The Department of the Interior published a guide to “inclusive language,” exclusively obtained by The Daily Wire, that tells bureaucrats to avoid gendered terms like “husband,” “son,” and “daughter,” and even instructs them to use the “they/them” pronouns for individuals rather than assume someone’s gender. The 24-page document, called the U.S. Department of the Interior Inclusive Language Guide and published this month “for official use only,” was published this month and details what terms bureaucrats should use or avoid when discussing gender and sexuality. The guide includes a list of 104 different terms that the Interior recommends bureaucrats replace with alternate, approved words. “Husband” and “wife,” for example, should be replaced with “spouse, partner, significant other,” the federal agency says. “Daughter” and “son” should also be replaced with “child” or “kid” according to the guide, which even asks bureaucrats to replace “cockpit” with “flight deck.” The revelation comes as the executive agencies of federal government have been transformed under the Biden administration, with agencies from Interior to the National Security Agency embracing and institutionalizing the diversity, equity, and inclusion agenda. Another section of the guide asks bureaucrats to use “identity-first” language, substituting “blind person” and “amputee,” with “a person who is blind,”  and “a child with an amputation.” The Interior guide even tells bureaucrats to refrain from assuming anyone’s gender and to instead refer to everyone with the pronouns “they/them” to “avoid making assumptions.” Screenshot of internal government document obtained by The Daily Wire “When referring to individuals whose identified pronouns are not known or when the gender of a generic or hypothetical person is irrelevant within the context, use their name or a singular ‘they’ to avoid making assumptions about an individual’s gender,” the document reads. “It is recommended to use ‘they,’ ‘them,’ ‘their,’ for example. In informal writing, such as emails, plural pronouns may be used as a shortcut to ensure gender inclusiveness.” The plural pronoun is said to be a superior alternative to the phrase “he or she,” because it implies “an exclusively binary nature of gender and exclude individuals who do not use these pronouns like gender non-conforming people.” Phrases such as “ladies and gents” are seen as problematic, with the document asking speakers to instead address crowds with “hey team.” Interior asks bureaucrats to go to even greater lengths to avoid “terms that imply binaries” like “opposite sex” and “opposite gender,” because “some individuals do not identify with either gender or these phrases would then ignore the existence of those individuals.” It even states that bureaucrats should avoid using the term “preferred pronouns” since it implies that gender identity is a choice. “Pronoun use requires specificity and care on the user’s part, and staff should always use the person’s identified pronouns,” the document states. “Staff should refrain from the term ‘preferred pronouns’ because it implies a choice about one’s gender. Use ‘pronouns’ or ‘identified pronouns’ instead.” It also advises eliminating the use of gendered honorifics entirely, saying titles like “Mr.” and “Ms.” should always be forgone. Screenshot of internal government document obtained by The Daily Wire The guide also suggests elimination the following words and phrases: Replace “Aunt/Uncle” with “Parent’s sibling” Replace “male” with “all genders” Replace “ladies” with “everyone” Replace “gay” with “LGBTQIA+ person” Replace “transgender” with “transgender person” Replace “opposite sex” with “different sex” Replace “woman/women” with “person, people, individual, individuals” Replace “sex change” with “transition” Replace “father/mother” with “parent, caregiver, care provider” Interior did not respond to a request for comment. Interior’s guide to inclusive language is just one way in which the agency has embraced and far-left dogma and embedded it in its policies and practices. The federal agency is also celebrating pride month with a lesson on “LGBTQ American Sign Language” where bureaucrats will be taught sign language for “ally,” “drag queen,” and other LGBT vocabulary terms. Daily Wire host Matt Walsh previously revealed that bureaucrats at the DOI performed a poem called “I am Diversity” in which the government employees recited lines like “I’m diversity, embrace me and we’ll journey far. I’m diversity, include me and we’ll reach the shining star.” I have exclusive footage from a Department of Interior event where a poem called “I Am Diversity” was performed. It’s as bad as it sounds. pic.twitter.com/Pzy8licjda — The Matt Walsh Show (@MattWalshShow) April 12, 2024 The same department also celebrated “transgender day of visibility” by showing a documentary pushing for increased LGBT inclusion in the field of marine biology, the Daily Wire previously revealed. “Transgender Day of Visibility is an internationally recognized event that is celebrated annually on March 31st to help raise awareness and increase understanding of the challenges, importance and struggles of our transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming communities,” an email obtained by The Daily Wire states. “The Department will mark this important occasion by showing a short documentary called ‘Diving for Rays: A Queer Conservationist’s Story.” One far-left bureaucrat, an associate communications director at the White House, was recently promoted from his former post as the communications director for the DOI. Named Tyler Cherry, the Biden administration official has a troubling social media history. “Time to recall that the modern day police system is a direct evolution of slave patrols and lynch mobs,” Cherry posted to X, formerly Twitter, in 2015. “Praying for #Baltimore, but praying even harder for an end to a capitalistic police state motivated by explicit and implicit racial biases,” he also said.  