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Original poster

Alpha course - is this usual?

82 replies

54isanopendoor · 14/09/2023 09:50

I noticed my local Church (of Scotland) was offering an Alpha course so I went.

We watched a video. We were divided in to 2 'discussion' groups. All fine. (friendly enough but the discussion was mostly about childhood church experiences / sunday school / whose parent had been an elder so a bit 'local')
There was 20 mins Hymn singing at end. I didn't join in much as I didn't know the hymns (hummed along where I could). Much glaring & the leader at the end spoke to me & asked me 'when I wanted to accept Jesus into my life'.

I had thought that Alpha was for people not associated with Church to go along & find out what Christianity might be about & to ask questions?

OP posts:
OnDaysLikeThese · 18/09/2023 05:30

I've been on Alpha courses at several different churches. There was never any singing, nor any attempt to convert people. I've always found it very friendly and low key, and wouldn't have any qualms in recommending it to people who want to know more about Christianity.

A great deal probably depends on the church it's held at, and the churches where I've done it have been lovely churches. I've found that most people who do the course are already Christians. I like groups and talking about God (and deep stuff generally), so after the first one I've gone for the social side and because I enjoy discussions about faith. I'm sorry that people have had bad experiences at Alpha, and don't agree at all with using it as a means of getting people into churches under "false pretences".

Original poster
54isanopendoor · 18/09/2023 09:53

Thank you for the futher posts. (interesting to know it can be done online!)
I'm going to go back tomorrow to see if it was just 'teething problems & will let you know how it goes.

OP posts:
OnDaysLikeThese · 18/09/2023 12:37

I'm glad that you're going to give it another go, I hope it goes better this time. I didn't know that you can do it online. I prefer in person groups, but online is a good option if it would be difficult to get to a group. I look forward to hearing how you get on.

Coming to faith has made a huge difference to my life, and has really helped me get through difficult times. I'm lucky to have a lot of good churches within a few miles, where people have been very welcoming and kind, and haven't put any pressure on me. Please don't let this particular church colour your view, they vary hugely in so many ways. I prefer evangelical/charismatic churches, but not the really lively ones, I'm more middle of the road. I find traditional C of E churches too formal, dry and old fashioned, but have been to a couple of evangelical C of E churches and they've been great, more modern and informal with the loveliest people.

DustyLee123 · 14/01/2024 21:39

How did it go OP?

Borborygmus · 14/01/2024 22:07

May years ago there was a documentary series on TV about the alpha course (introduced by David Frost IIRC). TBH it looked like a carefully planned exercise in brainwashing.

PrimitivePerson · 15/01/2024 09:52

Borborygmus · 14/01/2024 22:07

May years ago there was a documentary series on TV about the alpha course (introduced by David Frost IIRC). TBH it looked like a carefully planned exercise in brainwashing.

That's exactly what it is, and you'd be very foolish to view it as anything else.

Luno · 15/01/2024 10:02

It's not brainwashing. There's a short talk or video then you get into discussions groups where there are a lot of questions and everyone is encouraged to say whatever they want. The ones I've been to are very open and there is no element of brainwashing or being coerced into anything.

I think sometimes people say it's brainwashing because they don't understand how anyone could become a Christian and its their only explanation for it.

determinedtomakethiswork · 15/01/2024 10:10

Luno · 14/09/2023 10:10

What do you mean by "much glaring"? Do you think perhaps you misinterpreted something that was meant to be friendly? Easy to do if you're feeling a bit anxious or out of place. I can't understand why anyone would be glaring at you.

I've never known there to be any singing at an Alpha course and I've been to a lot (church helper).

How on earth can someone misinterpret a friendly expression and think it's a glare?

Luno · 15/01/2024 10:19

Quite easily if they're saying that everyone was glaring at them. Seems much more likely to be a misinterpretation than a group of different individuals all suddenly decided to glare at someone at what should be a friendly event. It's easy to misinterpret body language, especially if you are feeling nervous or anxious. It's like when you walk past someone and they laugh, if you are feeling anxious you might worry they were laughing about you when they weren't.

lapochette · 15/01/2024 10:28

I did the Alpha course many years ago and it's definitely not brain washing.

PermanentTemporary · 15/01/2024 10:35

I think this is unusual, but also Alpha courses are run by people for whom believing in God and being a Christian are 'the norm' and even if they don't intend to evangelise, their assumptions are always based on the fact that you becoming a Christian would be the best outcome. And the 'answers' to the questions are Bible based, so if you don't regard the Bible as the basis of your world view, the answers don't really answer anything.

