In 1825, a British geologist went to Sicily and examined the remains of a female saint. He concluded that they weren’t human and likely belonged to a goat. He told the priests, who kicked him out and then placed the bones into a casket to prevent future study.
This Is What You Should Know About the Hymen
Too many people don’t understand the female body well enough (or at all). The recent revelation that rapper T.I. asks his daughter’s doctor to check her hymen to ensure her virginity on a yearly basis is the (extremely disgusting and invasive and inappropriate) proof. And the fact that so many people support him makes a lot of women very uncomfortable.
In case you’re someone who would like to know more, or who would like to be able to educate other people who should know more, here’s some general information for all of us about a part of the female body.
First up, fact check: the presence of an attached hymen does not indicate whether or not a woman has had vaginal intercourse.
Truly.
Yup, TI the rapper said this on a podcast recently. I can’t make this up. If he would have come into my office asking for this I would have laughed in his face. But seriously, there are a lot of people that don't know that you actually can't tell if a woman is a virgin or not just based on an exam. It just doesn't exist.
So what is the hymen? It is a thin piece of tissue that covers the opening of the vagina. The hymen can stretch or tear as a result of various behaviors, by tampon or menstrual cup use, pelvic examinations with a speculum, regular physical activity, sexual intercourse, insertion fingers or items into the vagina, and activities such as gymnastics. There are different types and shapes. When a dad puts their daughter in this predicament then she can't trust him. He is humiliating her and possibly making her hide things behind his back. In this case it is making his daughter and other women believe that sex is bad and is not healthy. Her outlook on sex is totally different now and possibly gives her a subconscious thought to thinking that controlling her is ok. She also will possibly view going to the gynecologist or any doctor for that matter as a bad experience, and that could potentially have health consequences for her future. So how do we tell if someone is a virgin or not? You ask them! 
That's it. Plan and simple. Communication is key as a human being, between friends, between father and daughter, mother and son, doctor and patient.
Let's learn from this and hope that in this century we can dispell myths on virginity, what sex means and hope that women are not scared to see doctors for their health concerns. I hope his daughter can overcome this and have a healthy sexual relationship in her future, because she is after all 18 years old and an adult! FYI, In October 2018, the UN Human Rights, UN Women and the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that virginity testing must end as it is a painful, humiliating and traumatic practice, constituting violence against women. Let’s end this violence! Keeping it real! Dr. E
Erica Montes, M.D.The hymen is a thin piece of membranous tissue that partially covers the vaginal opening. It’s usually half-moon shaped, but every body is different. The general belief is that when a woman has sex for the first time the hymen is “broken,” but in truth, it’s typically stretched and only sometimes torn.
Again, that doesn’t happen for everyone.
: @emilysweirdembroidery #misogyny #misogynior #virginity #sexed #hymen #embroidery #sexeducation #womensrights #genderbasedviolence #genderequality #genderequity #equality #equity #feminism #feminists #feminist #oppression #oppressed #marginalized #disenfranchised #virginitytesting #antiwomenNot only that, but some girls are born with open hymens, some don’t have one at all, and others naturally stretch or tear their hymens through activities like gymnastics, exercise, or horseback riding – even using tampons, menstrual cups, and regular gynecological exams could cause stretching and/or tearing.
The idea that if a woman is a virgin she’ll bleed the first time she has sex? Also a myth, for the reasons mentioned. Also, even if a woman is a virgin, and even if she has a hymen, her hymen may not bleed if it gets stretched and/or torn.
The bottom line? No one should be examining a woman’s hymen or bedsheets for proof of her virginity, or in order to verify rape allegations – it is useless and can potentially cause physical and psychological harm.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) condemn virginity testing for those reasons and because, in some countries, if an unmarried woman is determined to not be a virgin, she may be publicly shamed, beaten, and imprisoned. Not to mention she may be more likely to consider suicide – or even be murdered.
“The practice is a violation of the victim’s human rights and is associated with both immediate and long-term consequences that are detrimental to her physical, psychological, and social well-being. The harmful practice of virginity testing is a social, cultural, and political issue, and its elimination will require a comprehensive societal response supported by the public heath community and health professionals.”
Also, the concept of virginity itself might be a topic for another day, but this bears repeating: virginity is a social construct, and, in most cases, a holdover from a very different time. A time when women were controlled like property by the men in their lives, and a time before we had technology that could address concerns like paternity and inheritance.
Whether or not a woman has had sexual intercourse has no bearing on her value to herself, her family, or to society at large.
The sooner we all accept that and stop (literally, in some cases) poking our way into other people’s business, the better off everyone will be.
