From a mental perspective, the beginnings of ACIM raise issues about its validity. Helen Schucman, the primary scribe of the writing, said that the language were dictated to her by an interior voice she recognized as Jesus. This technique of receiving the writing through internal dictation, known as channeling, is often achieved with skepticism. Critics argue that channeling can be understood as a emotional trend rather than authentic spiritual revelation. Schucman herself was a medical psychologist, and some declare that the voice she seen has been a manifestation of her subconscious mind rather than an additional heavenly entity. Moreover, Schucman expressed ambivalence about the work and its sources, often asking their authenticity herself. This ambivalence, along with the method of the text's party, casts doubt on the legitimacy of ACIM as a divinely encouraged scripture.

The information of ACIM also attracts scrutiny from a philosophical angle. The course teaches that the world we perceive with this senses can be an illusion and our correct reality lies beyond this physical realm. That idealistic view, which echoes certain Western ideas, challenges the materialistic and scientific foundations of Western thought. Experts disagree that the claim that the bodily world can be an illusion is  david hoffmeiste not substantiated by empirical evidence and runs counter to the clinical technique, which relies on observable and measurable phenomena. The thought of an illusory earth might be powerful as a metaphor for the distortions of understanding brought on by the confidence, but as a literal assertion, it lacks the scientific support required to be considered a legitimate illustration of reality.

More over, the useful program of ACIM's teachings may be problematic. The class advocates for a radical type of forgiveness, indicating that all issues are illusions and should be neglected and only recognizing the natural unity of all beings. As the practice of forgiveness may indeed be healing and major, ACIM's strategy may lead people to control legitimate thoughts and ignore true injustices. By surrounding all bad experiences as illusions created by the vanity, there is a risk of reducing or invalidating the lived experiences of suffering and trauma. That perspective could be specially dangerous for individuals working with critical problems such as for example punishment or oppression, as it can discourage them from seeking the mandatory help and interventions.

Another level of argument is the way in which ACIM has been marketed and commercialized. Since its distribution, ACIM has spawned a substantial market of workshops, seminars, and supplementary materials. Experts disagree that commercialization undermines the spiritual integrity of the teachings, turning what is proposed to be a sacred text in to a profit-driven enterprise. The growth of ACIM-related items and companies has led some to issue the motivations behind its promotion and the credibility of those who state to teach their principles. This industrial aspect can make a barrier to real spiritual exploration, as individuals might be more dedicated to getting the following book or participating another course as opposed to engaging deeply with the teachings themselves.