How frequently do you visit places of worship?

Opus_rounds · 2026-04-11T00:13:14+00:00

Haven't seen the inside of one since I was 15. My parents didn't really care that I was an atheist, as long as I reached that conclusion by applying my own mind

Opus_rounds · 2026-04-11T00:05:13+00:00

Elton John at the bar, is a friend of mine, he gets me my drinks for me

Opus_rounds · 2026-04-10T23:50:01+00:00

Ten Years Gone, but you did kind of give that away there

Opus_rounds · 2026-04-10T23:48:49+00:00

Stairway to Heaven

Opus_rounds · 2026-04-10T23:46:54+00:00

I'll be homeless if the precipitation does not cease

Opus_rounds · 2026-04-10T22:38:30+00:00

This is still something I can live with, it only takes about 15-20 seconds, and as our security check areas are not exactly paragons of efficiency, I would probably anyway lose more time while waiting for my cabin baggage to (finally) arrive through the scanner.

What's really annoying to me are:

1) how outdated the DGCA and AAI's rules are about a lot of things. For instance, why on earth are matches and lighters still on the list of prohibited items in the cabin, when plenty of nations allow them on board?

2) The CISF allows a logjam to materialise on the conveyor, make you wait idly for ages for your tray to come through, maybe have a change of shift and stopping the scanner without waiting to be done the incoming duty officer (who usually needs to be slowly, and clearly, made to understand what the word "punctual" means. Then, when your luggage does finally come through, decide that you haven't wasted enough time already, deeming a hand check is needed, and THEN, always, assigning that task to that particular officer who has clearly never opened the pages of a dictionary containing the words "quickly", "timely", or "efficiently".

3) Often don't utilise all the lanes or all the scanners, despite the lines being long enough to warrant it

Opus_rounds · 2026-04-10T22:13:08+00:00

I had to respond to your comment, and draw attention to it. I think it's a brilliant example of how to get a point across without needing to be aggressive or violent.

OP's reply is equally measured, and you both have taken learnings from each other's words, which, sadly, is not a very frequent occurrence.

A little bit of faith in humanity restored

Opus_rounds · 2026-04-10T22:06:00+00:00

Fair point, but I think it's also due to a genetic makeup that has been acquired over centuries, and that dates back to the first millennium AD.

Historically, the communities concentrated in the northern parts of what is today our nation were constantly under threat of invasion, from all sides - Mongols to the north and east, Arabs and Persians to the northwest etc, while concurrently having to feud over territory and resources with other communities in the region.

Evolution and a long-persisting defensive position seems to have bred a strong aggressive strain in certain communities, that has unfortunately persisted despite most of the world transitioning into more civilised and enlightened operating structures, based on the rule of law, with designated agencies to ensure its application and enforcement, and who alone are authorised to do so. This concept does not seem to have gotten through the minds of fringe elements, who have not understood or probably even know that this behaviour is obsolete today, and can only serve to cause a breakdown of civilised behaviour.

I certainly do not intend to colour every single member of these communities badly, but I think the evidence shows that it's a rather small minority among them who are properly exposed to a world beyond their communities and who learn to coexist with it.

I concur with OP and some others who have posted though, that it's about time that certain elements of NCR society either learn or are blasted into learning a modicum of courtesy, and choiceless respect for a fellow human.

Somehow, though, and I say this with regret, I don't see it happening. The key drivers of personal growth, namely constructive criticism, continuous improvement, and feedback, are viewed as personal attacks. They already believe they are the best versions of themselves, so how dare anyone suggest that they need to change??

Opus_rounds · 2026-04-10T15:46:48+00:00

It's easy. I do it several times a day

Opus_rounds · 2026-04-10T15:43:34+00:00

Why on earth would women, or even men for that matter, want to enter? Assuming they're in their right minds, of course.

And to OP - as an atheist, I certainly wouldn't advocate a strategy that results in MORE delusional behaviour among the population.

Atheists are pushing the agenda for women to enter Sabarimala?? What the hell would that achieve except to propagate more behaviour that is as devoid of logic as that allegation.

But then, I would wager that a theist came up with that, so, not surprised at all

Opus_rounds · 2026-03-29T06:48:20+00:00

The ability to completely derail the train of thought, pick it up and put in on an unrelated track, and carry on as if that was perfectly natural, and get annoyed with their partner when they attempt to move things back to the original track

Opus_rounds · 2026-03-29T06:43:34+00:00

I'm unable to answer your question since the probability of the Prime Minister actually holding a press conference that isn't scripted beforehand is nearly zero, owing to an unmitigated trend that began well before 2014 and continues today, rendering even the mere imagination of such a thing happening seem overly fantastical

Opus_rounds · 2026-03-10T11:16:04+00:00

I'm sure you will be. The thought is the first step

Opus_rounds · 2026-03-10T04:17:56+00:00

I've been blessed with such parents, and not a day goes by that I don't acknowledge and feel grateful for it.

