The Alpha Course - Page 3 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Engine09 · 02-08-2007, 05:51 PM

Isn't it against board policy to promote scams and general hogwash?

You guys have a lot more patience than I do. If anyone mentioned this Alpha Course to me I would laugh them out of my general vicinity.

photon · 02-08-2007, 05:56 PM

It's not really a thread about promoting a specific Alpha Course, it's just a general thread discussing it.

Azure · 02-08-2007, 06:01 PM

General Hogwash?

So if I think a course promoting atheism is general hogwash, will CP lock the thread about it?

Hack&Lube · 02-08-2007, 06:05 PM

This is just one of those 21st century pre-packaged ways of getting people to invite their neighbours over for dinner and then talk about religion. The package and costs are for the Church people, not you.

RougeUnderoos · 02-08-2007, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azure

General Hogwash?

So if I think a course promoting atheism is general hogwash, will CP lock the thread about it?

Considering we are still posting in this one, I guess not.

Mayer · 02-08-2007, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kryzsky

Isn't it against board policy to promote scams and general hogwash?

You guys have a lot more patience than I do. If anyone mentioned this Alpha Course to me I would laugh them out of my general vicinity.

How is the Alpha course a scam or "general hogwash"? That comment shows your complete ignorance on the subject.

From this post alone I can sense some anti-Christian sentiment on your part so I'm sure your mind is already closed to this stuff.

RougeUnderoos · 02-08-2007, 08:35 PM

Question:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mayer

How is the Alpha course a scam or "general hogwash"?

Answer:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mayer

It's basically just an introduction to Christianity as a lifestyle.

Kind of harsh when you get to it, but considering the subtle and not so subtle messages from the other side aimed at me (I'm going to suffer for eternity in hell, I'm immoral, controlled by Satan, resemble Hitler et cetera) it's not so bad.

Mayer · 02-09-2007, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

Question:

Answer:

Kind of harsh when you get to it, but considering the subtle and not so subtle messages from the other side aimed at me (I'm going to suffer for eternity in hell, I'm immoral, controlled by Satan, resemble Hitler et cetera) it's not so bad.

Not sure I understand what you're saying to be honest. I don't think I came down on you for anything.

I'm a believer and I wish everyone was, but I don't force anything on anybody. I gladly share with them if they want me to, but I don't believe in the Mormon and JW approach (don't assume I consider them "christians"..I call them like they are...a cult, but thats a different discussion).

RougeUnderoos · 02-09-2007, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mayer

Not sure I understand what you're saying to be honest. I don't think I came down on you for anything.

I'm saying that I believe any "course" that promotes "Christianity as a lifestyle" is hogwash. You didn't come down on me for anything, but considering this...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mayer

(don't assume I consider them "christians"..I call them like they are...a cult, but thats a different discussion).

I bet you will.

Daradon · 02-09-2007, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mayer

It is non-denominational, meaning any Christian church can put it on. Non-denominational does not mean it will be some fluff about spirituality in general. The point of it is to bring people to recognize the love of Christ and their need for him in their life.

Fluff about spirituality? Well I guess I know that lots of spirituality seems to be bought and sold like everything else in todays society, and that often 'the people with answers' are just making up stuff to ease their own souls...

But just because a part or portion or choice of spiritituality recognises Chirst (or says they recognise Chirst) doesn't automatically give it spiritual authenticity or importance. For that matter, being a part of the Christian or Catholic church doesn't either. It's what you do with that knowledge or understanding I think. Spirituality is how you answer lifes biggest questions and how you view yourself in the world or universe. Religion CAN Be a part of that, but doesn't have to be. Nor is it a truth more potent or deserving than other forms of spirituality. Whether they are fluff or not is for us to figure out on our own.

Not saying you said this, but it's the way your comment seemed leaned. If not, I am apologizing right now.

Daradon · 02-09-2007, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy Flamer

I was raised Catholic, however, you know my views are quite liberal. The course was first presented to me as a way to find more meaning in your life. I was told it was non denominational, so I made the assumption it was more focused on spirituality instead of religion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by calgaryrocks

yeah just becuase youre raised a certain way doesnt mean you necassarily believe it or understand why. it doesnt matter if you are religous as much as if you are spiritual, having a relationship with christ is what gets you to heaven, not just going to church or not swearing etc.

