Alpha Course

[TwoShanks]

This week, many posters have sprung up at my university proclaiming a free "Alpha Course", starting on Monday evening. Does anyone know anything about these "courses"? The whole thing seems to me to be some kind of indoctrination programme.

I'm considering going along to throw some awkward questions into the "group discussions". Also, there is free food.

Any information on this stuff, or suggestions for awkward questions would be most appreciated. All I can find online are official sites and slightly rabid commentary from wacky Christians, including claims about the programme, which is Anglican in origin, being a secret tool of subversion co-opted by the evil Catholic Church.

[Bearguin]

I sat through about half of the course.

You have dinner, then watch a video and end with a small group discussion. The discussion is suppossed to be free form (not directed) but I found our group leader steered it as he saw fit.

My problem began the first night when the video presented the Liar, Lunatic, Lord argument for God's existence. It was the first time I had heard that argument and I was stunned at the stupidity of it. Once they "proved" God existed, they went on to justify a bunch of other, fairly reasonable positions based on the proof. Well, I didn't believe the proof so I started having a hard time with the other issues as well. That's when I gave up on it.

[Jas]

I think that they secretly own a coffee shop near my house. There were always a bunch of wierdos there, and now they host that 'Alpha Course' thing.

I will admit that I've had the same thoughts, about going in just to see what they come up with.

And, being the university student that I am, the free food opp is pretty tempting.