Was Mainline Protestantism a Good Civil Religion

Mainline Protestantism has no precise definition. Those who have left it claim it left them. Mostly, they are referring to gender. Those who stay believe it always was ready to accept gay members and some branches held gay weddings a decade or more ago. Those who have left in a huff say it changed and only they cling to the original tenets. These tenets include discrimination and judgementalism. 

The claim of many is the old mainline Protestantism was a form of civil religion that was broad enough and flexible enough to bring Catholics and Jews into it orbit of influence. Religious holidays became both religious and civic. Events involving governing the country were highlighted in the National Cathedral. We need this civil religion, it is said, because it allows the country to move forward more or less with a notion of the "common good." 

Without a doubt, there needs to be some concept of the "common good" or there will be no agreement on laws, taxes or how public monies are spent. But just how to figure out what that common good is involves more than whatever guidance a current version of a civic religion might provide us. 

Surely, no one can dispute the old mainline Protestantism, had winners and losers. There was discrimination against various groups, race and gender being the most obvious. When those on the losing end became loud enough to be heard we saw changes. These included gay marriage and gay clergy. Often it included political activism on the issues of the day like Black Lives Matter. 

The link claims our country will be worse off without the old civic religion and old mainline Protestantism. It's hard to find actual evidence that is true. Certainly, men (and some women) who want men to rule the roost will be worse off. Those who want to see an end to mixed marriages and gay pastors the same. And, those who insist their version of rules required in the Bible must prevail in both religion and government will keep complaining. 

I don't see how bringing an end to mainline Protestantism will endanger our country's future. If there was in bygone days more agreement on the common good there is no way to conclude it was the result of any religion, including mainline Protestantism. What was thought of as the common good may have been the result of a common culture and common history. That new things are happening changing the culture will cause discord that may well be unaffected by religion of any kind.