Liberal wing: (e.g. Episcopalians, UU Christians)
They see major parts of the Bible as reflecting God's will. But they generally reject other portions of the Bible as being no longer valid:
1. They see such stories as the Genesis creation sequence, the virgin conception of Jesus, and world-wide Noahic flood, etc. as religious myths: stories of immense spiritual power, but unrelated to actual historical events.
2. They see that many parts of the Bible must interpreted as evil and as contradicting the will of God (e.g. biblical passages which regulate slavery, advocate genocide, assign an inferior role to women, promote religious intolerance, condemn homosexuality, etc.)
3. They regard Hell in symbolic terms of our problems and struggles in this present life, not as a place of eternal torment.
4. They regard the Bible as errant, having been written by individuals without the direct inspiration of God, whose motivation was to promote their own theological and spiritual beliefs.
5. They generally believe in the theory of evolution (either theistic evolution or naturalistic evolution).
6. They are keen to learn from theological studies into the historical Jesus.
7. Give a high priority to combating racism, sexism, poverty, and support to the homosexual community and movement.
8. Are strongly supportive of abortion access.
9. Believe that sexual orientation is largely genetically pre-determined, is not chosen, is fixed, natural, normal for a minority of humans, and (like heterosexuality) is morally neutral. Many liberal denominations will conduct union services for gays and lesbians and will ordain homosexuals who are celibate or in committed relationships.