Cherry, who crossdresses and identifies as non-binary, also tweeted “Abolish ICE,” making a call to disband a law enforcement component within the Department of Homeland Security that plays a critical role in enforcing immigration law. The communications official also made posts complaining about white people and “the occupation of Palestine.” The DOI is just one of several federal agencies that has swung to the left and institutionalized ideological dogma under the Biden administration. President Joe Biden has signed multiple executive orders institutionalizing the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) ideology within the federal agencies and has even worked to enable gender transition attempts among government employees. Former President Donald Trump has pledged to purge far-left bureaucrats who may otherwise undermine his agenda from his executive agencies if he is reelected in November. “We will pass critical reforms making every executive branch employee fireable by the President of the United States,” Trump said at a rally, touting his plan. “The deep state must be brought to heel.” Trump’s allies are preparing to fill the void left by outgoing bureaucrats, with the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 assembling a personnel database that could step into the administration in the event of a Trump victory. The full document can be read below: EXCLUSIVE: Biden Agency Publishes ‘Inclusive Language Guide’ by Daily Wire Investigations Team on Scribd

This friendly backyard wiffle ball game was turned on its head when a surprising MVP showed up out of nowhere: the UPS driver! While delivering a package to a residence, the delivery man noticed that a group of people were playing outdoors. He decided that it would be fun to join in! So, after dropping off the parcel, he picked up a bat and took his place on the field. An incredible video shows how the UPS driver actually hit the wiffle ball out of the metaphorical park! There were cheers and high-fives all around as the victorious delivery guy returned to his truck. We’re not sure who won the game that day, but this driver certainly scored some major points with these customers! @karleemcgrew “One pitch – if it hits the house its a homerun” Hometown Icon #summer #wiffleball #ups #upsdriver #hometownicon ♬ Living My Best Life – Ben Rector “When your UPS driver shows up mid game and absolutely smashes a homer,” wrote Karlee McGrew, who posted the impressive clip on social media. Viewers were totally floored by the delivery driver’s amazing batting skills. Many commenters clamored for UPS to respond to the video of their employee hitting a home run. Screengrab from TikTok “Where @UPS at with the comment, ‘Our customer service knocks it out of the park every time,'” joked one user. Another added, “@UPS Social Media Team should be on this yesterday.” A third suggested, “@UPS get this guy some baseball tickets!” Did you know that some UPS drivers are also great dancers? If you thought the previous video was heartwarming, here’s another one that might make you smile. This woman was determined to get her UPS driver to dance with her — and she did! When the delivery man saw her doing a silly dance on her front porch, he put the box down and joined in. While we’re guessing this clip was probably rehearsed, it’s still pretty adorable. @crazycleaningmamax4 He’s the best #upsdriver #CODSquadUp #ReasonForBooking #AEHolidayCard ♬ Rich Flex Carter Walsh Remix – CarterWalsh It looks like some UPS drivers deliver more than just packages to their communities: they also bring smiles! You can find the source of this story’s featured image here. The post UPS Driver Joins In With Family For Wholesome Game Of Wiffle Ball appeared first on InspireMore.

Cute, but risky

Big Wreck was formed in 1994 in Boston, Massachusetts, by Canadian musician Ian Thornley and Americans Brian Doherty, Dave Henning, and Forrest Williams. The band initially gained attention with their 1997 debut album, In Loving Memory of…, which featured the hit single “The Oaf.” Their music combines elements of hard rock, grunge, and progressive rock. Despite early success and critical acclaim, Big Wreck disbanded in 2002 after the release of their second album, The Pleasure and the Greed. Ian Thornley went on to form a new band, Thornley, which also enjoyed considerable success in Canada. In 2010, Big Wreck reunited The post Complete List Of Big Wreck Albums And Songs appeared first on ClassicRockHistory.com.

