An Atheists guide to the Alpha Course

The Alpha Course runs in 162 countries and has been attended, according to their website, by 20 Million people. Over 9 weeks, students are guided through Christian theology ostensibly to Explore the meaning of Life.

Simon Clare, an unabashed atheist, signed up to his local course in Brighton, wondering if his faithlessness would be challenged. Spoiler: He wasn’t converted but he was surprised at how the course affected his attitude to faith – not to mention what goes on during the later stages of the course.

The new Archbishop Of Canterbury, Justin Welby, is an old friend of the Alpha Course’s organisers and his election suggests that Alpha has graduated from fringe group to a central part of Christianity’s struggle to survive.

As well as giving an overview of the course from biblical history to singing in tongues, Simon will discuss what atheists, humanists and skeptics might learn from it.