[Closed] Has anyone been on the Alpha Course?

my ex wife is taking (making) her new BF on it. interesting to see what his response will be. i suspect he's not a willing subject

How embarrassing for the civilised world that 65% of the does-god-exist vote is split between "yes" and "probably". Though not exactly the most reliable of websites.

Suggest that if you feel religious or have questions, you make it a personal thing and leave organised religion well alone.

I have and didn't enjoy it but it is very dependant on the organisation running it.

'Christianity Explored' is very good and better than the Alpha course IMO.

My aunt wanted me to go on this after describing my 2004 trip to India to learn yoga as a disaster. I have been doing my own thing rather than going on something institutionalised like this.

i tend to not attend brain washing ceremonies voluntarily.
If others want to go along for a laugh and ask Dawkins syle questions then I am in

[img] ?w=300&h=220[/img]

"God... Is... Great... Jesus... is... quite... nice... also."

I've been on both sides of the fence, did it when I was a teenager and asked all the awkward questions, now help run the occasionally at my church. All I can say is that in my experience they are a great place to ask questions, I've never felt there was any pressure to sign up to a church or religion. Most people I know who've done it enjoy it, and lots of people do it more than once as they still have questions. It doesn't try to push people into a religion, or even a particular brand of religion, so I wouldn't say it was part of an institution at all.
Expecting some abuse now... 😀

Vacuous gibberish sold by delusional, brainwashed propagandists.

Apparently, you'll "go to hell" (whatever that is) if you don't believe in "Jesus" (a mythical figure for whose existence there is no evidence, just like his supposed Daddy). This is the claim by this bunch of hopeless nincompoops that sparked off the "There's Probably No God..." bus campaign.

I emailed Alpha once with the question:

"In the New Testament, a detailed conversation is described between the alleged Nazarene and a "God" person. Given that, as the story describes it, all the others present were some way off and asleep, who was there to report it? Could it be, in fact, just a story?"

I didn't get an answer...

I prefer the prechings of [url=

this chap[/url]

PS: Other useful questions...

"Given that the description of the figure of Mary as a "virgin" is the result of a mistranslation of the Hebrew word "Young Woman", how much else of the text is as unreliable?"

"How did the "Devil" show "Jesus" all the kingdoms of the earth from a "High place" on a spherical planet?"

"What is the process whereby a ghost can impregnate a virgin and give birth to itself?"

"Why is there no mention of any of the New Testament stories in any text of the time from any part of the Roman Empire or Jewish Nation, but only in writings from at least 70 years after the supposed events took place?"

"Why do the four books of the New Testament contradict each other about the same events?"

And so on...

i know i'm supposed to respect religous beliefs, but i don't.

Adults with imaginary friends are stupid.

na na na na na na na na Leader!

you'll "go to hell" (whatever that is) if you don't believe in "Jesus"

Can you guess I've been on it? An ex g/f was a Church leader and [u]very[/u] religious so I had to go on this c**p to try and find God and we could then get married, produce little Christians and live happily ever after.

Now, there might have been a person called Jesus who caused all sorts of grief for the Romans but there is no evidence that he was the son of God or that there even is a God. You have to "believe" and then when you believe it all falls into place. A bit like believing that Brant is the messiah and all that he produces is holy 😉

Agree with above that there are far too many inconsistencies with what's been written in the bible and it also cherry picks what's in there. if you say "but this is inconsistent" then they reply along the lines of it's not to be read literally but interpreted. Oh, and yes it's been translated so many times then as the film says "Lost in Translation"

But to be fair to the course, even though it is there to convert you to Christianity if it's well run then you can ask lots of questions about the World we live in. Might make you think hard about how we live together as a society and you never know you might change your out look on life.

[url]

I'm an atheist,and couldn't have a long term relationship with anyone with strong religious beliefs,mind you,most religions wouldn't like me associating with their members.I got married in an RC church,under pressure from my inlaws,and the priest took great pleasure in telling me that in his eyes I was an impediment to my own marriage,and that we would have to send any sprogs to catholic school.He was a jesuit,so I took great pleasure in reminding him of St.Ignatius's words "give me the child until he is 7 and I will give you the man".
Ian

[url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguardian/2000/oct/21/weekend7.weekend ]Jon Ronson's article about Alph[/url]a

"But to be fair to the course, even though it is there to convert you to Christianity if it's well run then you can ask lots of questions about the World we live in. Might make you think"

I don't need to attend a lot of MLEH (sorry, "interpretation") about a bunch of self-contradictory WIFFLE to think about the world. Indeed, that would best be done without any religious double-think getting in the way.

