From a emotional point of view, the sources of ACIM raise questions about its validity. Helen Schucman, the principal scribe of the writing, claimed that what were determined to her by an interior voice she determined as Jesus. This technique of obtaining the writing through inner dictation, referred to as channeling, is frequently met with skepticism. Authorities disagree that channeling can be understood as a emotional phenomenon rather than real religious revelation. Schucman herself was a scientific psychiatrist, and some declare that the style she heard could have been a manifestation of her subconscious mind rather than an external divine entity. Additionally, Schucman indicated ambivalence about the work and their origins, occasionally wondering their reliability herself. That ambivalence, in conjunction with the strategy of the text's reception, portrays doubt on the legitimacy of ACIM as a divinely encouraged scripture.

This content of ACIM also attracts scrutiny from a philosophical angle. The course teaches that the entire world we see with our feelings can be an dream and our correct truth lies beyond that physical realm. That idealistic view, which echoes particular Eastern philosophies, issues the materialistic and empirical foundations of Western thought. Critics disagree that the claim that the bodily earth is an impression is not a course in miracles  substantiated by empirical evidence and runs table to the medical strategy, which utilizes observable and measurable phenomena. The idea of an illusory earth might be powerful as a metaphor for the distortions of belief brought on by the pride, but as a literal assertion, it lacks the scientific support necessary to be considered a valid representation of reality.

Furthermore, the realistic software of ACIM's teachings may be problematic. The class advocates for a revolutionary kind of forgiveness, indicating that grievances are illusions and must certanly be neglected in favor of knowing the natural unity of all beings. As the practice of forgiveness may certainly be therapeutic and major, ACIM's approach may cause individuals to restrain genuine emotions and dismiss actual injustices. By framing all negative experiences as illusions developed by the vanity, there is a threat of reducing or invalidating the lived experiences of putting up with and trauma. This perspective can be specially dangerous for individuals working with critical problems such as abuse or oppression, as it may suppress them from seeking the required support and interventions.

Yet another position of contention is just how ACIM has been promoted and commercialized. Since their publication, ACIM has spawned a substantial industry of workshops, seminars, and supplementary materials. Critics fight that commercialization undermines the spiritual strength of the teachings, turning what's purported to be a sacred text in to a profit-driven enterprise. The expansion of ACIM-related products and services and solutions has led some to question the motivations behind their campaign and the authenticity of people who state to instruct their principles. That professional part can make a buffer to true religious exploration, as persons might be much more focused on getting another book or participating another workshop rather than interesting deeply with the teachings themselves.