Three suggestions:
First, search the Scriptures enough to make an early call as to which "truth" is more important/unchangeable/etc. Call it a "trump card." For some, it's God's sovereignty. For others, it is man's free will. In your mind, whichever it is, that doctrine trumps the understanding of all others. For example, IF "the interests of an eternal, omniscient, omnipresent being" can/does override a created individual's operation of free will, THEN God's sovereignty is your "trump card". In that example, no matter how you address the question of mankind's ability to make good choices, etc., you would have concluded in advance that God's sovereignty somehow is able to override whatever level of ability God has given to mankind. Or vise-versa if you conclude that free will is inviolable, etc. etc.
Second, decide for yourself what amount of "right doctrine" is required to have a saving faith. For some people, even the slightest doctrinal misstep by others is enough to cast them into hell, or (as one FReeper puts it) makes them into "faux Christians" who deserve nothing but criticism and belittlement. For others, professing a belief in an undefined being named "Jesus Christ" is sufficient to save them, or as Homer Simpson puts it, "I'm normally not a praying man but if you're up there, please save me Superman!" I myself believe there is an "outmost circle" that defines who are my fellow believers in Christ. Whatever that defining standard is, try to remain consistent with how you apply it to those who disagree with you on theological issues.
Third, IF you believe that some doctrines are not neccesary for a "saving faith", try to keep those theological discussions within the academic realm. Acknowledge your sparring partner as a fellow believer at the outset of, and during, those discussions. See if you can ascertain what your opponents's "trump card doctrine" is, and recognize that IF you believed in the same trump card, you PROBABLY would come to the same conclusion as they have. Do your best to reach across the aisles, when possible.
I'm just glad they don't burn heretics any more.
Keep thanking God for that. You never know - given the anger sometimes expressed on the Religion Forum, that may change!
"The church is to be a loving church in a dying culture. How, then, is the dying culture going to consider us? Jesus says, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." In the midst of the world, in the midst of our present culture, Jesus is giving a right to the world. Upon His authority He gives the world the right to judge whether you and I are born-again Christians on the basis of our observable love toward all Christians."
-- Francis A. Schaeffer, The Mark of The Christian, quoting John 13:34-35The Mark of the Christian, part 1
The Mark of the Christian, part 2
The Mark of the Christian, part 3
Toward a Theological Ethic for Internet Discourse
Rules of Engagement for Catholics on the Internet
“”The church is to be a loving church in a dying culture. How, then, is the dying culture going to consider us? Jesus says, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” In the midst of the world, in the midst of our present culture, Jesus is giving a right to the world. Upon His authority He gives the world the right to judge whether you and I are born-again Christians on the basis of our observable love toward all Christians.”
— Francis A. Schaeffer, The Mark of The Christian, quoting John 13:34-35
That’s quite interesting. What happens in time of war to this “love toward all Christians”?