Note the response up thread that they wouldn't do anything like singing hymns until week 5. QED.

merrymonthofmay · 15/01/2024 18:36

whose parent had been an elder

This doesn't sound like something that would be asked in a C of S. Elders are normally associated with the JWs.

merrymonthofmay · 15/01/2024 19:29

PrimitivePerson · 15/01/2024 09:52

That's exactly what it is, and you'd be very foolish to view it as anything else.

Show quote history

🙄

Talipesmum · 15/01/2024 19:46

Aware this is an oldish thread. I did an alpha course about 20 years ago, with the intention of seeing if I could become converted, as I had a beloved boyfriend who was Christian, and I am atheist. I felt quite open to the idea, but it stemmed entirely from wanting to see if I would feel anything from it rather than from an inner growing belief, IYSWIM.

I found the course I was on very much started from the point that people were basically religious, but were wanting to tweak understanding and ask questions. There was a feeling among everyone else that “there was some bigger godlike spiritual force out there” which they all “felt” one way or another. The course was supposed to show you that this was god/jesus. A lot of opening your heart was supposed to happen. I got the CS Lewis book and read it, but it didn’t resonate with me. I did quite a few sessions - one whole course, then a good few sessions of another one at a different university. After a while it became apparent that everyone on the course was treating it as a Christian discussion group for Christians, and I still didn’t feel a flicker of conversion or spiritualism, so I bowed out.

PrimitivePerson · 15/01/2024 19:46

merrymonthofmay · 15/01/2024 18:36

whose parent had been an elder

This doesn't sound like something that would be asked in a C of S. Elders are normally associated with the JWs.

Loads of mainstream Christian denominations have elders. If you're going to try and defend churches, at least know what you're talking about. I went to a Baptist church in my teens and they had elders.

PrimitivePerson · 15/01/2024 19:49

lapochette · 15/01/2024 10:28

I did the Alpha course many years ago and it's definitely not brain washing.

Oh, it definitely is.

It exists to convert people to a very specific form of evangelical Christian belief. However they try and dress it up, that's the main objective. They don't care about anything else.

CurlewKate · 15/01/2024 19:50

That does sound very odd. But Alpha can be very pushy need. Be careful.

LadeOde · 15/01/2024 19:52

That is not an Alpha course. The point of Alpha is to help non Christians who are interested to ask questions about the faith and to have the basic tenets of Christianity explained. Basically a course in the basic fundamentals of Christianity. It was created in the 70s as a preacher felt there was a gap and many other churches started running the course and its proved very successful in informing interested people. Some then go on to start attending church whilst some are happy to leave after the course (which is the while point i.e to help people make an informed decision).

Leyenda · 15/01/2024 19:57

Sounds weird

I’d run a mile from the Alpha course personally, the town I grew up it called it the brainwashing course.

SheRasBra · 15/01/2024 19:57

I went to a couple of sessions of the Alpha Course about 15 years ago. There were no opportunities to ask challenging questions, or really any questions. Small groups were led by someone from the church and I would describe several of the people in 'my' group as being quite vulnerable. They were all already members of that church and seemed to just be there to do a bit of overtime and make up the numbers!

At the end, some of the people involved with the church were laying hands on people, ostensibly to 'cure' them of various ailments they had. I was absolutely incensed - the arrogance to think you have the power of some sort of supreme being to heal the sick. Never a fan of organised religion to begin with, that experience left me with all my worst fears confirmed, I'm afraid.

merrymonthofmay · 15/01/2024 19:58

PrimitivePerson · 15/01/2024 19:46

Loads of mainstream Christian denominations have elders. If you're going to try and defend churches, at least know what you're talking about. I went to a Baptist church in my teens and they had elders.

Show quote history

Still an unusual question given the context and you're being unnecessarily rude.

merrymonthofmay · 15/01/2024 19:59

the arrogance to think you have the power of some sort of supreme being to heal the sick.

Ever read a Bible? @SheRasBra

SheRasBra · 15/01/2024 20:02

I have, merrymonthofmay, but these charlatans hadn't even had the decency to do the NVQ in carpentry.

merrymonthofmay · 15/01/2024 20:04

SheRasBra · 15/01/2024 20:02

I have, merrymonthofmay, but these charlatans hadn't even had the decency to do the NVQ in carpentry.

Shouldn't laugh, but I did.

CurlewKate · 15/01/2024 20:36

"Some then go on to start attending church whilst some are happy to leave after the course (which is the while point i.e to help people make an informed decision).

Well, with a special emphasis on making the "right" decision....