Alpha Course

[tofu]

It looks as if I will be attending one of these soon, can anyone shed any light on the Alpha Course...

 

[Mr Dave]

Glad to hear it

What do you want to know exactly, how they work, what will happen, what you'll cover?

 

[Mr Dave]

Who is it aimed at?

The course is for those who want to investigate Christianity, are new to a church or those who want to brush up on their basic Christian knowledge.

What form does it take?

The Alpha course consists of a series of talks looking at topics such as "Who is Jesus?" and "Why and how do I pray?". There is a meal together at the beginning of each session which gives an opportunity to get to know each other. After each talk those taking part divide into small groups for a time of discussion. The organisers say: "Listen, learn, discuss and discover. And ask anything. Alpha is a place where no question is too simple or too hostile."

The Methodist Church in Britain | The Alpha Course

 

[tofu]

Thanks!

 

[Mr Dave]

No worries

Any questions, just ask.
It's good to do Alpha.

 

[uberd00b]

It looks as if I will be attending one of these soon, can anyone shed any light on the Alpha Course...

Well I suspect some religious people are going to try and make their religion sound plausible, while subtley skirting the problems therein.

I'd be interested in your experience if you would post it here. Take some good questions with you. I've had an inkling to attend one for a while but I feel it would be slightly distasteful, like telling children there is no Santa Claus.

 

[tofu]

A Taoist, never met one! Anyway of course I have questions, thats the whole point of going. I suspect you do as well but don't have the class to have reasonable discussions with Christians. The Santa Clause line is old.

 

[Mr Dave]

A Taoist, never met one!

Well you get allsorts from Newcastle don't you

Anyway of course I have questions, thats the whole point of going. I suspect you do as well but don't have the class to have reasonable discussions with Christians. The Santa Clause line is old.

Hope you have some good discussions

 

[tofu]

Lol

 

[Celtic D]

A Taoist, never met one! Anyway of course I have questions, thats the whole point of going. I suspect you do as well but don't have the class to have reasonable discussions with Christians. The Santa Clause line is old.

I love the way both Christians and non Christians use the Santa Claus saga for their own agenda.

Well can I just say I was brought up on Santa Claus, it didn't do me or my faith any harm, nor does it do for the majority of Christians. As you say tofu, its old news - good luck with your searching and questioning

 

[artybloke]

I don't think they'd like me in an Alpha Course. I'd be asking to many awkward questions like "What has God got against gay people?", for instance.

 

[Mr Dave]

They should be happy to answer any questions.

 

[tofu]

I don't think they'd like me in an Alpha Course. I'd be asking to many awkward questions like "What has God got against gay people?", for instance.

Not that awkward, I can answer that one.

 

[uberd00b]

A Taoist, never met one!

Anyway of course I have questions, thats the whole point of going.

Take the problem of evil, free will vs. predestination, the problems of omnipotence or any of the other problems. Don't let them bamboozle you with feel good stories of love and forgiveness.

I suspect you do as well but don't have the class to have reasonable discussions with Christians. The Santa Clause line is old.

You DO tell kids there is no Santa Claus? You are such a bad person.

 

[artybloke]

Not that awkward, I can answer that one.

As I was recently parading with my local Quaker meeting in the local Pride meeting, holding a banner saying, Quakers support Gay marriage, so can I...

 

[tofu]

Don't understand your argument or question?

 

[ScarredSaint]

I've never been on an Alpha course, as they're meant for people with little knowledge, so I am unsuitable. (Not saying I have loads of knowledge, just that I have more than they would be expecting of me).

Only problem I can see with Alpha is that it is charismatic. As I understand things part of the course involves trying to speak in tongues. I happen to consider charismatic tongues-speaking as unbiblical, unnecessary - though I will not go as far as those who say it is evil/wrong/whatever. Just not for me.

 

[Celtic D]

My understanding of Alpha is that it for those who seek and are questioning - it has nothing to do with knowledge, you can have the knowledge without the faith, they are two different things. Also I don't think all Alpha courses are charismatic.

 

[s_s]

I've never been on an Alpha course, as they're meant for people with little knowledge, so I am unsuitable. (Not saying I have loads of knowledge, just that I have more than they would be expecting of me).

Only problem I can see with Alpha is that it is charismatic. As I understand things part of the course involves trying to speak in tongues. I happen to consider charismatic tongues-speaking as unbiblical, unnecessary - though I will not go as far as those who say it is evil/wrong/whatever. Just not for me.

You consider speaking in tongues un-Biblical?
Or specifically "Charismatic tongues"?

Just confused, seeking clarity

 

[zaksmummy]

Take the problem of evil, free will vs. predestination, the problems of omnipotence or any of the other problems. Don't let them bamboozle you with feel good stories of love and forgiveness.You DO tell kids there is no Santa Claus? You are such a bad person.

Why dont you ask your questions in the "exploring Christianity" section?

My husband and I and a friend once had a 6 hour discussion on predestination and free will. I do understnad it, whether I could explain it Im not sure