Can a Christian join a sorority or fraternity/ Freemasonry? Often the process to join includes taking oaths, or vows and chanting.
A Christian has liberty in all matters not directly addressed by Scripture provided the individual does not stumble into sin. Associating with any group (including a sorority or fraternity) is a matter of personal conviction. In fact, our Christian witness to the world requires we associate with unbelievers in a variety of settings in order to bring the light of the Gospel to that place:
1Cor. 5:9 I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people;
1Cor. 5:10 I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world.
On the other hand, if that association leads the Christian into sinful practices clearly prohibited by Scripture, than that association is no longer permissible and the Christian must end that relationship. Likewise, taking oaths and vows are also permissible provided they do not bind the Christian to act sinfully. (For example, an oath to testify truthfully is permissible while a vow to commit a crime is not).
1Cor. 6:12 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.
So we must use discernment in choosing our associations. Evaluate the people and practices of these associations carefully before joining, and if after becoming a part of the association you discover practices incompatible with your Christian witness or that wound your conscience, disassociate yourself.
Regarding Freemasonry, the potential for sinful practices is much clearer in that association, as the following article from our website explains: May Christians join Freemasonry?
