Joining a College Fraternity/ Sorority a Sin?

[favoredbyGod]

Is anything wrong with joining a college sorority or fraternity?
I was having this discussion a few days ago with some friends. Of course I may be slightly biased though?

 

[andreha]

Is anything wrong with joining a college sorority or fraternity?
I was having this discussion a few days ago with some friends. Of course I may be slightly biased though?

I see absolutely nothing wrong with that. Being part of a sorority/fraternity is no sin. That which one does as a member - that's a different story methinks.

 

[seashale76]

Fraternities and sororities usually have their secret elements that only the initiated should know about. Most likely the secrets are lame, but why would a Christian want to attach himself/herself to something that he/she doesn't know all the facts about before hand? Also, even though many such groups do volunteer work (which is good) and claim to be based on certain morals, the truth is that people in these groups will eventually find themselves in a position where their faith is compromised at some point. Actually, the likelihood is high for that to occur. You pay for the dubious privilege (in this economy?) of being part of a group that supposedly gives you bonds of sisterhood/brotherhood for life. Christians should already have these bonds with others through their baptism into Christ- and have no need for something that is a pale imitation (which typically winds up glorifying narcissim and hedonism despite claims to the contrary).

All of my 'nice' friends who were in fraternities and sororities and weren't shallow individuals eventually had a parting of the ways and left. There are no lasting bonds for them. They actively encouraged those of us who never pledged (and were heavily recruited) to not do so because we were better off without the hassle.

 

[BigNorsk]

As such no. But one must be very careful. Many basically require you to sin as a part of bonding or pledging. Or they practice other things not suitable for a Christian.

So most frat/sor are out due to the expected, indeed required for membership behavior.

Peer pressure in them is often used for bad as well.

Now if you can find one that doesn't require you to sin, then join freely. And even if other members pressure you to do wrong stand firm.

 

[heron]

There was a spurt of time where Greek organizations were equated with wild partying. But that is rarely true any more. Most set a great groundwork for networking, building leadership skills, serving the community, and taking on responsibility. It is time consuming these days! But seems to pay off when getting hired.

 

[citizenthom]

There was a spurt of time where Greek organizations were equated with wild partying. But that is rarely true any more.

Where in Pete's name did you get that impression? That's how fraternities and sororities generally "network."

 

[favoredbyGod]

I said that I was discussing the issue with a friend....I do not feel this way at all bc of where I stand with sororities.
My friends felt that its unholy for me to be such a part because of the negative associations and also a few church members have become "inactive" in their sororities and frats because they feel like they are satanic.

 

[toprhi]

I said that I was discussing the issue with a friend....I do not feel this way at all bc of where I stand with sororities.
My friends felt that its unholy for me to be such a part because of the negative associations and also a few church members have become "inactive" in their sororities and frats because they feel like they are satanic.

They feel they are satanic? Really? I think some of the things they do are/can be sinful, but I wouldn't go as far as to say it's satanic and it's unholy for you to be part of one.

They actually have Christian sororities down here where I live. I'm not a member, but a friend of mine is, and they do volunteer work and things of that nature.

 

[favoredbyGod]

For example, like the Masonic Fraternities (The Order of the Eastern Star), where I have know ex-members that say they have witnessed pagan worship, wife / husband swapping etc.

 

[ChildOfGod97]

Is anything wrong with joining a college sorority or fraternity?
I was having this discussion a few days ago with some friends. Of course I may be slightly biased though?

Of course not. However, some such clubs engage in immoral behavior, I would avoid that.

As a "for instance" when I lived in Austin one fraternity engaged in slashing people's tires for kicks. Others encourage sexual promiscuity or drunkedness and drug usage.

 

[heron]

Where in Pete's name did you get that impression? That's how fraternities and sororities generally "network."

I grew up in a different generation. These organizations were often considered negative (as CoG said) ...although at that time not considered cultic.

 

[heron]

Kids in my high school created sororities and fraternities with jackets and initiation rights. The initiations pushed people to do illegal and immoral things, to prove their toughness. Frats were like sanctioned gangs.

Christians had these discussions about joining when they were invited, because it also meant they were accepted by powerful people, and would gain favor across campus. That was in the olden days of yore.

 

[Sketcher]

It really depends on the fraternity or sorority, and not only that, but which chapter. There are some with good Christian Bible studies. There are others where living a very sinful life is highly encouraged.

 

[skepticalsheep]

It is not the act of joining, necessarily, unless that becomes an idol for you.
Afterwards, you will be bombarded with worldly values.
You will be chosen based on wordly values.
You will be expected to participate and put your energy into wordly endeavors.
You will be tempted to be proud and arrogant because you were chosen and have "acheived" a certain status.
You will be encouraged to participate in situations which could endanger your chastity.
And finally and most horribly, you will be tempted to participate in and judge people during rush to a level that is truly abhorrent to God. YOU will be encouraged by adult alumni to judge other girls based on their appearance, wealth, clothes, and other outward values. You will be told to judge one girl every 20 seconds. As we judge, so we are judged by God. I promise. This is a guilt that will stay with you for many years. It is so engrained, it will be blindingly difficult to purge yourself of.
Scarily, many "Christian" alumni will encourage you!
These are lies of Satan, intended to entrap and ensnare. If you have a large degree of discernment at 18years old, then may you proceed, but otherwise, I consider it a spiritual minefield.