hile attending Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 20-year-old engineering student Caleb Wilson sought out to pledge with Omega Psi Phi. He died during the hazing process. Sadly, his death is one of the latest in a string of tragedies associated with hazing.

Since 2000, there have been more than 100 hazing deaths. Hazing rituals are prevalent in various groups on many campuses, whether HBCUs, PWIs, private Christian, and non-Christian campuses. Many are drawn to Greek organizations after seeing their community service, friendships, career connections, and step shows. Yet, there is more to them than what meets the eye.

Hazing
“Hazing: any activity often within a group setting, regardless of an individual’s willingness to participate, that causes or risks mental, physical or emotional harm, or humiliates, degrades, or abuses someone as a condition of joining or belonging to a group.”

Anti-hazing laws exist all over this country, at many distinct levels. They include institutions of higher education, state laws, Greek bylaws and federal laws. The federal SHCA (Stop Hazing on Campus Act), requires Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) to report hazing protocols in their Clery Reports, as of January 1, 2025. The Indiana University spring semester 2025 hazing conduct report, revealed 11 organizations hazed, and as a result some were suspended while others reprimanded. With such occurrences, one may wonder about the level of active oversight to ensure student safety?

Often, members of the organizations of interest are perpetrating the harm. In Wilson’s case, three other Omegas were charged in connection with his death. One could say, in essence, four lives are now lost.

Does Hazing Reflect God?
The risk to physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing, inflicted intentionally, and as a requirement for belonging is antithetical to the ways of Christ. However, it does reflect the last actions of those that hated Christ. He was mocked, beaten and humiliated before going to the cross, sacrificing His life for all mankind (Mark 15:15-20, Isaiah 53:5-8). God is love – in word and deed (1 John 4:7-21).

The Divine Nine
The Divine Nine is the nickname for the traditionally black sororities and fraternities. The word “Divine” indicates that one is of, from, or like God or a god. Each of the nine have a god(s). Initiation rituals reveal they are more than just mascots. All of the Divine Nine connect with Set/Seth when they incorporate hazing. Set/Seth is the Egyptian god of war, disorder, violence, pain, and god of the desert/desert storms (term used for underground hazing activities – physical and mental abuse, financial requirements, sleep deprivation, sexual immorality, eating raw onions and dog food, passing an egg from mouth-to-mouth, binding each other spiritually, etc.).

Consider the invocation of Minerva in the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority ritual. The Deltas use Minerva, the Roman goddess of art, wisdom, school and war in its crest and for its rituals. An excerpt from the Initiation Ritual describes the incorporation of the goddess and her symbolism:

“Minerva- torch of wisdom…burns wherever we assemble and guides our footsteps, when we work in the name of the sorority, guiding our footsteps… We believe in a spiritual life, but we leave to the individual the selection of the medium for its outward manifestation.”

The questions for those who participate is, who is guiding those steps? Who is source of wisdom? Who are the mediums?

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity uses Apollo, the Greek god of sun and light, prophecy, healing and disease in rituals. Also, Aries, the Greek god of war/battle, and Thoth the Egyptian god of the moon, of wisdom, and magic are referenced. This excerpt from their Initiation Ritual pledges to bow and submit to God, gods, and brothers:

“Candidates kneel in front of the altar and give the oath: I … in the presence of Almighty God and the members of Kappa Alpha Psi, here assembled, and at the Sacred Delphic Shrine (Temple of Apollo), do solemnly swear that I will keep secret forever all things that may transpire or be revealed to me during my initiation.”

Do these rituals, agreements and covenants implicate our devotion? If the Bible says we can’t love two masters (Matthew 6:24) what happens to serving God, the Creator of all things? (Genesis 1:1).

I joined a “social service organization” influenced by my family and the success of its members. However, I later discovered it had religious elements, a god, hymns, prayers, rituals and benedictions for deceased members, which did not align with my expectations. Additionally, the oath-taking process was secretive and lacked transparency, which further raised concerns for me. I believe these organizations can be deceptive and harmful. When I joined in 1995, I wasn’t fully informed, though today many rituals can be found online. I encourage parents, churches and communities to better educate their circles and provide discernment about their true nature. Through God’s revelation, I came to understand that I had brought a generational curse on my family by being in covenant with this organization. God was not pleased with the organization or my involvement. I left and immediately destroyed all related items. My wife also left Delta Sigma Theta.

“When you join AKA, a covenant is made by taking an oath, kneeling and signing your name. This binds your life to it. But everything you seek — belonging, purpose, identity — is found in God’s family. Jesus has already done all to save you. Don’t reject His love. Choose a covenant with Him, not with an organization that can’t offer true promises. Trust His word and accept eternal life (Proverbs 8:13, Ecclesiastes 12:13, John 14:23).

“Galatians 5:19-21 says works of the flesh are evident in these organizations, (sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, hostilities, strife); those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. All was witnessed when crossing over into these organizations, especially the quarrelling. We say it’s a brotherhood and sisterhood, but there’s a lot of division within the lines and in the organizations. The Lord showed that none of these organizations are evidence of the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and self-control. The Lord says that if these are based on Christian principles, why is the fruit of the Spirit not evident in these organizations? Drunkenness is praised with the alcohol of each organization: Omega oil, Alpha jungle, etc”

Why Recruit College Students/ Graduates?
Matthew 4:8-10: “Again, the devil took Him along to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, ‘All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go away, Satan! For it is written: You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’”

It is evident from this passage that Satan craves worship and imitates God (Isaiah 14:13–14). Though he failed to tempt Jesus, he deceives others, especially ambitious students and graduates aiming for success, charity, and leadership. Greek-letter organizations attract talented, friendship-seeking individuals, but their ties to rituals, gods, and oaths can pull people from God. Many eagerly sign binding agreements (oaths, contracts) without full understanding. Ask yourself, is this the direction you want for the next generation?

