This article has its genesis in a letter by Dr Paul Monk in the May issue of Quadrant. This letter concerned my review of the life and work of Sir Roger Scruton published on the occasion of his passing (“The Conservative Odyssey of Roger Scruton”, Quadrant, March). More specifically, Monk addressed the role Christianity/religion historically has played as the basis of traditional forms of conservatism. While he recognises that “Christianity … has embodied a great deal of our cultural heritage”, he believes that it is no longer capable of bearing this burden in our postmodern/post-Christian world, especially in the light…