Astronomers have discovered the most distant, and so the oldest, known stellar clusters. This is the first time astronomers have seen star clusters from before the first half a billion years of the Universe. The light of these gravitationally bound groups of stars comes to us from just 460 million years after the Big Bang.Two factors have been crucial to the discovery. The extremely keen infrared eye of JWST has been able to see farther than any telescope before. And the phenomenon of gravitational lensing. A massive foreground galaxy cluster warped space-time to such a degree that, just like a glass lens, it magnified and distorted this distant galaxy.From the distorted image, stretched out like an arc, the team was able to detect star clusters. The name of the project is Cosmic Gems – and it is very apt. The clusters appear to contribute to the majority of ultraviolet light coming from the galaxy, telling astronomers something about the wider cosmos.The gravitationally-lensed arc showing off the star clusters.Image Credit: ESA/Webb, NASA & CSA, L. Bradley (STScI), A. Adamo (Stockholm University) and the Cosmic Spring collaboration“These galaxies are thought to be a prime source of the intense radiation that reionised the early Universe,” lead author Angela Adamo, of Stockholm University and the Oskar Klein Centre in Sweden, said in a statement. “What is special about the Cosmic Gems arc is that thanks to gravitational lensing we can actually resolve the galaxy down to parsec scales!”Reionization is the epoch from the formation of the first stars to about 1 billion years after the Big Bang when the neutral hydrogen gas dominated the universe. The light of those first stars and galaxies stripped the electrons from the hydrogen (ionizing it for the second time since the Big Bang). To do that, you need energetic light, such as the ultraviolet emissions from hot and very young stars.The international team was able to determine that the star clusters are massive, located in a small region of their host galaxy, and very dense – significantly denser than the star clusters that are found in the nearer universe.“These results provide direct evidence that indicates proto-globular clusters formed in faint galaxies during the reionisation era, which contributes to our understanding of how these galaxies have succeeded in reionising the Universe,” explained Adamo.“This discovery also places important constraints on the formation of globular clusters and their initial properties. For instance, the high stellar densities found in the clusters provide us with the first indication of the processes taking place in their interiors, giving new insights into the possible formation of very massive stars and black hole seeds, which are both important for galaxy evolution."The team expect this to be only the first system of distant star clusters. Many more, some that could be even more distant, might soon be discovered with JWST.“I am confident there are other systems like this waiting to be uncovered in the early Universe, enabling us to further our understanding of early galaxies,” said Eros Vanzella from the INAF - Astrophysics and Space Science Observatory of Bologna, Italy, one of the main contributors to the work.A paper describing the results is published in the journal Nature.

A new study has confirmed for the first time that various common “forever chemicals” can be absorbed into our bloodstream through contact with our skin. Forever chemicals, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are synthetic chemicals that are resistant to degradation over time. Since the 1950s, these chemicals have been celebrated for their resistance to heat, stains, oil, grease, and water. As such, they are common features of pots and pans, as well as food packages, furniture, adhesives, and clothing.Recently, we have become aware of the potential threat that PFAS pose to our health and to the environment. Although the research is still unclear, there is a chance these chemicals may contribute to various adverse health conditions. But while they have not yet been proven to directly cause these health problems, the growing evidence concerning and has led many countries to ban or regulate their use.It is commonly known that PFAS can enter the body through multiple routes. The most obvious of these is through ingestion via food or drink, but also through inhalation. However, it has generally been assumed that PFAS cannot breach the skin barrier, even though there are links between the use of personal care products and these chemicals in human blood and breast milk. There are also correlations between PFAS concentration in blood serum and the use of hand wipes.Now, researchers from the University of Birmingham, UK, have offered the most comprehensive assessment to date of the absorption of PFAS into human skin. They confirm that most of these forever chemicals can indeed enter the body through this route.