‘Oppenheimer’ Sacred Text Reading Sex Scene Raises Hackles in India

Jul 23, 2023

 

A sex scene in Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” featuring a line from Hindu holy scripture “Bhagavad Gita” has led to protests even as the film rakes it in at the box office.

The film was passed with a U/A certificate by India’s Central Board of Film Certification.

The sex scene features Cillian Murphy as Robert Oppenheimer and Florence Pugh as Jean Tatlock. Pugh stops during intercourse, gets up and goes over to the bookshelf, picks out a copy of the “Bhagavad Gita” and asks Murphy to read from it. Murphy reads the line “I am become Death, destroyer of worlds,” the quote from the “Bhagavad Gita” that Oppenheimer famously thought of when the first nuclear bomb was detonated – as intercourse resumes.

The 700-verse “Bhagavad Gita” – literally the word of God – is a part of the Indian epic “Mahabharata” and consists of a dialogue on a battlefield between the prince Arjuna and the divine Krishna as the former undergoes a moral dilemma.

India flocked to see “Oppenheimer” in Imax and other formats from shows beginning as early as 3am, as Nolan is a huge draw in the country. Protests began on social media almost immediately after.

Among them was Uday Mahurkar, a journalist who was appointed by the Indian government as an information commissioner in 2020. Mahurkar is also the founder of the Save Culture Save India Foundation.

In a letter addressed to Nolan on Twitter, Mahurkar wrote on behalf of the foundation:

“It has come to our notice that the movie ‘Oppenheimer’ contains a scene which make a scathing attack on Hinduism.  As per social media reports, a scene in the movie shows a woman makes a man read Bhagwad Geeta aloud while getting over him and doing sexual intercourse. She is holding Bhagwad Geeta in one hand, and the other hands seems to be adjusting the position of their reproductive organs. The Bhagwad Geeta is one of the most revered scriptures of Hinduism. Geeta has been the inspiration for countless sanyasis, brahmcharis and legends who live a life of self-control and perform selfless noble deeds.  We do not know the motivation and logic behind this unnecessary scene on life of a scientist. But this is a direct assault on religious beliefs of a billion tolerant Hindus, rather it amounts to waging a war on the Hindu community and almost appears to be part of a larger conspiracy by anti-Hindu forces.” ellecams.com

The letter goes on to say that Hollywood “is very sensitive about the fact that Quran and Islam is not depicted in any manner that may offend the value system of a common Muslim, even if you make something based on Islamist terrorism,” and asks, “Why should not the same courtesy be also extended to Hindus?”

The letter urges Nolan to “remove this scene from your film across world” and adds, “Should you choose to ignore this appeal it would be deemed as a deliberate assault on Indian civilisation.”

Meanwhile, the film is a box office success in India, grossing $3.6 million in its first two days of release, comfortably outperforming “Barbie,” which collected $1.2 million.

This is not the first time a quote from the “Bhagavad Gita” has been used in a Hollywood studio picture. An orgy scene in Stanley Kubrick’s last film “Eyes Wide Shut” (1999) featured the lines “For the protection of the virtuous, for the destruction of evil and for the firm establishment of Dharma, I take birth and am incarnated on Earth, from age to age.” Following protests from Hindu groups, Warner Bros. edited out the lines from the soundtrack.

Pope Says Sex Outside Marriage Is ‘NOT THE MOST SERIOUS SIN’

Dec 8, 2021

 Pope Francis, leader of the Catholic Church, has said sex outside of marriage is not the “most serious” sin.

During a question and answer session with reporters on a flight back to Italy from Greece on Monday, the Pope said: “Sins of the flesh are not the most serious.”

Instead, he said that pride and hatred were “the most serious” of sins.

The Pope was also asked about the resignation of the Archbishop of Paris, Michel Aupetit, who offered to step down earlier this month after a French magazine claimed he had engaged in an intimate relationship with a woman.

Traditionally, Archbishops and higher members of the Catholic Church follow clerical celibacy, which means they abstain from sex.

The Archbishop denied the affair, and said: “I poorly handled the situation with a person who was in contact many times with me.”

The Pope, who accepted the Archbishop’s resignation, said “it was a failing on his part, a failing against the sixth commandment, but not a total one.”

