Alpha.org, Soup Kitchen Evangelism...

[sandyRoe]

This on a card in the letterbox this morning.
"You are invited to keep searching at Alpha...
What to expect: Each evening will begin with a (complimentary) meal followed by a video and short discussion on an aspect of faith."
This will take place in Scalini Restaurant in leafy Botanic Avenue and is held under the aegis of Fisherwick Presbyterian Church.
What kind of a meal would it need to be for you to risk conversion to have it?

[FredPuli43]

Loaves and fishes in extraordinary abundance

[sandyRoe]

It's an Italian place. Ciabatta and seared tuna steaks OK?
http://www.scalinirestaurant.co.uk/

[jno]

in essence, that's how the Muslim Brotherhood came to power in Egypt. For years they provided social services that the government could not. A reputation for helping the indigent is a good thing to have when there are lots of indigents; providing meals will make you more popular than demanding taxes.

[DrFilth]

> What kind of a meal would it need to be for you to risk conversion to have it? <

when it is maybe your only hot meal of the day i think it would take very little

it is a good job this type of people all over the world do this kind of thing to help the needy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvD_T26NuRk

[sandyRoe]

Following the famine in Ireland admission to some soup kitchens was restricted to Protestants only, or people who were willing to convert, so I see you point, DrF. These cards are being distributed in a pleasant suburb where a soup kitchen must be superfluous.

[mibn2cweus]

Have you heard the one about the atheist soup kitchen with the sign that reads . . . "A Sole for a Soul."

[Mosaic]

Interesting comment about the 'leafy suburb' aspect Sandy: I have experience of one such, where the ageing population typifies the fix faced by many today. From backgrounds that enabled them to buy a house in the 'burbs, time and living costs have now caught them out. They are frailer, and find themselves struggling to maintain heating costs and in some cases food. So they come to the church for a meal once a week, and this also gives and opportunity for a chat. So what's not to like?
I think you're safe with the Alpha courses, I've a feeling you have to pay to get the full benefit.

[sandyRoe]

I hadn't thought of genteel poverty.

[EcclesCake]

Nicky Gumbel makes Tony Blair seem a well reasoned human being.

I did the Alpha course and got told 'I was living in sin with God', to this day I haven't worked out what was meant.

The food was pretty crappy too :-(

[sandyRoe]

I wasn't planning to go. Reading that review of the course and the grub I'm definitely not setting a foot near the place :-)

[jomifl]

Ambrosia

[mikey4444]

Steak and Kidney Pudding ( not pie )
Followed by Apple Pie and Custard, washed down with lots of Merlot.

That would do it for me !

[modeller]

//You are invited to keep searching at Alpha... // but don't really search properly , just nod beneignly like most of those on the course. The videos are full of fluffy bunnies and woolly lambs in God's beautiful gardens, compared with pictures of Man's WW1 and II. They never mention all the wars and barbarism committed by God in the OT.
Of course if you choose to do so it does bring the course alive.

[beso]

Much of so called religious charity s motivated by the opportunity for evangelism rather then concern for the welfare of the poor.