Reply to: Good Lord!! Can this be true?

[Zippy]

You generally get a free meal at an Alpha session. Quite a few are held in pubs but I don't think it's a free bar normally, or we'd see far more 'spiritual' outpourings.

Amen!

[d000hg]

You generally get a free meal at an Alpha session. Quite a few are held in pubs but I don't think it's a free bar normally, or we'd see far more 'spiritual' outpourings.

[Scrag Meister]

Doesn't sound dis-similar to some Consulting skills workshops, team building exercises and other some such b0ll0x that Ihave been on in my perm time.

But then again there isn't a fully expensed pi55-up at the end of the day, well not the last time I went to church there wasn't.

[sasguru]

the most sensible thing you've ever said

Various people keep saying that for various posts.
I must be very sensible indeed

[Boudica]

What a load of complete drivel.
Alpha course, scientology etc etc - panaceas for the moronic and weak-minded.

I like Christopher Hitchens who has just discovered he has cancer. "Why me?" he says and goes on to answer "...the cosmos barely bothers to answer - why not?". Now that's how it is. Nothing more, nothing less.

the most sensible thing you've ever said

[sasguru]

I can't believe you felt the need to explain that joke.

You are equally at liberty to call it brainwashing if it means people actually realise Christianity is quite extreme. Of course I claim it's real in one case and cultish rubbish in another, but that's my viewpoint. Apathy is worse than persecution in many ways.

The thing with Alpha though is it exists only as a forum to get people talking. There shouldn't be pressure to convert, just watching a video on "what we think" and then chatting without the Christians telling people what the right answers are, but facilitating discussions. No question, they want people to "see the truth" but it is focused on letting people draw their conclusions, on the basis that "the truth" doesn't need us to trick people.

Pentecostal is a reasonable background to think about Alpha, however generally a more restrained English version. Technically, "Charismatic" is the term we use although I don't know what Alpha identifies itself as.

Tongues and falling over (like on the God Channel only less cheesy) are relevant although different churches no doubt come at it from different angles. Also, spontaneous healings, etc. Basically, stuff from the book of Acts... which is short and action-packed as a story if you can get away from the fact "it's the bible".

What a load of complete drivel.
Alpha course, scientology etc etc - panaceas for the moronic and weak-minded.

I like Christopher Hitchens who has just discovered he has cancer. "Why me?" he says and goes on to answer "...the cosmos barely bothers to answer - why not?". Now that's how it is. Nothing more, nothing less.

[Boudica]

I used to like that little peppa pig character until i watched the cartoon, they snort as they speak.

disgusting.

[Boudica]

And there's you been doing it for years without even realising.

[kandr]

I thought you would have learned by now, dont leave it too late, get yourself covered

Ill wait till im standing before him then ask to join, I know there will be a charge.

[EternalOptimist]

Or more likely God doesn't exist, we are alone in the universe when we die theres nothing. Which sounds like my current role.

I thought you would have learned by now, dont leave it too late, get yourself covered

[EternalOptimist]

oinking, for crying out loud. I wonder if Jesus ever oinked ?

its just some old sow trotting out porkies if you want my pun, I mean opinion

[TimberWolf]

Or more likely God doesn't exist, we are alone in the universe when we die theres nothing. Which sounds like my current role.

What do you mean by God, exist, alone, die, universe, nothing? 42.

[kandr]

Only a few do the "Alpha Course" but you can bet your bottom dollar that we're all going to do the "Omega" one...

Or more likely God doesn't exist, we are alone in the universe when we die theres nothing. Which sounds like my current role.

[SupremeSpod]

Only a few do the "Alpha Course" but you can bet your bottom dollar that we're all going to do the "Omega" one...

[shaunbhoy]

At least now you are among friends!


woof woof.

Ah..........the old ones are the best.................as Harold Shipman used to say!