Alpha Course?

[that_punk_guy]

So I saw this gigantic billboard on my way home, which said "Isn't there more to life than this?" and some stuff about investigating the meaning of life, and the URL http://www.alphacourse.org

It was while leading his second Alpha course that Nicky made a discovery which transformed the church's whole approach to the course and gave it a new dynamic. As he looked around the 13 members of his 'small group', he realized to his surprise that apart from the three Christian helpers, all the other 10 members of the group were non-churchgoers.

"They had all the normal objections: 'What about other religions?'; 'What about suffering?', and so on - and we had a stormy first six weeks," he said. Then they went away on the weekend and all 10 announced their Christian conversion together.

Now accepting new admissions for the loon army and "coming to a church near you"... Ugh.

It surprised me a lot to see a billboard advertising this though... I don't think I've ever seen a religious billboard advertisement. Which begs the question, who the hell are they and how come they can afford it? ;-)

[Cyberus]

Each to their own.

Would you launch an attack on a piece of Muslim, Hindu or Buddhist literature?

[T_Bone]

Cyberus wrote:
Each to their own.

Would you launch an attack on a piece of Muslim, Hindu or Buddhist literature?

Hells yea I would! :lol:

I'm sick of all advertising! I don't care if GOD HIMSELF decides to make an appearance, I'll hit the mute button and disable popups! If he wants his signal to be recieved, he should have gotten rid of the noise! :-)

[that_punk_guy]

Well, I wouldn't be happy seeing them advertised in this way.

I'm really just curious though, as to who they are.

[blobrana]

Hymn,

They are sheep,
Keep away from them
or they will suck your soul
and cast you into the abyss...

[X-ray]

@ Blobzie

That sounds like what Scientology does..and they call themselves 'The Church of Scientology'
Hah!!!
That's just a tax fiddle.

[Speelgoedmannetje]

Cyberus wrote:
Each to their own.

Would you launch an attack on a piece of Muslim, Hindu or Buddhist literature?

Well, Salman Rushdie did that with his book "Satanic Verses"

[the_leander]

OH.. MY.. GODDESS! :-D

And just when I thought that new age Christianity could get no more tacky!

I mean come on, how can you have Rosemary Connelly (The old bint that does the cheepo keep fit videos) and really expect to be taken seriously!

I find it a real shame, as other initiatives by the various churches have really gone all out to engage new folks, and imho did it with the sort of professionalism that the Church desperately needs (am thinking of ship of fools - that online church). This is like five steps back to SOF's 3 steps forward.

Well I wish them all the luck in the world, cos advertising like that is just soooo not the way to go about it, SOF proved that if you had a good idea, it would spread itself with little or no external help once you gave out the original message.

Interesting place too, and Wiccan friendly :-D

[Bobsonsirjonny]

Alpha is a form of evangelism set up by the Anglican Church. It is funded from theological book sales and donations. It works different to conventional evangelism in so far as you go to them.

Would you object to a billboard advertising a humanism meeting?

I have very serious issues with the presentation of Alpha, and some of the people who run it. But sitting in on such a course or meeting is quite interesting. It doesnt hold any punches. You can ask what you like - infact it turns the percieved idea of what people think christianity is on its head. It goes back to the book.

For example - how many of you think that prayer is asking God for stuff, like a note to santa?

"Dear God can I have a new car"

Your wrong. Prayer has never been that.

[iamaboringperson]

@TPG

Oh ... come ... on! :lol: As soon as I saw the title of the thread, I was sure that it was Christian.

I get brochures for that kind of thing in my letter box all the time.


Teaching about the Bible - my ASS!

[iamaboringperson]

For example - how many of you think that prayer is asking God for stuff, like a note to santa?

"Dear God can I have a new car"

Your wrong. Prayer has never been that.

It has always been that kind of thing for me. What's wrong with asking for all sorts of neat stuff?