities although they are now in their late 20s/30s. Still the locker room talk as if it's still cute, which it stopped being after the age of 14. Still the elitist attitudes as if they're superior to anyone who wasn't in their fraternity. A bartender at a bar I once frequented told me one evening, "These guys come in here and they are nice and polite but after 2 beers they become so loud and obnoxious I don't even want to talk to them." One effect alcohol has is to show what people are really like once they let their guards down. Talking to some people before and then after a couple of drinks is the ultimate "tell me what you really think" experience.
Have you ever seen that movie "From Hell" in which they claim Jack The Ripper is actually a Freemason and the movie goes on to depict how he commits these Masonic Ritualistic Murders? There may be some truth to C.S. Lewis's claims.
I agree with the author and for the person who said the author was confused, you might want to re-read your Bible. First we are to be set apart. In the bible it states no where that we should take part in secular activities. How are we going to influence others, if we look just like them. That makes no sense.
@Honey14@xanga - Well answer this question. If fraternities and sororities are based on so much love then why do you have to join a group to get that love? When Jesus loves everyone and Jesus says to love EVERYONE, period. And they talk about each other with in the organization and are against each other and are against others who arent apart of the org? And why are there so many different types of groups? But to tell someone that they are confused, isnt correct. Because this author is quoting facts based on biblical principals. What you know and not doing background research on an organization sounds more confusing to me than anything. But you can say what ever you would like because thats your experience. But I was on a line and they dropped me, WHY? Because they just didnt like me? I didnt do anything wrong. Now what kind of love is that? But Im glad I wasnt accepted by a group of worldly living, secular group of girls who dont Love My Jesus, like I do. I wouldnt encourage anyone especially a Christian/Believer to join in fraternity/sorority because you have now just basically decided to follow someone else rather than follow Jesus and His Will..,,
I have to agree. Why endorse an organization that's set on alienating people not among it's ranks. That's not Jesus would do. He doesn't discriminate on who deserves his love. All we have to do is be willing to accept his love and show we love the Lord in return. That beats getting hazed any day. It beats getting hazed so you can be told "you're not good enough".
Okay, since it seems like the majority of you are not members of Greek letter organizations, nor do you have any real idea what they are about apart from stereotypes you probably got from movies or television, allow me to inform you.
Fraternities and Sororities are not secret societies just as Honey14 asserted. By their nature secret societies are not known to the general public. Many of these organizations were at one time secret, but are now public organizations that maintain certain secrets such as ritual or certain signs/symbols to prove membership.
The author says "I'm guessing that there isn't a mention of God in the oath, the creed or the life long promise." Well, let me be the first to inform you that you are dead wrong. My oath is secret and I cannot reveal it's contents however I will go so far as to say that God is an integral part of the fraternity's ritual. Something I can reference is our public creed which states:
I believe in Delta Tau Delta
as an abiding influence to help me do my work, fulfill my obligations, maintain my self-respect, and bring about that happy life wherein I may more truly love my fellow men, serve my country, and obey my God.
One huge issue that I have with all of you is judging an entire group based on the actions of the few. You know some greek men/women who abuse alcohol or are rude to others so you assume we all are. However, I know many Christians who have alcohol problems, and some have a long way to come with regard to acceptance. We are all human and prone to faults, any group no matter how lofty their ideals will have bad eggs.
The reason that there are "so many" of the groups is that many of them were founded on various campuses to rebel against various injustices. This purpose then expanded to a life of service, academic excellence, and committment to community.
Most, if not all, of our organizations are steeped in service and we regard giving back as a fundamental part of the Greek experience. We don't only give back to other Greeks, or members of our own organization for that matter, we help any and all who need it. Nation philanthropies range from fighting to cure breast cancer to my own fraternity's work with the adopt-a-school program.
