I was talking the other day to a long-time elder. As I questioned him concerning certain issues he suggested to me that while all things may be debatable ... debaters most often end up alone on an island. His advice for me was not to "rock the boat" and learn from those who have been around a while by copying their faith in the arrangement ... I am unable to do that.
I sometimes feel that freeness of speech is a phantom and that individuals only accept conformists who are "ear ticklers." Scripture would say "make your foot rare so that your fellowman will not have his fill of you and come to hate you." So I guess sooner or later we all irritate each other.
The truth probably is, there is no truth, only past experience which creates rules in our mind that each believe are best for all. Some of us come from a background of pacifism, some feed on confrontation, still others are disposed to be perfectionists and demand conformity.
A balance might be that of tolerance until there is evidence of damage. Remember from the school yard:"Sticks and stones will hurt my bones but words can never hurt me."
Love endures all things.(Of course, some of you will think I'm off base and crazy. Maybe you're right ... But is there a remote mathematical possibility that you're wrong?)