The post This Is What You Should Know About the Hymen appeared first on UberFacts.
People Share the Life Mysteries They Wish They Could Get Answered
Life is full of mysteries. I’m talking about all kinds of things that we really wish we had the answers to.
They could be big, they could be small. They might have something to do with how the universe works, or they might be specific only to you.
AskReddit users revealed what mysteries and questions they want to know…
1. You’re not alone on this one.
“What’s in the Vatican’s secret library?”
2. Maybe a ghost?
“What the hell happened to make my dog terrified of the bed for 3 days last year.”
3. Outer space…
“I would love to know if we have in some form been contacted. Maybe some higher forces know and didn’t tell us or it just went right by us because we were unable to receive the message due to technology. I think there’s a pretty decent possibility that that has happened.”
4. I’d like to know this one, too.
“Who was the Zodiac Killer and what was his complete story.”
5. That’s a real conundrum.
“What kind of job I could actually get and enjoy and still be able to live my life comfortably. Seems to be the impossible question.”
6. Definitely a weird story.
“What happened to Malaysia Airlines Flight 370?”
7. Is anybody out there?
“If there is other intelligent life out there somewhere. I know that we probably will never see another intelligent life form, but it would be nice to know. It is neato some of the radio telescope stuff they are able to do now and look for atmosphere contaminants that could signal intelligent life. Would likely be the best we can do.”
8. Who did it?
“Who killed Jon Benet Ramsey? Also Madeline McCann. I really don’t think those cases will ever be solved and it drives me crazy.”
9. The real story.
“I’d like to have a true and factual account of the life and death of Jesus of Nazareth.”
10. Before and after.
“What existed before our universe exploded into existence and how is it going to end??”
11. A true crime mystery.
“Who was Jack the Ripper?”
12. One of the big questions.
“What actually happens after you die?”
13. That’s heavy.
“If there was anything I could have done to save my daughter from being murdered by her ex-boyfriend.”
14. An interesting question.
“How many times has humanity been reset by disaster.”
15. Looking for a partner.
“Who is out there that would be a good husband and want me as much as I want them. I’d move anywhere and change my job and life circumstances to find a partner.”
The post People Share the Life Mysteries They Wish They Could Get Answered appeared first on UberFacts.
This Church in Is Going Viral for Its Clever Signs
I love a good church sign, and I’ve noticed that churches in all different parts of the country are getting in on the action.
I think that’s a trend we can all get behind, don’t you?
Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church in Wantagh, New York, is gettin’ it done in the sign game in a major way. Some of their messages are funny and some are designed to make people think.
Pastor Ron Garner said, “Our church is located on a very busy street in Wantagh. I want to convey to the public that Christianity doesn’t have to be staid. I also want to convey to passersby that I believe people who follow Jesus are not called to be apolitical but are called to take social justice issues seriously. We are a small congregation but we have new members who came because of our signs.”
Enjoy!
1. Peace is priceless.
WMCC's latest sign. . .
Posted by Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church on Friday, September 6, 2013
2. I like this message.
WMCC's latest sign. . .
Posted by Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church on Tuesday, July 16, 2013
3. Walk the walk.
Our latest church sign. . .
Posted by Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
4. Yes! I love this!
5. Can’t hide bigotry.
As I said before, plagiarism can be a good thing. Thanks to Rev. Denoon and the students who stood up to Westboro Baptist at UNLV.
Posted by Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
6. Hopefully, this is true for all of us.
The congregation of WMCC wish all of you a Happy New Year! May you be blessed and be a blessing to others.
Posted by Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church on Saturday, December 31, 2011
7. Go ahead, try it.
8. He was a rebel.
WMCC gets ready for this week's gospel lesson: "The Samaritan Woman."
Posted by Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church on Tuesday, March 22, 2011
9. NONE.
Our latest entry on our sign is getting lots of attention. This may be the last entry made on "old faithful." We are hoping that our new sign will be installed in a matter of days.
Posted by Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church on Thursday, February 10, 2011
10. This one is powerful.
Our latest sign. . .
Posted by Ron Garner on Thursday, January 19, 2017
11. Same old message.
Our new enlarged and improved sign.
Posted by Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church on Tuesday, March 15, 2011
12. A timely sign.
Our latest sign. . .
Posted by Ron Garner on Monday, August 20, 2018
13. Not at all.
Our latest sign . . .
Posted by Ron Garner on Monday, June 18, 2018
14. That sounds familiar…
WMCC's latest sign. . .
Posted by Ron Garner on Saturday, December 26, 2015
15. Amen to that!
Our latest sign. . .
