Dogma - why/why arent you dogmatic?

[Casanova[OCAU]]

As the title suggests, some people are very dogmatic. This is to ask them the question.. why?

Dictionary.com define dogma as

1. A doctrine or a corpus of doctrines relating to matters such as morality and faith, set forth in an authoritative manner by a church.
2. An authoritative principle, belief, or statement of ideas or opinion, especially one considered to be absolutely true. See Synonyms at doctrine.
3. A principle or belief or a group of them
n 1: a religious doctrine that is proclaimed as true without proof [syn: tenet] 2: a doctrine or code of beliefs accepted as authoritative

Wikipedia's definition is

Dogma (the plural is either dogmata or dogmas) is the established belief or doctrine held by a religion, ideology or any kind of organization to be authoritative and not to be disputed or doubted. While in the context of religion the term is largely descriptive, outside of religion its current usage tends to carry a pejorative connotation — referring to concepts as being "established" only according to a particular point of view, and thus one of doubtful foundation.

Personally i try to think of logical or atleast moral reasoning behind everything, and generally dont accept all thats presented to me. Its just a subconsious thing i do.. I tend to deconstruct every argument.

What about you?

[Lai]

For some reason, all my life I've rejected the idea of just accepting something because I've been told. I've always had a very inquisitive mind as far as everything goes and just won't accept "Because I said so" as an answer. I have to figure things out on my own and I need reasons.

[Angantyr]

I do not accept what we are forced to believe, I have always strayed away from what is considered fact and try to develop my own understanding behind it. Also I feel that this is a huge problem with people today, I dislike trying to have a discussion with somebody when they refuse to think that maybe what society forces them is wrong.

As for Logic I think it is partly manipulated as well, to a point I think. Like point A is considered most likely cause it fits together, but then point B fits together just as well but people never think about point B so its thrown out as Illogical. Personally I feel I am the same but I try and look at both points to make an informed opinion on the matter.

I generally don't accept morals as I feel this is what controls people too much. I do not go out of my way to offend people with my opinions and such but no doubt it always happens. My problem is I feel things I do not wish I did. I can not change these feelings currently but I am working on having complete control of my emotions, attraction, hate and logical understanding.

[Casanova[OCAU]]

Where then does this place Christian evangelicals or extremists of any faith for that matter, who are pretty much brain washed on propaganda?

[Angantyr]

Sorry for the short post but what exactly are you trying to say? Are you talking about extremists here because there are none here. Or something else... ?

[Casanova[OCAU]]

Originally Posted by Wintermetal

Sorry for the short post but what exactly are you trying to say? Are you talking about extremists here because there are none here. Or something else... ?

think about the word extremists for a second. What does it mean? it is defined as 'One who advocates or resorts to measures beyond the norm, especially in politics or religion.' Now does that change your stance about 'there are no extremists here'?

I sure see a fair few around.

Islamic people arent the only extremists you know..

[Angantyr]

None of the Christians here are extreme, Sasquatch is just an army man who takes his religion seriously and TomStrife is still learning. A few here have strong opinions but nobody here has tried to get me to see things their way. I have had people stand by what they believe in but isn't that the norm?

Islamic people arent the only extremists you know..

Agreed they include but not limited to Communists, Nazis, Facists, Feminists, Anarchists, Skinheads etc.. and I've met quite a few of them and trust me, nobody on this board comes close to the level these guys act.

[Casanova[OCAU]]

Originally Posted by Wintermetal

None of the Christians here are extreme, Sasquatch is just an army man who takes his religion seriously and TomStrife is still learning. A few here have strong opinions but nobody here has tried to get me to see things their way. I have had people stand by what they believe in but isn't that the norm?

Standing for what you believe in objectivly, using reasoning is quite different to blindly spouting words you know..

Agreed they include but not limited to Communists, Nazis, Facists, Feminists, Anarchists, Skinheads etc.. and I've met quite a few of them and trust me, nobody on this board comes close to the level these guys act.

