It appeared you meant that if arguments occur between, say Christians and non-Christians, then we should get sent to our room. Now I see.(I used abortion because of it's high profile. I did not intend to rhetorically place you on one side of that, so sorry if it seemed so.)
We may disagree about whether the governing body's action is correct or fair. I believe there is much we would agree about given the space and time. The added references to Crusades, Jews, etc. probably distract from the central point of the thread.
Allow me, however, to comment on "converting" people. My understanding is that such an important inner change cannot be forced upon anyone. Most Christians I know attempt to share their beliefs in the hope that those who don't know or understand our faith may investigate and choose a new life.
I think that often those opposed to Christianity, or to religion in general sometimes seize on good-faith efforts as if those like your friend Michael have no brain or ability to withstand the powerful brainwashing coming from the religious right. Don't get me wrong. I am sure that organized "campaigns" launched within a church or denomination are well-intended and not insideous in nature, but perhaps Christians are naive enough en masse to miss the fact that the "campaign" component detracts from the message within. Either it's missed, overlooked, or poorly thought through...but if it's overlooked...then it's lazy mission work.
In short, it's simply not possible for such large organizations to keep arguments quiet, especially when they are org.-wide and when reporters are looking for red meat.
You are also correct that this thread is not about such volatile issues as abortion and crusades, but often the resulting arguments take us off on those kind of bunny trails. It seems to me that if you trade "lutheran" with any other employer-employee situation, you've got a body who is sanctioning an employee for violation of that institutions policy. I don't see Christians fighting Christians here, at least on the issue itself. Perhaps so because of - or after - the media got a hold of it. ps- adoption is a wonderful thing.
I can appreciate that people feel the tenets of their various religions are diluted when interfaith services are held. But people sitting in a stadium crying their souls out, with pictures of the missing in their laps, aren't really in a position to appreciate the minor differences between sect A and sect B, which split off from them a couple (decades, generations, centuries, fill in the blank) ago. These differences loom large only in the comforted mind, the one that is not wanting for food, clothing, shelter, or answers as to why their father, mother, siblings, or friends were taken away so cruelly. If Christians, indeed, all people of religious faith, cannot come together just for the sake of giving these people a spiritual lifeline to cling to in their hour of need, then their religion is no better than a young boy's treehouse with the "no gerls aloud" misspelled sign on the entrance. This service was not about homogenizing the differences between the various faiths, or giving honor to their individual differing doctrines, but about finding the commonality between people of faith, to come together to do a merciful thing for those who were suffering. As for me, I feel that these people were turning to a false hope, but I honor their choice to do so. If the LCMS removes this pastor, they will confirm my belief in that falsehood, as least as far as their particular brand of religion.
I think what's made news here is the nature of the offense. If a clergyperson made disparaging comments about church doctrine, then it is an employer-employee matter, and would not be too newsworthy. When you read what actually happened, it appears to be the sort of religious intolerance story that the media loves to rip into. If the LCMS had just quietly taken Rev. Benke aside, and let him explain and apologize, no one ever would have heard about it. It's those who are doing the complaining that have thrust this in the public eye.