Posted by Ron Garner on Monday, April 6, 2015
Are there any churches by you that are bringing their A-Game to their signage?
Share some pics with us in the comments!
The post This Church in Is Going Viral for Its Clever Signs appeared first on UberFacts.
Mount Athos, Greece
Mount Athos, Greece, is an entirely self-governed peninsula inhabited only by Orthodox monks. Female humans, chickens, cows and goats are banned from entry, but female cats are explicitly permitted.
Priest Brings Stray Dogs into His Church so They Can Find Loving Homes
Bless this man.
Those are people who talk the talk, and then there are those who walk the walk. And a priest in Brazil named Father João Paulo Araujo Gomes definitely falls into the latter category.
Father Gomes heads a parish in the city of Gravatá, and he allows stray dogs to come into his church during mass. Why, you ask? So the dogs can hopefully find homes with his parishioners.
Posted by PadreJoao Paulo Araujo Gomes on Thursday, August 8, 2019
Any dogs who wander the street are given ample opportunity to participate in mass so guests can get a look at them and decide if they’d like to give these forgotten pooches permanent homes. Father Gomes says, “They will always be able to enter, sleep, eat, drink their water and find shelter and protection, for this house is of God and they are of God.”
Father Gomes has taken the dogs into his rectory and during services they wander around, sleep, and sometimes even get in on the action, looking to be petted by the priest and his flock.
Der Priester Juan Pablo aus Brasilien fängt streunende Hunde ein, badet und versorgt sie und empfiehlt sie dann der…
Posted by Winfried Niederer on Friday, August 23, 2019
Because of Father Gomes’ charity and kindness, dozens of stray dogs have found forever homes in Gravatá – the kind-hearted priest has even adopted some of the dogs himself. He said, “I helped several dogs with serious health problems. Some of them I brought to the parish house, and they were later adopted. Three of them stayed with me. Today, they are my children and sleep in my bed.”
Posted by PadreJoao Paulo Araujo Gomes on Monday, March 11, 2019
Be sure to follow Father Gomes on Facebook to keep up with all of these beautiful animals and their adventures.
The post Priest Brings Stray Dogs into His Church so They Can Find Loving Homes appeared first on UberFacts.
John Newton was the captain…
John Newton was the captain of a slave ship. In 1748 he encountered a severe storm and, although being non-religious, prayed out to God for safety. This event changed his life. He later became a clergy member, an abolitionist, and wrote the hymn “Amazing Grace” about his experience.
Sound Baptisms
On Sundays, San Francisco’s Church of St. John Coltrane holds ‘sound baptisms’ — three-hour jam sessions, and their general advice is ‘If you ain’t happy, you ain’t listening to enough Coltrane!’.
Studies in ‘ice cores’ found….
Studies in ‘ice cores’ found in Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania – the mountain which supplies the Nile with its water – have revealed that a drought did take place around 3600 years ago – around the time the Bible sets Joseph’s story in Egypt.
Muslims Share How 9/11 Changed Their Lives in the United States
Every September 11, America takes a time-out from whatever else is going on to come together and remember the events of that tragic day.
We talk about the people in the buildings, the people on the planes, the first responders, the bystanders, the dogs who bravely searched in vain for survivors in the rubble.
We say never again, and we mean it.
But after September 11, the world had changed for another group of people – Muslims living in the United States.
So, as the day of remembrance passed, Muslims logged onto Twitter to claim their own narrative, using #AfterSeptember11 and #After911 to share how their lives have never been the same.
17. All were meant to pay for the actions of a few.
#AfterSeptember11 Suddenly any act of violence commited by a Muslim became terrorism meanwhile if by a Christian, it'd be mental-illness.
— Indian Stats (@Indian_stats) September 11, 2015
16. Communities should band together, not pull apart, in times of stress.
There’s an Indian restaurant in the town we lived where most of the employees were Sikh. It was absolutely empty for months after the attacks. We went almost every week.
I can’t tolerate the ‘us vs. them’ racist mentality. They may not have been Muslim, but it shouldn’t matter.
— Corey _/) (@coreyblaser) September 12, 2019
15. Most people are good people if you give them a chance.
#afterseptember11 I had a teacher tell my class that if he were president he would "bomb that whole part of the world off the map." I told a friend that bothered me because I had family there. She said "well he didn't mean people like you!" https://t.co/TINvrlJh1l
— Dr. Amanda H. Steinberg (she/her/hers) (@MENALibAHS) September 12, 2019
14. Good people shouldn’t have to answer for evil.
My very good friend at work, muslim woman, who wore the hijab, was told by a man at work that she should be banned from dressing like that after 9/11. I was floored. She was the most wonderful person. The epitome of what a true Muslim should be.
