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Philosophy/religion

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Alpha course & The Holy Spirit

38 replies

TheFunkyFox · 17/03/2019 07:47

So just after Xmas I decided to join an Alpha course. I had been going to play groups at the local church weekly and was kind of cornered while there and asked if I would like to join the next group. I thought meh, why not! I will ask all the questions I wanted answering, why the suffering etc if there was a god. I didn’t believe at all, even though I wanted too my brain told me to stop being stupid.

Fast forward a lot of weeks, each week Iv been abit more “well if there is a god, then why doesn’t he send a sign?!”. Everyone on the course and at church seemed so happy, and I wanted that!

Last week I was reading the bible for the first time, trying to get some research in ;), when my son came down stairs. He had borrowed an action bible from the church and had been reading it. He was telling me what he had learnt and he said

“If you ask your father for bread, does he give you a stone”.

When he went back upstairs I got back to the bible and on the first line on the next page was the exact quote!!!

Yesterday was the alpha away day. It was all about the Holy Spirit which I had never even really heard of 🙈.

At the end they asked if they could come round and prey for you and I said yes.

I sat down and the put their hands on me and preyed.

And I started to sob uncontrollably. I can’t explain what happend. I felt like I was being hugged and told how much I was loved. I haven’t had that in 10 years since my mum died.

I couldn’t stop crying, but I didn’t know why.

Has anyone had this?! I feel so different. I can’t explain it but wtf!

OP posts:
SuperStellaElla · 17/03/2019 07:51

You’ve made a fredian slip there - they are preying for you

SuperStellaElla · 17/03/2019 07:53

Freudian even!

Roo2012 · 17/03/2019 07:53

Yes, I have had similar experiences. Yes, I do think it's the Holy Spirit or something like that. I don't think posting here will get you the most support though if you want to explore it from that perspective. Hoping you find your faith and are able to keep it and grow in it.

TheFunkyFox · 17/03/2019 07:59

Thank you.

I really don’t need the negatives tbh. For the first time in 10 years Iv came to terms with my mums death and feel at peace with it.

OP posts:
Roo2012 · 17/03/2019 08:03

Have you got someone from the Alpha group or church you can talk to for reassurance?

MamaMary · 17/03/2019 08:05

OP, please post this in the philosophy and religions board, or ask MN to change it over to there. You will get far more helpful replies. You will get a lot of cynicism and negativity on Chat.

Fwiw, I think you should keep praying, keep going to the church and keep reading, all while maintaining a level-headed and questioning approach.

FamilyOfAliens · 17/03/2019 08:06

They want you to join the church, so making you feel like you’re part of their “family” is one way of achieving that.

I’m amazed you didn’t realise that’s what happened there, tbh.

Bezalelle · 17/03/2019 08:08

"was kind of cornered"

This isn't great. And I say this as a religious person myself (not Christian). Doesn't seem like the greatest way into a faith.

WaxOnFeckOff · 17/03/2019 08:12

You are vulnerable, they are preying. I'm glad that you feel better and I guess whatever gets you through gets you through. They think they are helping you, but it's really just a different crutch.

efc1878 · 17/03/2019 08:13

I completed the Alpha course before Christmas. I was a very lapsed Christian. I can understand how you felt and am pleased that you had this experience.
If you feel comfortable talk to another member of your group. If not pray, keep reading the bible and take comfort in the faith you are experiencing.

PuddleglumtheMarshWiggle · 17/03/2019 08:13

Your post sounds great. You describe the feeling as peaceful and loving. I've had similar experiences and would say that this is the Holy Spirit. Before Jesus ascended into heaven he promised to send someone who he described as the "comforter" I think you've met him.
Please carry on meeting with these people. I'm sure they will be happy to answer all the questions you have.

TheFunkyFox · 17/03/2019 08:16

Please no negative comments! Iv asked it to be
Moved.

If I didn’t enjoy the course I would have quit along time ago.

OP posts:
Elisheva · 17/03/2019 08:17

Preying on her?? To what end? What exactly do you think the church want to do to her other than offering her support and a ‘family’?

