Misconceptions

When I first thought to write about this topic it was sparked by one incident and later fueled by others comments. Which means this topic has been on my mind for quite a while, eating away at the fringes of my better half to let people know how I feel. Now before I continue let me say this, " I AM NOT A MEMBER OF A GREEK LETTERED ORGANIZATION. I SIMPLY HATE SEEING PEOPLE USE IGNORANCE & RELIGION AS JUSTIFICATION TO BASH OTHERS." What can I say, it's the anthropologist in me.

One of my biggest pet peeves I have, especially after obtaining my Bachelors of Arts in Anthropology, is listening to people who do not understand another culture or group, so they claim that the group is evil or a cult. While going through college one of these instance was listening to people say that all Greek lettered organizations,especially the historically African-American National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC, also known as Divine Nine), are cults. The definition of a cult has more than one definition, the first one that appeared when I looked up the definition is

a particular system of religious worship, esp. with reference to its rites and ceremonies.(click this link to view the other definitions on dictionary.com)

To be quite frank the first thing that has always come to mind when I hear theses claims is, "How can you pass judgement on something that you have never been apart of?" Now for those people who have be apart of Greek Life and decided, for whatever reason, it is not for them, that is a whole other issue. And then on the other hand to classify a whole group as being a cult or against God is ridiculous, considering that there are Greek lettered organization that are dedicated to bettering the world.

The problem with this assumption is that most of these people are not apart of the organization or do not understand what the organization stands for. I feel that before a person can critique anyone or any group of people they need to first do their research. When a person bases any thing on ignorance they will not be able to make a accurate critiques.

 

A lot of times there is connotation to the world cult that is very negative but in the grand spectrum of life most organizations are cults. Sorry to inform people but it is the truth. I personally hate using the word to describe organizations because most people associate groups like the Manson Family or terrorist groups.     (refer to Listverse's Top 10 Cults)

There are those who are very devote to their religious views who view those who participate in Greek Life, to be apart of a cult.

In all honesty you can be religious and part of an organization. I think that each person is different and knows what they can and cannot handle. If you join a Greek lettered organization to gain popularity or make that the only crucial part of your life, then you are wrong. No matter if it is an organization or your job anything that is put before the Lord is against Christian views and most religious views. 

On that note, some people are quick to condemn and ridicule people but did they ever try to show their brothers/sisters the light of the Lord before leaving them amongst the "evil" that they witnessed? If you are going to judge someone else and use religion to back it, be very careful and be ready to use the whole thing. 

NLT:: John 8:7 

They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, " All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!"

In short you should NOT be judging but bringing others along with you to the top and out of the situation, instead you leave them in a place you deem unfit. Wouldn't that take your religious view into a cult standing? Most cults feel they are completely right and don't want to bring anyone else to their level.

"Do you know that Greeks killed and enslaved the WHOLE continent of your forefathers? Do you know that Greeks stole everything they know(symbols) from Africa? Thats like joining the KKK!!!! Divine? Really?"--prettyisraelite1 

"@prettyisraelite1 WHAT! Do any of you know your history of Christianity that killed millions? Or the fact that so many religions are viewed by other religions as cults and evil? Please stop the ignorance. Just because you are apart of a Greek Letter organization you are not evil or worshiping the devil.

So many people use their religious view as a crunch in ignorance.STOP! The BIBLE SAYS you are not to judge because if no one is free of sin, you have no room to. YOU ARE NOT GOD SO PLEASE STOP!"--Life Guru

This comment bothered me and show that sometimes people use whatever they can to frown upon others actions. In relation to the initial comment (B/U), there are many flaws with what was said. Although it may be true, then the person writing should also be against a large portion of the world. Since a great deal of people went to Africa to take the riches that they had, kill the people and enslave many. And if Greeks stole everything from Africa, then why can't African-Americans take back what is "rightfully" theirs and create a new meaning of what could have once been painful to remember? Why is it that joining an organization with some symbols attached is looked as joining the KKK? How does that even make sense? The KKK is an organization that is AGAINST a whole culture and group, they deem unfit to walk this earth. Whereas these organizations stand for something that is apart of building up individuals that will make a great difference in the world. 

I am not saying that the people in these organizations are perfect but you cannot condemn thousands for one has done.  To be 100% honest, I do not like anyone passing judgement because they are not God, or perfect. I always feel that instead of judging, you should help people to grow to be better people and out of their situation.

Check out this blog:

*Black Greek 101