i guess i have one question - why did God give us doctrines? - was it to make theological arguments? - or was it to show us how to think speak act toward God and our fellow man?
if a person has a osas / catholic / or other doctrine that helps them draw closer to God and treat others the way God wants them to then i support their doctrines for them - i may not share their doctrine but their doctrine clearly helps them live an outstanding Godly life - so i have no intention of crashing their God party and being a killjoy - which imo is what Romans 14 is all about - encourage others in their faith even if you have different opinions from theirs on faith matters
when i listen to someone's doctrines i am examining them in light of how can this doctrine help me get closer to God - and/or become more effective for God - and/or help others become closer or more effective for God -
if someone's doctrine can improve my faith/lifestyle then i adopt it - if i can't see how to apply it to my life to improve myself i recognize that the doctrine is their faith treasure but not for me - and i try to find ways to encourage them in their faith treasure
for me doctrines have always been about "improving myself" - not telling others what to do or think
i figure if i improve and become more like Jesus in thought word deed results etc then i won't have to argue with anyone about doctrines - people will ask me what my doctrines are and they will be eager to perhaps imitate me as i imitate Christ
if there is nothing outstanding about my lifestyle and character then there is nothing i can say that will make anyone want to listen to what i have to say - and why should they? - the proof is in my lifestyle and character - not eloquent words - or God forbid even worse a sharp tongue that cuts others down
i visited several atheist forums and was saddened to see how many christians left christianity because of the unkindness of christians
i support what
StoveBolts is trying to do here - i don't see other forums fighting a fight of faith to bring the body of Christ into a scriptural form of unity - as far as i know this is the only place where everyone is free to love God and share their heartfelt love for God so that we can all be one big happy family who learns to love each other even though we have different beliefs on how to apply scripture to improving our personal faith lifestyle
Jesus told us to be one just as the Father and Jesus are one - i want to see that here - i KNOW it can be done if we all focus on learning loving caring sharing - i know so many believers from different faith persuasions - and i chose to find unity with them while i lightly inquire on their doctrines - i want to understand them and why they believe as they do - when i hit areas where they get combative then i back off - i don't want to hurt their faith in God anyway - and arguing only harms people - it is a challenge to find the points we can agree on - it is wisdom to inquire without arguing the points on which we disagree - if we talk lightly of our disagreements we may grow individually where we are no longer threatened by different beliefs - and then we will be able to discuss many things more thoroughly - we have to learn to trust each other and care about each other's precious faith treasures -