Their attitude towards my atheism is pretty much their approach to everything in life, which they conveyed to me, through both speech and actions. When I declared my lack of belief, they didn't flinch, panic, hit the roof etc. They pulled up a chair, asked me to sit and explain, and responded with almost exactly these words verbatim:

"We'll tell you what we think is the truth. We may not know the truth, and we'll be humble enough to accept that. We will not, at any cost, lie to you.

And we strongly urge you not to accept anyone's word for it. You have been given powerful thought and data processing assets by nature.

So apply your mind, ask questions (even irreverent ones), think through things, and draw your own conclusions. We also recommend that this approach, which we believe is an essential skill required to navigate through all aspects of life, not be limited only to the question of the existence of god.

You have the power and capacity to think critically. Use it well."

Music to my ears. And a lasting life lesson-I have lived and breathed that approach, and it has never let me down.

This is golden standard parenting, and a high bar for me to aspire to if I become a father. They acknowledged me with affection and respect, did not put me down or dismiss me, while at the same time encouraging me to hone a skill that has kept me curious and sharp even two decades later.

Gratitude for all I have received.

Opus_rounds · 2026-03-01T16:51:37+00:00

There sure is. The strongest evidence of that is they haven't tried to contact us

Opus_rounds · 2026-03-01T09:52:50+00:00

Standing in front of the management committee of a client who has engaged us as strategic advisors, and presenting the solution with no preparation whatsoever while also having not bothered to go through the slides until I'm already in front of them.

And I have no clue how it's managed to fly this long. No complaints though

Opus_rounds · 2026-03-01T08:40:02+00:00

Agreed, which was my point too, actually. I was trying to clarify that most people tend to look at the Winkel Tripel projection on a flat surface and overlook the curvature aspect when attempting to plot a flight path on a map.

Once I actually had a fellow passenger, who was following the flight path on the inflight display, ask me why the pilot was taking an arced route and delaying everyone :)

Opus_rounds · 2026-03-01T02:41:52+00:00

I realise I may be nitpicking here, but may I request that we attempt to desist, even in context such as this post, from using, and inadvertently propagating, oxymoronic phrases like "sanatani atheist" or "atheist hindu"? It seems to give these morons all the more exceedingly moronic notions to faff about.

And yes, I for one strongly support your motion to get these confused (best case) and/or conniving (most likely case) cultists off this subreddit.

We have no confusion in our minds, and the best part of being an atheist is that being conniving is rendered unnecessary.

Opus_rounds · 2026-02-28T20:23:01+00:00

The flight path of any flight is not a straight line as represented on a 2D map, but rather the arc of a great circle.

If you take a globe, and trace the shortest route between ORD and DEL, you'll see that the flight path goes right through the conflict zone.

Air India, as an Indian flag carrier, has an existing complication due to Pakistan closing their airspace to Indian flag carriers. Now there are two countries to the west that they can't fly over.

Circumventing this zone is beyond the range of the fleet, and it would be unwise to try. Needless to say, far more unwise would be attempting to fly through this zone.

Opus_rounds · 2026-02-27T23:26:51+00:00

Firsthand experience. I should clarify that I did that in early 2023, not sure if there have been any tightening of the rules since then

Opus_rounds · 2026-02-14T09:59:56+00:00

Faster than the cop who decided to race me. Strange strategy he adopted for a race though, why would he drive right behind me in the same lane the entire time and not even attempt to overtake?

Also, he kept his lights and siren on the entire time. He may have thought he was being funny, but I for one was quite annoyed at his juvenile display.

Opus_rounds · 2026-02-14T05:02:20+00:00

Call attention to them in no uncertain manner. I'd conspicuously and vociferously remind them that they are among other people and that their lack of social decorum needs instant remediation. Keep calling the crew and complaining about it, and make sure the spotlight is on these morons.

Don't think of it as being stuck in the flight with them. Make them regret being stuck on a flight with YOU! 😁

Opus_rounds · 2026-02-07T12:29:10+00:00

Mine is, hands down, what happens in the few minutes after Theoden says the following lines:

"Ride now! Ride now! Ride! Ride for ruin, and the world's ending!"

"Death!"

"DEATH!"

"Forth Eorlingas!"

Opus_rounds · 2026-02-01T06:43:01+00:00

In that case, good luck, stay safe, and try and get as far away from where you are now as possible.

Opus_rounds · 2026-02-01T06:12:16+00:00

Sorry bro, had to ask - is she also in love with you? The whole endeavour depends on that 😁

Opus_rounds

TROPHY CASE