The realistic program of ACIM's teachings can also be a spot of contention. Although some persons record positive transformations and personal growth from following course, others find the techniques to be ineffective or even harmful. The course's focus on forgiveness and love is excellent, but experts disagree that it can be very easy and naïve, failing to address the complexities of human relationships and the necessity for limits and accountability. Also, the course's size and intensive nature could be overwhelming for a lot of people, resulting in burnout or disillusionment. Critics suggest that enough time and work expected to accomplish ACIM might be better allocated to more empirically reinforced healing methods or religious disciplines which have an established track record of effectiveness.

The broader influence of ACIM on the spiritual and self-help neighborhoods can also be value considering. The program has encouraged a significant following and has been incorporated into various New Age and religious movements. Nevertheless, its effect is visible as a david acim  double-edged sword. Using one hand, it has presented a construction for people seeking spiritual growth and inner peace. On the other hand, its teachings may subscribe to a culture of spiritual skipping, wherever people use religious concepts in order to avoid working with personal and cultural issues. This could result in a questionnaire of escapism, where in actuality the concentrate on spiritual values distracts from the prerequisite of interesting with and approaching real-world challenges.

More over, the professional success of ACIM and their related resources improves ethical concerns. The expansion of workshops, publications, and seminars centered on ACIM is seen as capitalizing on individuals' religious wants and vulnerabilities. Experts argue that the commercialization of spirituality may cause the exploitation of seekers, who may possibly invest substantial time and income into practices that eventually don't produce on the promises. This commercialization also can subscribe to the dilution of the course's teachings, as various interpretations and adaptations proliferate, possibly resulting in frustration and misapplication of the principles.

Still another important element to take into account may be the exclusivity and dogmatism that can often accompany the ACIM community. Whilst the class it self advances common enjoy and forgiveness, just how it's shown and practiced by some adherents can cause a sense of religious elitism. This can build an "people versus them" mentality, wherever people who follow ACIM are seen as enlightened, while those that do not are considered as misguided or unenlightened. Such attitudes can be divisive and detrimental to the course's purported targets of peace and unity. Critics argue that true spiritual development should foster inclusivity and humility, as opposed to creating a hierarchical difference between the spiritually awakened and the unawakened.