The practical request of ACIM's teachings can be a place of contention. Though some people record good transformations and particular development from following the class, the others find the methods to be ineffective as well as harmful. The course's focus on forgiveness and love is admirable, but authorities fight that it can be very basic and naïve, failing to handle the difficulties of human relationships and the requirement for boundaries and accountability. Furthermore, the course's length and intense character could be overwhelming for some individuals, leading to burnout or disillusionment. Authorities suggest that the time and effort expected to accomplish ACIM could be greater used on more empirically reinforced healing practices or religious disciplines which have an established track record of effectiveness.

The broader affect of ACIM on the religious and self-help towns is also value considering. The class has encouraged a significant subsequent and has been integrated into different New Age and spiritual movements. But, its effect is seen as a double-edged sword. david hoffmeister a course in miracles Using one hand, it has offered a platform for persons seeking religious development and inner peace. On one other give, their teachings can donate to a culture of spiritual skipping, wherever persons use religious ideas to prevent dealing with personal and cultural issues. This can cause a questionnaire of escapism, where in fact the focus on religious values distracts from the necessity of participating with and handling real-world challenges.

Furthermore, the industrial success of ACIM and their connected resources increases ethical concerns. The proliferation of workshops, books, and seminars predicated on ACIM is seen as capitalizing on individuals' religious wants and vulnerabilities. Experts argue that the commercialization of spirituality can lead to the exploitation of seekers, who may possibly invest substantial time and money into practices that finally don't deliver on their promises. That commercialization also can contribute to the dilution of the course's teachings, as various interpretations and adaptations proliferate, potentially ultimately causing distress and misapplication of the principles.

Still another important element to consider may be the exclusivity and dogmatism that could occasionally accompany the ACIM community. Whilst the program itself advances general enjoy and forgiveness, the way in which it's shown and practiced by some adherents can lead to a sense of religious elitism. This will develop an "people versus them" thinking, wherever those who follow ACIM are seen as enlightened, while those that do not are viewed as misguided or unenlightened. Such attitudes may be divisive and detrimental to the course's proposed targets of peace and unity. Authorities fight that true religious development must foster inclusivity and humility, as opposed to creating a hierarchical difference between the spiritually awakened and the unawakened.