“The ability of these chemicals to be absorbed through skin has previously been dismissed because the molecules are ionized”, Dr Oddný Ragnarsdóttir, first author of the study, explained in a statement.“The electrical charge that gives them the ability to repel water and stains was thought to also make them incapable of crossing the skin membrane.”“Our research shows that this theory does not always hold true and that, in fact, uptake through the skin could be a significant source of exposure to these harmful chemicals.”Ragnarsdóttir and colleagues examined 17 different types of PFAS which represented a sample of some of the most widely used and studied types. Importantly, these chemicals correspond to those regulated by the EU Drinking Water Directive.In order to safely test whether skin can absorb these chemicals without relying on animal studies, the team used 3D human skin equivalent models. These are multilayered laboratory-grown tissues that mimic normal human skin. They then applied samples of each PFAS to see what proportion was absorbed, unabsorbed, or retained in the skin models.Of the 17 tested PFAS, 15 showed substantial dermal absorption, meaning at least 5 percent of the exposure dose. Worryingly, the exposure dose examined for PFOA (perfluoro octanoic acid), the most regulated PFAS, was 13.5 percent, with a further 38 percent of the applied dose being retained in the skin. This suggests that longer retention in the skin may lead to more uptake into the blood over a longer period.According to the analysis, the amount of the chemical absorbed correlated with the length of its carbon chain. Substances with longer carbon chains seemed to have lower absorption levels, while those with shorter chains that were used to replace longer carbon chain PFAS, such as PFOA, were easier to absorb. For example, perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) was four times easier to absorb than PFOA.“This study helps us to understand how important exposure to these chemicals via the skin might be and also which chemical structures might be most easily absorbed,” co-author Professor Stuart Harrad, of the University of Birmingham’s School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, explained.“This is important because we see a shift in industry towards chemicals with shorter chain lengths because these are believed to be less toxic – however the trade-off might be that we absorb more of them, so we need to know more about the risks involved.”The paper is published in the journal Environment International.

Space in the vicinity around our planet is getting quite full, or at least full for space. We are a messy species, and low-Earth orbit is apparently no exception to our "we'll clean up later" rule. One concern about the debris is that it could cause the "Kessler Effect" (or Kessler Syndrome). Simply put, the Kessler Effect is where a single event (such as the explosion of a satellite) in low-Earth orbit creates a chain reaction, as debris destroys other objects in orbit. Should this happen, the debris could keep colliding with other objects, potentially causing communication problems and leaving areas of space inaccessible to spacecraft. Essentially, it could end up like the film Gravity, but with less George Clooney doing great eyebrow work and more "Hey what happened to my GPS". At worst, some speculate it could essentially trap us here on Earth, unable to leave.But, there are more immediate problems to deal with before we have to worry about the Kessler effect; space junk is falling to Earth and crashing into people's property. NASA is currently being sued by a family in Florida after a piece of equipment used to load batteries onto a cargo pallet onboard the International Space Station remained intact during re-entry, and fell through the roof of their home. Videos from China, meanwhile, show what is suspected to be debris from a Chinese rocket falling down to Earth.        IFLScience is not responsible for content shared from external sites.How bad is the problem? Well, apparently bad enough to warrant hotlines. In a statement given to WLOS13 reporter Justin Berger, NASA confirmed that debris found over North Carolina came from SpaceX's Crew Dragon. In the statement, NASA advised anyone who finds such space debris not to handle it, but to contact SpaceX's Debris Hotline at 1-866-623-0234 or email recovery@spaceX.com. SpaceX first set up a hotline for space debris after the SpaceX CRS-7 resupply mission to the International Space Station ended in an explosion.  So far, only one person – Lottie Williams of Tulsa, Oklahoma – is believed to have been hit by falling space debris, after a piece of a Delta II rocket struck her harmlessly on the shoulder as she walked through a park. Though the odds against this happening to you are astronomical, one study looking at de-orbited rockets and population densities suggested that the odds of somebody getting hit in the next decade are around 10 percent. So maybe jot down that hotline number, just in case.