A well known nun media figure, who made a series of programmes for the BBC a few years back where she pretended to be an art critic, called Sister Wendy, was quoted recently as saying that "Atheists cannot argue the non-existence of god because they don't have any theology, poor lambs". A statement I found remarkable for being patronising and stupid both at the same time.

Yes. I don't have any theology. I also don't have any Leprechaunology, but I'm satisfied there's no such thing as Leprechauns...

Get off your knees.

I just think it's a shame that more religious people don't listen to Mr Woppit as then they'd be sure to see the error of their ways - or are they just too stupid to understand?

I'm afraid my attitude to the major religions is the same as that of an epidemiologist to smallpox,worth studying,but don't want to catch it.
Ian

Mr Woppit - don't get me wrong. My thoughts on religion (not just Christianity) are more entrenched than ever after having been through all this. But, the course does let you meet other people who are looking at things differently and present different viewpoints which you might not get from your usual circle of friends. I'd never forgive myself if my words meant that someone went along and actually took up a religion !!!!!

The best thing to me that summed up religion was going to Madagascar. We visited lots of places where the sick or homeless were taken in, treated and looked after. Most of these were run by Christians, some of whom had been out there decades, and they had devoted their lives to looking after these people. Contrast that to what religion means here or in other parts of the World.

Any anyway, everyone know the true way is to "use the force" 😆

ahwiles - You *don't* have to respect religious beliefs. It's best to respect *people*, religious or not, but their beliefs, like any opinions, are fair game for criticism.

Why not try going without any preconceived ideas positive or negative? Then you can make your own mind up like a man!

Ah yes. Religious people do good works.

Christopher Hitchins, in his many lecture tours (bravely) in the U.S, has asked this question many times:

"Name me one act of moral selflessness or unselfish kindness done by a religious person that cannot be done by an atheist."

To date, he has had no response. There are hundreds of charities worked in by dedicated people who have nothing but the good of their fellow human beings in mind, which have nothing whatsoever to do with religion.

The assumption that you need religion to be good is an insult to human nature.

The reason why religious people are resistant to the simple truth of the reasoned view is to do with brainwashing.

The jesuit saying mentioned above regarding the "child of 7" is not an empty phrase. The first seven years of life form the basic mindset that you use for the rest of your life. A child's brain is a sponge, soaking up everything around it and accepting without question whatever it is told by adults - a disposition genetically programmed by millennia of evolution to ensure the survival of the tribe - "Avoid the forest, there's a tiger", or "Don't go near the fire, it's dangerous" etc etc.

Religion maintains itself by the indoctrination of children into dogma - a form of child abuse. By the time the child gets to an age where it should be able to reason independently, it can't. The indoctrination is too strong and warps every intellectual process that it attempts - hence the predisposition of the religous to argue in favour of the imaginary as if it was real.

I urge anybody even vaguely curious about the argument for rationality to have a look at the following oasis of clarity:

http://richarddawkins.net/

and with that I shall suspend my rant, no doubt much to the relief of all!

Faith is complete shite.

He said eloquently.

Ah Mr Woppit

Just like there are many religions to choose from, there are also many versions of evolution to chose from, Darwinism, neo-Darwinism, and as one of the greatest evolutionary scientists, Stephen Jay Gould, points out about Dawkins,

"he argues that genes are the only true causal agents and organisms merely their temporary receptacles. I strongly disagree with Dawkins, since I feel that he has confused bookkeeping with causality".

So what version of evolution is one to run with?

Instead of just a smiley face, this is just me mucking about ok for the sake of clarity ......

I wonder how may who've read Dawkins's God book have also bothered to read responses? Well I have but I like to look at things from various angles - just listening to Dawkins is as bad as just listening to a rather too enthusiastic religious evangelist. Actually, I've also been to an Alpha course years ago as was curious as to how it worked and found it all very interesting. Saw many of all ages who seemed rather anti-religion at the beginning - well going by the questions they asked anyway - really taken with it all by the end. Some got quite emotional and I didn't fit in with that side of it and indeed didn't find my attitude much changed overall.

As for 'good works', well I've seen uncommonly bad people become uncommonly charitable as the result of conversion - maybe that doesn't mean anything but certainly convincing of their change if nothing else.

