# Trade your Bibles for Porn -- "Smut for Smut" Event!! **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 4, 2010, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trade-your-bibles-for-porn-smut-for-smut-event/531251 "2010-03-04T06:27:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Some\_Schmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Some\_Schmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Some_Schmo)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trade-your-bibles-for-porn-smut-for-smut-event/531251/81 "2010-03-09T16:24:11Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > Trading the spiritual for the physical is a excellent example of what Atheism offers. It seems perfect that the offer is giving away the Love of God in Jesus for the lust of the flesh, a common theme in scriptures, and one of the items that Satan uses often. Hmmm… yep, you’re right! It does give away the love of god in Jesus for the lust of the flesh. No wonder I’m an atheist. Of course, I prefer the reality of lust over the fantasy of Jesus love any day. I like tangible, real stuff. > [@kanicbird](#): > > Pitiful ol’ Satan, as predictable as ever, nothing new here, move on. and God will use even this to His glory. God will use it as much as Satan will. As much as Peter Pan will. As much as the Terminator will. As much as Luke Skywalker will. As much as Huck Finn will… You a fan of fiction too, huh? ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trade-your-bibles-for-porn-smut-for-smut-event/531251/82 "2010-03-09T16:27:27Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > It must have some “win” aspects for the Atheist Agenda group, or they wouldn’t keep doing it (as I noted above, the event seems to have been initiated back in 2005). People do stupid and/or obnoxious things all the time. There doesn’t have to be any “win” aspect involved. ---
**Author:** ![GreatStuffMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f04885/32.png) [@GreatStuffMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreatStuffMan)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trade-your-bibles-for-porn-smut-for-smut-event/531251/83 "2010-03-09T16:32:38Z")
> [@lekatt](#): > > I don’t think this act spread any atheism anywhere, it did insult and belittle a lot of people who will never forget how “bad” atheism has become. > > I tried to find out if atheist numbers are growing, but the prejudices were too high for me to tell. I know that people who say they are not religious are not necessarily atheists. It seems a very large group of spiritualists who believe in spiritual realms and a higher power are left out, or counted as atheists. > > Then there is a new religious movement that is bringing back into the church many of those that previously left due to negative preaching. This movement preaches a positive Christianity with no hell fire and damnation. > > It is never right to insult or belittle others about their beliefs, you will be judged as you judge others. The act lowered the status of atheists in the minds of Christians and non-Christians alike. It was a lose-lose situation for all. The Atheist Agenda does not represent all atheists out there. So honestly, you’d have be very prejudiced and generalizing pretty badly to say this single event is proof that Atheism has gone bad. There are, as previous posters have pointed out, a lot of Atheist who are very tolerant and accepting of religion and those who practice it. Furthermore, I don’t actually think the point of the event was to spread Atheism, but rather just to make a concise and harsh statement - that religion is smut. Their belief is most probably that religion is a bunch of lies and fairy tales that has contributed to or initiated most wars, with the results being more human casualties than any terrorist organization or political organization has ever come close to throughout history. And so, I don’t think they were trying to reform believers on the spot. Not on that specific occasion. They were most likely just trying to get attention and spread a message. And so, I must say I think they succeeded. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trade-your-bibles-for-porn-smut-for-smut-event/531251/84 "2010-03-09T18:10:13Z")
> [@lekatt](#): > > It is never right to insult or belittle others about their beliefs If someone’s beliefs can only be explained by profound ignorance and/or idiocy, why not? This particular example of ridicule may be unwarranted, but there are times when it is perfectly reasonable to fall back upon H. L. Mencken’s observation that one horse-laugh is worth ten thousand syllogisms. ---
