They’re really not that far apart.
It probably comes as no surprise that a Unitarian Universalist has no real grasp on the gospel. However, it may surprise some people that an atheist is actually closer to the truth than someone who considers themselves a “Christian.” I found it interesting to compare and contrast the views of atheist Christopher Hitchens and Unitarian minister Marilyn Sewell in this interview between the two.
A few interesting exchanges are highlighted:
Sewell:
The religion you cite in your book is generally the fundamentalist faith of various kinds. I’m a liberal Christian, and I don’t take the stories from the scripture literally. I don’t believe in the doctrine of atonement (that Jesus died for our sins, for example). Do you make any distinction between fundamentalist faith and liberal religion?
Hitchens:
I would say that if you don’t believe that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ and Messiah, and that he rose again from the dead and by his sacrifice our sins are forgiven, you’re really not in any meaningful sense a Christian.
Sewell:
Let me go someplace else. [continues with next question…]
While Hitchens rejects God and the gospel, at least he understands what the gospel message is. Sewell thinks you can have “Christianity” without the gospel, and doesn’t really want to talk about the gospel.