Have I opened a can of worms? The reason I asked the original question is that I'm going through a bit of a difficult time at the moment and I wanted to see if the Alpha course had made any real difference to peoples lives. Not necessarily becoming a devout Christian but has it made them view their lives in a different light. To be honest I dont know what believe in at the moment. I'm willing to explore all avenues during this difficult time.

The best thing to do with religion is ridicule it, it's obvious nonsense.

It's not bad to say "I don't know" when asked about the nature of the universe or origins of life, making up an imaginary being to account for it all is just childish.

If you having a tough time I'd suggest talking to someone like your doctor in the first instance don't turn to imaginary friends.

". To be honest I dont know what believe in at the moment. I'm willing to explore all avenues during this difficult time. "

Then, to be honest, you're probably better off getting counselling, rather than getting involved in a religious cult or expecting help from the likes of an opinionated, ranting old git like me on a forum like this...

I'd start with your GP. See if he can reccommend a suitable therapist. Remember, there is no problem that cannot be solved by rational enquiry, although that's just my opinion like, but it's always worked for me...

In the meantime, it's a fabulous weekend for weather. Get out and ride!

Good luck.

You won't find out if it can help you if you don't go.

As far as I can work out, the Alpha course just preys on people with some insecurity or unsettled feelings, no matter how well hidden they are, and provides an element of comfort in believing that there's something out there. Brainwashing in a cuddly jacket I reckon.

But then I've never understood the point of organised religion if it's not there to control people. Personal religion seems entirely reasonable as a concept despite my complete inability to believe.

And I'd always ask the question of the church who use hell as the threat to make people do what they want, who's the person more deserving of going to heaven - the christian who leads a christian life in order to get to heaven or the atheist who behaves in a "Christian" manner because they think it's the right thing to do?

To steelfan, it strikes me that you'd be exactly what they're looking for. Of course it's an interesting theoretical question whether if you found it comforting even of it's a load of ******** that that's better or worse than not being brainwashed but still being miserable. That said there are plenty of alternatives to joining a cult that may help too as mentioned above.

Deleted long post.

No I won't be going, do I look stupid?

If the bible is true:
Everyone is going to hell, unless you believe in Jesus, are forgiven, etc. So, assuming it's true, we don't really have a choice.

So is it?

PS: Other useful questions...

"Given that the description of the figure of Mary as a "virgin" is the result of a mistranslation of the Hebrew word "Young Woman", how much else of the text is as unreliable?"
Doesn't prove that she wasn't a virgin, or that any of the rest of the text is false

"How did the "Devil" show "Jesus" all the kingdoms of the earth from a "High place" on a spherical planet?"
You assume that an omniscient being sees the world the same way that you do. It's entirely possible that 'a high place' refers to a state of higher understanding rather than geography.

"What is the process whereby a ghost can impregnate a virgin and give birth to itself?"
It flows up her chuff, waits 9 months then pops back out again

"Why is there no mention of any of the New Testament stories in any text of the time from any part of the Roman Empire or Jewish Nation, but only in writings from at least 70 years after the supposed events took place?"
It suited the prevailing powers at the time to suppress the evidence. That would never happen now, would it?

"Why do the four books of the New Testament contradict each other about the same events?"
Ask four different people about the same thing and you'll get 4 different stories. It would be much more suspicious if they all agreed perfectly.

And so on...

Incidentally, I'm an atheist. I'm just a stickler for a well constructed argument.

steelfan - I have nothing to add from a religious perspective. However I can empathise with 'difficult times' as over the last 18 months I have ticked most of the boxes in 'life's most stressful events'.

Firstly you need to have some self-belief that you can get through whatever your difficulty is, that will be followed by an even stronger self-belief that you will come through the other side. You can become a different person.

Accept that mistakes will be made along the way, admit to them, apologise to people.

Riding my bike has kept me sane but it's OK to have the odd bad moment. The one thing that has surprised me is how kind folk can be and I'm pretty much an old cynic.

I do hope you work things out and wish you well.

As someone who was involved in evangelism when younger I can say I don't believe in it any more. It's a crutch. They would not do the alpha if they didn't think it would bring people to their god. Even Jonathan Edwards doesn't believe now does he? And to think sbout the fuss he made about Sundays!

I was brought up in a family of regular church-goers, have relatives in the clergy and attended church until the age of 16. Despite this up-bringing I have a questioning mind and do not believe in the teachings of any of the world's organised religions.