ABC "newsman" George Stephanopoulos raised some eyebrows on his book-interview tour on CNN. He has boasted to his liberal journalist friends that he will not continue with any interview with a Republican if they won’t concede Joe Biden won in 2020. This should not be a hard test to pass. But Democrat partisans like this man will pull a trigger if you suggest that the election was “rigged.” You’re not even allowed to suggest the media was unfair, or all the ballot rules were watered down for the pandemic.  Stephanopoulos told CNN’s Abby Phillip: “I’ve made it a point, if they will not accept those facts, I don’t go on to other issues. I’m not going to participate in some kind of a sham where you somehow equate the legitimacy of an election or the peaceful transfer of power with a debate over tax cuts or environmental regulation.” Democrats think "democracy” should be the number one issue – as they define it. And in this cycle, they’ve defined it as pressuring Republicans to accept their 2024 defeat. When they say they won’t accept defeat in advance, they get another six pestering questions about how they won’t accept election results…that haven’t happened yet. You’re allowed to proclaim if Trump wins, democracy has ended. You’re not allowed to say the 2024 election result is open-ended. Stephanopoulos told Mediaite, “I think it’s journalistic malpractice to do a live interview with President Trump on television.” This aligns with MSNBC partisan Rachel Maddow, who always proclaims that “news” channels can’t run Trump live. That’s why you know they’ll pull out their hair watching a live debate. By that standard, Trump wins by accepting any debate terms that let him speak live. But four years ago, Stephanopoulos demonstrated what his actual standards are, and they’re partisan. Due to a canceled debate, the candidates submitted to individual town-hall formats. Trump was perpetually interrupted and debated by Savannah Guthrie on NBC. Biden was treated to a gentle chat on ABC with Stephanopoulos, who asked nothing about the New York Post stories on Hunter Biden’s laptop. Most of the audience questions came from the left. The networks actually delighted in the flagrant bias the next day. Biden-boosting ABC reporter Mary Bruce gushed, “Joe Biden spending much of the night looking ahead, outlining his plans for the future, while the president, often combative, spent much of the night on defense.” This is why public trust in the establishment media has cratered. Their ideal scenario is the Republicans are grilled, and the Democrats are massaged. A few weeks ago, they touted the ideal scenario of Trump trapped in a courtroom versus Biden out shaking hands with voters on the campaign trail. Stephanopoulos and others have aggressively "fact checked" anyone who dares to suggest Biden's people could be behind trapping Trump in a courtroom...even when the Biden Justice Department's #3 official left to join the Democrat prosecution team in Manhattan. They assert, in defiance of the evidence, that the Biden Justice Department is not political, and any Republican who says it's political is creating a "toxic environment" in Washington. So said ABC's Justice Department reporter Pierre Thomas...subbing in on the Stephanopoulos Sunday show.  Never mind that their special counsel probing Biden's mishandling of classified documents oh-so-helpfully decided not to prosecute because Biden would appear amiably feeble, while the special counsel on Trump's mishandling of classified documents aggressively indicted him on 37 felony counts.  Punishing Trump, coddling Biden -- this is what our media elite considers a well-functioning democracy and apolitical justice. 

For conservative families seeking a vacation featuring Christian attractions, there is no shortage of intriguing faith-based destinations across the United States. The U.S. – founded on Judeo-Christian principles – offers a myriad of spiritual experiences from coast to coast. Christian attractions vary from places providing education on biblical history to the architectural splendor of iconic cathedrals to religious entertainment venues. A Christian family vacation in the U.S. presents renowned landmarks that celebrate and promote biblical history. These Christian experiences boast interactive exhibits, moving performances, and educational workshops that engage visitors of all ages in embracing and honoring their cherished faith. Planning a Christian travel vacation presents an opportunity to achieve spiritual enrichment while creating memorable bonding moments with your family. The religious destinations featured in this travel guide offer much more than just recreational sightseeing — the faith-based attractions provide opportunities to deepen spiritual roots and strengthen family bonds. Creation Museum Ron Buskirk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Just a short drive from Cincinnati is the Creation Museum in Petersburg, Kentucky. This state-of-the-art interactive museum gives your family the opportunity to travel back in time and venture on a biblical journey. This top Christian attraction features nearly 150 thought-provoking exhibits spanning 75,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor spaces. The museum's mystical Stargazer Planetarium takes you on an awe-inspiring exploration of the cosmos, unveiling the marvels of the universe and a revelation of how what we see in the night sky confirms God’s word in Genesis. There are also educational programs, workshops, and special