Editing Mainline Protestant (section)

==Theology==
===Variation===
{{Protestantism}}
Mainline Protestantism is characterized by theological and ideological [[Religious pluralism|pluralism]]. While doctrinal standards and confessional statements exist, these are not usually interpreted in ways to exclude people from membership.{{clarification needed|date=May 2025}} Richard Hutcheson Jr., chairman of the Office of Review and Evaluation of the [[Presbyterian Church in the United States]], observed that clergy candidates were more likely to be rejected due to "excessive narrowness" than for violating confessional standards.{{Sfn | Hutcheson | 1981 | p = 21}}

Mainline churches hold a range of theological orientations—[[Confessionalism (religion)|conservative]], moderate and [[Liberal Christianity|liberal]].<ref name="Struckmeyer" /> About half of mainline Protestants describe themselves as liberal.<ref name="Struckmeyer" /> Mainline Christian groups are often more accepting of other beliefs and faiths, affirm the [[Ordination of women in Protestant churches|ordination of women]], and have become increasingly affirming of [[LGBT clergy in Christianity|gay ordination]].<ref name="Struckmeyer" /> A 2021 Pew Research Center survey found that 56% of mainline Protestants believe that non-Christians, including agnostics and atheists, can go to [[Heaven in Christianity|heaven]], compared to around a fifth of evangelical Protestants and 38% of those who attend historically Black churches.<ref>{{cite web |title=Views on the afterlife |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2021/11/23/views-on-the-afterlife/ |website=Pew Research Center |publisher=Pew Charitable Trusts|access-date=31 January 2025}}</ref> Nearly one-third of mainline Protestants call themselves conservative, and most local mainline congregations have a strong, active conservative element.<ref name="Struckmeyer">Struckmeyer, Kurt. "Mainline Christianity. " ''Following Jesus'' Web: 13 Dec 2009</ref> Mainline denominations are historically [[Trinity|Trinitarian]] and proclaim [[Jesus in Christianity|Jesus Christ]] as Lord and Son of God.

In practice, mainline churches tend to be theologically moderate and influenced by ''[[higher criticism]],'' an approach used by scholars to separate the Bible's earliest historical elements from perceived later additions and intentional distortions. Mainline denominations generally teach that the Bible is God's Word in function, but that it must be [[Allegorical interpretation of the Bible|interpreted]] both through the lens of the cultures in which it was originally written, and examined using God-given reason.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} A 2008 survey conducted by the [[Pew Research Center]] found that 22 percent of the 7,500 mainline Christians surveyed said the Bible is God's Word and is to be interpreted as literally true, word for word. Thirty-eight percent thought that the Bible is God's Word but is not to be taken literally, word for word. Twenty-eight percent said the Bible was not the [[Divine revelation|Word of God]] but was of human origin.{{sfn|Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life|2008b}}

It has been noted, {{clarification needed span|even by members of mainline churches,|date=May 2025}}{{weasel words inline|date=May 2025}} that the leadership of denominational agencies and bureaucracies has often been more theologically and socially liberal than the overall membership of the mainline churches. This gap has caused feelings of alienation among conservative mainline Protestants.{{Sfn | Hutcheson | 1981 | p = 20}} This dissatisfaction has led to the formation of various [[Confessing Movement]]s or [[Charismatic Movement|charismatic renewal movements]] which are more conservative in tone.

===Social justice===
The mainline denominations emphasize the biblical concept of justice, stressing the need for Christians to work for [[social justice]], which usually involve politically liberal approaches to social and economic problems. Early in the 20th century, they actively supported the [[Social Gospel]].{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}

Mainline churches were basically [[pacifist]]ic before 1940, but under the influence of people such as [[Reinhold Niebuhr]] they supported [[World War II]] and the [[Cold War]].{{sfn|Thompson|2007}}{{Request quotation|date=May 2025}} They have been far from uniform in their reaction to issues of gender and sexuality, though they tend to be more accepting than the [[Catholic Church]] or the more conservative Protestant churches.{{sfn|Dorrien|2006}}