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Q. Do
defined dogmas make it impossible for Catholics to think for themselves?
On the contrary, such dogmas render religious thinking effective by
giving it direction founded on the authority of God
... just as science or history or
mathematics have principles which must be followed by any sane student in these
spheres, so also the science of theology must follow the truths of God’s Revelation ... the judge on the bench must be guided
by accepted legal principles in trying a case ... the
doctor must be guided by the laws of medical science in treating his
patient. So also the student of religion
is guided, not hindered, by defined dogma in his search for deeper insights
into man’s relationship with God ... revealed truths
taught by the Church no more
fetter the human intellect than do the principles of science.