2008 Woodie Awards
Why I denounced my letters
Asad Abdul-Salaam
Issue date: 4/19/07 Section: Editorials & Viewpoints
The purpose of this article is not to judge or condemn anyone. My intent is to enlighten the true Christians who are currently members or considering joining a Greek Letter Organization (GLO).
I recently stepped down from my position as president of the Eta Gamma chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. I completely denounced my membership and affiliation with the organization. It was not an easy decision to make, but it was necessary for me to continue in my spiritual growth.
The road to my denunciation began with the poem "Invictus." This poem is memorized and recited by a majority of GLOs. The last few lines always concerned me, but I allowed my ambitions of being in the fraternity to blind me. It says, "I am the Master of my fate; I am the Captain of my soul." Shouldn't it say "Jesus is the Master of my fate; Jesus is the Captain of my soul?" How can I profess to be a true believer yet recite and condone this poem? In the beginning of the poem, there is a line that says, "I thank whatever gods may be for my unconquerable soul." What soul can't God conquer? In Matthew 10:28 Jesus says, "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." I thank whatever gods may be? That is outright endorsement of polytheism which brings me to my next point, idolatry.
The Bible says in Exodus 20:3-4, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth." Webster's dictionary defines idolatry as the worship of idols, and idols as an image of deity used as an object of worship; a person or thing that is adored or revered. Many organizations are represented by and associate themselves with such images as: rabbits, the sphinx, the centaur, dogs, apes, ivy leaves, doves, etc. These images and other symbols can be seen on their paraphernalia, clothing, jewelry, tattoos, and branded in their skin. They aren't just some random logo. These images are symbolic and have meaning within the organizations. Can anyone in an organization dispute that they don't adore or reverence, these images? If you're in disbelief, go before another organization seriously mocking or disrespecting their symbolic image and see the reaction you get. Let's put idolatry into perspective. No respectful person would put a picture of their ex-girlfriend or boyfriend up in their room for their current girlfriend or boyfriend to see, because it would result in jealousy and conflict. You may not be bowing down before the picture in worship, but you would dispose of it out of respect for the other person in the relationship. Exodus 20: 5 describes God to be a jealous God. By reverencing, adoring, and deifying these idol images you disrespect God and his commandment. We are more faithful and show more respect towards our girlfriends or boyfriends than we do to God.
I recently stepped down from my position as president of the Eta Gamma chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. I completely denounced my membership and affiliation with the organization. It was not an easy decision to make, but it was necessary for me to continue in my spiritual growth.
The road to my denunciation began with the poem "Invictus." This poem is memorized and recited by a majority of GLOs. The last few lines always concerned me, but I allowed my ambitions of being in the fraternity to blind me. It says, "I am the Master of my fate; I am the Captain of my soul." Shouldn't it say "Jesus is the Master of my fate; Jesus is the Captain of my soul?" How can I profess to be a true believer yet recite and condone this poem? In the beginning of the poem, there is a line that says, "I thank whatever gods may be for my unconquerable soul." What soul can't God conquer? In Matthew 10:28 Jesus says, "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." I thank whatever gods may be? That is outright endorsement of polytheism which brings me to my next point, idolatry.
The Bible says in Exodus 20:3-4, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth." Webster's dictionary defines idolatry as the worship of idols, and idols as an image of deity used as an object of worship; a person or thing that is adored or revered. Many organizations are represented by and associate themselves with such images as: rabbits, the sphinx, the centaur, dogs, apes, ivy leaves, doves, etc. These images and other symbols can be seen on their paraphernalia, clothing, jewelry, tattoos, and branded in their skin. They aren't just some random logo. These images are symbolic and have meaning within the organizations. Can anyone in an organization dispute that they don't adore or reverence, these images? If you're in disbelief, go before another organization seriously mocking or disrespecting their symbolic image and see the reaction you get. Let's put idolatry into perspective. No respectful person would put a picture of their ex-girlfriend or boyfriend up in their room for their current girlfriend or boyfriend to see, because it would result in jealousy and conflict. You may not be bowing down before the picture in worship, but you would dispose of it out of respect for the other person in the relationship. Exodus 20: 5 describes God to be a jealous God. By reverencing, adoring, and deifying these idol images you disrespect God and his commandment. We are more faithful and show more respect towards our girlfriends or boyfriends than we do to God.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 63
shawn hill
posted 4/20/07 @ 2:43 AM CST
I went to a seminar last friday UofH as well. It was very informative a man min. hatchett went over the rituals with us and said that the "pledge processes" promotes cognitive dissonance/battered wife syndrome in men and women. (Continued…)
Shree Franklin
posted 4/20/07 @ 8:43 AM CST
This was a really powerful article to all that ears to heear it. I admit that I have completed changed my mind about membership in GLO. This decision was not completely based on this article, however the article did supplement my own toughts. (Continued…)
Kevin Holland
posted 4/20/07 @ 9:02 AM CST
Asad Abdul-Salaam. What a strong conviction my brother. Not only am I an Alpha but I am Christian as well. I won't comment on your entire letter, but I can agree that when God convicts you on something you have to obey him. (Continued…)
Asad Abdul-Salaam
posted 4/20/07 @ 10:14 AM CST
Mr. Holland,
I thank you for taking the time to read the article and also for responding. Like the first sentence of the article said, my purpose was not to pass judgment on anyone. (Continued…)
Kevin Holland
posted 4/20/07 @ 11:19 AM CST
Glad that you were able to read the comments Asad. I definitely respect your belief. I think you crossed the line of judgment when you made the insinuation "Can anyone in an organization dispute that they don't adore or reverence, these images? If you're in disbelief, go before another organization seriously mocking or disrespecting their symbolic image and see the reaction you get. (Continued…)
kim
posted 4/20/07 @ 3:19 PM CST
I am curious. @kevin holland
How would you hold up the light of Christ?
since all/most greek orgs have "light" including alpha phi alpha how would you really know the diffrence?
before you answer. (Continued…)
Oveal Walker
posted 4/20/07 @ 4:22 PM CST
Asad,
Thank you for sharing your convictions. I applaud you for making your opinions known. However, I feel that your efforts may not be received well by most. (Continued…)
Asad Abdul-Salaam
posted 4/20/07 @ 8:52 PM CST
I would first like to say that part of the article I wrote was conveniently left out when printed, so I will discuss it here. When I spoke of the rituals performed by organizations and how the bible warns against adding to or taking away from the scripture; I gave an example, and that was the part that was omitted. (Continued…)
Jared Jacobs
posted 4/20/07 @ 9:00 PM CST
I applaud you Asad for yeilding to the instructions of the Holy Spirit. In 1 Corinthinans 5:11-12 and also Ephesians 5:1-20, God is telling us that we are to disassoiciate with anything evil (goes against the Word of God). (Continued…)
Ted Mercer II
posted 4/21/07 @ 12:03 AM CST
Asad,
Thank you for sharing your convictions. I commend you for having the guts to make your opinions public. I am sure we will run into each other in the near future to discuss further. (Continued…)
Post a Comment