A Non-Satirical Critique

After reading the account of Weiland's atrocities, and I can do nothing but conclude that Charles Brockden Brown has inserted a religious critique into his work. Before this, I did not see it in the book. Brown's main contentions seem to be aimed at the human psyche, at Clara's frailty and inability to act, and at her inability to deal with "the hurricane of human passions" (142) that comes in life. We have discussed endlessly in class Brown's complex views on psychology, and have hinted at his possible disagreement with the main doctrine of the psychologists of his time. I always took religion as just another possible explanation for events posited by characters such as Weiland, but not fully supported by the tale or the author. Brown respectfully acknowledged the older Weiland's fervor in connection with his temple, and then, just as calmly, paid witness to the temple's desecration and transformation into a music room. He made no normative judgment about Clara's father and his religious choice. It was simply stated as a fact.
At least, that's what I thought until I read Chapter 20. Weiland, a man who's "days have been spent in searching for the revelation of [God's] will" (153), believes that God spoke to him, ordering him to slay his family. This portrait of a man with an insane view of God, is not in itself a religious critique. However, it is important to note a couple factors - Weiland is the most religious character in the book; Weiland is also an almost flawless character, led astray only by his religious beliefs. Why would Brown make the most fervently religious character follow his religious beliefs to the brink and over the edge of religious insanity? Why would the only appearance of God in the book be connected with murder, if Brown was not attempting to say something negative about religious fervor?
Brown does not write his critique as satire. The older Weiland's desire to convert pagans is reffered to as "benevolence" (8), and not in what I would call a sarcastic manner. The older Weiland's religion is shown not in a positive or negative light, but rather, it affects only his life in any major ways. Brown does not spend enough words on religion to call this text a satire of religion or religious fervor. Nonetheless, the critique is undeniably there.