A principle or set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly true. Often refers to religious doctrine but can apply to any rigid belief system.
From Greek dogma meaning 'opinion' or 'decree,' from dokein meaning 'to seem' or 'to think.' Originally neutral, the word gained its sense of rigid, unquestionable doctrine through early Christian usage in theological contexts.
The irony of 'dogma' is that it comes from a Greek word meaning 'opinion' - something inherently subjective - yet now describes beliefs considered absolutely objective and unchangeable. This evolution shows how language can flip meanings over time.
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