Difference between revisions of "Dogma" - New World Encyclopedia

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Dogma (the plural is either dogmata or dogmas) is belief or doctrine held by a religion or any kind of organization to be authoritative and not to be disputed or doubted.

Dogma, Faith, and Logic

There are some conceptual similarities between dogma and the axioms used as the starting point for logical analysis. Axioms may be thought of as concepts so fundamental that disputing them would be unimaginable; dogmata are also fundamental (e.g. "God exists") yet incorporate also the larger set of conclusions that comprise the (religious) field of thought (e.g. "God created the universe"). Axioms are propositions not subject to proof or disproof, or are statements accepted on their own merits. Dogmata might be thought to be more complex, the product of other proofs. Philosophy and theology find ways to evaluate all statements, whether classified as axioms or dogmata.

Religious dogmata, properly conceived, reach back to proofs other than themselves, and ultimately to faith. Perhaps the pinnacle of organized exposition of theological dogma is the Summa Theologiae by Thomas Aquinas, who proposes this relationship between faith and objection: "If our opponent believes nothing of divine revelation, there is no longer any means of proving the articles of faith by reasoning, but only of answering his objections — if he has any — against faith" (I 1 8)..

Dogma in Religion

Dogmata are found in many religions such as Christianity and Islam, where they are considered core principles that must be upheld by all followers of that religion. As a fundamental element of religion, the term "dogma" is assigned to those theological tenets which are considered to be well demonstrated, such that their proposed disputation or revision effectively means that a person no longer accepts the given religion as his or her own, or has entered into a period of personal doubt. Dogma is distinguished from theological opinion regarding those things considered less well-known. Dogmata may be clarified and elaborated but not contradicted in novel teachings (e.g., Galatians 1:8-9). Rejection of dogma is considered heresy and may lead to expulsion from the religious group, although in the Christian Gospels this is not done rashly (e.g. Mt 18:15-17).

Dogma in Judaism

Dogma in Christianity

For most of Eastern Christianity, the dogmata are contained in the Nicene Creed and the first two, three, or seven ecumenical councils (depending on whether one is a Nestorian, a Monophysite, or an Eastern Orthodox Christian). Roman Catholics also hold as dogma the decisions of 14 later ecumenical councils and a couple decrees promulgated by popes exercising papal infallibility (see, e.g., immaculate conception). Protestants to differing degrees affirm portions of these dogmata, and often rely on sect-specific 'Statements of Faith' which summarize their chosen dogmata (see, e.g., Eucharist).

Dogma is referred to as Doctrine inside many Christian religions.

Dogma in Islam

Dogma in Hinduism

Dogma in Buddhism

Dogma in Confucianism

Dogma Outside of Religion

Many non-religious beliefs are often described as dogmata, for example in the fields of politics or philosophy, as well as within society itself. The term dogmatism carries the implication that people adopt and maintain their beliefs in an uncritical and conformist fashion. Dogmata are thought to be anathema to science and scientific analysis, although one could argue that the scientific method itself is a dogma for many scientists. In a similar way in philosophies such as rationalism and skepticism, although metaphysical considerations are normally not explicit in those fields, traditional religious dogmas tend to be rejected while unexamined presuppositions are sometimes upheld. (rewrite section)

