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'''A Course in Miracles''' is a complete self-study spiritual thought system. As a three-volume curriculum consisting of a [[Text]], [[Workbook for Students]], and [[Manual for Teachers]], it teaches that the way to universal love and peace—or remembering God—is by undoing guilt through forgiving others. [[The Course]] thus focuses on the healing of relationships and making them holy. A Course in Miracles also emphasizes that it is but one version of the universal curriculum, of which there are "many thousands." Consequently, even though the language of the Course is that of traditional [[Christianity]], it expresses a non-sectarian, non-denominational spirituality. A Course in Miracles therefore is a universal spiritual teaching, not a religion.

== Summary =='''A Course in Miracles''' is a complete self-study spiritual thought system. As a three-volume curriculum consisting of a [[Text]], [[Workbook for Students]], and [[Manual for Teachers]], it teaches that the way to universal love and peace—or remembering God—is by undoing guilt through forgiving others. [[The Course]] thus focuses on the healing of relationships and making them holy. A Course in Miracles also emphasizes that it is but one version of the universal curriculum, of which there are "many thousands." Consequently, even though the language of the Course is that of traditional [[Christianity]], it expresses a non-sectarian, non-denominational spirituality. A Course in Miracles therefore is a universal spiritual teaching, not a religion.

The "Text" presents the theory of the Course and has built into its study the development of the experience of forgiveness that is the Course's goal for the student. In this regard, A Course in Miracles states that "its goal for you is happiness and peace." (Text, p. 241) (T-13.II.7:1) The Text also explains the basis for fear and guilt, and how they can be overcome through miracles, which are defined as maximal "expressions of love." The miracle is defined as the shift in perception from fear to love.

The "Text" presents the theory of the Course and has built into its study the development of the experience of forgiveness that is the Course's goal for the student. In this regard, A Course in Miracles states that "its goal for you is happiness and peace." (Text, p. 241) (T-13.II.7:1) The Text also explains the basis for fear and guilt, and how they can be overcome through miracles, which are defined as maximal "expressions of love." The miracle is defined as the shift in perception from fear to love.

Schucman described the divine source of her channeling as none other than the person of [[Jesus Christ]]. ISBN 0-7914-3854-6, New Age Religion and Western Culture, State University of New York Press  

Schucman described the divine source of her channeling as none other than the person of [[Jesus Christ]]. ISBN 0-7914-3854-6, New Age Religion and Western Culture, State University of New York Press  

The teachings of ''the Course'' have been compared to the fundamental premises of Eastern religion, it utilizes, however, a traditional Christian terminology. [[J. Gordon Melton]] notes that it has been most popular among those who have been disillusioned by organized Christianity. Melton and [[Wouter Hanegraaff]]  have called it the most obvious choice for the single text that is "sacred scripture" in the [[New Age]] movement. Since it first became available for sale in 1976, over 1.5 million copies have sold worldwide in sixteen different languages.[http://www.jcim.net/How%20Jesus.pdf], Michael Braunstein, How Jesus Got His Copyright Back,[http://www.acim.org/Catalog/SectionFrame.htm]

The teachings of ''the Course'' have been compared to the fundamental premises of Eastern religion, it utilizes, however, a traditional Christian terminology. [[J. Gordon Melton]] notes that it has been most popular among those who have been disillusioned by organized Christianity. Melton and [[Wouter Hanegraaff]]  have called it the most obvious choice for the single text that is "sacred scripture" in the [[New Age]] movement. Since it first became available for sale in 1976, over 1.5 million copies have sold worldwide in sixteen different languages.[http://www.jcim.net/How%20Jesus.pdf], Michael Braunstein, How Jesus Got His Copyright Back,[http://www.acim.org/Catalog/SectionFrame.htm]

Some consider the philosophy of the ''Course'' to be [[monism|monistic]].  It uses terminology and theological elements also found in [[Christianity|traditional Christianity]], except that it redefines them. However, scholar, editor and long time teacher of ACIM, [[Kenneth Wapnick]], (Foundation for a Course in Miracles, [[Temecula, California]]) http://www.facim.org/about.htm About our Foundation, retrieved 2007-07-23 characterizes the metaphysics of the ''Course'' as [[nondualism]] and states “the metaphysics of A Course in Miracles is non-dualistic, as it expresses one pre-separation state: God. In fact, the Course can be said to represent what we may call a perfect or pure nondualism. This form of non-dualism holds not only that God is truth, and all else illusory, but that God is in no way involved in the illusory and unreal world of perception.”; Wapnick, Kenneth, The Message of ‘A Course in Miracles’:  All Are Called, Few Choose to Listen, Vol. 1, Foundation for a Course in Miracles, ISBN-10:  0933291256;  ISBN-13:  978-0933291256

Some consider the philosophy of the ''Course'' to be [[monism|monistic]].  It uses terminology and theological elements also found in [[Christianity|traditional Christianity]], except that it redefines them. However, scholar, editor and long time teacher of ACIM, [[Kenneth Wapnick]], (Foundation for a Course in Miracles, [[Temecula, California]]) http://www.facim.org/about.htm About our Foundation, retrieved 2007-07-23 characterizes the metaphysics of the ''Course'' as [[nondualism]] and states “the metaphysics of A Course in Miracles is non-dualistic, as it expresses one pre-separation state: God. In fact, the Course can be said to represent what we may call a perfect or pure nondualism. This form of non-dualism holds not only that God is truth, and all else illusory, but that God is in no way involved in the illusory and unreal world of perception.”; Wapnick, Kenneth, The Message of ‘A Course in Miracles’:  All Are Called, Few Choose to Listen, Vol. 1, Foundation for a Course in Miracles, ISBN-10:  0933291256;  ISBN-13:  978-0933291256