— Lisa (@leprohonlad) September 12, 2019
13. Four. Years. Old.
My birth name was osama . It was changes by my parents to hassan when i was four due to 9/11
— Gaga'sHoe (@Pommy1122) September 12, 2019
12. You never know what path strangers are walking.
#afterseptember11 my grandfather was beaten up on his way to the mosque. They didn't know he'd just lost his daughter on 9/11..
—
(@TheChickenEater) September 11, 2016
11. Violence is never the answer.
I have a friend that got attacked by 4 white men in New York for being a "terrorist". He was almost killed. He is from India.
— Wendy R. Holguin (@wrjones559) September 12, 2019
10. This makes me sick to my stomach.
A Sikh couple & sons ran a gas station/convenience store nearby. For 20 yrs they gave out free school supplies, collected coats/toys for tots donations & ran a Thanksgiving food drive. #afterseptember11 they received so many death threats they boarded up & closed permanently.
— I’veBeenCalledWorse
(@Vanniivy007) September 12, 2019
9. We lost so much more than lives that day.
My father was bullied and harassed by his co-workers to the point where he tried to kill himself. My brother was beaten up at the tender age of 5.
9/11 happened in USA but the impact was felt the world over #afterseptember11 https://t.co/06epPjXQ0p— Maruki Hurakami (@jentyler124) September 12, 2019
8. Imagine having to question your entire worldview as a child.
#after911 I found so much shame in my religion. I had a girl say that we couldnt date because, "in the end youre going to hell for being muslim." Kids my age made terrorist jokes daily and I had to just laugh them off.
After a certain point it takes a toll.
— A Possible Muslim (@Zackaryathe1st) September 11, 2019
7. Be the Alex in your world.
#afterseptember11 Kids on the bus in 7th grade were calling Muslims terrorists & devil worshippers. One hispanic guy named Alex, stood up and told them loudly, “Shut the f** up Hind is on this bus, she is Muslim”. Thank you Alex. https://t.co/LJkS0RP56X
— Hind Fares (@Hind_Faress) September 13, 2019
6. Put a face to the religion and it makes it easier to treat people like humans.
#after911 1/4
I was only 8. Most of the kids in school called me a terrorist & asked me if Bin laden was my uncle. Physically and verbally abused. Not having any friends made it alot harder.
(Hence why I say- if you don't know a Muslim or have a friend that is, u do now follow)
— StanceGrounded (@_SJPeace_) September 12, 2019
5. I wonder where kids are hearing crap like that, hmm?
#after911 a kid in my class asked me if my dad was a terrorist bc he knew my dad was from Iran. I was in 4th grade. And I hit him in the face with a textbook.
— la sirena/da baddest bruja (@ariannamigNASTY) September 12, 2019
4. Those teachers should be ashamed of themselves.
Middle School: classmate of Middle Eastern descent. Sept 13th, gym class. Her clothes and shoes go missing. Only found the shoes after school hanging from an electrical wire with a sign that said "We don't want you here. Go home." Teachers never did anything. #afterseptember11 https://t.co/SWxzq8yLYn
— MaverickMissy (@LilMaverickMiss) September 13, 2019
3. No one should have to “get” it. No one.
I'll never forget working at the U of Mich medical center.. A doctor friend of mine came to me and said "Mark now I know how bad black people have it in America" I said why? he said "Me and my family are getting harassed at the grocery store" He's from India.
— Mark Eric Mallory (@Mark_Mallory) September 12, 2019
2. Friendship means through thick and thin.
My daughter had a Muslim friend at the time 9-11 happened, they were 8. I admit, I didn’t know what to say to the parents to help them, but I told my daughter to be an extra good friend because others might not be. I think she was the only white friend she had for a while.
— Athena M (@mamaAthena75) September 12, 2019
1. I hope he sued them.
I remember my one Muslim colleague crying the day after. He had a very hard time dealing with the fact that someone committed this heinous act in the name of Islam.
A month later he was fired. For being a Muslim.— SuperMarina (@supermarina) September 12, 2019
One thing that shouldn’t have changed after that day was how we treat our fellow Americans – all of them, regardless of race, religion, sex, whatever – so I hope hashtags like this can remind us of what makes us the greatest nation on earth.
Do you have a story to add? We’re all ears in the comments.
The post Muslims Share How 9/11 Changed Their Lives in the United States appeared first on UberFacts.