Difference between revisions of "Dogma" - New World Encyclopedia

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=== Dogma in Judaism ===
 
=== Dogma in Judaism ===
  
Though there is much diversity in belief and practice within Judaism, there are distinct ideas which are characteristic of Jewish faith and critical to Jewish identity. The idea of the uniqueness and eternity of God can be considered dogma. This is not a unique dogma found in Judaism, but is present in all of the [[monotheism|monotheist]] religions. The [[Ten Commandments]] found in [[Exodus]] and [[Deuteronomy]] attest to this belief.
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Though there is much diversity in belief and practice within Judaism, there are distinct ideas which are characteristic of Jewish faith and critical to Jewish identity. The idea of the uniqueness and eternity of God can be considered dogma. This is not a unique dogma found in Judaism, but is present in all of the [[monotheism|monotheist]] religions. The [[Ten Commandments]] found in [[Exodus]] and [[Deuteronomy]] attest to this belief. These ideas are also found in the [[Thirteen Principles of Faith]] by [[Moses Maimonides]], though it is not necessarily traditional dogma (as it was formulated centuries after the completion of the Hebrew Bible). Essentially, all the principles delineated by Maimonides are true for most adherents of Judaism in most ages, though even some of these have been disputed by other Jewish teachers. As well, these thirteen principles are open to a variety of interpretations.
 
 
'''Wayne, please substantially expand this section. It is far too short. For example, you could talk about Moses Maimodidies 13 articles of faith."""
 
  
 
=== Dogma in Christianity ===
 
=== Dogma in Christianity ===
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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 the antithesis to [[science]], which is based on the principles of unbiased critical evaluation of the observations, theories, and experiments of others and oneself. However, science and the scientific method, applied incorrectly (that is, without properly gauged and directed criticism) can become a dogma itself, proving a disservice to science.  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.
 
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 the antithesis to [[science]], which is based on the principles of unbiased critical evaluation of the observations, theories, and experiments of others and oneself. However, science and the scientific method, applied incorrectly (that is, without properly gauged and directed criticism) can become a dogma itself, proving a disservice to science.  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.
  
'''Wayne, please say something about the conept of scientific dogmas here.""
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Science does not lend itself to the creation and promulgation of dogma, as the very core of the endeavor is to question all precepts, even those that seem thoroughly tested. However, as it is human nature to yearn for certainty, some scientists have indeed become dogmatic, failing to uphold the principles of scientific inquiry. Understandings of [[Sir Isaac Newton|Newton's]] theroy of gravity and motion were thought adequate to explain the universe before [[Albert Einstien]] proposed his theories of [[Special Relativity|Special]] and [[General Relativity]]. Eventually even these ideas, once held as certain truth by some, became questioned. However, the ideas of experimentation and repetition of experimentation, in addition to a community of peers intent on mutual critical analysis serve to keep dogmatic tendencies in science in check.
  
 
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 and clearly evident 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, though this is not always true. [[Philosophy]] and [[theology]] evaluate all statements, whether classified as axioms or dogmata. Religious dogmata, properly conceived, reach back to proofs other than themselves, and ultimately to [[faith]].
 
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 and clearly evident 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, though this is not always true. [[Philosophy]] and [[theology]] evaluate all statements, whether classified as axioms or dogmata. Religious dogmata, properly conceived, reach back to proofs other than themselves, and ultimately to [[faith]].

Revision as of 19:59, 19 June 2006

A Dogma (from the Greek: "that which is regarded as good") is a belief or doctrine held by a religion or any kind of organization to be authoritative and not to be disputed or doubted. Dogmas are considered to be central to the beliefs of a religion, and thus to deny a particular dogma is to deny a central tenet of the religion. Dogmas are most commonly associated with the Roman Catholic tradition, where the term is used often. Though many religions traditions may not use the word "dogma" explicitly (or may even reject the idea of dogma), the majority of religions can be described as possessing some form of dogma. The plural of dogma is either "dogmata" or dogmas.

Dogma and Doctrine

It is true that all dogmata are doctrines, but not all doctrines are dogmata. Doctrines are formulated by a religious organization, based on faith, theology, philosophy, or a variety of other sources. Doctrines are propagated by a religious institution, but are not always central to a religion and may be recognized by the religious institution as potentially imperfect (and therefore debatable). Dogmata, however, are always central and regarded as infallible. Doctrines may be questioned, but dogmata are doctrines that must not be doubted.

Rejecting dogmata is tantamount to rejecting a religious tradition, as the dogmata of a religion are not divisable from the core of the religion's teachings. Dealing with the rejection of dogmata differs amongst the world's religious traditions. Members may be excommunicated or otherwise exiled from a body of believers. In more extreme historical situations those who doubted dogmata were coerced with violence. However, division over dogmata need not always be confrontational, and it certainly has not always been so.

Dogma in Religion

Dogmata are found in many religions 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. Rejection of dogma is considered heresy and may lead to expulsion from the religious group, though this varies between groups. Some traditions, like Hinduism and Judaism, lack a great deal of rigid dogma.

