‘Smut for Smut’ raises fuss at UTSA

A mass of angry students, many with Bibles in hand, chanted, "You're the devil."

Hundreds screamed, pointed and prayed, the sound resonating like a church bell on Sunday morning between buildings on the campus of the University of Texas at San Antonio Monday.

The mass of students pressed ever closer to one student reading from the Bible, but the crowd stopped short at the sign above his head, "Smut for Smut."

The uproar was so great campus police stepped in to disperse the crowd and try to control its movement. Onlookers used cell phones to capture student reactions to the exchange of porn for Bibles and other religious texts and to police actions that drew booing.

Computer science freshman Darrell Brietzke said, "I was disgusted with what I saw and had to represent the right side: God is love."

The "Smut for Smut" campaign — in its fourth year at UTSA — is mainly a publicity stunt for the Atheist Agenda, a campus organization.

The group does not endorse pornography but uses it to highlight a conviction that religious texts are full of ludicrous ideas that overshadow common sense and the Bible includes erotic passages.

"Smut for Smut" is controversial with students, most of whom were offended by the campaign.

Marketing freshman Bradley Louis read verses from the Bible that address negative statements, such as stoning women. During the reading, the crowd was loud and rude, calling club members sinners and the devil. Students threw crumpled paper, empty soda cans and torn-up promotional signs the Atheist Agenda posted and marched with.

Atheist Agenda President Carlos Morales said, "Negative viewpoints that limit your thinking are very wrong, and being simple-minded is even worse. And we want the attention. How else will we get our message out?"

International freshman Misha Yurscenko said, "You need to think for yourself, and trading in your religious texts for porn is the lesser of two evils."

About eight members of Atheist Agenda participated, distributing copies of Playboy, Penthouse, Hustler, Cheri and Lollipops purchased with donations and proceeds from fundraisers. On Monday, they traded about 10 magazines; Tuesday, eight; and Wednesday, five. In exchange, they collected 23 copies of the Bible, Quran and the Book of Mormon. The club gives the texts to shelters and churches.

Magazines are rated zero to 5 by the industry with Playboy magazine, or soft porn, rating zero and "hard-core" porn scoring 5. The rating is based on the allusion of penetration versus the act of penetration. It depends on what kind of magazine the student wants.

Morales said he wants to provide students with a more sensible outlook on the world.

To steer clear of legal problems, the Atheist Agenda stored the magazines in envelopes that were under the table out of site. The group was prepared for 100 takers over the three days.

They had about four or five more exchanges than last year.

Member Bradley Louis read verses from the Book of Solomon, long considered an erotic work.

Before releasing a magazine, members check photo IDs to ensure students are 18 or older, and they tell recipients not to view the magazine on campus.

The resentment toward the campus club went far beyond the student protesters.

Called for information on the annual event, administrative assistant Carly Hogan of student activities said Feb. 25, "This event will be March 1-3, and that's all I can say. I can't say more. It's not like I enjoy discussing this."

Student assistant Jaye Brison was disdainful. "They want a reaction. They are looking for attention. If you just ignore them, they will go away."

In a telephone interview club adviser Chris Dunn, physics and astronomy lecturer, said, "I don't have anything to do with that. I'm just their adviser. They show up once a month to get paperwork signed. If you have any more questions, call the president."

And the dial-tone sounded.

The Atheist Agenda meets at 5 p.m. every Monday in the Ash Room of the university center. For more information, call Morales at 744-7000 — while you can. He said the number will change to avoid hate messages.