Having a group that is set toward a specific set of ideals allows work to be more efficiently accomplished. Each of our orgs is a subset of the larger Greek community, just as Greeks are a subset of the collegiate community, just as the collegiate community is a subset of the overall population. There will always be groups of people who are more closely bonded with one another than others, that's the nature of people. As christians we could paralel ourselves to the Greek community with each denomination representiong a particular fraternity/sorority, if that example makes it more clear.
I'm not going to deny that there are people who fit the stereotypes listed here. What I am asserting is that juding all of us based on the publicized actions of a few is just not fair. You are committing the same crime as those people who label all of us Christians as fanatic wack jobs because of a very vocal minority.
I suggest doing some research in the future before spouting off about things you don't understand.
i have been thinking about joining a sorority in the divine 9... (because i no longer live near my frat) and came to do research not only on the organizations, I know almost every public thing about them, but about them from a christian perspective.
Many of the people writing in this thread I think feel the same struggle I do, as well as the author (nicely written i must add).
 To the one girl who said the author was confused and "they are not secret, because it is not a secret they exist", so put this in as nice a way i can- you are greatly misinformed or not well read/smart?.... No one is saying that the societies are not secret because we know about them, that is not what makes a society secret, it is that we do not know what goes on in them.
Sure we know these organizations like the free masons, the prince hall masons, the pan Hellenic frats etc.
Unlike what she and some others said, the problem is the oath. Much like marriage, when you take an oath/vow, God wants us to do whatever we can to honor/keep that vow. So, taking an oath in vain, with the intention of not keeping it is wrong. But the issue is, how can we keep an oath to uphold principles, that we do not even know all of them until we "cross". it is called forswearing secrecy, (swearing before hand) and on many of the "books" of churches, i think reformed baptist and reformed presbyterian, it is not allowed.
Now this is where my research comes in... i know it is clear that the masons have secrets, but i am trying to figure out home much is involved with sororities... other than the pledging process.
thats where i am torn at now...
I personally joined a Caribbean fraternity, when i lived there. though there are some greek frats with chapters in the Caribbean, most of the caribbean does things differently. If you apply to live on a hall at one of the major universities, you can CHOOSE to become a member of the hall fraternity, you do not have to, and you also do not get "chosen". if the hall is co-ed the frat is co-ed, if the hall is single sex the frat is single sex etc. the choosing process is up to however the university picks students to live in their halls. Because the halls are university owned and operated, the process is not up to the members of the student run organization. Though, we try to retain as many former members in the government of the hall as possible, so that it can be run smoothly next year when new studetns are admitted.
I love it. The most fun I ever had was with my frat there. Many students on campus envied our fun, and applied to get into the hall just to be a member of our frat. But- it was up to the university - not our organization.
The reasons i decided to join
(other than the fun, and support for members and community i knew it could become) was that unlike a greek divine 9 frat...
-the selectivity in the organization is not determined by the organization- therefore WE personally have no selectivity- we all strive to be the best- we dont have to worry about bad reputations from our unselected members- because we strive and recognize the honor- if we have a problem with a member- we sit them down and talk
-i did not have to forswear my secrecy
-there was quote un quote hazing- called grubbing- but never ANY paddling - which is the ONE thing i cant get over during ALL divine nine chapters that PLEDGE and MOST of them do- i can see gross things, grueling things, but i think getting beat is degrading, but maybe thats cuz my husband beat me... is it just a personal thing? its not that i cant take it- but can i support and personally stand for an organization that (even though it is not on the books - i dont care) beats its members with a paddle? i just cant get around that for now... maybe i can later?
but i just feel that it is personally degrading.
then i look at what we went through... and i know we all got each others backs... so i know it can be done with out getting paddled...
Read this book The True Alpha And Omega. For info go to thetruealphaandomega.com.
Fraternities are scary, Im not sure I would want to be involved like that, but I am very impressed by the Mason's influence, and i would love to one day become a mason.
