The Alpha Course

[Fidel_Castronaut]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_course

If you haven't heard of them, they're like meetings arranged by Churches or Faith Groups with the guise of 'getting people talking about Christianity', and are aimed specifically at non-believers or people who are waivering on losing their faith (although anyone can join).

People sit on tables with strangers and topics are brought up whilst food and drink is served, with the main focus obviously being on Christianity. People are then invited to a meet afterwards somewhere else where there's activities and more discussions about Christianity etc etc.

I've never considered going to one, and I wouldn't ever go on one, mainly because they operate on a scam basis whereby they place stooges on tables during the initial meetings that guide the conversation in the direction that organisers prefer. However I have no experience of what they say to skeptics who attend as I've never met any who have.

However, I post this topic because one of my sort of friends has become an organiser of AlphaCourses in my local area, and he's also not an idiot (Graduated top of his college at Oxford in Medicine. Actually probably one of the smartest people I know, academically at least). It perplexes me though because when he first attended he gave me a rundown of how the stooge system works (pretty girls, generally, sitting on tables, subtly influencing conversation and lying about their lack of beliefs), yet still endorses the AC as a way of getting more people into the church.

It's just the contradiction of saying the structure is not ok but then following (and endorsing) that structure.

Anyway, anyone ever been on one, or knows anyone that has?

[Nine]

There are a ton around here. My dad used to go to one, from what I heard it was just a bunch of people show up (Mostly people who belong to local churches already) and ask questions which are answered by a few of the local church leaders. Not really sure beyond that. He wanted me to go because he felt like he was being guilt tripped into accepting all their answers. He just stopped going in the end.

[Silver]

Never heard of it till I read this thread. Does not surprise me, though. Theists will go to any length to ensure their fairy tale is believed by all.

[Faith No More]

Here's a thread where a user describes what he experienced at one.

[Fidel_Castronaut]

Good testimony from pGrimes. Reading through his experience is fascinating, if not a bit predictable.

The guy I know who runs one has invited me along in the past and I've always been adamant in my refusal. Not sure whether to go now...

[Doubting Thomas]

I doubt they get many converts this way. If someone really wants to join a church, they'll seek out a church to join. But if they think they're going to cast a net and haul in a bunch of atheists they're mistaken.

She said why not go along to answer some questions I might have about Christianity

Why is it that Christians think that atheists have all these questions about Christianity? I know it's just a ruse they use to get people in to talk about their religion, but I used to be a Christian.

[Fidel_Castronaut]

I'm sad that Grimey didn't finish his story. I was actually quite excited to read what happened in the end but his tale just ends.