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AIBU?

to ask if I should do the Alpha course.

64 replies

Ohnoredundo · 21/09/2011 20:52

Should I? Have any of you lot done it? If so was it a positive experience? Since the birth of my son I've been asking a lot of the 'big questions' and finding life all a bit confusing - could this course help me find an answer?

OP posts:
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birdsofshoreandsea · 21/09/2011 20:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Kayano · 21/09/2011 20:54

Hmmm I personally wouldnt, do your own research and hit the library

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Zimm · 21/09/2011 20:54

PILs did it and it seemed very cult like. If you think religion is the answer to your big questions I speak with someone more open minded with less dogma than an organised course. But then I am a massive atheist....hope you find what you're looking for.

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cfc · 21/09/2011 20:57

My husband and I did it a couple of years ago. I am practising catholic and he is atheist. He did it to see what it was like after being invited to it by some very devout friends.

I found it really good and it awakened a further love for my faith in me. Husband did not find it useful in that way but enjoyed meeting new peeps and soarring with them!

Do it, what's the worse that could happen?!

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PeneloPeePitstop · 21/09/2011 20:58

It's an intensely personal decision.

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cfc · 21/09/2011 20:58

Sparring. Effing tablet...

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cfc · 21/09/2011 21:00

Birdsofshoreandsea - what a shame you found it so awful!! I wonder how different they are in different areas?

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Nowtspecial · 21/09/2011 21:14
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nocake · 21/09/2011 21:19

I used to run an Alpha course. They can be good but they can be bad, depending on who's running it and what the group is like. I had some groups who had great discussions and I pretty much had to throw them out of the house or they would have been talking through the night. Other groups barely said a word.

I can't tell you if you'll find the answers you're looking for but it is one place to look.

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Almacks · 21/09/2011 21:19

It's definitely not s'posed to be bigoted, I've been on one and the format was meal, talk or video from the front, discussion round the table. The two table leaders on our table actually did very little talking, it was the guests who spoke most, and there were no "answers" let alone wrong ones.

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acatcalledfelix · 21/09/2011 21:28

read this

Personally, as an Athiest, I find what I've read about them rather scary and full on. But like I said, as an Athiest....

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eaglewings · 21/09/2011 21:36

Got one starting here tomorrow, 60 signed up so you are not alone in thinking about going on one
They don't just push one version of evangelical Christianity, they should be a place to ask questions and make up your own mind.
It does depend on the people running it.
If you never try you will never know!

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meditrina · 21/09/2011 21:40

Although it started with HTB, all sorts run them now (even the Roman Catholic church), so I don't think it is fair to brand it as one type, even though there is commonality in source material and starting points. You may want to look around your area to see who is running them near you.

I haven't done one - too new-fangled for me!

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cheeseandmarmitesandwich · 21/09/2011 21:49

There was a documentary about it on tv a while ago that was not particularly favourable, I got the impression there was a hidden agenda.

But then a very good friend of mine used to be a course leader and she's catholic and a bit bonkers perfectly lovely.

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depob · 21/09/2011 21:52

I am a bit suspicious that they run classes/retreats for quite young children. DS was invited when aged 10 (!)

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lollystix · 21/09/2011 21:57

I did it and to be honest - nice people but I think birdsofshoreandsea sums it up very well.

Them - homosexuality is wrong
Me- why?
Them - because God says so!
Me- but why does he think it's wrong?
Them - just cos....!
Me - Hmm

Oh and the same for living together before marriage - very enlightened bunch I found.

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eaglewings · 21/09/2011 22:05

Them - homosexuality is wrong

I have led courses and never said this. It also will not be preached at the one in our village.

Again, it depends on who is running the course.

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bigpants103 · 21/09/2011 22:09

well if you think the answer may be a particular brand of evangelical and rather bigoted christianity, then yes, try it

agree 100%!!!

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Littlefish · 21/09/2011 22:19

I went to the first 5 sessions and found the views stated, very disturbing, particularly those on homosexuality, addiction, eating disorders and cancer. I decided not to attend the final sessions.

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alemci · 21/09/2011 22:19

Keep an open mind and go and try it. You may be surprised.

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Meteorite · 21/09/2011 22:26

It's not the type of Christianity I would go for. How about going along to a few local churches and seeing if you like any of them instead? This way you'll encounter several styles and approaches and might find something that seems to "fit".

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Solola · 21/09/2011 22:28

Go for it! You've nothing to loose but your time. Especially if you go into it with an open mind.

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Littlefish · 21/09/2011 22:29

I went with an open mind.

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eurochick · 21/09/2011 22:29

I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole personally. Particularly if you are feeling bit vulnerable at the moment.

If you feel like you need spiritual help, pop along to your local church/temple/mosque/synagogue. If you feel like you need another kind of help look at counselling/mediation/whatever serves your needs (you are not v clear about what kind of questions you have ).

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RueDeWakening · 21/09/2011 22:33

I did the course last year, it was interesting but didn't help me much. I found some of the views uncomfortable - as well as things like opinions on homosexuality, living together before marriage, etc etc there were things like watching music videos, reading sci fi or fantasy books, watching stuff on TV all being dangerous for our faith and being against God.

I enjoyed the discussions, and the vicar's wife (who ran it along with the church youth pastor) was good at dealing with awkward questions, which I found fairly useful.

I'd definitely recommend giving it a go, just go with an open mind and don't worry if you find it's not for you - that's partly what it's there for.

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