Of course, it's impossible to say that there isn't a god, but there's certainly [b]no[/b] evidence that there is and, for that matter, why should there be?

Unless it's just a means by which to control people, I struggle to understand how 'blind faith' can be considered such a virtue.

Just because something is not immediately understood shouldn't instantly lead to a belief in it being brought about by an omnipotent, omnipresent 'higher being'.

Those who compare atheists with evangelical preachers miss the point entirely. Given evidence, the atheists would be prepared to the existence of a god. Evangelical preachers believe in the existence of a god (and all of the associated man-made dogma and tradition) despite any evidence.

I saw a poster the other day.
[i]Does God Exist?
Yes
No
Probably[/i]

Now is it just me or is the choice of answers offered to that question slightly loaded?

I feel sure steelfan is a genuine guy in need of good friends to help him through his period of emotional difficulty but, I know I'm being cynical, I hope this is not an ad for the Alpha? The ST reader profile fits Alpha target audience.

Religion and politics.......

And I'd always ask the question of the church who use hell as the threat to make people do what they want, who's the person more deserving of going to heaven - the christian who leads a christian life in order to get to heaven or the atheist who behaves in a "Christian" manner because they think it's the right thing to do?

If it helps, many Christians ask the same question.

There's a lot of bollocks spouted about religion on here, often by people who seem rather too keen on Dawkins.

If it was an ad (which I'm pretty sure it's not) then it's not working very well 🙂

Mike - if that's true and based on my opinion that the answer is self evident, presumably they stop practising organised religion?

(haven't read Dawkins btw 🙂 )

[i] miketually - Member
If it helps, many Christians ask the same question.[/i]

It doesn't help, but it's interesting to know that christians are just as puzzled by what they are doing as I am about them doing it

1: Already married. Described as a young woman. A child was born. "Virgin" not mentioned until the mistranslation. To accept the possibility you suggest, you would have to believe the self-evidently impossible, ie: have "faith".

2: I don't assume the presence of an omniscient being at all. Higher knowledge than that possessed at the time would be that the earth is spherical, however - they thought the earth was flat, yet it would still have been impossible to see Rome - and they knew it existed. Unless the whole thing was a drug-induced hallucination, which hardly gives it any more credence than the rambling of some addled self-deluder. Also, if the only presences were "the Devil" and the alleged Jesus, who was there to report it?

3: There is no record in all of the Roman texts for instance, to suggest that the entire Jewish nation was ordered to remove itself to individual places of birth for the purposes of taxation,a huge event that would not be unrecorded - and a ludicrous idea in the first place. Also, there are extant records of other uprisings and disturbances. None of the alleged Nazarene and his followers, however. Hardly an efficient censorship if you are trying to misrepresent the feelings of the time.

4: Oh, of course. Silly me.

5: The reason is that the authors lived in a completely different eras than the one which they are reporting, from stories handed down by word of mouth over 70 years in one case. More in the others. Word of mouth is the most innaccurate method of communication, subject to change over time like no other. They might as well have been describing something that began as a story-make-up game one evening in the local garrison by bored roman soldiers living in a land of what they regarded as a bunch of nutcases anyway, what with the popularity of various mendicants and "prophets" all over the place... Seventy years later, it's morphed into a series of real events.

We had some friends who out of the blue suddenly tried to convince us to attend Alpha sessions. They showed us a video of 'new' recruits being introduced to the doctrines. Now my experience of the modern christian church was previously one of reasonably subtlety, no more fire and brimstone from the pulpit (a bad thing IMO - after all, what is organised religion if it's not putting the willies up people? 😉 ).

But this video was the most hamfisted attempt at brainwashing I'd seen in my life. Not one of the people in it was a 'newbie' be any stretch of the imagination, you could have combed your hair in the reflection in their cheeks. Their questions and answers were so obviously scripted I was embarrased for them and the dirty great white line of indocrination was so bright it almost blinded me.

You could almost see them driving out of the car park not indicating before the video had even finished.

I don't know if their methods have changed at all but as above, if you want to believe in a higher deity go for it but steer clear of organised religion. If there is a god I'm fairly certain all he asks for is faith. You can do that without bothering anyone else. Which begs the question, why do these people bother anyone else?

