Is it a ‘salvation issue’?

As I discuss issues with others, or hear discussions and debates, it frequently comes up that “it’s not a salvation issue.” This statement really bugs me, not because it’s not true, but because it’s often abused. Let’s take a closer look at this.

Original Intent
I have not investigated the origin and first use of this phrase, or who first coined it. But, I can imagine what it’s original noble intent may have been: to save friends from endless arguments that would undermine their otherwise good relationship. If this were the only way it was used, then I applaud it for keeping peace and living peaceably with our ‘brothers.’ Another way to put this that may be familiar to some is ‘agreement in the majors, grace in the minors.’ In other words, if we’re going to let something get between us, don’t let it be something small.

Typical Abuse (i.e. playing the salvation card)
Too often, the way I see it used is more of a lazy way out of a meaningful discussion. Most people tend to invoke the salvation card too soon, before they dig in deep enough to know if it's an important issue or not. Most difficult issues cannot be worked out and fully explored in a single discussion, yet we tend to either get tired of the discussion, or get backed into a corner or can't figure out how to get our point across and want to end it before we have to give up.

We can't engage in honest discussion if we come in dogmatic about our position and all it's aspects. It is sometimes difficult to really listen to another's view and seek to understand it. Yet, when we undestand the other's view more fully, we can more effectively and peacefully respond to it with engaging questions. We must seek to understand, then to be understood.

My assessment is that sincere people use the phrase sincerely, but it's real effect ends up being, "I'm tired of talking about this, let's quit and talk about somethng else." It's a polite way of saying, "I'm done." Let's quit abusing it and say what we really mean.

Proper Use: What Is a Salvation issue?
So what is a ‘salvation issue’? What this is implied to mean is, "are you going to be saved or not saved based on how you understand or answer this question?" When you put it that way, you narrow it down quite a bit, the net effect being, people always answer "no" to the original question, "is it a salvation issue?"

So what is this narrow definition of "what is a salvation issue?" The very narrowest answer to that question can be found in Ephesians 2:8, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God”, or really digging deeper we get to core of Christianity in the resurrection in 2 Corinthians 15:17, “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.”

Therefore, it is implied, that nothing else is a salvation issue; not baptism, not homosexuality, not abortion, not creation/evolution, not music style, not war, not sexuality, not pornography, not polygamy, not Bible translation, etc…

So, if we change the meaning of "Is it a salvation issue?" to mean, "What is essential to understand your salvation?" we can get a better assessment of if it is important or not. What do you think are the core, essentials of salvation and it's proper understanding?