Dogma

Dogma is a group's (usually religious group, like a church) official, fundamental set of beliefs or doctrine. Generally, it is so significant to that group's identity it cannot be changed without changing the very ideology of said group. While it is almost always a religious system, dogma can be found anywhere that positions take on actual statements of identity (for example, in political settings, in philosophical writings, or any 'school of thought' about anything from science, to art, to architecture.)

Preach to the choir Religion

Crux of the matter

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Speak of the devil

Atheism Antitheism Secularism Humanism

An act of faith

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“”It is said that science will dehumanize people and turn them into numbers. That's false — tragically false. Look for yourself. This is the concentration camp and crematorium at Auschwtiz. This is where people were turned into numbers. Into this pond were flushed the ashes of some four million people. That was not done by gas — it was done by arrogance. It was done by dogma, it was done by ignorance. When people believe they have absolute knowledge, with no test in reality, this is how they behave. This is what men do when they aspire to the knowledge of gods. Science is a very human form of knowledge. We are always on the brink of the known, we always feel forward for what is hoped. Every judgment in science stands on the edge of error, and is personal. Science is a tribute to what we can know. Although we are fallible. In the end, the words were said by Oliver Cromwell, "I beseech you in the bowels of Christ, think it possible you may be mistaken." I owe as a scientist to my friend Leo Szilard, I owe it as a human being, to many members of my family who died here, to stand here as a survivor and a witness. We have to cure ourselves of the itch for absolute knowledge and power. We have to close the distance between the push-button order and the human act. We have to touch people.

—Jacob Bronowski, speaking at Auschwitz Concentration Camp[1]

For the film of the same name, see Dogma.

How dogma is used for control

Dogma is the framework by which authoritarian leaders are able to coerce the plebeian members of their organization into following the rules. Some dogmatic organization not only use ancient texts (scriptures), but also have official interpretations of the ancient texts (catechisms) and official prayer books (because the elders know what God wants to hear you say to Him).

"Dogma" is generally not subject to debate or analysis by its followers. Historically, questioning dogma or abandoning dogma could get you dead — and still can in some societies.

Atheism and agnosticism

See the main articles on this topic: Atheism and Agnosticism

Atheism and agnosticism have no position beyond "there is no evidence for the existence of god" and "I don't know nor do I care if there is a god." While there are many atheist and agnostic philosophers, there is no central authoritative council of non-believers that decides what other non-believers must not believe in to be considered good, upstanding, faithful non-believers.

Humanism

See the main article on this topic: Humanism

Humanism is the belief that humans should work together and take care of each other, rather than try to exploit each other for personal enrichment. Like atheism, there is no formal, central authority to define what would or would not be the "way" to not exploit each other.

See also

• Appeal to tradition
• Argument by assertion
• Argument from authority
• Fundamentalism

References

1. The Ascent of Man Part 11: Knowledge or Certainty. (1973)