Lasse writes about voting and consensus:

At first, it may seem like a good idea to follow the democratic vote -- after all, democracy is a Good Thing™, right? However, thinking about it further, going with the majority vote might not be the best way to go. Next time when you're voting on something among your team, spare a moment to think about whether a majority vote decision is your best option.

I agree. It's vital not to confuse democracy with voting. Voting is often hugely divisive - a close vote can destroy any sense of community or shared goals, splitting teams into cliques, replacing harmony with a "them and us" culture.

From Webster's Dictionary:

Democracy

1. Government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is retained and directly exercised by the people.
2. Government by popular representation; a form of government in which the supreme power is retained by the people, but is indirectly exercised through a system of representation and delegated authority periodically renewed; a constitutional representative government; a republic.
3. Collectively, the people, regarded as the source of government.

No mention of voting there. Admittedly, (and for balance) there are some definitions that include mention of majority rule (e.g. meaning 4 in the American Heritage Dictionary), but they are usually relatively minor and idiomatic.

Democracy as government retained by the people is a fine thing. Government by popular representation is probably a workable compromise, but open to abuse. Note, however, that these definitions imply that democracy is about who has a say in decisions, not about how decisions are made. A democracy can work using simple majority voting on issues. It can work using threshold voting (e.g. at leat 75% must be in favor). It can work using limited veto (e.g. each participant can say "no" to at most three propositions, but must agree or abstain on others). It can work using 100% consensus (discussion continues until all participants agree). There are undoubtedly many more possibilities. All of them are clearly still democracy.

So the bottom line is to think hard before you call a simple majority vote on a strongly-held issue. Often the main reason there are such differing opinions is that the problems and solutions have not been fully explored and communicated. Share and understand before you vote.