Clinging does seem central to this stopping-short at the halfway house of liberal Christianity. The prospect of sliding all the way from Christianity to secular humanism or to frank atheism is daunting for many, so they stop short.

I'm tempted to think that Hinduism is more mature and pluralistic on these theological matters, but it's hard to get around the social conservatism in much of India, including the gross patriarchal culture. If Hinduism's so enlightened, why isn't Indian society? I'm no expert on Hinduism or India, but I suspect we should distinguish between the philosophical discussion of Hinduism and the common practice of the religion.