I believe we should ask one important question when talking of Fraternal organizations. They may have secret hand shakes to identify true members, pledges and oaths to the group. But does that pledge or other devotions within the group violate Godly priniciples. In other words, If a Fraternal orginization goes as far as Death for revealing secrets or worship of some type of idel, God or even Themselves over the True and Living God according to the (Exodus 20:1-3) and his Son Jesus Christ (John 3:16), If thier oaths contridict God's word and teachings, then yes, BAD.... but if not, then I wonder if we can call them secret societies. Now as for as the Masonic Brotherhood, ummmm. Read thier history and doctrine and I believe you can make a clear judgment for yourself.
@lisa shaner - I believe you should really do far more resurch when it comes to the masonic brotherhood. I speak from a very careful and unjudgmental standpiont. many of my family are mason's including Dad.
Hi, I have chosen to stay away from fraternities and sorities myself. I do believe they are secret societies simple because they require secret oaths, handshakes, etc...Many of the sororities focus on community and claim to be just a group of individuals helping their community. However, I believe I can help the community better as a Christian versus claiming Delta this or Alpha that. I would much rather claim Jesus as my source and the Church as my identifiable group. In many of the organizations I have been around (many members of my church are sorors; struggling with this issue) there exist a contention among the women like none I have seen before. There also exist a certain superiority attitude among those sorors as if they are better than others who are not sorors even if the education levels are equal; this should not be the Church. The simple fact you are questioning whether to be or not to be part of one these groups could be the Holy Spirit offering spiritual discernment or yellow light to you. If I were you I would definitely pray about your decision and ask for God's guidance. To be clear, I am not talking praying to the little gods or idols that most in sororities or fratenities symbolically wear on their clothing or sport when wearing their jewelry (ie Delta Sigma Theta goddes minerva). Below is a link that may interest you:
http://www.laymanperspective.com/Archival_papers/Layman_Perspective_Articles/Secret%20Societies/Sororities_Fraternities/Sororities%20and%20Fraternities.htm
I know that you posted this a long time ago. I'm curious as to what your decision was.
YSIC
Jackie
Great Post Author! In short, no if you are a Christian, you should not join any such group. They may come off as if they are founded on Christian Principles, but actually they are actually part of the Doctrine of Satan. Anyone should really do their homework before signing up because just as the bible states - "My people perish for the lack of knowledge", and "You can't serve two masters". Jesus didn't do anything in secret, so why should we as "Christians".
Hello, everyone. This is a really great discussion and exbglounion.wordpress.com is a great site for more discussion like this as well.
I was actually a member of a D9 sorority (still trying to figure out why it's called "*divine* nine," but that's for another discussion). I was initiated this spring actually, but had to really evaluate how I could possibly make a vow to pledge my heart, mind and soul to an organization, when Jesus clearly said that the greatest commandment is that we love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind and strength (Matt. 22: 36-40). I was in direct violation of the greatest commandment and I denounced my membership the day after getting this revelation from a YouTube video. Once I pledge even part of my heart, mind or soul to an organization, then I totally take God out of the picture. He does not want to and will not share my heart with a sorority or fraternity, because he is a jealous God and rightfully so (http://bible.cc/exodus/20-5.htm). And because of my making that pledge, I've automatically made the organization into a god, which violates the commandment to have no other gods before Him (Exodus 20:3)--even if I never haze, skip church or "appear" to have misplaced priorities. If that doesn't strike us as something ungodly (especially for Christians in these organizations), then what will, my brothers and sisters in Christ?
We really need to ask ourselves what do we mean when we say that something is *based* on "Christian principles." There is a difference between being based on something, and just being inspired by it. If we are talking about serving the community and being kind to others, then an Athiest or Muslim organization can be based on Christian principles. However, if we are talking about the #1 Christian principle that Jesus is our Lord and savior and God is the head of our life, then organizations that require pledging to be unequally yoked with unbelievers are not based on Christian principles. God's Word does not change by person, so praying if we should join these fraternities and sororities is like praying that God will change His Word to say, "Well, I'll make this exception just for you, because I know how much it would mean to you. Go ahead and pledge a lifetime commitment of your heart to this organization. I won't mind. I know that you won't party or haze like others do, so that's all that matters."