“[B]ut whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6–9).

Is God Calling You to Pivot?
“Come out from among them” (2 Corinthians 6:17). If you walked into a church and saw images of Shekinah, Centaur, Minerva and 666 on a pentagram displayed, would you stay there? If not, why stay in organizations with these images?

Study to show thyself approved… a workman rightly dividing the Word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15). Make sure the light you are in is not actually darkness (Luke 11:35-36). For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil (Ecclesiastes 12:14).

Pivots are part of life. No matter your role — parent, student, leader — ask God to search your heart and remove any offense (Psalm 139:23-24). If you’re in a Greek organization, prayerfully seek God’s guidance (Genesis 1:1; John 16:13). Compare the Word of God with your ritual book. Choose Him as your light and source of wisdom for eternal life. We are our brother’s keeper, as James 5:19-20 says, “My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (NASB1995).

• Hebrews 3:14-15 – For we have become partakers of Christ if we keep the beginning of our commitment firm until the end, while it is said, “today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, as when they provoked me.”
• John 12:42-43 – Nevertheless, many, even of the rulers, believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, so that they would not be excommunicated from the synagogue; for they loved the approval of people rather than the approval of God.
• 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 – Do not be mismatched with unbelievers; for what do righteousness and lawlessness share together, or what does light have in common with darkness? Or what harmony does Christ have with Belial, or what does a believer share with an unbeliever? Or what agreement does the temple of God have with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I will dwell among them and walk among them; and i will be their god, and they shall be my people. Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the lord. “And do not touch what is unclean; And I will welcome you. And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty.

• Revelations 18:4 – I heard another voice from heaven, saying, “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive any of her plagues;
• 1 Peter 3:13-17 – And who is here to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be in dread, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who disparage your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.
• Matthew 16:24 – Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.
• Ephesians 5:11 – Don’t partake in the works of darkness, expose them.
• James 4:4 – You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
• Ecclesiastes 12:14 – For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.

Behind the Divine Nine (African American Fraternities & Sororities), Free Masons, Eastern Stars

• Free Masons – Hiram Abiff (savior).
• Eastern Stars – Baphomet
• All of the Divine Nine – Set god, the god of violence.
• Phi Beta Sigma – Horus, falcon god of Egyptians.
• Zeta Phi Beta – Bastet, cat god of home and sunlight.
• Omega Psi Phi – Athena and Anubis, the royal one Jackel god of the dead.
• Kappa Alpha Psi – Toth, Egyptian god of wisdom and Apollo.
• Alpha Kappa Alpha – Qetesh, goddess of fertility.
• Delta Sigma Theta – Minerva, goddess of wisdom, known as the elephantine goddess and sorority mentor.
• Alpha Phi Alpha – Sphinx, the god of the pyramids, blocks the doorway of death.
• Sigma Gamma Rho – Maat, goddess of the heart.
• Iota Phi Theta – Centaur, half human and half horse creature in Greek mythology.

Five Signs to Know if You Are in a Social Organization or Idolatry

1. Presence of an Altar – The Divine Nine include bowing down at an altar in initiation rituals. Many include a Bible, candles, mentioning the spirit and the organization by name in ceremonies, taking a pledge or oath. For whom was the altar created? God will not share His altar with another god, (Matthew 6:24).
2. Use of a ritual book/manual with moral guidance – Initiating rituals showing devotion to the Organization
• Does the organization require allegiance/covenant with it?
• Does the organization substitute the name of God with the name of the organization or gods?

Omegas:

• Oath: I shall ask you to kneel upon both your knees, place your left hand upon the Holy Bible which I here give you, raise your right hand toward the heavens and repeat the oath after me.
• Covenant with Omega: covenant made in the presence of Almighty God, whereby one brother becomes the custodian of the other.

Deltas:

• Coming into covenant with the organization, agreement through kneeling, then the secrets of the organization revealed.
• Delta Initiation Ritual: We believe in a spiritual life, but we leave to the individual the selection of the medium for its outward manifestation (fire, crystal, etc.).

Alpha Kappa Alpha:

• Pledge at each business meeting – we pledge heart and strength.

3. Hymn or Devotional song
• Designed for the purpose of giving adoration or prayer for the deity.
• Will have words singing to the organization – not God.
• Gives praise to the organization, who should all praise be given?
• Iota Phi Theta, to thee our hearts we bring
• Delta, with glowing hearts we praise thee, For the strength thy love bestows… Delta! With loyal hearts we gather To renew our vows of love
4. Own Prayer
• May mention the Lord and the Spirit of God, yet it’s to the god of the organization.
• Alpha Kappa Alpha pray to eternal spirit when taking their oath.
• Kappas kneel at the Delphic Shrine representing the god Apollo.
5. Memorial Service – in the ritual book at death

Ritual service for a deceased member that takes place at the end of the funeral service.

Know the goal of the counterfeit….
To mirror the authentic; to bring confusion and allegiance to the false.