I actually know CrazyFlamer very well, we've know each other for more years than we haven't known each other, and I was also pretty sure I was correct about the 'friend' he was talking about who suggested the course. I was just trying to get a little extra info out and ask an important question, and play a little bit of devil's advocate along the way. I didn't know if this 'friend' knew about the course or not. As it turns out, they didn't. If they had I would have been suspicious as CrazyFlamer is one of the best examples of a Christian life I know. Maybe not the letter...

but defnitely the spirit and the love.

Frank the Tank · 02-09-2007, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mayer

but I don't believe in the Mormon and JW approach (don't assume I consider them "christians"..I call them like they are...a cult, but thats a different discussion).

As an athiest, I have to say that this is the most intelligent comment about religion I have ever read on this board. Well done sir, well done.

Bobblehead · 02-09-2007, 09:56 AM

I wonder if this was the course Rev. Ted Haggard just finished?

Crazy Flamer · 02-09-2007, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mayer

It is non-denominational, meaning any Christian church can put it on. Non-denominational does not mean it will be some fluff about spirituality in general. The point of it is to bring people to recognize the love of Christ and their need for him in their life.

Spiritual fluff? Are you somehow saying that the only true way to find spirituality is through Christianity? Would you call the spiritual teachings of Buddha and the Dalai Lama to be fluff???

RougeUnderoos · 02-09-2007, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

I wonder if this was the course Rev. Ted Haggard just finished?

Ha ha ha.

When I get that feeling I want sexual healing.

Mayer · 02-09-2007, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy Flamer

Spiritual fluff? Are you somehow saying that the only true way to find spirituality is through Christianity? Would you call the spiritual teachings of Buddha and the Dalai Lama to be fluff???

I guess it depends on how you define spirituality really. I think a lot of what people call spirituality is indeed "fluff". I have no doubts that Buddha and the Dalai Lama did indeed show immense wisdom in their teachings. I'm more referring to people who claim spirituality through being "one with the earth" and other crap like that. There are a lot of things out there that people think is so spiritual, but it's just not.

I find my spirituality through a relationship with Christ. I can't claim to have all the answers to these kind of questions, but again, it comes back to the question of what being "spiritual" really means.

rubecube · 02-09-2007, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mayer

I guess it depends on how you define spirituality really. I think a lot of what people call spirituality is indeed "fluff". I have no doubts that Buddha and the Dalai Lama did indeed show immense wisdom in their teachings. I'm more referring to people who claim spirituality through being "one with the earth" and other crap like that. There are a lot of things out there that people think is so spiritual, but it's just not.

I find my spirituality through a relationship with Christ. I can't claim to have all the answers to these kind of questions, but again, it comes back to the question of what being "spiritual" really means.

Like that whole candle in the ear thing? Seriously, WTF is up with that?

Mayer · 02-09-2007, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubecube

Like that whole candle in the ear thing? Seriously, WTF is up with that?

Candle in the ear? Please explain because I have no idea what that is?

troutman · 02-09-2007, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mayer

I guess it depends on how you define spirituality really. I think a lot of what people call spirituality is indeed "fluff". I have no doubts that Buddha and the Dalai Lama did indeed show immense wisdom in their teachings. I'm more referring to people who claim spirituality through being "one with the earth" and other crap like that. There are a lot of things out there that people think is so spiritual, but it's just not.

I find my spirituality through a relationship with Christ. I can't claim to have all the answers to these kind of questions, but again, it comes back to the question of what being "spiritual" really means.

Too many of our best scholars, themselves indoctrinated from infancy in a religion of one kind or another based upon the Bible, are so locked into the idea of their own god as a supernatural fact -- something final, not symbolic of transcendence, but a personage with a character and will of his own - that they are unable to grasp the idea of a worship that is not of the symbol but of its reference, which is of a mystery of much greater age and of more immediate inward reality than the name-and-form of any historical ethinic idea of a deity, whatsoever ... and is of a sophistication that makes the sentimentalism of our popular Bible-story theology seem undeveloped.
-- Joseph Campbell, quoted from Famous Dead Non-theists

Bobblehead · 02-09-2007, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mayer

I guess it depends on how you define spirituality really. I think a lot of what people call spirituality is indeed "fluff". I have no doubts that Buddha and the Dalai Lama did indeed show immense wisdom in their teachings. I'm more referring to people who claim spirituality through being "one with the earth" and other crap like that. There are a lot of things out there that people think is so spiritual, but it's just not.

I find my spirituality through a relationship with Christ. I can't claim to have all the answers to these kind of questions, but again, it comes back to the question of what being "spiritual" really means.

To take your "one with the earth" example, does that mean Native people's beliefs are "fluff"?