This i agree with. Maybe i'm just strongly moderate.

[Angantyr]

Well put it this way, when I was 15 I was kind of an Anarchist and my friend was hardout against facism and thinking of being a Vegan and Straight edge. The ironic thing is he use to give this black guy shit, not really cause of race but cause he was like a Jock with a mental disorder.

When I was 17 I did a complete 180 and got a skinhead, partly due to shaving off my mohawk but I met a lot of other skinheads and being interested in European history I started sharing there ideas. Since then I managed to piss off a lot of Anarchists and Communists cause I knew that most of them were hypocrites and only trying to be a rebel.

Now I am 20, I don't care either way if a black guys builds into the black stereotype then he deserves to be called names. If a skinhead acts like a retard then he deserves to get gangbashed. Call me a bastard or what but stereotypes are true, but if somebody does what they can to do their best then good for them.

What I am trying to say is I've met a lot of people on both ends. The Majority of skinheads are dumber than that guy as most anarchists, but a lot of them are willing to die and sacrifice everything they have for white they believe in, I haven't talked to anybody here who has done such a thing. But the blatent ignorance has really gotten to me. Also the Ironic thing is 2 of my closest friends were half maoris, half European (Maoris consider themselfs blacks even though they are more closely related to asians)

Standing for what you believe in objectivly, using reasoning is quite different to blindly spouting words you know..

I agree, the problem is I have tried to do this but some people are just too blind to see it.

[Shiendar]

Originally Posted by Wintermetal

None of the Christians here are extreme, Sasquatch is just an army man who takes his religion seriously and TomStrife is still learning. A few here have strong opinions but nobody here has tried to get me to see things their way. I have had people stand by what they believe in but isn't that the norm?


Agreed they include but not limited to Communists, s, Facists, Feminists, s, s etc.. and I've met quite a few of them and trust me, nobody on this board comes close to the level these guys act.

I personally am a Feminist myself. (Surprised?) I am a Wiccan, and I don't even accept Wiccan Dogma myself. (Thank Goddess I am not Garnerian or Alexandrian!) I take reality seriously. This goes for anyone who is intelligent.

[Merlin]

Originally Posted by Casanova[OCAU]

think about the word extremists for a second. What does it mean? it is defined as 'One who advocates or resorts to measures beyond the norm, especially in politics or religion.' Now does that change your stance about 'there are no extremists here'?

Although dictionaries are useful for looking up words you do not know the meaning to, consistently quoting from one is a rather peculiar way to draw a point. If anything, it is counterproductive. Luckily, your method of writing is not the topic on hand, so I will continue onto a rather innacurate and prejudicial remark you made:

Originally Posted by Casanova[OCAU]

Islamic people arent the only extremists you know..

Now, if you said that there are Islamic extremists, that would be a true statement. Unfortunately that is not what you said. You claim that the Islamic people are inherently extremists.. an uncouth connection to say the least. There are indeed Middle-Eastern factions that claim to be of the Islamic faith whom participate it terroristic activities. These individuals have perverted their view of the Qur'an to the point that they believe their god supports the slaughter of innocents. It does not. Islam is quite interesting, to say the least. I encourage you to check out sights like http://www.islamic-awareness.org/Quran/ which can give you broad information on the subject, more than I can possibly squeeze into a single post. Spend a little more time investigating your information and a little less time studying the dictionary and your points will become all the more interesting. ^_^

[Casanova[OCAU]]

Originally Posted by Merlin

Now, if you said that there are Islamic extremists, that would be a true statement. Unfortunately that is not what you said. You claim that the Islamic people are inherently extremists.. an uncouth connection to say the least.

at that point, i stopped reading. You know what i meant. I have some fairly close islamic friends, and i dont, under any stretch of imagination think that all Islamic people are extremists.

The reason why i gave a definition is so that people dont pick on pedantics. Looks like i failed in that one

That said, i'm gonna apologise and say thats not what i meant. Pardon my tounge.. english isnt my first language.