| "A universal theology is impossible, but a universal | | | | Having said that, however, where the Course takes |
| experience is not only possible but necessary... there | | | | a somewhat radical turn is they way it defines what |
| is no answer; only an experience. Seek only this, and | | | | those events mean. I don't have the space here to |
| do not let theology delay you." -- A Course in Miracles | | | | go into detail, but suffice it to say that the Course's |
| Perhaps one of the most frequent questions I get | | | | interpretation of the crucifixion is drastically different |
| about A Course in Miracles is regarding its spiritual | | | | from what has traditionally been taught in the |
| affiliation. After all, the Course was allegedly given to | | | | Christian church. |
| Helen Schucman by Jesus, and the Course does use | | | | Moreover, A Course in Miracles is not really trying to |
| Christian terminology quite frequently. It's a natural | | | | change a person's religious or moral views. In fact, |
| assumption to classify it as Christian in nature. But is | | | | there are Course students from practically every |
| it? Well, yes and no. I know, not quite the answer | | | | Christian denomination and every major world religion, |
| you were looking for, but let me explain... | | | | so depending on your point of view it is entirely |
| You see, I have spent the better part of the last 25 | | | | compatible with whatever path you may be following. |
| years studying religion. Raised as a Southern Baptist, | | | | A Course in Miracles is more like religious therapy; it's |
| and then Pentecostal, with a bit of Catholicism | | | | primary focus is changing the way you think. |
| thrown in from my Grandmother, God has been a big | | | | A self-study system, A Course in Miracles teaches |
| part of my life from the very start. World Religion | | | | you to see the world and others through a filter of |
| was my favorite class in High School, and I went on | | | | love and to overcome fear. The Course states, "Fear |
| to major in Philosophy in college as part of my quest | | | | binds the world. Forgiveness sets it free." However |
| for faith. In all that time I have come to one | | | | the Course teaches that this world is merely an |
| conclusion: It depends. | | | | illusion and not real, so what is really being set free is |
| As relates to our question, it depends on exactly | | | | you. |
| what your definition of Christian is. It gets very tricky | | | | This is what really sets the Course apart from |
| when you use a blanket term like Christian (or Muslim | | | | traditional Christianity, the belief that only spirit is real |
| or Buddhist, for that matter.) As best I can tell there | | | | and everything else is illusion. Interestingly, the Course |
| are now over 20,000 different Christian | | | | takes it a step further - and thus truly splits from |
| denominations, each with their own set of beliefs, | | | | Christianity - by teaching that God did not create |
| values, and - sad to say - political affiliation. | | | | this world; we created it in an attempt to hide |
| There is no question that the Jehovah's Witness do | | | | ourselves after we "attacked" God. (For a more |
| not believe the same thing as the Southern Baptists. | | | | detailed account of this see my article, What is A |
| Or that Methodists follow the same methods (pardon | | | | Course in Miracles?) |
| the pun) as the Assemblies of God. There are even | | | | Unfortunately, this is where many students of the |
| New Thought denominations such as Unity and | | | | Course get hung up because it means that they (i.e. |
| Religious Science that are about as far from Christian | | | | you and I) are 100% responsible for what they think |
| Fundamentalism as one can get. Yet we still consider | | | | and do. Additionally, a typical reaction to this |
| them "Christian." Ironically, each of these groups may | | | | revelation is, "But if I created this world, and God had |
| find the others wrong, some even going so far as to | | | | nothing to do with it, then that means God doesn't |
| labeling them with that dreaded C word of religion: | | | | really know I'm here." As my friend Gary Renard |
| Cult. (By the way, ACIM has been labeled as such by | | | | says, "You're missing the point. The point is that |
| a few fundamentalist groups; I'll be discussing this in | | | | you're NOT here, but still at home (in Heaven) with |
| depth in a later article.) | | | | God and merely dreaming that you're here." The |
| So, again, what definition are you using? By what | | | | Course's job is to gently wake you up from this |
| criteria are you judging A Course in Miracles or any | | | | dream so you can return to Heaven. |
| other thing? You have to start there. Once you have | | | | So is ACIM Christian? I believe it is. But then again, I |
| that out of the way, we can look at where ACIM is | | | | also believe it is Jewish and Muslim, Hindu and |
| similar to Christianity and where it is drastically | | | | Buddhist, and even Agnostic and Atheist. (Helen |
| different. | | | | Schucman herself was an atheist, which is why I |
| First, A Course in Miracles was given to Helen | | | | believe Jesus chose her to deliver His message... she |
| Schucman by a Voice claiming to be the historical | | | | had nothing to prove.) A Course in Miracles is not |
| Jesus of 2000 years ago. There is talk of various | | | | about who is right and who is wrong. It's not about |
| incidents from the Bible taking place such as the | | | | creeds or credentials. It's about you and me, |
| Judas' betrayal, the crucifixion, and the resurrection. | | | | together, finding love and peace and forgiveness and |
| So, assuming the Voice is real, and I see no reason | | | | abolishing fear. I don't know about you, but that sure |
| to doubt its validity, we do have a Christian | | | | sounds like a nice way to live to me. |
| connection certainly. | | | | |