Well, on top what is written we should use our educated conscious when deciding about things that are not written anywhere. Use our freedom of choice. The problem here is about what you just experienced. If anybody finds your choice to not fit their own perception of conscious, your choice is bad. Not because there is something written about the subject, but because your choice risked at least one person to fall. You may use your educated conscious as long as it is in line with the weakest person's in any individual situation they are aware of.
Just to take one example. According to what is written or not written, it is ok to consumate reasonable amount of wine together with food. This already is quite tight definition. What if there is person sitting in your table that you know (or maybe even do not know) thinks devote servants of god should not touch any alcoholic beverages. You should go along with this persons opinion, the rest of you ten attending this meal have not freedom of choice to select wine, as this one person would dislike it. What if you didn't know this person feels that way and proceed with serving wine. Obviously this person would refuse to take wine, might develop dark thoughts about this event thinking you are going over what is written. Well, this person contacts against the rules elders first and tells about this horrendous baccanale you just provided. Do the elders ask this person to settle the issue with you directly, absolutelly not. They will contact you and say that you might consider again in what kind of situation it is appropriate to serve wine, if at all. See, your freedom of choice suddenly became this weakest link's freedom of choice.
CP
