What makes people irrational thinkers?

[polymath257]

Well that kind of reminds me of something I believe the Buddha said... something like you should be open to wisdom from any source, thus being open to different religions etc. I can't remember the exacts words at all obviously but that was the general gist of it. When I try to tell my dad about that, as an example of what I consider a very open minded and progressive religion, even at its inception, I still get more pushback than I do when I talk about atheism... which is a shame, because to me it is just an atheist philosophy, not a religion. Ie I do not believe in any superstition or reincarnation etc, but I appreciate the philosophy of Buddhism... and yes, find comfort in it; ie when I'm depressed I often turn to YouTube to watch a talk by a monk, usually my favourite, Ajahn Brahm, and it really helps puts things into perspective.

Well spotted! The leader I was quoting was Ashoka, who spread Buddhism in India. 

I should have said third century BC. I was only off by a few centuries. 

I'll look up Ajahn Brahm.

I was wondering if you referring to him.

Asoka converted to Buddhism after killing off all of his enemies. He was ruthless until he won, then promoted peace.

But of the major world religions, Buddhism was, at least initially, one of the best.