Question: "Should a Christian Join a Fraternity or Sorority?"

Answer: In this reply on whether a Christian should join fraternities / sororities, we are giving possible issues.  As with anything else, always closely examine a group before you make any commitment to it. Research what fraternity / sorority life involves and requires. 

The first question that needs to be asked is why a person would want to join a fraternity / sorority. Motives in God's eyes are all important (1 Samuel 16:7). Depending on the motivating reasons, different issues come to the forefront. If one wants to join a fraternity / sorority because they have the best parties, the Bible says that such a life should belong in one's unsaved past, not in the present life of a believer (1 Peter 4:3). 

If one wants to join a fraternity / sorority because of it being a status symbol, it may be an issue of pride. The Bible repeatedly encourages humility both in life and in the choice of one's companions (Romans 12:16; 1 Peter 5:5-7), exhorting us to live even as Christ lived. The Bible mentions pride as sin and something God hates (Proverbs 6:16-19; 8:13; 11:2; 16:18; Daniel 4:37; 1 Peter 5:5; 1 John 2:15-17). 

A Christian’s closest relationships should be with fellow Christians and not based on externals tie such as belonging to the same fraternity / sorority, having gone to the same school, coming from same race or social class, etc. (Galatians 3:28; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; 12:24-26; Galatians 6:10; John 13:34-35). Most colleges have branches of Christian organizations such as InterVarsity, Campus Crusade, and Navigators as well as good local churches who have college ministries to help young people come to know Christ and grow as His disciples. These groups and fellow Christians should be sought after as the core group of friends while one is away at college. 

Who one has as his closest companions is a major issue in Scripture whether they are fraternity brothers, roommates in a dorm, or classmates. Here are a few of Scripture's admonitions concerning this issue: "Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character" (1 Corinthians 15:33). “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm" (Proverbs 13:20). "I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts" (Psalm 119:63). In the end, the question of whether to join a raternityor sorority is a matter for prayer and following God’s leading in our hearts.