Dogma

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{{hatnote|For the film of the same name, see [[Dogma (film)|Dogma]].}}
 
{{hatnote|For the film of the same name, see [[Dogma (film)|Dogma]].}}
'''Dogma''' is a group's 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 common amongst religious systems, 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.)  Ironically rationality is a form of dogma.  The key aspect of dogma being that even the act of questioning it damages the reputation of the inquisitor.   
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'''Dogma''' is a group's 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 common amongst religious systems, 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.)  Ironically rationality is a form of dogma.  Anything considered extra-normal is instantly dismissed as irrational and therefor impossible.  The key aspect of dogma being that even the act of questioning it damages the reputation of the inquisitor.  Many theories in both the social and physical sciences remain unexplored due to dogmas surrounding certain occurrences.  This has led to a backwards sort of thought that a theory of how a phenomenon occurs should exist before observations can be verified.   
  
 
==How dogma is used for control==
 
==How dogma is used for control==

Revision as of 20:15, 4 August 2014

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For the film of the same name, see Dogma.

Dogma is a group's 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 common amongst religious systems, 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.) Ironically rationality is a form of dogma. Anything considered extra-normal is instantly dismissed as irrational and therefor impossible. The key aspect of dogma being that even the act of questioning it damages the reputation of the inquisitor. Many theories in both the social and physical sciences remain unexplored due to dogmas surrounding certain occurrences. This has led to a backwards sort of thought that a theory of how a phenomenon occurs should exist before observations can be verified.

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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

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

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.

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