Being a Black Greek can fit perfectly with being a Christian

Historically Black fraternities and sororities – often referred to as Black Greek-letter organizations, or BGLOs – have been making a difference in the lives of Black Americans for more than a hundred years.

Members of these organizations have historically been at the forefront of the struggle for racial equality and have been change-makers in every professional sphere.

life choise

I am in no way opposed to an individual deciding to renounce their affiliation to a BGLO because of their personal beliefs, any more than I would take issue with someone choosing to no longer eat shellfish, wear wool, or straighten their hair.

Over recent years, some Christians have denounced their BGLOs, publicly attacking them for being “idolatrous” in their use of symbolic Greek letters and for causing members to put loyalty to their organization above loyalty to their faith.

I know the most fundamentally important aspect of my identity is my love for Jesus as Lord. I trust the Holy Spirit as my lead and guide into all truth, and I constantly seek to live the life that is required of me as a believer.

I am convinced that through the story of Jesus’ life, death, burial, resurrection, ascension and soon-to-come return, the message He is sending us, in His wisdom, is one of love. I try to embody that message in everything I do.

I am also a proud member of two Black fraternities, Kappa Alpha Psi (one of the Divine Nine collegiate BGLOs) and Sigma Pi Phi (for professionals). 

Nevertheless, at no point in my life have I ever entered an unorthodox, uninformed, or ungodly alliance with a Greek deity. Nor have I ever sworn an oath that would in any way hinder, absolve, or negate my Christian beliefs. 

It would be impossible to list here the names of all the illustrious leaders from our community who were or are affiliated to BGLOs – there are simply too many to mention. But notable examples include Rev. Samuel DeWitt Proctor (Kappa Alpha Psi); Rev. Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. (Alpha Phi Alpha); and Rev. Jesse Jackson (Omega Psi Phi).

Bishop Vashti McKenzie, the first female bishop of the A.M.E. Church, is a member of Delta Sigma Theta, the sorority of which her grandmother, Vashti Turley Murphy, was one of the founders. My own mother, Rev. Dr. Barbara Reynolds, is a Delta too.

To this day, when the initiates of BGLOs swear oaths of loyalty, they are pledging to participate in the ongoing quest to unlock the secrets of great knowledge for the good of humanity as well as committing to uphold the ideals of their fraternity or sorority for life. Why anyone would see that as being somehow in conflict with Christian values is utterly baffling to me.

I am in no way opposed to an individual deciding to renounce their affiliation to a BGLO because of their personal beliefs, any more than I would take issue with someone choosing to no longer eat shellfish, wear wool, or straighten their hair.

However, when I hear a person denouncing BGLOs in general, insinuating that they are somehow “demonic,” and inciting all other members to follow their personal example, that causes me pause. Even if you experience what you believe to be a revelation that must guide your own choices, how can you then deem that to be the truth, rather than your truth?

I would ask that we all extend a measure of grace to any group or institution – including Black BGLOs – whose members are exhorted to spend a lifetime making a positive impact on their communities and exemplifying the kindness Jesus teaches us.

In the case of both my fraternities, I can unequivocally and wholeheartedly serve Jesus as Lord, while fulfilling our collective purposes and aims in the certain knowledge that Jesus gets the glory out of my being a member.

When I’m present with my brothers, the Holy Spirit is there abiding in me. I can, likewise, say that in every formal fraternity setting, overt reverence is always paid to what I believe.

Rev. Keith Magee is a senior fellow and visiting professor of practice in cultural justice at the University College London Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose.