Letter: `Right-wing' Alpha
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: The Rev David Broad (letter, 24 September) describes the Alpha course as embracing a "dangerous, right-wing success theology", not representative of Anglican teaching. I do not know where David gets his information about Alpha, but it certainly doesn't come from the current edition of the course manual, unless I have badly misread it.
Nor is Alpha designed as a recruitment drive for the Anglican Church. Alpha is an opportunity to learn more about Christianity. Of course Alpha will result in some people joining the Anglican communion: others will seek out other Christian denominations, yet more will decide that the church isn't what they are looking for. What matters is that all participants will have learnt something in the process - including those who are there as leaders and helpers, as I know from experience.
I am not sure what he means by "right-wing success theology" - perhaps he isn't either: but he must be challenged to explain these remarks, and either justify or withdraw them.
PAUL DUELL
Southampton, Hampshire
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments