A Conflict of Interest: Exploring the Theology Behind Black Christians Leaving the "Divine Nine" Fraternities and Sororities
In recent months, the exodus of Black American Christians leaving the "Divine Nine" Black Greek-lettered Organizations (BGLOs) has come to the forefront.
While this has been happening for years, it has gained more exposure through social media outlets. These outlets are reaching a large audience of Black Americans and beyond— creating a dialogue amongst those who have denounced and renounced the organizations and others who may have interacted with them.
In reading this essay, it's essential to understand that the Divine Nine BGLOs are not Christian organizations. However, there are significant commonalities between them, such as brotherhood, sisterhood, and human service. It's also important to note that BGLOs are secret societies, meaning that only initiated members can participate in certain activities, work, and receive benefits.
The "Divine Nine" BGLOs encompass the following fraternities and sororities:
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
All these organizations were established by Black American students on college campuses. The first one, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., was founded in 1906 in Ithaca, New York, at Cornell University by Black male students on a predominantly white campus.
It is important to recognize that Greek-letter sororities and fraternities were established on college campuses by White North Americans as early as 1776. These secret societies were created by students to facilitate discussions, acquire knowledge that was not part of their formal education, and provide social, academic, political, and networking opportunities.
The use of Greek letters by fraternities and sororities in North America originated from the heavy study of Ancient Greek in early universities. Knowing Latin and Greek was prestigious, so these organizations used Greek letters to symbolize exclusivity, prestige, and mystery. Usually, only members knew the reasons behind the selection of specific letters. These secret societies typically had initiation processes, oaths of secrecy, seals, badges, shields, and secret grips or handshakes.
Black American students adopted the concept of fraternities and sororities from white students and used it as a framework for their social, academic, and extracurricular activities, forming organizations exclusively for Black students on campus.
Before we pivot to how this relates to the current trend of Christians denouncing and renouncing their membership in these groups, I wanted to share an excerpt from the National Pan-Hellenic Council about the purpose of Divine Nine organizations:
Each of the nine (9) NPHC organizations evolved during a period when African Americans were being denied essential rights and privileges afforded others. Racial isolation on predominantly white campuses and social barriers of class on all campuses created a need for African Americans to align themselves with other individuals sharing common goals and ideals.
With the realization of such a need, the African American (Black) Greek-lettered organization movement took on the personae of a haven and outlet, which could foster brotherhood and sisterhood in the pursuit to bring about social change through the development of social programs that would create positive change for Blacks and the country. Today, the need remains the same.
The primary purpose and focus of NPHC member organizations remains community awareness and action through educational, economic, and cultural service activities.
After establishing the background on the inception of these organizations and their original motivations, we can now delve into the reasons why Black Christian Americans are publicly rejecting and disassociating themselves from these groups.
Those who have left these organizations are speaking out against "evil" practices such as hazing, rituals, and bowing to Greek gods. They conclude that such participation constitutes idolatry and divination.
Why is this significant?
On the one hand, BGLOs have been a vehicle toward freedom for Black Americans for over a century. Many black leaders in the political, economic, social, cultural, and religious sectors are members of these organizations. The robust pipeline created for Black students to graduate college successfully and, due to the strong network, find gainful employment and careers have been vital to Black Americans' success and freedom. The current Vice President of the United States is a member of BGLOs.
On the other hand, there have been countless cases of hazing that have led to mental health challenges and even the death of college students. From intense verbal and physical abuse to rituals that require members to recite an oath or commitment to the organization and its founders— BGLOs have faced backlash and legal battles.
You may remember seeing some of the initiation processes depicted in Spike Lee's movie "School Daze" or the show "A Different World."
Although these unfortunate hazing cases have occurred, not all BGLO members have had bad experiences.
With all of this in mind, I want to make two points that will take more than this short essay to address:
Since the First Great Awakening in the early 1700s, Black American Christians have been striving for freedom while seeking to serve God with the utmost integrity. Our Black identity has significantly influenced our theology and continues to play a vital role in our ongoing self-reflection and understanding of God. As a result of our traumatic history in North America, from slavery to present-day racism, we are constantly seeking the freedom promised by God in scripture. Our pursuit of this freedom has often come at a cost and has been pursued through our religious institutions and Black civic organizations. Black individuals have utilized these entities in their journey towards freedom, Whether through Black Protestant churches like the African American Methodist Church or Black civic organizations like the BGLOs. This has made it challenging to differentiate between these entities, as one is religious and the other is not. It raises the question of whether there is a conflict of interest in reevaluating our Christian beliefs. Perhaps Black Christians are recognizing that a secret society is no longer necessary to fulfill their purpose and goals on earth. Whatever the reason may be, some individuals are finding that BGLOs no longer meet the new standard set by Black Christians. There is no desire to undergo an initiation process or participate in an oath and ritual that does not honor Jesus Christ. Is this decision to join or not join a BGLO a personal choice, or is it clearly against God's will? This question is shaping theological perspectives and revealing a conflict of interest and moral dilemma regarding whether a faithful Christian can be a member of such an organization. While some may argue that God disapproves, it's undeniable that BGLOs have had a positive impact on Black Americans. Does this positive societal impact have a place in the realm of faith?
This leads to my second point. Black American Christians denouncing and renouncing BGLOs has to be about much more than idolatry— it's about Black Christian Americans wanting to get it right with God, and it is often at the expense of giving up something. When you study the Holiness movement in Black church history, you'll notice Blacks giving up activities like watching secular movies and listening to secular music, wearing specific clothing, and abstaining from any sexual immorality. Blacks are often limited to eating, preaching, praying, and singing, which leads to a heavy reliance on church services and fellowship. These sacrifices yield blessings for Black Christians, as well as grief and suffering. Most conclude that joy will come when they make it to heaven. While this theology has some benefits, Black Christians need to understand that God loves them deeply and God doesn't hold back their freedom, but it is held back by the country in which they live —often putting them in a constant state of fear and reevaluation of God love for them.
In conclusion, as a Christian who pledged and joined a BGLO in college and is no longer an active member, I did not leave because of the initiation process but because of the issues within me that I needed to deal with in a religious institution rather than a BGLO. I needed the church more than any other entity, so that's where I went to get the help I needed.
As a Christian who has studied theology and ministry in an urban context, I understand that organizations are made up of people. It's the people who make the organization, not the organization that creates the people. If someone needs to leave a particular organization to focus primarily on their walk with God, they should. Jesus can use a BGLO for his glory, and the enemy can use it for his schemes. Every entity is a vessel.
What Black American Christians need to know above all else is that our freedom and relationship with God are only found in Jesus. Seeking God-given freedom elsewhere will ultimately fail us.
Ephesians 2:8 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast".
Salvation is a gift from God. Humans cannot earn their way back into God's favor, so they should trust that Jesus Christ did what was necessary on their behalf. Furthermore, it is through Christ that we are granted access to heaven, not through our own actions. Although I am no longer an active member of the fraternity I joined in college, I have no regrets about my decision because I had the opportunity to meet wonderful people, learn more about myself, contribute to my community, and help others. I still maintain strong relationships with the individuals I met through BGLOs. This essay only begins to scratch the surface of my reflection, but I wanted to share my thoughts on the matter.