By Jennifer Wilson
An Anglican religious program exploring the validity of Christianity is creating some controversy elsewhere, but doesn’t seem to have a problem in Ottawa. While the Alpha course has caused some debate about its teachings, many within Centretown have found it to be a positive experience.
Alpha began over 20 years ago in London, England. The 11-week program was designed to be an introduction to the basics of Christianity and to allow for questioning and discussion as part of its teaching.
“I think (the course) is important because it’s one of those ways in which people can identify with the Christian faith in a very realistic, honest and a very open way,” says Richard Gilman, administrator for the Alpha course at St. George’s Anglican Church on Metcalfe Street.
There are over 2,500 Alpha courses being run in Canada and over 30 in the Ottawa area. Alpha is most popular amongst Anglicans, but other denominations also run courses. However, not all agree with the teachings.
“Our objection (to Alpha) is more along the lines of its Biblical interpretation of certain passages of the Bible,” says Rev. Garth Bulmer of St. John the Evangelist Church on Elgin Street, citing passages about homosexuality as an example.
Bulmer says he found parts of the Alpha program were “homophobic” and that he couldn’t run the course at his church because some members of the congregation are gay and “they would find it offensive.”
“For some parishes, I think it serves a useful purpose,” he says, “… but this (parish) is not one of them.”
Gilman says the majority of people who take the course have had some Christian upbringing at some point in their lives. But, he says, some “have no relationship at all or connection with a Christian environment and are … seeking some answers.”
A typical Alpha night begins with dinner, followed by a video and a talk. People then split up into smaller groups to study the Bible, discuss and ask questions. Gilman says these small groups bring “people together in a very special, personal and secure way.”
Cheryl Henry took the Alpha course in April 2003 and says the group-oriented approach was really important to her.
“We can get so isolated in our society today,” Henry says. “We forget that we all need each other, and that’s really a focus in Alpha … It’s a way to become part of a community.”
Ian Victor, minister at St. Giles Presbyterian Church on First Avenue, thinks Alpha is “a wonderful tool, and a lot of people have come to know God through it.” His difficulties with the course aren’t with its content, but more with the way it’s presented.
“I believe that the Christian faith… is specific to each place and each time,” he says. “Just as it is different to listen to a musician play, then it is to listen to a tape of somebody playing…I think the Alpha is best done by live human beings rather than by watching a tape.”
Alan Phillips, who took the Alpha course in 2002, says what he enjoyed most was the atmosphere. He says he was made to feel welcome, and that “you could ask any questions you liked.”
“Anybody would gain some benefit from this course, even if they’re not a Christian,” he says. “They would at least gain an understanding of a certain approach to Christianity.”