The sixth commandment says “you shall not commit adultery”, which applies to people having sex outside of their marriages but the Pope suggested it could apply to priests who don’t stay celibate.

During the flight, the Pope said he removed the Archbishop due to “gossip”.

“We’re all sinners. When the gossip grows and grows and removes someone’s good name, he cannot govern,” he said.

“This is an injustice. That’s why I accepted the resignation of Aupetit: not on the altar of truth but on the altar of hypocrisy.”

During his visit to Greece, the Pope encouraged young people not be to tempted by the consumerist “sirens” of today.

He explained: “Today’s sirens want to charm you with seductive and insistent messages that focus on easy gains, the false needs of consumerism, the cult of physical wellness, of entertainment at all costs,” he said. “All these are like fireworks: they flare up for a moment, but then turn to smoke in the air.”

Stop kink shaming: all types of sex are valid

Nov 11, 2021

 People have sex. That is a concept that society has come a long way in wrapping its head around, which is great. Now, society needs to wrap its head around kinks and the wide array of fetishes that people may have. 

People like different things in bed, and that is no reason to judge them or make them feel inferior. We don’t need to shame people for their kinks. Just because you don’t like being peed on when you’re getting down and dirty, does not mean you can make fun of others who do. 

Before I start listing off different kinks that blow peoples’ minds, let me explain the benefits that come from being spontaneous in bed. 

Right off the bat, for many people, sex can get real boring real fast if there’s no spice. Now, that can mean literally pouring spices down your partner’s throat while they’re naked under you, or just trying something new and exciting. 

One of the most popular kinks is BDSM—bondage, discipline, dominance, submission, sadism, and masochism. After the “50 Shades of Grey” film trilogy was released, 85 percent of adults in the U.S. said they had engaged in light-fare play using masks, blindfolds, and bondage tools. When kinky sex is presented to us as something we can all do, more people are inclined to try it. Honestly, I’m really happy that people saw Christian Grey and then were like, “honey, grab your night mask.” Let me tell you why.

With BDSM, there is plenty of room for sexual experimentation, but there are also physical and mental health benefits. From my previous articles, you guys probably assume I’m a sex fanatic, but no. I just want to help you all be your best sexual selves. 

Ian Kerner, a psychotherapist and sexuality counselor, said the physical contact that comes with BDSM can stimulate one’s body in far more ways than “vanilla” sex. So, now I ask you: if someone is getting pleasured and living their best sex life, then who are we to judge them for using whips or chains? 

Kinky sex is also proven to reduce stress levels. A study published in the journal Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice suggests that the intensity and pain that comes with BDSM does everything but induce stress. Those who engage in BDSM tend to be in a better mood, and are more energized and focused. If someone’s mental health is positively impacted from anal beads, then you and your opinion should butt out. 

Being kinky in bed allows one to get out of their comfort zone and try sexual practices that are “unconventional.” But my question is, why are any sexual practices considered “unconventional” in the first place? What someone does in bed is their prerogative. 

Not only is one getting out of their comfort zone when they act on fetishes, but they’re also exuding and feeling a sense of confidence as their body and mind wraps around a pleasure that is unique to them and their desires. 

There’s more health benefits as well: strengthened immunity and an increase of feel-good hormones. Practices like flogging and spanking increase blood flow to the brain, which saturates organs and muscles with new oxygen and hormones. All kinds of sex do so, but not to the extent that kinky sex does, according to Kerner. 

Top or bottom, the bottom line is, trying new things in bed, being spontaneous, and being open to new experiences all help people outside of the bedroom too. One becomes more extroverted, more conscientious, and employs better communication with their partner as well as others. There’s so many benefits, that I see no negatives. 

For those who want to turn up the heat in the bedroom, with more than hot wax, here are a few of my suggestions: 

Blindfolding your partner not only gives the blindfolder a newfound sense of power, but it is also exciting for the blindfoldee who is being surprised with their partner’s every move. 

Who said we can only use body parts during sexcapades? Sex toys add a third party to your endeavours, and as I’ve said in prior columns, having your partner use your vibrator on you is an indescribable feeling.  

