Just a reminder: "Atheism" shouldn't exist. Theists have not proven or shown that there is a "God", therefore taking the name "A" or "Anti" hands the win to them for free. We're just people living life...not doing what they do....
That's only a half-truth because some people are self-destructive. We also have to nail down unquestionable principles: Respect reality and uphold universal human rights.
So, he said this in the early 1800's. I actually think irrationality is the default position of the people...but, it used to be believed...by some, that basically the majority consensus was always reasonable.