Doctrine Meaning
Doctrine Definition & Usage
A set of beliefs, principles, or teachings held and promoted by a group, often in religious, political, or philosophical contexts.
Examples
- "The church's doctrine on social justice has been influential in shaping the community's values."
- "His political doctrine focused on the separation of powers to prevent tyranny."
- "The doctrine of nonviolence is central to Gandhi's philosophy of life."
- "The doctrine of manifest destiny played a major role in American expansionism during the 19th century."
- "Many people question the validity of certain doctrines that seem to perpetuate inequality."
Cultural Context
The word 'doctrine' has its roots in the Latin word 'doctrina,' meaning teaching or instruction. Historically, it has been used to describe established systems of belief, especially in religious or political contexts. In Christianity, doctrines like the Trinity or Original Sin are central to its theology. In modern political discourse, doctrines such as the Monroe Doctrine or the Truman Doctrine have shaped international relations.
The Legacy of Doctrine
Story
The Legacy of Doctrine
In the quiet town of Eldersfield, the local church had long upheld a doctrine of mercy and compassion. The church's teachings were so ingrained in the community that they guided every aspect of daily life—from how people treated one another, to how they handled conflict. But as the world changed, so did the younger generation’s views on the church’s doctrine. Claire, a university student, returned home after a semester of studying philosophy and political theory. She was eager to discuss her new ideas, but when she sat down with her grandmother, who had attended the church for decades, their conversation quickly became a battleground of ideologies. 'Grandma, don’t you think the doctrine of the church might need to evolve with the times?' Claire asked, gently pushing against the traditional teachings. Her grandmother smiled, her eyes soft but firm. 'Doctrine is about truth, my dear. Without it, we would lose our way.' But Claire couldn’t help but feel that the doctrine they both cherished was too rigid to address the complexities of modern life. The political doctrines she had studied, like Marxism and liberal democracy, seemed to her to offer more flexibility in addressing social inequality and injustice. Her grandmother, on the other hand, stood by the enduring principles of faith and tradition that had shaped their lives. As the debate continued, Claire realized that doctrine—whether religious or political—was not simply about the words in books, but about how people chose to live those teachings out in their lives. Doctrine could be a guide, a foundation, but also a source of division if not continually reconsidered in light of new challenges and experiences. In the end, both Claire and her grandmother agreed that the future would require a balance of tradition and innovation, each respecting the other’s understanding of truth and morality. As Claire left for the university, she carried with her a newfound respect for the doctrines that had guided her family for generations, but also a deep curiosity about how doctrines could evolve to reflect the ever-changing world around them.
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