events to educate curious Christian minds of all ages. Outside attractions include a zip line adventure course, a butterfly and hummingbird garden, botanical gardens, and a koi pond, and you can interact with animals at the Eden Zoo. Address: 2800 Bullittsburg Church Road, Petersburg, KY Phone Number: (888) 582-4253 Website: Creation Museum Ark Encounter Ron Buskirk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Those visiting the Creation Museum should consider a short 40-minute trip to its sister location – the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky. The Old Testament book of Genesis comes alive with this life-size Noah's Ark replica that stands a whopping 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high. Inside the ark are three decks that explore the biblical story of the great flood. Visitors can view animal models, dioramas, and interactive displays that bring the story to life. There's also a playground, zip lines, and of course a zoo. The must-see attraction has welcomed around 1 million visitors per year, making it one of the most popular religious attractions in the U.S. In 2020, the Ark Encounter was named the best religious museum in the United States by USA Today. The Creation Museum was named the second-best religious attraction. Address: 1 Ark Encounter Drive, Williamstown, KY Phone Number: (855) 284-3275 Website: Ark Encounter The Great Passion Play Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Nestled in the heart of the stunning Ozark Mountains lies an unforgettable theatrical experience for Christians. The Great Passion Play takes you on a powerful journey through the final days of Jesus Christ's life, including his crucifixion and resurrection. The play is performed at a vast outdoor amphitheater with a large cast, live animals, elaborate sets, and a state-of-the-art sound system that delivers an immersive experience for the audience. The Great Passion Play debuted in 1968 and is the highest-attended outdoor drama in America, according to the Institute of Outdoor Drama in Greenville, North Carolina. There are many other Christian attractions in the Eureka Springs area, including a 67-foot Jesus Christ statue. There is a two-hour Holy Land guided tour of a full-sized replica of the East Jerusalem Gate and Marketplace and exhibits inspired by the Bible such as Moses’ Tabernacle in the Wilderness, Bethlehem Inn and the Nativity, the Upper Room, the Garden Tomb, and the Walk with Peter. The Bible Museum boasts an impressive collection of more than 6,000 Bible manuscripts in over 625 languages and dialects and other fascinating artifacts The Sacred Arts Museum features hundreds of pieces of religious art dating back as early as the 9th century. The Cultural and Biblical History Museum showcases exhibits that provide an overview of the history of creation and humanity and how the Bible fits this timeline. There are also religious presentations and workshops for visitors to enjoy. Address: 935 Passion Play Road, Eureka Springs, AR Phone Number: (800) 882-7529 Website: The Great Passion Play St. Patrick’s Cathedral Joan Slatkin/Universal Images Group via Getty Images St. Patrick’s Cathedral, located in New York City, is one of the most visited religious attractions in the United States. The cornerstone of St. Patrick’s Cathedral was laid in 1858, and the decorated neo-Gothic masterpiece opened in 1879. The iconic religious landmark showcases over 1,300 intricate stained-glass windows that bathe the interior in a kaleidoscope of colors. The main section of the St. Patrick’s Cathedral is constructed of Tuckahoe marble. The Great Rose Window, measuring 26 feet in diameter, is particularly breathtaking. Elaborately carved altars, statues, and Stations of the Cross add to the rich visual tapestry. Located in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City, the cathedral takes up a full city block. You'll be greeted by towering spires reaching 329.5 feet high. The northern tower houses 19 bells, and the interior features two magnificent pipe organs. St. Patrick's Cathedral is the seat of the archbishop of New York and is a parish church. St. Patrick's Cathedral is often referred to as "America's Parish Church" and is the largest Roman Catholic cathedral in the United States. The cathedral offers guided tours, self-guided audio tours, and VIP private tours to visitors. Address: 5th Ave, New York, NY Phone Number: (212) 755-4128 Website: St. Patrick’s Cathedral Temple Square George Frey/Getty Images If you're planning a family vacation, you may want to consider a trip to Salt Lake City, Utah. That's where you will find the Temple Square – the world headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The 10-acre complex spans five city blocks in the heart of Salt Lake City. Temple Square offers a unique blend of religious education, cultural exploration, musical entertainment, and fun that appeals to family members of all ages. Get started with your trip at Temple Square by heading to the two visitor's centers, where there are exhibits about Jesus Christ, the history of the LDS Church, and a replica of the Christus statue. Children can learn about Utah's history and Mormon pioneer heritage. Music lovers can catch a performance by the renowned Tabernacle Choir, which has won Grammy Awards. Guests can enjoy magnificent organ recitals in the historic Salt Lake Tabernacle. The 11,623-pipe Tabernacle organ features prominent golden pipes made of round wood staves, hand-carved from Utah timber. The organ comes alive thanks to the extraordinary acoustics of the Tabernacle, where a pin dropped at the pulpit can clearly be heard at the back of the hall — 170 feet away. