I didn't intend to convey that impression. Of course doctrine matters -- it's the only way to maintain a firm and consistent teaching about what God wants from us. But as the scribes and Pharisees showed in spades, doctrine must not be allowed to take God's place, and I think church fights tend to fall into that category a lot of times.
Where I draw the line is when people try to coerce others to believe a certain way. Debate, yes. Argue? Sure. Force? Don't even try it.
Which is what I was really trying to get at. Once you get people fighting each other about doctrine, it's awfully easy to focus on the fight, and next to impossible to focus on following Him.
Doctrinal fights so often seem to turn on bits of arcana that are quite peripheral to the central tenets of Christianity -- the ones that are so easy that a child can understand them. Things like admitting we're sinners, and repenting of our sins. Acknowledging that Jesus came to save us from our sins. Understanding that God loves us, and wants to be with us. Knowing that we're supposed to follow Jesus, and not our own desires. Following His commandment to help others in need. Humility and following His call to serve others first.
That's all pretty basic stuff -- it applies whether you're Catholic, Baptist, or "Basement Churchist." A lot of church fights could have been avoided if folks had simply remembered to put those things first.
Other stuff is, of course, more difficult -- such as when the argument centers on whether or not something is actually a sin or not. But even then, the heat in those arguments tends to be generated because somebody's personal desires are being placed first ... humility is cast aside by one or more participants in the battle.
Well, that's true enough. I think a lot of it has to do with people letting pride and self-glorification (i.e. "I'M going to win an argument and prove what a big shot I am") trump a legitimate zeal for the truths of God's Word. People need to remember to speak the truth in love.