PAINE VS. CHRISTIANITY

In his book The Age of Reason, Tom Paine severs the causal link the Baggers, the Fundies and the Becksters attempt to make between democracy and the Christian faith. From Part II, Section 21:

Of all the systems of religion that ever were invented, there is none more derogatory to the Almighty, more unedifying to man, more repugnant to reason, and more contradictory in itself, than this thing called Christianity. Too absurd for belief, too impossible to convince, and too inconsistent for practice, it renders the heart torpid, or produces only atheists and fanatics. As an engine of power it serves the purpose of despotism; and as a means of wealth, the avarice of priests; but so far as respects the good of man in general, it leads to nothing here or hereafter.