But, having said all that, I am perfectly happy to accept that there is a god. All anyone has to do is present verifiable, convincing evidence. Then all us atheists can sit downand have a nice, scientific chat with god and work out a theory on how he fits into the known quantum universe and then we can move on. Despite the fact that, when examined, all the evidence points to a universe that doesn't have a god in it.

@samuri - The usual reasons. Power/money.

@woppit - I'd actually argue that from a scientific viewpoint, there's no evidence either way...

[i]"Good people will do good, evil people will do evil. But to get good people to do evil it takes religion"[/i]

Hmmm...not heard great things about it. Dressed up brianwashing by do-gooders. Think for you self, the universe could not give a flying **** about you. Get over it.

[url=

[url=

this
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are worth watching 🙂

SSP

Just been to see the guy do his God Collar show SSP. a couple of hours of great entertainment

The universe acts the way it does by a series of indentifiable and observable relationships between events, each one of which events are caused by a previous event and leads on to the next. On all levels in predictable sequences. Events which do not fit the current picture are available for hypothesising ("dark matter" for instance), investigation and testing, followed by establishing a theory. All theory is able to be disproved so that the knowledge base improves over time. Everything changes in recognisable cause and effect patterns. There is no evidence of "miraculous" (ie: unexplainable), intervention on any level, macro or microcosmoligically, biologically or otherwise. Evolution, for instance, is a crane, not a skyhook.

It is true that the last place often claimed by the religious where god hides, "before" the big bang, is unexplained by science. That does not mean that "god did it". It simply means that science has not yet progressed to the point where this can be explained. ie: "We don't know". To that I would add - yet.

Marcus Brigstock is playing Cheltenham soon...might book tickets!

Mr Woppit: Science evolves with increases in understanding - religion is stagnent and fixed.

I know which I prefer.

SSP

Just make sure you speak in tongues. You'll be having a private dialogue with God. Or you'll just be making up & repeating sounds. One of the two.

Holy shit.

The Alpha Course is just Christians trying to fight back against Scientology etc working 'their' turf. Its all a crock of sh!t whichever way you spread it.

The reason I asked the original question is that I'm going through a bit of a difficult time at the moment and I wanted to see if the Alpha course had made any real difference to peoples lives.

The Alpha course is bottom feeding, bumping up the numbers in a struggling church with the weak, the needy and the impressionable.

I went to see Cannon & Ball on their evangelical tour. I even enjoyed it!!! There, it's out in the open and I'm not ashamed.

When I had a peak at this thread earlier, I thought I would make a comment later. But looking at the way it has gone, I don't think I'll bother now.........all really rather predictable.

If there is a God the ****er certainly doesn't believe in me, so why should I bother with him/her/it?

Given the last year or two I don't believe in much anymore.

You mean not the same views as yourself?

I have faith. Faith in human nature, that folks will choice the right moral thing to do, and I think sometimes its easier to lump faith and religion together than go through the process of compartmentalising them.

I was brought up a Catholic, but struggled with the discrepancies between the Old Testament and New Testament. It felt as though the church was losing its grip on the people with the 'fire and brimstone', and therefore started to offer [i]Diet Religion in the form of an all-loving God to keep people interested.

I had some close friends a few years ago that were evangelical christians, and we got on really well. When my ex and I split up, I encouraged her to talk to them because they'd been so supportive, but they proceeded to tell her that our demise was through God's anger/disappointment that we'd been 'living in sin'. That was clarification to me...

However, who am I to critique the methods folk use to find comfort and solace? If someone who has encountered loss or pain benefits from organised religion, then who am I to argue? Once we're gone, we're gone - it doesn't matter what are views are before.

Foxy Chicks response made me laugh out load though!

Make your own mind up.
Go along - ask questions and see what you find out.
I happen to believe in God. I guess I can't believe all of this world happened by chance - too much faith required for that.
My experience with the Alpha course was that it was an open friendly place with all questions accepted and treated seriously - have a go.

I happen to believe in God. I guess I can't believe all of this world happened by chance - too much faith required for that

steelfan - Member

Have I opened a can of worms? The reason I asked the original question is that I'm going through a bit of a difficult time at the moment and I wanted to see if the Alpha course had made any real difference to peoples lives. Not necessarily becoming a devout Christian but has it made them view their lives in a different light. To be honest I dont know what believe in at the moment. I'm willing to explore all avenues during this difficult time.

