Q&A - Question Three

Last Question #1388

Q #1388: Can the Course in Miracles be practiced by non-believers? The first few lessons seemed to promise so much, but when I browsed through the more advanced lessons I found God and religion. Do you have anything to offer non-believers?

A: Simply put, yes, A Course in Miracles can be practiced by a non-believer. The Introduction to the clarification of terms at the end of the manual offers an explanation that could be helpful in getting past the religious language of the Course. In part it states: “This is not a course in philosophical speculation, nor is it concerned with precise terminology. It is concerned only with Atonement, or the correction of perception. The means of the Atonement is forgiveness … do not let theology delay you” (C-in.1:1-3; 4:5).

Further along in the clarification of terms there is another explanation of the Course’s approach which takes its students beyond the boundaries and restrictions common to other systems. It tells us that the names and terms it uses should be regarded as symbols only, which we need because of our own limitations: “Their names are legion, but we will not go beyond the names the course itself employs” (C-5.1:6). Thus, those who find the Christian terms unacceptable should feel free to substitute other symbols, as long as the symbols are helpful in transcending the ego or false self.

Further discussion of this important issue can be found in Questions #1 and #1347. Our audio program “Beyond Theism” may also be of help.