ACIM: The Newest of New Thought

Thirty five years after its publication in 1976, A Course in Miracles (ACIM) has become one of the most popular and perplexing phenomena of contemporary American spirituality. ACIM has been both shunned and embraced by the larger New Thought community. There is spirited debate over whether ACIM belongs in New Thought, due primarily to its “channeled” authorship and other sociological factors. The author measured ACIM against the Declaration of Principles from the International New Thought Alliance and found ACIM to comply with these criteria. Additionally, a poll of Religious Science ministers was conducted as to their acceptance of ACIM teachings. The poll found that most ministers are comfortable about openly promoting ACIM in their churches, both from the pulpit and in classes. Although it does not derive from the “family tree,” the research leads us to the conclusion that ACIM is the newest of New Thought with great potential for growing the movement.