Role play is another very popular kink with endless opportunities. You and your partner can dress up as a CEO/employee duo, act like strangers, animals from the wild, and so much more. Use your imagination and step into the roles of the dynamic duo that can liven up your sex life. 

Last, but definitely not least, is light violence. Getting spanked, slapped, thrown against a wall, whatever it may be adds a sense of hunger and carnal behavior which may very well turn you on. Of course, be safe, respectful, and ease into it. 

None of this is to say that “vanilla” sex is in any way bad. Just as people who enjoy various kinks should not be judged, people who enjoy “vanilla” sex should not be either. Such sensual, soft sex comes with its own beauty and is just as valid as rough, animalistic sex.  

Fetishes can range from basic “stick it in and thrust,” to “lick my toes,” to role play, to virtual sex, to whatever someone wants to try with their partner. And whatever you love is yours to cherish and simply enjoy. As long as one is safe, there are no issues, so go out and have fun!

TikTokkers are discovering a sex hack using pillows, but does it actually work?

Oct 5, 2021

 Admit it. We’ve all opened up TikTok for a quick scroll only to end up completely fixated for hours by the endless stream of videos on our For You page. I know I have, and it’s partially because TikTok can be just as educational as it is entertaining. When I’m on TikTok, I find tons of hacks, from makeup and travel tips to cooking lessons. However, a recent viral hack on TikTok is one that immediately caught my attention – the sex pillow hack.

TikTokker Sassy Red posted a video implying that a pillow can be an ideal addition in the bedroom, and it's gotten over 26 million views since.

With nearly 1.6 million likes and more than 7,000 comments, many TikTok and xxnx users flooded the comments in agreement, sharing their positive experiences when using a pillow during sex.

But, aside from TikTok anecdotes, how can we know for sure if the sex pillow hack enhances sex?

As a sex educator myself and sex therapy graduate student, I can assure you that pillows can potentially be a creative tool to take vaginal and anal sex from good to incredible, and here’s how.

Putting a pillow underneath the hips during missionary or under the pelvis during lying-down-from-behind positions helps lift the hips and pelvis at a more convenient angle for penetration.

Putting a pillow underneath the hips may also allow for easier access to what is commonly known as the G-spot (It turns out that this region isn’t exactly a spot, but rather a zone within the vagina’s internal clitoral framework.) As the pelvis tilts forward from the pillow being underneath, the vaginal canal straightens, making access to this zone easier. This also allows for more gratifying sensations and nerve endings to be stimulated, especially if a person’s legs are extended over the penetrating partner’s shoulders.

Aside from pleasure, using a pillow during sex has other benefits. They can make penetration more soothing and comfortable for people who experience pelvic, back, and hip pain. This is also ideal for rider-on-top positions. The person doing the riding can prop a pillow under both their knees for comfort and give them more leverage for bouncing.

Additionally, using a pillow to aid your sex positions allows for a clearer view of the vaginal opening, which reduces the risk of accidentally and clumsily putting it in the wrong hole.

It can also build more feelings of closeness and intimacy. The 2014 study, titled "Love is in the Gaze: an Eye-Tracking Study of Love and Sexual Desire," has found that eye contact can help increase feelings of passion and love, so when you're in positions that allow you to see your partner's face up close, this may help increase feelings of intimacy and trust.

Although it may seem like it, the hype about using pillows during sex didn’t suddenly come out of the blue.

For decades, sex tech companies have manufactured pillows of varied geometric design to use during sex. They’re so innovative that publications like Cosmopolitan have published articles praising them for their functionalities. However, these products are usually pricey. While some range between $20 to $40, the higher quality pillows and wedges range anywhere between $95 to $219. So, before you splurge on them, I recommend using the pillows you have on your bed first and washing your pillow case afterwards.

Gorillas shock onlookers with oral sex show at Bronx Zoo in hilarious video

Sep 24, 2021

Turns out humans aren’t the only ones who get down and dirty for sexual pleasure.

A pair of frisky gorillas at the Bronx Zoo proved that when one was filmed performing oral sex on its partner in front of aghast zoo-goers. A clip of the NSFW scene is currently blowing up on social media — but animal experts report that it’s all completely normal.

