Its synonyms include: belief, conviction, credo, creed, doctrine, gospel, maxim, precept, principle, proposition, tenet.
Strictly speaking, all dogma can be defined as axioms through which we view the world. As axioms, dogma are basic beliefs accepted as truths, but unprovable. As the "body politik" clashed with that which called itself "The" church, dogma began to turn into a negative, or rather it was perceived as a negative, collection of rules designed to subjugate the human spirit. This was both unfortunate and unavoidable. Just as the nation of Israel before it, the Church was to herald the gospel message (here I am using the word "gospel" in its original sense; "good news"). However, for a long time, church and nation entered into a state of confusion, where the two were seen as the same, and in this state, all people were forced to avow the beliefs that only the Faithful were to espouse; a recipe for failure in any age. History has demonstrated well enough that one cannot force opinions upon another without creating negative reactions. This is what is unfortunate - because opinions can also be true, but the effect remains the same. What is unavoidable is that human beings never appear to learn this fact. And so, the process continues, all the while fueling Man's desire for anarchy. Yet, the dogma we hear today is no longer related to the gospel message, which had a good, and perfect end for us, it now bears the marks of the "P.C.", or the "politically correct," and the environmentalists, and while for a few fleeting seconds it once included the Fundamentalists, it continues to echo the sentiments of the evolutionists, with socialists leading the way. The World is such a confusing place.
But, wait! Dogma is not wrong in itself. If it is anything, it is a normal human trait. We cannot get rid of it entirely until all has been proven, and until then we cannot replace it except with other dogma. So, let's leave it alone. Dogma belongs with each of its respective believers, and forcing its assimilation or detraction will only create war.
Now, you might find this conclusion interesting coming from a Christian, who is by profession evangelical, and a missionary: I genuinely believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ; that is the good news of Jesus, the Annointed One, whose very name means "God saves." That this is truth or dogma depends entirely on how one studies biblical scripture. For me, Jesus is the Truth, because I have tested Him in my life and found Him to be both constant and reliable, and I will never deny Him, indeed, with what I know, I cannot. However, I accept that to the unbeliever, my beliefs are dogma, and will remain so until each also tests Jesus in their own lives. But, I am not ashamed of this. Dogma is not, as I've said, the problem. The problem remains forcing dogma onto others: it does no good, and it creates hard feelings. So then, what I am saying isn't strange. Being a Christian does not make me subversive, neither does it make me a politician. And, it is okay and even necessary to teach one's views. There is a world of difference between teaching and forcing one's views upon another - one that leads to peace, and another that leads to destruction.
