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<\/a>We took a third-generation unit \u2014 whose personal name is redacted here so as to avoid the tender ministrations of some of my more obsessive and unhinged anonymous online critics \u2014 to see an afternoon performance today of the Disney musical version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame<\/em><\/a>. \u00a0The performance took place at the Hale Centre Theatre<\/a> in Sandy, Utah, which, as I generally like to point out, is a major local, state, and regional cultural treasure.<\/p>\n Many of the themes of the story are just a tad \u201cadult,\u201d the mood is darker than that of most Disney musicals, and parts of it might be a bit scary for a young child, but the 3GU evidently enjoyed it nonetheless. \u00a0The performance was very well done and, of course, since it was being performed on the Centre Stage of the Hale, the effects were spectacular.<\/p>\n Coming out of the parking structure after the conclusion of the play, I noticed that the car ahead of us bore the personalized license plate TAPIR<\/a>. \u00a0Seeing that, and knowing that a few critics of the Church like to deride me as \u201cTapir Dan\u201d because they mistakenly credit me with the suggestion that the \u201chorses\u201d in the Book of Mormon might perhaps have been Baird\u2019s tapirs, I wondered whether some of my more obsessive detractors hadn\u2019t perhaps reached an entirely new level of fanatical devotion to me. \u00a0(What intelligence and planning it would have required to put that car right in front of me at just that time!) \u00a0But then, a few minutes later, another car ahead of me had the personalized license plate AHIMSA<\/a>, and I just can\u2019t see any of my small cabal of anonymous critics going quite that far. \u00a0Moreover, I can\u2019t divine any motivation that they might potentially have for trying to identify me with India, with Jainism, or with Mahatma Gandhi.<\/p>\n I\u2019m excited by this announcement from the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square:<\/p>\n Please join us for a special broadcast<\/a><\/p>\n On April 19, 2026, a special Music & the Spoken Word<\/i> broadcast, \u201cThe Joy We Share,\u201d will highlight how communities across Africa live the commandments to love God and one another.<\/p>\n We anticipate a sold-out audience. Seating is first come, first served. Come early and enjoy the 9:00 a.m. pre-show with us.<\/p>\n The program will feature music and footage from many countries in Africa, including Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, showcasing the continent\u2019s cultural diversity.<\/p>\n A brief pre- and post-show will also stream on Facebook Live, including messages and musical performances in Amharic and Swahili, from members of the African community.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n This is an important statement from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints<\/a> about a legal action that it has undertaken: \u00a0\u201cGetting It Right: Clarifying Trademark and Branding Concerns.\u201d<\/a> \u00a0I think it important that people who want to discuss the matter read the statement and make an attempt to understand it.<\/p>\n Alas, it\u2019s time now for a bracing dip into the Christopher Hitchens Memorial \u201cHow Religion Poisons Everything\u201d File<\/em>\u2122, which, although it can\u2019t possibly keep up with the sheer volume of theistic villainy that religious loons routinely visited upon our innocent world, provides at least an impression of the scope of the problem. \u00a0Here are a few representative recent abominations from the Hitchens File<\/em>:<\/p>\n Deseret News<\/em>: \u00a0\u201cOpinion: When the government steps back on refugees, faith steps forward:\u00a0We recognized that protecting human dignity is not separate from national security \u2014 it is part of it\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n LDS Newsroom: \u00a0\u201cChurch Leaders and Global Partners Unite in Geneva to Advance Humanitarian Care:\u00a0Representatives from 25 countries and 11 international organizations gather to mark the release of the Church\u2019s Caring for Those in Need 2025 Report\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n Deseret News<\/em>: \u00a0\u201cHow Ensign College is bringing light to many Utah prison inmates:\u00a0Latter-day Saint-sponsored school awards dozens of certificates at the Utah State Correctional Facility\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n I\u2019m absolutely thrilled to learn of this initiative. \u00a0It reminds me of another article that I recently saw, which, so far as I\u2019m aware, has no connection with either the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or religion more generally \u2014 thus clearly demonstrating that even secular programs can be and do evil:\u00a0Stand Together: \u00a0\u201cInside the college in prison that lowers the re-arrest rate by 93%: This college in San Quentin State Prison helps incarcerated individuals redefine themselves \u2013 and it could show us how to build a better education system for everyone.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n And it reminds me of a 2011 film that I saw many years ago, when it first came out, at Mark Skousen\u2019s annual libertarian convention, FreedomFest<\/a>: \u00a0Its title is Zero Percent<\/em><\/a>, and it was directed by Tim Skousen, Mark\u2019s son. (It also features, as one of the teachers in the prison educational program that it portrays, Jo Ann Skousen, Mark\u2019s wife and Tim\u2019s mother.) \u00a0Here\u2019s a blurb about Zero Percent<\/em>: \u00a0\u201cRare access within the walls of the notorious Sing Sing Correctional facility to follow the lives of several of society\u2019s forgotten men as they experience the transformative power of education while going through a rigorous college program called Hudson Link \u2014 with astounding statistical results.\u201d \u00a0See the trailer for Zero Percent<\/em> here<\/a>.<\/p>\n One of the most remarkable experiences that I\u2019ve ever had came when I was asked to give a fireside to inmates within the walls of Utah State Prison, back when it was located at Point of the Mountain, at the south end of the Salt Lake Valley. \u00a0I entered the prison with some degree of dread, and it was quite jarring to hear the heavy metal doors close behind me. \u00a0But I had an unexpectedly positive experience there.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Finally, these last two items were found adjacent<\/em> to the Hitchens File<\/em>. \u00a0They leave you wondering how much Lani Daniels and Jane Hedengren might have been able to achieve had they not been hindered and hobbled by the baneful effects of religious faith:<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a>