Does God exist? According to a poll currently being conducted on the Alpha course website, 92% of people believe there isn’t a God, 7% of people think there is a God and 1% have answered ‘probably’.
So if the majority of people believe there isn’t a God what is the meaning of life? Is it success and power? Is it celebrity, wealth and fame? Is it love, having children or investing time in good causes? Is it improving oneself physically, emotionally and intellectually? Is it having a good time?
The meaning of life is something many of us never really get to grips with. A true understanding of our place in the world rarely becomes apparent. Despite all the money, success and fun we may have, an empty feeling persists – somehow we don’t feel complete. How do we address this feeling? Well, there are many possibilities but more and more people are attending an Alpha course to discover the answer to this question.
Who is the Alpha Course for?
The Alpha course is designed primarily for people who aren’t churchgoers and each course is open to everyone who would like to attend. Most courses attract a diverse range of guests of different ages and backgrounds, holding many different viewpoints. Over 7,000 courses are currently running across the UK in rural and urban settings, including every major UK city.
Guests attend for a wide variety of reasons – some want to investigate whether God exists; others are concerned about what happens after death. Some people have particular questions that they would like to discuss; others want to understand other peoples’ beliefs or would like to explore what the purpose of life is. Many guests have never been to church, others may have attended church occasionally.
How the course works
The course is based around small groups of about 12 people, hosted by one or two leaders whose role is to facilitate and encourage discussion. Courses vary in size, from one small group meeting in a home, to hundreds of people in a larger venue. Some courses are held over morning coffee or during a lunch hour, most are evening courses, typically lasting 2 hours. Whatever the course size, people tend to remain in the same small groups for the duration of the course so they can get to know each other, continue discussions and deepen friendships.
The whole course usually lasts for 10 weeks, with a day or weekend away in the middle. The emphasis is upon exploration and discovery in a relaxed and informal environment, and there is no charge.
Where do courses run?
Across the world, over 30,000 Alpha courses are taking place in 163 countries.
To find out more about the Alpha course and to book a place visit the Alpha website. www.uk.alpha.org
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