Dogma
/ˈdɔːɡmə/
nounC1
Definition
Dogma means a fixed idea or belief that a group or person accepts as true without doubt or question. It is often used in religion, where certain teachings are considered true and must be followed. Dogma can also apply to any strong set of ideas that people do not want to change or discuss.
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See It in Action
A fixed belief or set of beliefs accepted without question, especially in religion
- •The church's dogma teaches that the world was created by God.
- •Some people follow religious dogma strictly without thinking.
- •Dogma can shape how people live and what they believe is right or wrong.
Any strong set of rules or ideas that people accept without doubt
- •The company's dogma about work hours made it hard for employees to ask for flexibility.
- •Political dogma sometimes stops people from listening to new ideas.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "dogma" like "rule" or "idea," but one that people do not question or change easily
- ✓Picture a book with important rules written in stone, meaning they are fixed and cannot be erased or changed
- ✓It feels like when you hear "this is the truth" and no one is allowed to say differently or argue
- ✓Sounds like "DOG-ma" → imagine a dog that always follows the same path without turning, never changing direction
- ✓In stories, dogma is like a law from a king or religion that everyone must obey without asking why
- ✓NOT like "opinion" (which can change or be different), dogma is something fixed and accepted by a group
- ✓NOT like "suggestion" (optional advice), dogma is a rule or belief seen as absolute and true
- ✓NOT like "fact" (which is proven true), dogma is accepted as true by belief, not always by proof
Try Other Words
- •Belief: something accepted as true (Use when the idea is personal or less fixed)
- •Principle: a basic truth or law (Use when focusing on moral or ethical ideas)
- •Doctrine: official teaching, often religious (Use when talking about formal systems of belief)
- •Creed: a set of religious beliefs (Use when referring to short statements of faith)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "dogma" comes as a whole word without common prefixes or suffixes
- •Etymology: From Greek "dogma," meaning "opinion" or "that which seems true"
- •Historical development: Originally meant an opinion or belief in Greek philosophy, later used in religion for official teachings
- •Modern usage: Used to describe strict, accepted beliefs in religion, politics, or other systems where questioning is discouraged
- •Key insight: Dogma is about accepted truth by a group, not always based on proof but on authority or tradition
Reflect & Connect
•How can dogma affect the way people think or behave in a group or society?
•Can dogma be helpful or harmful? When might it be good to question dogma?
Fill in the blanks
1.People accept dogma because they believe it is ___ without needing proof or question.
2.Religious dogma often teaches ___ that followers must obey.
3.Unlike an opinion, dogma is ___ and not open to discussion.
4.When someone follows dogma, they usually do not ___ new ideas easily.
5.Dogma can sometimes ___ people from seeing different points of view.
6.The word dogma sounds like "dog-ma," and you can imagine a dog that ___ the same rules without changing.
7.Political dogma may make it difficult for a group to ___ its beliefs or change its rules.