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Entry: Hitchens' Haj Link: http://www.takimag.com/site/article/hitchens_haj#7365 Post contents: <i>In my article, I wrote: "By 'us,' I mean all those conservatives who believe in God, which is another way of saying all genuine conservatives."</i> <i>RC responded: "I don’t care a wit about your bizarre notion that one must believe in God to be a real conservative ... What I do care about is such silly notions being expressed by a writer in this blog, as it tends to drive away natural allies in the fight against the dreaded Neocons - secular conservatives."</i> RC, your tactical concerns are noted. The point you raise is reasonable, and merits a serious reply. I must express a certain puzzlement at your tactical approach to building a coalition of "natural allies". You say that my words may scare off "secular conservatives". Maybe they will. At the same time, you appear quite unconcerned with scaring off religious conservatives. You express your contempt for religious believers very freely, and often in needlessly inflammatory terms. While you plainly view "secular conservatives" as "natural allies" whose good will must be cultivated and whose sensitivities must be indulged, it is equally plain that you deem religious conservatives unworthy of the same solicitude. This leads me to wonder exactly what sort of alliance you are trying to build. If you disdain alliance with religious conservatives, with whom, then, are you trying to ally yourself? And for what purpose? Sent at: 2008 07 06