Catholic Terms that Aren’t as Bad as they Sound: Dogma

"Cry 'HAVOC,' and let slip the Dogs of War!" Willie Shakespaw

What it sounds like:

1. Dog Drama

2. The result of the Vatican brainwashing people into being evil Catholics.

   
   

What it actually is: Dogma refers to Catholic teachings the Church has definitively proclaimed as divinely revealed, which means God made it known directly through Scripture and/or Tradition, not from human reasoning. These are the essential pillars of belief for every Catholic.

Where the Word Comes From

The word dogma comes from the Greek, meaning “to think, to seem, or to believe.” In the early Church, the word described the official teachings and decrees of the apostles and councils. (For example, Acts 16:4 mentions “the dogmata” handed on by the apostles.)

Over time, in Catholic theology, dogma came to mean a truth formally defined and proclaimed by the Church as revealed by God, and therefore binding for belief.

What the Church Says

The Catechism of the Catholic Church puts it this way:

“Dogmas are lights along the path of faith; they illuminate it and make it secure. Conversely, if our life is upright, our intellect and heart will be open to welcome the light shed by the dogmas of faith” (CCC 89).

Dogmas don’t restrict us—they guide us. They make sure our faith stands on solid ground instead of shifting sand.

Why Dogma Still Matters

In today’s world, truth is often treated as flexible or personal. “Live your truth” has basically become a slogan for anything goes. At first glance, this slogan sounds liberating, and people wear it as a badge of freedom to proclaim they are unburdened by the harsh realities of society. But in actuality, you just sound like a meatball.

Catholic dogma reminds us that some truths are eternal. They don’t come from human opinion but from the God who cannot deceive nor be deceived. To embrace dogma is not to be trapped—it’s to stand firmly on the foundation of Christ’s own revelation.

Embrace it

So don’t let the word scare you. Dogma is the Church saying: This is true. This is secure. You can build your life on this.

In a culture where everyone is busy inventing their own “truths,” it’s refreshing to belong to a faith that settles arguments with history, reason, and common sense.

Woof,

MRF