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also offers the FamilySearch Library – one of the largest genealogical libraries in the world. The FamilySearch Library provides resources to visitors to search for their genealogical roots at no cost. The Church History Museum houses collections of Latter-day Saints art and artifacts and also offers self-guided exhibits about the history of the LDS Church. The Brigham Young Historic Park is an outdoor attraction features statues memorializing the lives of the Latter-day Saints who arrived in Salt Lake City in the 1840s. Address: 50 N West Temple, Salt Lake City, UT Phone Number: (800) 363-6027 Website: Temple Square Museum of the Bible Alex Wong/Getty Images If your family vacation destination is Washington, D.C., you definitely want to take some time to visit the Museum of the Bible in the center of the nation's capital. Visitors can explore 430,000 square feet of rare religious artifacts as old as 4,000 years old, interactive exhibits, and immersive experiences that bring biblical stories to life. The museum – which has six levels – features themes on each floor: stories of the Bible, history of the Bible, history and archaeology of ancient Israel, and treasures from the Vatican. There is also a rooftop garden with panoramic views of Washington. The Museum of the Bible – built in 2017 and located near the National Mall – also boasts biblical art, ancient scrolls, and rare manuscripts. There are also educational workshops, lectures, and faith-based multimedia presentations for the entire family. Guests can walk on land through the Red Sea and a recreated Nazareth village. The World Stage Theater hosts invigorating concerts, theatrical shows, soul-stirring speaking engagements, and spellbinding musicals. There is a restaurant with biblically inspired food. Address: 400 4th St SW, Washington, DC Phone Number: (866) 430-6682 Website: Museum of the Bible Christ Cathedral RBL/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images The Christ Cathedral is not just an architectural marvel. The religious landmark also presents spiritual enrichment. The Christ Cathedral – formerly known as the Crystal Cathedral – is located in Garden Grove, California. The eye-catching reflective glass structure was designed by renowned architect Philip Johnson and comprises more than 10,000 panes of glass. The massive glass cathedral can seat 2,248 people. It also features the Hazel Wright Organ – one of the largest organs in the world. The Hazel boasts 302 stops, 293 ranks, and 17,106 pipes. The organ has five manuals and a pedal clavier. The resources are managed by 384 drawknobs, 66 coupler tabs, 115 combination pistons, 55 toe studs, 64 combination memories, 62 miscellaneous controls, four expression pedals, and a crescendo pedal with four independent settings. The stunning Christ Cathedral sits on a 34-acre campus and is home to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange. The cathedral grounds showcase beautiful gardens, fountains, and sculptures. The Memorial Gardens offer a serene space for religious reflection. The Tower of Hope offers panoramic views of Orange County. The Christ Cathedral regularly hosts Christian events, and tours are available. Address: 13280 Chapman Ave, Garden Grove, CA Phone Number: (714) 971-2141 Website: Christ Cathedral Sight & Sound Theatre For Christian families seeking a meaningful and spiritually uplifting vacation experience, the Sight & Sound Theatre is a unique choice. Since 1987, the Sight & Sound Theatre has featured full-length biblical productions with a focus on presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Sight & Sound Theatre has two locations: Branson, Missouri, and Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Each theater boasts different shows that dramatize the Scriptures and bring them to life on stage. There are different shows each season, known for having elaborate costumes and enchanting sets. The theaters are renowned for their breathtaking live-stage productions based on biblical stories that are for audiences of all ages. Another benefit to Christian travelers is that Branson and Lancaster offer a bevy of family-friendly attractions. Branson Address: 1001 Shepherd of the Hills Expy, Branson, MO Lancaster Address: 300 Hartman Bridge Rd, Ronks, PA Phone Number: (800) 377-1277 Website: Sight & Sound Theatre BibleWalk Take a faith-based walk back in time to see biblical legends come alive at the BibleWalk in Mansfield, Ohio. BibleWalk – Ohio's only wax museum – features more than 325 wax figures in 100 life-size dioramas that depict various scenes from the Bible like Noah's ark, the last supper, and the crucifixion of Christ. Some of the biblical icons include Jesus, Adam and Eve, Moses, David, and the apostles. Each exhibit is meticulously crafted and lets families experience the stories of the Bible in a tangible way. The BibleWalk provides Christian education for children that is more entertaining than learning in a traditional classroom setting. Christians can visualize lessons from the Bible to gain a better understanding of biblical events and their significance. The exhibits include "The Life of Christ," "Miracles of the Old Testament," "The Kingdom of God," "The Ten Commandments," "The Journeys of Paul," and "The Nativity." There