“I was shocked and had no idea that was a ‘natural’ act,” the videographer, who has opted to remain anonymous, told The Post of the steamy spectacle, which he captured while visiting the iconic NYC zoo with his family.

“I was in the gorilla exhibit with my 4-year-old daughter and niece,” he said. “My wife had to stay out of the exhibit with my sleeping son, so I wanted to capture a lot of video. Then this magic happened.”

The resulting footage shows the giving simian servicing his partner while they’re splayed out on the ground as onlookers guffaw and turn their children away.

Reps for the Bronx Zoo, who were previously unaware of the video, had no comment when reached by The Post for comment.

Meanwhile, this isn’t the first time gorillas have been observed going sextracurricular at the boogie-down Bronx venue. Seven years ago, a Redditor posted a raunchy pic that depicted two of the facility’s animals embraced in what is known colloquially as the “69 position” in front of kids.

Great ape fellatio may seem unorthodox, but it’s really not. Oral sex is actually fairly common throughout the animal kingdom with sightings of species ranging from cheetahs to bears and bats engaging in the salacious act, the BBC has reported.

In fact, many species engage in sex for pleasure. Bonobos — also known as hippie apes — have infamously kinky liveprivates sex lives.

“Whereas the chimpanzee shows little variation in the sexual act, bonobos behave as if they have read the Kama Sutra — performing every position and variation one can imagine,” Steven D. Pinkerton, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin, confirmed in the book “Sexual Nature/Sexual Culture.”

The range of non-conceptive sex acts include genital-to-genital rubbing, oral sex, mutual masturbation and even the seemingly human-exclusive practice of French kissing, according to primatologist Frans de Waal, co-author of “Bonobo: The Forgotten Ape.” And they don’t discriminate when it comes to mates: Both males and females practice both homosexual and heterosexual live sex, while infants have even been observed going at it with adults.

Bonobos are also the only species, besides gorillas and humans, that have been known to adopt the missionary position during sex.

Not raunchy enough? In 2017, a Japanese snow monkey redefined “buck buddy” after it was spotted engaging in hanky panky with a sika deer for the first time ever.

Although when it comes to the “animal kinkdom,” perhaps nothing holds a candle to the sadomasochistic-seeming American turkey, which is known to fluff up phallic facial appendages, stand on their mate’s necks during intercourse and other acts that put Caligula to shame.

OnlyFans: How it handles illegal sex videos

Sep 21, 2021

 Internal documents, leaked to BBC News, reveal that OnlyFans allows moderators to give multiple warnings to accounts that post illegal content on its online platform before deciding to close them.

Described as a "compliance manual", the documents also show that staff are asked to be more lenient towards successful accounts on the British content-sharing service.

Moderation specialists and child protection experts say this shows OnlyFans - which is best known for hosting pornography - has some "tolerance" for accounts posting illegal content.

OnlyFans says it goes far beyond "all relevant global safety standards and regulations" and does not tolerate breaches of its terms of service.

On Thursday evening, Only Fans said it would ban sexually explicit content on the site from October. The announcement comes after BBC News approached the company for its response to the leaked documents, and concerns about its handling of accounts posting illegal content.

OnlyFans said it would still allow creators to post nude photos and videos if they were in line with its terms of service, which are to be updated.

The site has more than 120 million subscribers, who pay a monthly fee and tips to "creators" for videos, photos and the ability to send personal messages to them. OnlyFans takes 20% of all payments.

In May, BBC News revealed the site was failing to prevent under-18s from selling and appearing in explicit videos, despite it being illegal for children to do so. At the time, OnlyFans said attempts to use the site fraudulently were "rare".

Now, the leaked documents show accounts are not automatically shut down if they break the site's terms of service.

Moderators have also told BBC news they have found prostitution services advertised, bestiality and material one moderator believed to be incest.

The BBC has seen examples of some of this banned content. In one video, a man is seen eating faeces. In another, a man pays homeless people to have sex with him on camera.

OnlyFans and Streamate says it has now removed the videos and the documents are not manuals or "official guidance". In a statement it says: "We do not tolerate any violation of our terms of service, and we take immediate action to uphold the safety and security of our users."

Moderators we spoke to have given a rare insight into how content on the site is checked.

