I don’t know why it took so long for me to see something so obvious; perhaps it’s because decades of hearing doctrine got me into a thinking stuper. I finally learned that ‘in God’s mind, when there are honestly held beliefs, there is no such thing as heresy, except when causing division.
Organized religion’s concept of heresy is a man-made idea. To them the term heretic is a label attached to anyone who strays from their system's doctrine, or someone who attempts to introduce some belief contrary to it. No, not just believing in a different view, and following their conscience, but attempting to upset another groups convictions.
As I have stated before, God does not recognize doctrine, it is valueless! God only cares about our love for Him, and our love for our neighbor. Just as the religionists in Christ’s day didn’t care that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, dogmatists don’t care about Jesus’ character in those who follow Him; only their politics and doctrinal positions.
The Bible does speak of heresy, but organized religion (and its adherents) have distorted the correct view, which actually means, ‘causing division,’ to something doctrinally based.
That said, it is not the differing views that cause division; it is those entities or persons who fail to appreciate God’s love for His broader family. They assert and aggressively insist they are right and others are wrong; and by their actions create disunity - contrary to God’s love.
This can happen on both sides of any issue. The person who proposes a different opinion unlovingly; and the person who defends their view through accusations and name calling.
For instance, I once belonged to a church that was dominated by those who believed in ‘Pre-tribulation rapture.’ At the time I had no desire to teach about the rapture but still the question often came up among my church friends. However, it came out that I 'believed' in ‘Post-Trib rapture.’ In truth, I leaned towards Post-trib, but at the time I was still formulating my view on ‘eschatology.’ I was open either way. Soon afterwards I was attacked by those who considered Post-trib, ‘heresy.’ Clearly, since I sometimes discussed the subject, (as most Christians do) but never taught it, there was no reason to be accused of causing disunity. It was those who attacked me who were actually causing disunity.
No doubt, just as with a very young child who believes in Santa Clause, one doesn’t just suddenly (without parents approval) dump on them the fact, ‘there absolutely is no Santa Clause!’ The way to find unity is through loving forbearance, communication, trust. Not through knee-jerk reactions to opinions which are honestly believed, or just simply discussed in appropriate settings.
Think about the picture of Jesus you have in your mind. Now imagine Him casting people out of His Kingdom because they hold a different opinion! It’s often declared, ‘we are the family of God,’ and there is so much wonderful flowery talk about community and the love we have for one-another. But what happens in most churches' is that unity is not based on love for God and mutually born of his Spirit, but shared opinions. In actuality, Love is the real litmus test to whether someone is truly a part of the family of God; and operating correctly in His Kingdom. (If you doubt me, read the book of 1st John.)
Imagine yourself kicking your son out of the family because he happens to disagree with you about some prophetic future event!
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Matt.5.44-45
Not only are these God’s instructions to us, this is God’s disposition to the entire world. So, what if someone has wrong beliefs? The truth is, we all fall in this category. Part of our peace is knowing God is lovingly patient with His children - even more than the best, most longsuffering parent you’ve ever met. If you’ve committed your life and mind to God, He has a process to align your thinking with His principles. However, this only happens when we love Him above all other relationships - and their opinions.
Just to clarify, “Loving Him” does not translate into, ‘loving what you think is true teaching.’ If what you perceive as "truth," violates the principles of love, then your truth is wrong, regardless of its source (for instance, God ordering genocide). Love must sit in judgment OVER, what you think is, truth. As the person of Jesus showed us, and as 1st John teaches us, Love is the very definition of God.