From the psychological viewpoint, the beginnings of ACIM increase issues about its validity. Helen Schucman, the principal scribe of the text, claimed that what were determined to her by an internal style she discovered as Jesus. This method of getting the writing through internal dictation, called channeling, is frequently met with skepticism. Authorities argue that channeling could be recognized as a psychological phenomenon rather than true religious revelation. Schucman himself was a scientific psychologist, and some claim that the voice she noticed might have been a manifestation of her unconscious brain as opposed to an external divine entity. Furthermore, Schucman expressed ambivalence about the work and its sources, often questioning their reliability herself. That ambivalence, coupled with the method of the text's reception, portrays uncertainty on the legitimacy of ACIM as a divinely influenced scripture.

This content of ACIM also encourages scrutiny from a philosophical angle. The course teaches that the planet we perceive with your senses can be an impression and our true fact lies beyond this bodily realm. This idealistic view, which echoes particular Western philosophies, challenges the materialistic and empirical foundations of American thought. Critics disagree  a course in miracles  that the claim that the bodily world is an impression is not substantiated by scientific evidence and operates counter to the scientific strategy, which utilizes visible and measurable phenomena. The thought of an illusory earth might be compelling as a metaphor for the disturbances of notion caused by the pride, but as a literal assertion, it lacks the empirical support needed to be considered a valid representation of reality.

Furthermore, the sensible request of ACIM's teachings can be problematic. The program advocates for a revolutionary type of forgiveness, suggesting that grievances are illusions and should really be neglected and only recognizing the inherent unity of all beings. As the practice of forgiveness may indeed be healing and major, ACIM's approach may cause persons to suppress legitimate feelings and ignore true injustices. By framing all bad experiences as illusions created by the ego, there is a risk of reducing or invalidating the lived activities of enduring and trauma. This perception could be specially hazardous for individuals dealing with critical dilemmas such as for instance punishment or oppression, as it can decrease them from seeking the mandatory help and interventions.

Still another place of contention is the way ACIM has been promoted and commercialized. Since its publication, ACIM has spawned a significant industry of workshops, seminars, and supplementary materials. Experts disagree this commercialization undermines the religious strength of the teachings, turning what's proposed to be always a holy text into a profit-driven enterprise. The expansion of ACIM-related products and services and companies has light emitting diode some to problem the motivations behind their promotion and the authenticity of those that claim to teach its principles. This commercial part can make a buffer to authentic religious exploration, as individuals might become more centered on getting the next guide or joining another seminar rather than interesting deeply with the teachings themselves.