to ask if I should do the Alpha course.

[Ohnoredundo]

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?

I had a look through the course materials when a friend of mine was running one, and it all seemed very mainstream, middle of the road Christianity.

That said, I would agree with others who have said that it depends very much on exactly who is running it, and I can well believe that some people have dreadful experiences of it. I think you need to have a vague idea of which kind of church you would find most palatable/the least offensive before you join a course.

I appreciate that is a bit tricky for anybody who has had little experience of church, which you may or may not have.

If you're not sure about Alpha, another option is Christianity explored. It does what it says on the tin :) It's very relaxed, people don't try to tell you what to believe.

Well I went to one for a free curry once. but then they guilt-tripped you into paying for the curry anyway

I've done it twice; the second time because a friend wanted to go and wanted someone to go with. It was relaxed and friendly both times. According to Alpha, both sex before marriage and homosexuality are wrong, but there was no problem about disagreeing with this.

It's pretty basic and I think it tends to over simplify things, but it's a good starting point, and the meals were lovely at the ones I attended.

The church I went to had monthly follow up evenings - same format of meal etc, but instead of videos they had local speakers on a variety of topics, (Fair Trade, someone who worked with the homeless etc.) and I think I preferred them.

I did it once - lovely people, not extreme, homosexuality never mentioned, and I can't imagine they had strong views about unmarried parents, as they knew I was one- but it didn't answer my questions, and was a very similar experience to just going to church there. Plus fish and chips.

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

But if it's the word of god, why don't you teach it?

(I'm in no way homophobic or religious, by the way. Quite the opposite, in fact. I just wonder why you are skimming over unpalatable elements of Christianity instead of going the whole hog)

My elderly parents were almost inveigled into taking part in an Alpha course by their insufferable neighbours until I made them see sense.

We need less religion and religious teaching, not more.

RuthdeWakening - it sounds a very odd Alpha, because those aren't mainstream Christian views. In fact in this town I think few would ban SF etc. And lots have problems with the simple "Homosexuality is wrong" and would be careful on the "sex before marriage", as life isn't that simple. (I do know some people who don't see the problems with those statements as well.)

Thank you for all of your views - the Guardian piece makes very interestin reading. I have started going to my local C of E church as getting DS baptised. But surprisingly to me, rather than just the feeling part of a community which is why I initially wanted to go to church, the sermons each week have given me something to think about and I have been moved to tears on occasion. Although raised as a non practicing Christian I don't really know much about what Christianity really means in terms of the Holy Trinity etc. and I am interested in finding out more so I know what it is I'm saying in church.

In fact I would urge people interested in Alpha to read the piece suggested by acatcalledfelix. Still don't know whether to go or not though...

My dad and his wife did an alpha course.

He couldn't tell you anything about it but went for the free/cheap food!

That probably doesn't help!

The Bible doesn't tell us that homosexuality is wrong. It tells us that some people at the time of writing believed it was wrong. Interestingly Jesus doesn't seem to have said anything about it at all, his priority was to get us to stop judging and love one another :)

"I just wonder why you are skimming over unpalatable elements of Christianity"

The Bible sadly can be interpreted in many ways depending on the person who wants to make a point to prove they are right.
If we pick and chose certain verses and leave others out we can make it say lots of things God is not.

If we take the Gospels which are the recollections of the time Jesus was alive on earth he gives us some very clear messages
To love one another and not judge
To treat the poor with respect and be careful how we use our money
The importance of God, Father Sin and Holy Spirit
He never mentions sexuality other than people who are not faithful in marriage

Ohno, if you want to discover more about the Trinity, then give it a go, it seems like you have found a church you are happy in and have questions tha are worth exploring.

My dad went on one a year ago, it helped him understand the Holy Spirit and he is still not a raving evangelical (!) but has agreed to help on the next course. I did a course over 20 years ago and it helped me understand who Jesus is.

People are quick to judge Christians and lump them all in the same bracket. It's like saying that all football fans support Man U.

We are a bunch of people who believe in the same God but struggle just like everyone else with the small stuff. Just like any family there will be different characters and disagreements over small matters.

One of my favourite verses is

We love because God loved us first

i use to help run these courses for teenagers and adults. they will give you a pretty good view of the positive side of evangelical Christianity and the basics in bible study etc also as some have mentioned the more ridged/traditional veiws on homosexuality, no sex before marriage, everyone who doesnt believe in god will burn in hell etc.

if the people that run it are not theology/biblical history scholars before hand the info given is pretty standard and rote which means if you have any tricky questions the answers will be pretty standard and boring and probably wrong.
it dosent encourage any kind of big thinking religion wise which is a shame but over all they wont mind if you love gays and bonk you boyfriends like bunnys (hate the sin, love the sinner is the mantra) so long as you believe in god because all they care about is your immortal soul which is kind of sweet.
it will be friendly welcoming informal and not at all scary and there will be people thinking the same things as you there so you could end up with some interesting conversations.

Birds I am sorry that you have got this impression about Alpha. Some may use Alpha to teach about sexuality, but it is not the main point of Alpha by means

yeah birds i wouldnt ever say its was brought up specifically but lets be fair most people would ask questions about it as it is a well known part of the Christian faith that causes contention in the modern age.

Certainly worth trying. But bear in mind that generally it will only be a particular type of Christianity that is taught. There are other approaches.

Eg I was baptised and confirmed at a very liberal cathedral in London (Southwark). We had confirmation classes which were very enlightening - certainly none of the "homosexuality is wrong cos God says so" stuff. It's all a bit more subtle than that.

The period running up to my baptism and confirmation was one of the most fulfilling of my life thanks to those classes which were really eye opening without being prescriptive. I never knew previously that Christians like that existed (having only encountered a more evangelical, literal view of faith previously).

evangelical christains dont do subtle, they are out and proud, so to speak.

I came on the thread, as an atheist, to suggest that you perhaps try some philosophy books first.
However, after reading others' replies, I am now considering signing up myself, just so I can vocally challenge the bigoted views being aired in the course of recruitment

Not sure who the "them" being referred to is. Most alpha courses are run by the congregations of churches (often, but not always, Church of England ones). the CofE has many different styles and degrees of fundamentalism and different alpha courses will reflect who is running them.

I'd say go, with an open mind, ask your questions, listen to other people's views (the guests as much as the leaders) and consider where that leads you.

Don't get too hung up on legalistic Christianity (which a lot of non believers do). Jesus said he came to bring us life and set us free, he also said none of us are clean enough to judge another.

In my experience, congregations at church are made up of a load of normal people, all with strengths and weaknesses, trying to love God and one another.

Oh go on aftereight, I'd love to hear how you get on!

It's a pity so many churches automatically opt for Alpha when there are various other courses out there, with different approaches.

After eight, you would be most welcome, the food is free and we start at 7.15. Baby sitting can be arranged :)

I went on a Alpha course. Free dinners, a dvd with Nicky Gumble followed by discussion.

Hardly some brainwashing cult and any intresting discussion on philospophy if anything.

OP its like any course- "shall I go flower arranging"- well you could but it will depend on quality of leader/teacher as to how useful it is. If you try one and the leader is a bit over zealous then maybe try another one or another course entirely; or book you can read at your own pace.

Btw there are many different thoughts in Christianity so just because the Alpha course says one thing doesn't mean all Christians follow that message like sheep.

I'm an atheist, but my Christian friends would probably say that you will find God on your own, if that is what you really want. No indoctrination required.