FlossieTeacakesFurCoat18 · 17/03/2019 08:20

You'll probably find others on your course will have had similar experiences so you'll be able to chat and share with them.

Ignore the people here who have no clue what you're on about because they haven't experienced it and have no concept of what it can be like. It really is impossible to explain.

I hope your alpha course is giving you enough support as you grow and experience these new things?

BoundByBriars · 17/03/2019 08:23

Not the ‘Holy Spirit’, just the usual loving connection human beings can make with one another when they drop their defences and open up to each other - a sharing of energy, if you will.

For some, it takes submitting to believing a ‘higher power’ is at work to feel safe enough to do this with another person, to confirm that it is safe to open up to them because you both believe in the same spiritual narrative, but i believe it is actually well within the control of all humans to make this connection with others without relying on religion.

I say this because I have experienced it in church, in Buddhist circles, at Jewish gatherings, during massage, reiki, meditation and hippy-type spiritual retreats. I believe it is universal and not particular to certain religions, and explains nothing more than the human spirit.

It is however, a wonderful way for groups to convince vulnerable people, or those open to the suggestion, that their own version of events the ‘the way’. So I say, read the facts and make your judgments on that before you sign up, rather than the nice feeling you get with these people. You can take what teachings resonate with you from your sessions (as I have done with various religions) without submitting yourself to them.

FamilyOfAliens · 17/03/2019 08:23

Ah ok, OP. You only want to hear from people who think there’s a supernatural reason for your feelings, rather than that evangelicals gonna evangelise.

Good idea to get it moved from Chat then.

NopeNi · 17/03/2019 08:31

It's "just" a psychological reaction IMO, but that shouldn't mean it's any less meaningful for you. Enjoy the feeling of peace.

HeronLanyon · 17/03/2019 08:33

I’m really glad you have some positive feelings about your grief for your mum.
My mum does a few months ago and I’d love some kind of reassurance.
Given your question ended up being ‘wtf’? I don’t understand why you are wanting to ‘ban’ any comment not on board with ‘positive’ view of what’s going on.

HeronLanyon · 17/03/2019 08:34

Died not does.

RightOcciputAnterior · 17/03/2019 08:35

I have never done the Alpha Course (Not my style of Christianity) but I'm glad you're finding your new-found faith helpful. Keep praying and reading your Bible at home and develop your own relationship with God. If you want to know more about Christianity but don't gel with the style taught on the course, try going to another church and perhaps talk to the priest.

I believe you Smile

Mumberjack · 17/03/2019 08:36

I think if you were able to achieve that feeling of comfort and peace its partly to do with the course and its teachings, but it’s because you chose to take that time and effort to focus on something which led to you opening up.
I have no issue with people leaning on their faith to get through troubled times but I feel sometimes it’s less about the content or the origins of the material, than the actions you take yourself to learn/participate.

sagradafamiliar · 17/03/2019 08:39

You felt moved because another person putting their hands on you and wishing you well is quite an intense, personal and probably overwhelming thing to happen to you especially if you're not used to it. It would've been more surprising if you didn't feel emotional about that.

Bezalelle · 17/03/2019 08:56

OP, with all due respect, you can't demand no negative comments.

When I became religious, I interrogated my faith and asked basically everyone I knew for their opinions, negative and positive. To this day, people ask me "why?", and this period of reflection and interrogation has allowed me to answer honestly and sincerely.

Please don't ignore criticism and questioning. It is then that a faith becomes a cult.

continuallychargingmyphone · 17/03/2019 08:58

Certainly in the dark ages when I was at university, some of the frightfully middle class and good looking fresh faced boys and girls from the CU used to ‘prey’ on more vulnerable students.

I was friends with one of them: she is now a pastor so it obviously stayed with her. Personally though I think any relationship including one with God should start from when the individual is happy with themselves.

LilyMumsnet · 17/03/2019 09:34

We're just moving this thread to religion at OP's request. Flowers