Dogma in Judaism

Though there is much diversity in belief and practice within Judaism, there are distinct ideas which are characteristic of Jewish faith and critical to Jewish identity. The idea of the uniqueness and eternity of God can be considered dogma. This is not a unique dogma found in Judaism, but is present in all of the monotheist religions. The Ten Commandments found in Exodus and Deuteronomy attest to this belief. These ideas are also found in the Thirteen Principles of Faith by Moses Maimonides, though it is not necessarily traditional dogma (as it was formulated centuries after the completion of the Hebrew Bible). Essentially, all the principles delineated by Maimonides are true for most adherents of Judaism in most ages, though even some of these have been disputed by other Jewish teachers. As well, these thirteen principles are open to a variety of interpretations.

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 fourteen later ecumenical councils and 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 (e.g., Eucharist).

Dogma in the Roman Catholic church is characterized as the teachings presented by God via Pope, council or authority of the church. A popularly referenced (and often misunderstood) example of Roman Catholic dogma is the Immaculate Conception. This doctrine, which indicates that Mary the mother of Jesus was not tainted by original sin at her conception, was made a dogma in 1854 by Pope Pius IX. Though speculated upon before this time, the dogma of the Immaculate Conception was not made offical (and therefore unquestioned) Catholic doctrine until it was stated by the Pope as an infallible dogma.

Dogma in Islam

An example of dogma in Islam is the shahāda, the confession of faith. The shahāda proclaims that Allah is the only god and that Muhammad is his prophet. These statements are believed by all Muslims, and one is expected to believe them if entering into the Muslim community.

Indeed, all five pillars of Islam can be said to be dogma. As well, like other monotheistic religions, Islam emphasizes the unity and "oneness" of God (tawhid). Tawhid can be found written in the Qur'an in Surah 112, which gives a statement of monotheism. These ideas are crucial to Muslims, and are not disputed. Other ideas, such as the role and nature of Jihad, are debated within the Muslim world, though the importance of Jihad in a Muslim's life is not disputed.

Dogma in Hinduism

Hinduism covers a wide variety of religious traditions, inclusively declaring them all Hindu. Therefore, the concept of dogma does not apply as readily to Hinduism as it does to traditions that are more defined along doctrinal lines. However, some dogmata can found in the Hindu tradition.

The idea of ātman, most often translated as "soul" in English, is an idea that permeates Hindu thought. As in other traditions, such as Islam and Christianity, the axiom that human beings possess a soul (though this can be defined in a myriad of ways between and within religions) is an unassailable truth in the tradition. As well, Hindus generally have great respect for the Vedas, and thus acceptance of the spiritual importantance of these texts is generally a sign that one is Hindu.

In congruence with other religions born in India Hinduism subscribes to ideas of karma and reincarnation. These concepts form the foundation on which further philosophical and theological constructs are built. Though not unique to Hinduism, these are fundamental concepts on which further spiritual discussion is made.

Dogma in Buddhism

Some Buddhist dogmata are shared with Hinduism and Jainism. Religious concepts innate in the worldview of the people of India, such as karma and reincarnation, are fundamental to the majority of Indian religions. Buddhism is not an exception; however, Buddhists will understand and explain these ideas differently than Hindus or Jains.

In opposition to the Hindu dogma of ātman is the Buddhist idea of anātman. Buddhist dogma dictates that the human being does not possess a soul. Though this idea is understood differently in Theravada schools and Mahayana schools, the interpretations can be thought of as dogmata for each. For instance, in the Mahayana scriptures known as the Tathagatagarbha sutras, the idea of anātman applies to concepts like the five skandhas, but not to one's own Buddha nature. The Theravada view does not make this distinction. It is evident that even within a religious tradition there are divergences in dogma.

Dogma in Confucianism

The five relationships found in Confucianism are excellent examples of dogmata drawn from Chinese religious tradition. The relationships bewteen parents and children (expressed as filial piety), ruler and subject, husband and wife, elder sibling and younger sibling, and between friends are in the Confucian tradition institutions that must be preserved without question. For example, in the Analects of Confucius Confucius declares it more honest for a son to lie to defend his father than for that son to testify against his father for wrong-doing (Chapter 13, Verse 18). The dogma of filial piety outweighs the obligation to denounce a parent.

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 the antithesis to science, which is based on the principles of unbiased critical evaluation of the observations, theories, and experiments of others and oneself. However, science and the scientific method, applied incorrectly (that is, without properly gauged and directed criticism) can become a dogma itself, proving a disservice to science. 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.

Science does not lend itself to the creation and promulgation of dogma, as the very core of the endeavor is to question all precepts, even those that seem thoroughly tested. However, as it is human nature to yearn for certainty, some scientists have indeed become dogmatic, failing to uphold the principles of scientific inquiry. Understandings of Newton's theroy of gravity and motion were thought adequate to explain the universe before Albert Einstien proposed his theories of Special and General Relativity. Eventually even these ideas, once held as certain truth by some, became questioned. However, the ideas of experimentation and repetition of experimentation, in addition to a community of peers intent on mutual critical analysis serve to keep dogmatic tendencies in science in check.

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 and clearly evident 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, though this is not always true. Philosophy and theology evaluate all statements, whether classified as axioms or dogmata. Religious dogmata, properly conceived, reach back to proofs other than themselves, and ultimately to faith.


References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Eliade, Mircea, (editor in chief.) Karl Rahner and Adolf Darlap, "Dogma", The Encyclopedia of Religion. MacMillan, 1987. (pg. 389) ISBN 0028971353

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