Eliminating Religious Dogma: A Path Towards Spiritual Freedom

Eliminating religious dogma is hiding in plain sight from over 2.6 billion people – Christians and Jews – but all of earth’s population of 8 billion people can dismiss dogma brought on by religion. As this is published at the start of the Jewish new year of 5786 on the eve of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, I am among 20 million Jews who are looking forward to a new page in The Book of Life and so should we all if everybody just followed seven simple rules spelled out below.

In this time of renewal now is the best possible opportunity to announce that I have ascended to President of  The ESP Lab, established exactly 60 years ago by our founder Al G. Manning.  I was and am honored to be selected for the solemn duty of preserving Astral Al’s legacy for posterity and promise to do so having as much fun as possible.  Al Manning would’ve wanted it that way.

Eliminating religious dogma is simple but it won’t be easy. For centuries, religion has been a guiding force for humanity—shaping culture, art, morality, and community. Yet alongside its inspirational elements, religion has also carried a heavy burden: dogma. Dogma, in this context, refers to rigid, unquestionable doctrines enforced by religious institutions. These doctrines can often stifle curiosity, restrict personal freedom, and even breed intolerance. As societies evolve and individuals strive for deeper meaning, there is a growing call to eliminate religious dogma—not to abolish spirituality, but to free it from the cages of inflexible rules.

This website is a service of Spiritual Science and one of our cornerstone principles is no dogma. In this article, we will explore the nature of religious dogma, why it is harmful, and how eliminating religious dogma can open doors to authentic spiritual growth and more harmonious communities.

Understanding Religious Dogma

Dogma is a system of beliefs declared to be absolutely true by a religious authority. Followers are expected to accept these beliefs without question. While beliefs themselves are not inherently negative, dogma becomes problematic when questioning is discouraged or outright forbidden.

Examples of dogma include claims such as:

• Only one religion holds the “true” path to salvation.
• Sacred texts must be interpreted literally, regardless of context.
• Doubt or questioning is sinful.
• Those outside the faith are inferior or destined for punishment.

Dogma thrives on control. By demanding blind adherence, it prioritizes obedience over understanding and fear over love. This creates spiritual stagnation, where faith becomes about rules rather than personal transformation. This makes eliminating religious dogma imperative.

The Harmful Effects of Dogma

1. Suppression of Free Thought

Dogma discourages questioning, which is the essence of intellectual and spiritual growth. When individuals are told, “You must not doubt,” their natural curiosity is stifled. History shows us countless thinkers, scientists, and reformers who faced persecution simply for challenging dogmatic religious views.

2. Division and Conflict

Religious dogma often creates an “us versus them” mentality. Wars, crusades, inquisitions, and modern-day extremism all illustrate the dangers of rigid doctrines that claim exclusive truth. Instead of uniting humanity under shared values of compassion and love, dogma divides people along arbitrary lines of belief.

3. Psychological Harm

Many individuals raised in dogmatic traditions experience guilt, fear, or shame for questioning teachings or exploring alternative perspectives. This can lead to lifelong trauma, a distorted self-image, and difficulty embracing personal freedom.

4. Resistance to Progress

Dogma often clashes with advancements in science, ethics, and human rights. From the persecution of Galileo for heliocentrism to modern debates over gender and sexuality, dogmatic institutions frequently resist progress that challenges their established authority.

Why People Cling to Dogma

It is important to recognize why dogma persists. For many, it provides a sense of certainty in an uncertain world. Having a ready-made system of answers can feel comforting, especially in times of crisis. Dogma also offers community and belonging, though often at the cost of individuality.

Religious leaders may also perpetuate dogma as a means of maintaining power and control. By positioning themselves as the sole interpreters of truth, they secure authority over the lives of their followers.

Understanding these dynamics is essential if we are serious in eliminating religious dogma and move beyond dogma. It shows us that people cling to it not necessarily out of malice, but out of fear, comfort, and social conditioning.