Christof - not his real name - says on some days, he has viewed up to 2,000 photos and videos looking for content prohibited by the site. He uses lists of keywords to search within bios, posts and private messages between creators and their subscribers.

He says he has found illegal and extreme content in videos - including bestiality involving dogs and the use of spy cams, guns, knives and drugs. Some material is not actively searched for by moderators as frequently as he believes it should be, says Christof, despite being banned under the platform's terms of service.

On multiple occasions, he says, OnlyFans told him he over-moderated, particularly in relation to videos showing sex in public and to "third-party" content - material featuring people not registered with OnlyFans and Streamate.

OnlyFans says moderators are given specific briefs and if they routinely go beyond them they will be "directed to focus only on their assigned type of content". Christof also says that despite being banned, the advertising of sex for sale is common among low earners on the site.

Christof, and a second person who has moderated content for the site, say some creators offer competitions to meet and have sex with a fan, as a way of increasing tip payments.

One of the documents we obtained detailing moderation guidelines in 2020, states that adverts for sex are an issue for the site. It says the "most popular places for escort promo" on the site are in creators' usernames, bios, content descriptions and "tips menus" which advertise customised videos. The document says "examples" of this promotion include references to "PPM (pay per meet)", "CashMeets", "Book me", "IRL Meet", "scort" and others.

Despite this, BBC News was able to find more than 30 active accounts using those keywords in bios, profiles and posts, on one day.

One creator's profile described them as an "[e]scort - sex partner". A different account asked: "Anyone want to book me for a weekend?" Only two of the accounts we found had been removed 10 days later.

OnlyFans says it upholds its terms of service, uses both human and technological forms of moderation, and closes accounts where there is a serious contravention of its terms.

Students will be taught to intervene in sexual harassment situations

Sep 3, 2021

 A programme developed at University College Cork (UCC) which teaches students how to intervene if they witness sexual harassment is being rolled out to third-level institutions nationwide today.

The team behind UCC’s successful Bystander Intervention programme will launch a series of audio-visual learning materials to Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) to help more students combat sexual harassment, both verbal and physical, and to build a culture of zero tolerance of sexual harassment and violence on campus.

The materials include a 15-minute starter video explaining the bystander concept, how to intervene in unsafe situations, what happens when consent falls through, and how students can help to make college campuses and local communities safer for everyone.

HEIs will also be able to upload and deliver UCC’s bystander training through their own online learning platforms.

It’s hoped that by making the material available nationwide, more third-level students will become more aware of sexual harassment, and how they can stop it, before a situation occurs.

The director of Bystander Intervention in UCC, Professor Louise Crowley, said the programme has had a significant impact since its launch in early 2019, with positive student feedback.

But she said the data also demonstrates a shift in understanding and awareness around the issue, which has helped cultivate individual capacity and willingness to effect change.

“We are delighted to be in a position today to provide a suite of learning opportunities for our colleagues across the higher education sector, to ensure that all campus communities can undertake the UCC Bystander Intervention training programme,” she said.

“The value of the Bystander Intervention approach adopted at UCC lies in the breadth of the learning."

“College life is challenging, with an escalated social pressure to be accepted by peer groups.

“In this environment, it becomes difficult to speak up as a perceived lone objector to the uncomfortable behaviour of others.

“In the course of the training, participants are encouraged to recognise their discomfort at sexually offensive language and actions, and through active workshops are empowered to call out what might otherwise be perceived as normalised student conduct, shattering any false consensus that such language and actions might ever be acceptable.” 

The project includes student ambassadors from a range of degree programmes as well Professor Crowley and Dr Clíonadh O’Keeffe, the Bystander Intervention support officer in UCC.

It was in the news recently for using clips from the hit reality TV privates shows, Love Island, to showcase toxic behaviour in relationships and to empower students to challenge issues like victim blaming, gaslighting and negging — a form of emotional manipulation where one person makes a deliberate backhanded compliment or remark to another to undermine their confidence and increase their need for the manipulator's approval.

The team has been using clips from this year’s show as case studies and conversation starters designed to get students thinking, and more importantly, giving them the skills to intervene, to challenge and call-out such behaviour.