Nothing wrong with going out to eat, being hospitable to or
communicating with an unsaved person; however, we are talking about a
lifelong bond. Please understand that we are not saying that you or those that you are in the organizations with are horrible people. (I speak in first person in this post, so that no one feels that I am attacking by saying "you" all the time). I was in a sorority, and I don't consider myself a horrible person. At the same time, God is not looking for "good Christians," but rather obedient disciplines who take His Word seriously. Once we pledge to become a part of the family of these organization, we become one with what they stand for (shields, rituals, pledges, gods, history and all) and we can't just pick and choose which parts we want to be bound to, because I'm sure the pledges we made did not give us that option.
Questions I was just wanting to ask to probe our thinking:
As it relates to symbolism, just out of curiosity, how would we feel if a Greek god(dess) was on the shield or other areas of our church, or services (special or regular) we had at our fellowship involved acknowledgment of a Greek god(dess) as symbols of justice, wisdom, service, healing, etc when we already know that Jesus not only symbolizes but is those very things? Would we say that things like that don't belong in the church? If they don't belong in the church, then why do they belong all throughout our houses or on our bodies which are temples themselves and living sacrifices that must be presented holy an acceptable unto Christ (Romans 12:1)? And even if we don't wear apparel on the outside, doesn't the pledge in our hearts mean that this organization is with us wherever we go? When we hear God's Word in support of why we should not be in these organizations, do we find ourselves becoming defensive? If so, then why? It may be because the bond of sororities or fraternities, just like a marriage, is similar in strength to that of a soul tie which is not meant to be easily broken. This might explain the difficulty individuals have in letting it go. Are we as defensive or protective when we feel that people outside of the Christian faith misinterpret or misunderstand the Word of God? Do we find ourselves trying to pick out flaws in ex-BGLO Christians' testimonies and posts, in order to support our desire to be in a Greek org?
Please note that this debate is not between man, but between those of us struggling with our desires to be in fraternities and sororities and accountability of the Word of God. Note: God's Word does not contradict itself.
My prayer is that the Word of God pierces all of our hearts as it relates to this issue, just as it did when we realized that we were sinners in desperate need of his love, grace and mercy and chose to accept Jesus' gift of salvation (Rom. 10: 9, 10). <---This scripture shows just how important our confessions and beliefs are to God. Be encouraged and trust the Holy Spirit to guide and direct you!
@tyguy3005 - Who is "...my god" in your oath? Is it Jesus the Creator? I think not!
@christinaadams - Thanks for this. In reading some of the "defensive" responses, I wonder about the real reason for the pledges. These
organizations are founded on the false premise that of themselves human
beings are good, and that achievement and worldly fame is the ultimate
in life...directly opposed to Biblical view of the existence of man: Ps. 51:5 and Romans 3:10.
Many times in response to misbehaviors of humans to each other, we respond by creting something worse than the initial act itself. That is what these organizations are; created to "right wrong" but used by the enemy of our souls to confuse, harm, and deceive. These organizations pretend to be Christian, but they also force members to rely on each other than the Everlasting Arm! Prov.3:5,6
@Honey14@xanga - Ok so I can assure you that I am not throwing any shots but technically she makes a lot of sense and I believe she thoroughly thought things out before she started typing. Yes Greek Sororities/Fraternities are considered to be in the formation of a secret society due to the similar actions and rituals performed within the organizations. Where you wrong was when you said that a secret society is not suppose to be known but Greek Organizations are known. Actually Freemasons is a secret society and they are known throughout the nation its what they partake in is not known and according to Walter M. Kimborough in his tell all book "Black Greek 101" he stated that Greek Organizations are somewhat of a secret society in the sense of the rituals and so on.......No offense intended......