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

Crazy Flamer · 02-07-2007, 01:14 PM

Anyone heard of this course?

Apparently, its a 10 week course designed to give people a gentle introduction into Christianity. You meet once a week for dinner where you watch a vidoe and then break into small groups to discuss a variety of different topics.

I have a freind who would like me to go with her to this course and I must admit, I am extremely sceptical. I'm not a big fan of organized religion and the reaserch I've done on this course, frankly, scares me a little.

Anyone been through the course? Any insights?

troutman · 02-07-2007, 01:32 PM

Celebrate Darwin Day instead - February 12th:

http://www.darwinday.org/

photon · 02-07-2007, 01:32 PM

Yeah it's basically what you describe; a course for non-believers to be introduced into Christianity and be converted. I've been to parts of it.

Not sure why it would be scary though.

Bring_Back_Shantz · 02-07-2007, 01:34 PM

Way off topic, but I think somewhat appropriate.
Did I miss something, because I've seen a few topics that I figured Cheese would be all over, and he's been MIA for quite a while.

Anyone know what happend to him?

Crazy Flamer · 02-07-2007, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photon

Yeah it's basically what you describe; a course for non-believers to be introduced into Christianity and be converted. I've been to parts of it.

Not sure why it would be scary though.

Scary in terms of the theological doctrine that is taught. I read a exerpt about what they teach on the topic of homsexuality and the need to be "healed" from it.

I was wondering if anyone could provide more insight into their theological teachings.

4X4 · 02-07-2007, 01:38 PM

I think the alpha course might do that...

RougeUnderoos · 02-07-2007, 01:42 PM

I googled it for about 5 seconds and came across the phrase "you would have to spend hundreds of dollars to buy all the videos...".

Churches are free. So are bibles. A clergyman of your choosing will talk to you for free. A library card costs 12 bucks, and you can learn everything you want there. You can even find a book like this one. It's good.

If you are curious, you don't have to buy anything. With this crowd, I think you'll be expected to pony up. That's a pretty slick website they have there. It wasn't free.

EDIT: I poked around more and noticed they have a 19 page brochure for the products they sell. Did the original poster get an invitation to this thing? If so, someone paid 9 bucks for it. If I was a suspicious man I might go so far as to say this operation looks it gets people to buy a bunch of stuff and then they in turn convince some other people to buy more stuff and then those people turn around and sell it to someone else and the people at the top collect the real money.

rubecube · 02-07-2007, 01:45 PM

I'd be more concerned with why your friend is trying to get you to go and not respecting your right to have your own beliefs.

4X4 · 02-07-2007, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubecube

I'd be more concerned with why your friend is trying to get you to go and not respecting your right to have your own beliefs.

Maybe his friend believes that he is being a friend by inviting him to the class...

At least he's not knocking on the door, bible in hand.

And back on topic, I'd like to know if anyone has ever done the course. My cousin tried to get me there once too. I just flat out said thanks but no thanks. But I did wonder if there were any hot chicks there.

Frank the Tank · 02-07-2007, 02:03 PM

Just wear a shirt that says "Jesus is my homeboy". You'll fit right in.

rubecube · 02-07-2007, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4X4

I just flat out said thanks but no thanks. But I did wonder if there were any hot chicks there.

Just make sure they don't have a burning bush that talks to you.

photon · 02-07-2007, 02:17 PM

Don't wear this shirt though:

Bobblehead · 02-07-2007, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

Way off topic, but I think somewhat appropriate.
Did I miss something, because I've seen a few topics that I figured Cheese would be all over, and he's been MIA for quite a while.

Anyone know what happend to him?

I'm not sure. I PMed him a couple of times. Maybe his New Years resolution was to swear off CP?

Prototype · 02-07-2007, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photon

Don't wear this shirt though:

skins · 02-07-2007, 03:14 PM

I've been to it. It's pretty much what you described. An introduction to Christianity for non-believers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

I googled it for about 5 seconds and came across the phrase "you would have to spend hundreds of dollars to buy all the videos..."

That's if you wanted to buy the books/videos, which you don't have to. The videos have already been bought by the church and they provide the literature as well. I think they usually provide supper too. You don't have to pay for anything if you don't want to.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubecube

I'd be more concerned with why your friend is trying to get you to go and not respecting your right to have your own beliefs.

That's a bit of a stretch. How is it disrespectful to invite a friend to a class about Christianity? If he doesn't want to go, he'll say no.

rubecube · 02-07-2007, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skins

That's a bit of a stretch. How is it disrespectful to invite a friend to a class about Christianity? If he doesn't want to go, he'll say no.

In the same way it's disrespectful to give a friend with two children a book on parenting.

Azure · 02-07-2007, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubecube

In the same way it's disrespectful to give a friend with two children a book on parenting.

You're stretching it rube.

No matter what you think of religion, people can ask and invite others to come to a class or two and learn something.

I took classes on atheism during high school and I would consider myself religious. I didn't hurt my faith, I just learned something about the 'other side,'

rubecube · 02-07-2007, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azure

You're stretching it rube.

No matter what you think of religion, people can ask and invite others to come to a class or two and learn something.

I took classes on atheism during high school and I would consider myself religious. I didn't hurt my faith, I just learned something about the 'other side,'

I suppose it comes down to what the situation was and how it was brought up.

Azure · 02-07-2007, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubecube

I suppose it comes down to what the situation was and how it was brought up.

Well sure, but I also expect my friends, atheists or not, to challenge my beliefs.

Thats probably the biggest problem with religion today...people are never challenged on what they believe, and pretty soon you have a religious population that takes their the Bible/Koran/BoM literally.

Hence the disbelief in evolution, despite scientific evidence.

rubecube · 02-07-2007, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azure

Well sure, but I also expect my friends, atheists or not, to challenge my beliefs.

Thats probably the biggest problem with religion today...people are never challenged on what they believe, and pretty soon you have a religious population that takes their the Bible/Koran/BoM literally.

Hence the disbelief in evolution, despite scientific evidence.

Agreed. Something like that is a little different than trying to get someone to convert.