are several tour options available for visitors. Address: 500 Tingley Avenue, Mansfield, OH Phone Number: (800) 222-0139 Website: BibleWalk Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Last month, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy wrote a New York Times op-ed calling for warning labels on social media platforms akin to those on tobacco products. These labels would apply to social media platforms rather than censorship tools to warn users away from individual posts or accounts. Murthy’s announcement was met with support from both sides of the aisle. Former President Barack Obama applauded the Surgeon General's support for “sensible rules to mitigate the damaging effects of social media on kids’ mental health,” and Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) posted a tweet giving thanks for his comments on social media’s dangers. Free speech is necessary for humans to use reason in their pursuit of truth and the common good, strengthening the social order and human flourishing. Lawmakers have been discussing the issue for some time. Prior to Murthy’s recent statements, both Republican and Democrat lawmakers had already floated legislation restricting social media use for minors. For example, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) are leading a bipartisan group of senators to introduce a bill to keep kids off social media. In March 2024, Florida’s Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill banning kids under 14 from creating social media accounts while allowing 14- and 15-year-olds to create accounts with parental consent.While an increasingly attractive political target, social media is tricky to regulate broadly or well. Most parents are at least moderately concerned with their children being exposed to explicit content, wasting too much time, experiencing depression and anxiety, or being bullied on social media. And these concerns aren’t unfounded. Studies show that high social media use harms mental health and negatively impacts one’s body image. But it’s not certain whether warning labels actually impact behavior. At the end of the day, a lot of parents probably do not care or are simply ignorant about the potential side effects of social media. Despite the obvious dangers of social media, many worry their children will be seen as “weird,” feel left out, or simply get left behind socially without social media. Parents who themselves feel behind the tech curve may naively believe that their children are wiser than their parents on the issue or suppose that their exceptional children won’t be too badly affected by social media’s attention-span-destroying algorithms. Striking at the rootRegardless of the efficacy of warning labels, the Surgeon General’s comments possess the right spirit, and may be a signal of public policy moving in the right direction. Real progress on the issue means taking the limits of warning labels in stride and pushing still more aggressively toward the roots of social media’s worst problems, where, whatever the difficulties with regulation, Big Tech can hardly be trusted to regulate itself. Congress should, for instance, restrict access to pornography, one of the most harmful facets of social media. In fact, the Surgeon General’s op-ed calls for Congress to pass legislation to “shield young people from ... sexual content that appears too often in algorithm-driven feeds.” The pornography industry is booming, and what’s most concerning is that its success is partly due to the increasing consumption of it by boys younger than 18. A report by Common Sense Media showed that the majority of teens between the ages of 13 and 17 said they have watched pornography. Some have come across it by age 10. Perhaps of still greater significance than such early exposure are the damaging problems caused by chronic pornography consumption. Studies have shown that porn consumption is linked to increased problem sexualized behaviors and higher rates of sexually aggressive and dangerous behaviors. Porn harms families and relationships, and a porn addiction is almost as bad as a drug addition. Many on the right find porn detestable on a personal level but have philosophical qualms with anti-porn legislation and appeal to the First Amendment’s protections of freedom of expression — even though restricting porn doesn’t run afoul of the First Amendment insofar as obscene speech and expression is unprotected. A federal pornography ban is something Congress can and should work toward. Free speech is necessary for humans to use reason in their pursuit of truth and the common good, strengthening the social order and human flourishing. Content that degrades the soul and disrupts society, through both the consumer and the producer sides, cuts against the spirit of the First Amendment. But, practically, a ban may be difficult to enforce. It’s easy to see courts disagreeing, perhaps vehemently, over what “counts” as pornographic, obscene, or harmful and at what age. An alternative and compromise to a federal ban would probably gain more traction faster: a mandate, for instance, to paywall all sexually explicit content putting the burden on porn companies to verify the age of their users. Such legislation addresses many prominent free-speech concerns while protecting those who are harmed by porn the most. Band-Aids in the form of social media warning labels are better than nothing. But Americans need more protection than that — and can get it without harming their Constitutional rights.