The Alpha course is fundamentally against homosexual relationships. It has been criticised for many things, including “psychological manipulation”,[1] attaining cult status, its fundamental opposition to a woman’s right to choose and its opinions on homosexuality.
Along with those who criticise “psychological manipulation” and brainwashing, there are those who claim the Alpha course is a cult that targets the most vulnerable in society, owing to the high levels of conversions and the convulsive behaviour exhibited by some of the most vulnerable converts.
Students are an ideal target for the Alpha course, and I do not use the term “target” lightly. The Alpha course is directly targeting students by placing an Alpha course on campus. As a student, you are encouraged to join every society going to make new friends. Alpha sells itself on companionship and a ready-made network of friends. There are those who will have joined the Alpha course to make new friends in a new area of interest, and will have found themselves in a very vulnerable situation. The Alpha course compares homosexuality to paedophilia,[2] and links it strongly with promiscuity.[3] Both of these are wrong and offensive.
The Alpha course advocates the idea that homosexuality involves “shameful lusts”,[4] and labels homosexuals as “homosexual offenders”.[5] Not only does the course condemn homosexuals, it also condemns those who “not only continue to do these very things, but also approve of those who practise them”.[6]
The Alpha course reaffirms the falsehood that AIDS is the gay plague.[7] It preaches that it is a judgment on homosexuality: “However, it [homosexuality] can be seen as the effectus of his judgement.”[8]
Perhaps the most offensive part of Gumbel’s chapter on homosexuality is where the text says: “Sometimes the innocent are also hurt, whilst others get away with it entirely”[9] – and implies that some homosexuals without AIDS have escaped.
The text then advocates a course of action that even practitioners of it have turned against: the “curing” of homosexuality. Gumbel affirms that “gay people need to be healed”.[10] This is a very dangerous course. Courage is a UK-based Christian ministry that used to run healing courses, “helping people to ‘come out’ of homosexuality”.[11] On the “healing” of homosexuality, it says, “experience has proved this to be a counter-productive approach”.[12] In other words, it does not work and they are no longer doing it.
Not only does it not work, but also it is wrong and offensive. Gumbel advocates “healing” people when they are young; it is a case of targeting people when they are most vulnerable, when they are just coming out.
There is no need for the Alpha course to use Derwent junior common room (JCR). In York alone there are 25 Alpha courses running. Derwent JCR should not provide a platform for this kind of hatred to be preached, and should take a responsible attitude to the letting of the JCR. The Alpha course does not comply with York University Students’ Union’s equal-opportunities policy. The Alpha course must not remain in Derwent JCR and must not be able to target students.
[1] Rev. William Horsburgh, Reverend of Rydale Evangelical Church (Yorkshire), quoted in Ian S Bruce, Outrage over Geri’s links to anti-abortion, anti-gay group, www.sundayherald.com.
[2] Jon Ronson, Catch me if you can, The Guardian, October 21, 2000.
[3] Nicky Gumbel, Searching Issues Chapter 5, Kingsway Publications 1994 (1995 revised), p. 90.
[4] Ibid., p. 81.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ibid., p. 82.
[8] Ibid., p. 84.
[9] Ibid.
[10] Jon Ronson, Catch me if you can, The Guardian, October 21, 2000.
[11] Jeremy Marks, Introducing Courage, www.courage.org.uk.
[Editorial note: Since this essay was written, the Courage Trust has declared that its mission was wrong, and that same-sex love is “God-given”. Jeremy Marks, the 48-year-old founder of the trust, told the March 2002 issue of Lesbian and Gay Christians of his change of views.]
[12] Ibid.