If you are having a difficult time I would suggest non religious counselling. Using religion as a crutch is pretty dangerous IMO

@joolsburger I don't think you need to ridicule faith. It can be an essentially good & powerful emotion. The religious propaganda that is attributed to it though can be nonsense..

Well, Im an [b]out and out born again Christian, as a result of Alpha a few years back. [/b]I studied Philosophy at Uni and was a total atheist, had a total spiritual experience and became a Christian. Since than I've spent 3 years with the British Forces in Germany as lay Christian Preacher/Minister, which was rather daunting at 23! I loved the whole experience and respect the fact that everyone has there own beliefs.
Im now back in the U.K and taking a break, I work as a cycle guide and preach about how great cycling is! Its a hugely emotional lifestyle living as Christian and very moving to try and live as Christlike as possible, its not for everyone, but I love it!
Alphas a good thing but like I said not everyones cup of tea!

Good to see a big response about God, discussion always good to have.

Junkyard - since you ask:
Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Hebrews ch11 v1
As I see it, you put your faith in something - either Science or God. You choose.
It is a personal decision.
That is why my suggestion was to go along and ask questions - if the people running the Alpha course do not have answers, they will say so... but will try to get an answer for you by the next time.
I can only answer from my personal experience - when I am riding (or in the mtns skiing) I look at the view and marvel at God's creation. My feelings.

mmm pg tips.. i have faith in that, always total confidence! that's my cup of tea 😆

I really like the forum, but the God-bashing that goes on here is surprisingly ignorant.

I strongly suspect the atheist fundamentalist gob-sh1tes on here haven't actually attended an alpha-course. But that does not stop them preaching their ignorance does it?

Adults with imaginary friends are stupid

Ha! I must cheated my way through my science and engineering degrees then.

Ha! I must cheated my way through my science and engineering degrees then.

No, but if you atribute those results to talking to a 2000 year old Jewish zombie via telepathy you would be.

Please do not project your ignorance on others, I have explored all sorts of religions and have found them all very "unsatisfactory" I have had, what some would call, a "religious moment" but my rational mind put it down to dehydration, exhaustion and heat-stroke...but I enjoyed it anyway! The feeling of empathy, love and contentment was amazing. Does it have to be caused by "god" or is the explanation that its just electrolye deficiency not "special" enough.

SSP

Out of interest, have my comments been read as reasonable or ignorant?

"Hows my posting? 1-800-drivel"

😉

Fine so far according to the toothfairy!

Lol 😉

@SingleSpeedPunk maybe you just don't feel your special enough to accept it.
btw the way I am neither religious or atheist. I just have an open mind..

" LoulaBella - Member

Well, Im an out and out born again Christian, as a result of Alpha a few years back. I studied Philosophy at Uni and was a total atheist, had a total spiritual experience and became a Christian"

I suggest you examine the possibility that you suffered a Temporal Lobe Epileptic Fit.

" tegski - Member

Make your own mind up.
Go along - ask questions and see what you find out.
I happen to believe in God. I guess I can't believe all of this world happened by chance "

Things do not happen by chance. I thought I explained that? Cause and effect have nothing to do with chance and therefore do not require any "faith", simply observation and understanding.

It is evident, not only from this thread, that the religious simply cannot understand the simplest of reasoning - as I have said, the religious warping gets in the way. This is why it needs constant repetition: There is no evidence. Show me the evidence and I will accept your proposition that a "god" exists.

Religion may be very comforting, but that doesn't make it true.

Breaking into mass psychosis a la the "toronto blessing" is not proof of the existece of a god, only an example of human suggestibility.

What is your evidence? I am available right now to be converted. Go ahead.....

[i]Dressed up brianwashing[/i]

And what does Brian feel about people getting dressed up to wash him?

[img] [/img]

(Noteeth - atheist and sometime palaeo-athropologist. I am deeply moved by the depth of Geological time.)

What is your evidence? I am available right now to be converted. Go ahead.....

Your minds already made up by the sound of things.

I also dont see myself as 'religious', I have faith, in Jesus Christ and want to live my life by his example, serving and loving others.

So, no evidence, then? Just an imaginary friend, as always. The "example" you mention is, of course, just a set of behaviours that can be found in all sorts of places, philosophies, stories etc. All very noble.

Not however, evidence of the existence of either the alleged Nazarene or any type of "god".

What I don't understand is why you don't understand that.

As I said. I am ready to be converted. All you have to do is show me the evidence. Go ahead. Do it now...

something makes me think he doesn't want to be.. 😆