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@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 '''Dogma'''  (the plural is either '''''dogmata''''' or '''''dogmas''''') is [[belief]] or [[doctrine]] held by a [[religion]] or any kind of [[organization]] to be [[authority|authoritative]] and not to be disputed or doubted.
-== Dogma, faith, and logic ==
+== Dogma, Faith, and Logic ==
-There are some conceptual similarities between dogma and the [[axiom]]s used as the starting point for [[logic]]al analysis. Axioms may be thought of as concepts or "givens" so fundamental that disputing them would be unimaginable; dogmata are also fundamental (e.g. "[[God]] exists") yet incorporate also the larger set of conclusions that comprise the (religious) field of thought (e.g. "God created the universe"). Axioms are propositions not subject to proof or disproof, or are statements accepted on their own merits. Dogmata might be thought to be more complex, the product of other proofs. [[Philosophy]] and [[theology]] find ways to evaluate all statements, whether classified as axioms or dogmata.
+There are some conceptual similarities between dogma and the [[axiom]]s used as the starting point for [[logic]]al analysis. Axioms may be thought of as concepts  so fundamental that disputing them would be unimaginable; dogmata are also fundamental (e.g. "[[God]] exists") yet incorporate also the larger set of conclusions that comprise the (religious) field of thought (e.g. "God created the universe"). Axioms are propositions not subject to proof or disproof, or are statements accepted on their own merits. Dogmata might be thought to be more complex, the product of other proofs. [[Philosophy]] and [[theology]] find ways to evaluate all statements, whether classified as axioms or dogmata.
 Religious dogmata, properly conceived, reach back to proofs other than themselves, and ultimately to [[faith]]. Perhaps the pinnacle of organized exposition of theological dogma is the [[Summa Theologiae]] by [[Thomas Aquinas]], who proposes this relationship between faith and objection: "If our opponent believes nothing of divine [[revelation]], there is no longer any means of proving the articles of faith by reasoning, but only of answering his objections &mdash; if he has any &mdash; against faith" ([http://newadvent.org/summa/100108.htm I 1 8])..
-== Dogma in religion ==
+== Dogma in Religion ==
 Dogmata are found in many religions such as [[Christianity]] and [[Islam]], where they are considered core principles that must be upheld by all followers of that religion. As a fundamental element of religion, the term "dogma" is assigned to those theological tenets which are considered to be well demonstrated, such that their proposed disputation or revision effectively means that a person no longer accepts the given religion as his or her own, or has entered into a period of personal [[doubt]]. Dogma is distinguished from theological opinion regarding those things considered less well-known. Dogmata may be clarified and elaborated but not contradicted in novel teachings (e.g., [http://www.biblestudytools.net/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?word=Gal+1%3A8-9&section=9&version=rhe&new=1 Galatians 1:8-9]). Rejection of dogma is considered [[heresy]] and may lead to expulsion from the religious group, although in the Christian [[Gospels]] this is not done rashly (e.g. [http://www.biblestudytools.net/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?word=Mt+18%3A15-17&section=9&version=rhe&new=1 Mt 18:15-17]).
+=== Dogma in Judaism ===
+=== Dogma in Christianity ===
 For most of [[Eastern Christianity]], the dogmata are contained in the [[Nicene Creed]] and the first two, three, or seven [[ecumenical council]]s (depending on whether one is a [[Nestorian]], a [[Monophysite]], or an [[Eastern Orthodoxy|Eastern Orthodox Christian]]). Roman Catholics also hold as dogma the decisions of 14 later ecumenical councils and a couple decrees promulgated by [[pope]]s exercising [[papal infallibility]] (see, e.g., [[immaculate conception]]). [[Protestantism|Protestants]] to differing degrees affirm portions of these dogmata, and often rely on sect-specific 'Statements of Faith' which summarize their chosen dogmata (see, e.g., [[Eucharist]]).
-In [[Islam]], the dogmatic principles are contained in the [[aqidah]].
 Dogma is referred to as Doctrine inside many Christian religions.
-== Dogma outside of religion ==
+=== Dogma in Islam ===
-Many non-religious beliefs are often described as dogmata, for example in the fields of [[politics]] or [[philosophy]], as well as within [[society]] itself. The term ''dogmatism'' carries the implication that people are upholding their beliefs in an unthinking and conformist fashion. Dogmata are thought to be anathema to [[science]] and scientific analysis although one could argue that the [[scientific method]] itself is a dogma for many scientists. In a similar way in philosophies such as [[rationalist|rationalism]] and [[skepticism]], although [[metaphysics|metaphysical]] considerations are normally not explicit in those fields, traditional religious dogmas tend to be rejected while unexamined  [[presupposition]]s are sometimes upheld.
+=== Dogma in Hinduism ===
-When used today, the word 'dogma' is usually used in a negative and derogatory manner, for example when employees talk about unpopular company policies. Other examples often come from political or national statements, an example would be article 1 section 3 of the [[United Nations]] [http://www.unesco.org/tolerance/declaeng.htm Declaration of Principles on Tolerance]:
+=== Dogma in Buddhism ===
-''1.3 Tolerance is the responsibility that upholds human rights, [[pluralism]] (including [[cultural pluralism]]), [[democracy]] and the rule of law. It involves the <B>rejection of dogmatism </B> and [[absolutism]] and affirms the standards set out in international human rights instruments.''
+=== Dogma in Confucianism ===
-(Bolding added in for emphasis)
+== Dogma Outside of Religion ==
+Many non-religious beliefs are often described as dogmata, for example in the fields of [[politics]] or [[philosophy]], as well as within [[society]] itself. The term ''dogmatism'' carries the implication that people adopt and maintain their beliefs in an uncritical and conformist fashion. ''Dogmata are thought to be anathema to [[science]] and scientific analysis, although one could argue that the [[scientific method]] itself is a dogma for many scientists. In a similar way in philosophies such as [[rationalist|rationalism]] and [[skepticism]], although [[metaphysics|metaphysical]] considerations are normally not explicit in those fields, traditional religious dogmas tend to be rejected while unexamined  [[presupposition]]s are sometimes upheld. (rewrite section)''
 [[category:Philosophy and religion]][[category:Religion]]
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