The Case for Eliminating Religious Dogma

Eliminating religious dogma does not mean erasing religion or dismissing spiritual traditions. It means reimagining them in ways that encourage openness, inclusivity, and personal growth. Here’s why this shift matters:

1. Authentic Spirituality

When individuals are free from rigid doctrines, they can explore spirituality on a personal level. Instead of being told what to believe, they can discover meaning through direct experience—whether in meditation, prayer, service, or contemplation of nature.

2. Universal Values Over Exclusive Truths

By moving beyond dogma, humanity can focus on shared values—love, compassion, justice, and kindness—rather than exclusive claims of truth. This builds bridges between different traditions instead of walls.

3. Intellectual Integrity

Eliminating dogma restores the rightful place of questioning in spiritual life. True faith is not blind obedience but a willingness to wrestle with mystery, uncertainty, and growth.

4. Healthier Communities

Without dogma dictating who is “in” or “out,” religious and spiritual communities can become more welcoming spaces. People from diverse backgrounds can share wisdom, celebrate differences, and unite around common human aspirations.

Practical Steps Toward Eliminating Religious Dogma

The process of dismantling dogma is both collective and personal. Here are some ways to begin:

1. Encourage Critical Thinking

Religious education should not just teach doctrines but encourage questioning and exploration. Communities should value dialogue over indoctrination.

2. Embrace Metaphor and Symbolism

Sacred texts and traditions are often rich in symbolism. Instead of clinging to literal interpretations, we can approach them as poetic and metaphorical, offering timeless insights rather than rigid rules.

3. Foster Interfaith Dialogue

When people from different traditions engage in open conversations, they see beyond dogmatic boundaries. Interfaith dialogue nurtures respect, empathy, and the realization that no single tradition holds a monopoly on truth.

4. Focus on Practice, Not Belief

Rather than obsessing over “right beliefs,” spiritual communities can emphasize “right actions”—compassion, service, mindfulness, and justice. This shifts the focus from dogma to lived values.

5. Prioritize Personal Experience

Encourage individuals to explore their own spiritual experiences. Mystics, sages, and seekers throughout history have found profound truths outside the confines of rigid doctrine.

I saved the best for the last. The “dirty” little secret many leaders of various organized religions would prefer you not know…

The Creator Only Wants Seven Things From People to Climb The Stairway to Heaven.

Dogma didn’t make the list which makes eliminating religious dogma simple. They are The Seven Laws of Noah. In Jewish circles they are referred to as The Seven Noahidic Laws.  While Jews are obligated to follow 613 laws, gentiles have just seven.  Here is the Biblical basis. 

After you verify the research take a deeper dive into the profound beauty and wisdom of this divine guidance to living a good life while simultaneously making the world a better place.

This opens up a new world of possibilities! How liberating is it to follow just seven easy ideas to live free with a clear mind and a good soul? In our members’ area a lively discussion of this is underway.

Challenges in Eliminating Dogma

This path is not without obstacles. Dogma is deeply entrenched in many cultures, and challenging it can provoke backlash. Individuals who question doctrines may face social rejection, family conflict, or even persecution in certain parts of the world.

Moreover, eliminating dogma requires humility—a willingness to admit that no one has all the answers. This can be uncomfortable for institutions built on claims of absolute authority.

Yet history shows us that progress is possible. Just as the Enlightenment broke the chains of medieval dogma, our current age has the potential to birth a new era of spiritual freedom.

A Vision of Post-Dogmatic Spirituality

Imagine a world where spirituality is not about conformity but exploration. Where churches, temples, and mosques are centers of dialogue rather than dogma. Where meditation and prayer are shared practices, not competing claims. Where sacred texts inspire reflection, not division.

In such a world, spirituality would no longer be a battleground of exclusive truths but a shared journey of discovery. We would celebrate diversity of belief as part of the richness of human experience. And most importantly, love and compassion—not rigid doctrine—would become the guiding forces of our lives.

Conclusion

Eliminating religious dogma is not about destroying faith, but liberating it. Dogma thrives on fear, control, and division, while authentic spirituality flourishes in freedom, curiosity, and love. By questioning rigid doctrines, embracing shared values, and honoring personal experience, we can move beyond dogma toward a deeper, more inclusive vision of spirituality.

The task before us is both urgent and hopeful. For in letting go of dogma, we do not lose religion—we rediscover its heart.