No, members don't get banned for expressing diverging opinions in a healthy manner. There's an old expression that goes .. "We're distinguished in our character by how we handle adversity"...
Unless I missed something myself in reading through this thread quickly, I think everyone from experts to novices have had a fair chance to express controversial opinions in a "fair, firm and friendly" manner.
I'm not sure there's much else can be added to the thread, but thanks to everyone for your input and adding to the research content of the site, which is the point of our existence.
Regards,
Doug