**Author:** ![Some\_Schmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Some\_Schmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Some_Schmo)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trade-your-bibles-for-porn-smut-for-smut-event/531251/85 "2010-03-09T19:19:54Z")
> [@lekatt](#): > > It is never right to insult or belittle others about their beliefs… I meant to comment on this too. So, let’s say I had the belief that I was superior to everyone based on my race. Would it still be right not to insult or belittle me for that? Things like racism, sexism, homophobia, astrology, superstition, etc, etc have been largely (albeit nowhere near completely) eliminated do to criticism of the underlying beliefs. Hopefully religion, like all other irrational beliefs, will follow. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trade-your-bibles-for-porn-smut-for-smut-event/531251/86 "2010-03-09T19:26:39Z")
> [@JThunder](#): > > People do stupid and/or obnoxious things all the time. There doesn’t have to be any “win” aspect involved. Speaking as a little brother, if you enjoyed yourself while being annoying, that feels an awful lot like a “win”. ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trade-your-bibles-for-porn-smut-for-smut-event/531251/87 "2010-03-09T20:09:57Z")
As an agnostic: No, sir, don’t like it. Offer copies of _The Origin of Species_ in return for religious texts? Thought-provoking and intellectual? Offer porn? Immature. And it sends such a great message to women, too…“Here, we’ve been arguing that religion objectifies women, have some porn on us.” ---
**Author:** ![Lestrade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/94ad74/32.png) [@Lestrade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lestrade)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trade-your-bibles-for-porn-smut-for-smut-event/531251/88 "2010-03-09T20:27:24Z")
> [@lekatt](#): > > I tried to find out if atheist numbers are growing, but the prejudices were too high for me to tell. I know that people who say they are not religious are not necessarily atheists. It seems a very large group of spiritualists who believe in spiritual realms and a higher power are left out, or counted as atheists. I think that there’s also a considerable segment of the population that is affiliated with a religion, but does not believe in God (see [Jewish atheism](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_atheism)). I can’t but help wondering, would you happily count such people as religious and welcome such Christians into your church? I ask because it seems that you’re in favor of a “big tent” definition of theism, reducing the number of atheists. To me, this raises the obvious question of whether you would embrace outspoken people who slant in the other direction. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trade-your-bibles-for-porn-smut-for-smut-event/531251/89 "2010-03-09T20:52:32Z")
> [@Duke](#): > > As an agnostic: No, sir, don’t like it. Offer copies of _The Origin of Species_ in return for religious texts? Thought-provoking and intellectual? And here I thought people have been arguing for years that evolution and religion were not diametrically opposed. Darwin would not have approved. > [@](#): > > Offer porn? Immature. And it sends such a great message to women, too…“Here, we’ve been arguing that religion objectifies women, have some porn on us.” This might be a rumor, but I hear some women like porn. In fact some porn is made especially for women. Don’t be paternalistic. 😉 There are several women in the video linked in the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trade-your-bibles-for-porn-smut-for-smut-event/531251/90 "2010-03-09T21:02:35Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > This might be a rumor, but I hear some women like porn. In fact some porn is made especially for women. Don’t be paternalistic. 😉 There are several women in the video linked in the OP. You may have a point there, **Marley** …I have also heard rumor that there are women on the Internet, and, as we all know, The Internet Is For Porn. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trade-your-bibles-for-porn-smut-for-smut-event/531251/91 "2010-03-09T21:07:24Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > This might be a rumor, but I hear some women like porn. In fact some porn is made especially for women. Don’t be paternalistic. 😉 There are several women in the video linked in the OP. Seems then a bit of a disconnect for atheists to compare religion to smut. Hey, I _like_ smut. Does this mean religion is a somewhat-awkward-to-discuss-in-public pleasure-that-most-healthy-people-enjoy, too? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trade-your-bibles-for-porn-smut-for-smut-event/531251/92 "2010-03-09T22:23:26Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > Speaking as a little brother, if you enjoyed yourself while being annoying, that feels an awful lot like a “win”. I’ll concede that point. It can be a “win” in a childish, immature kind of way. ---
**Author:** ![Find\_Friends](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c37758/32.png) [@Find\_Friends](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Find_Friends)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trade-your-bibles-for-porn-smut-for-smut-event/531251/93 "2010-03-09T22:42:12Z")
(My **emphasis** added to quote.) > [@kanicbird](#): > > **Pitiful ol’** Satan, **as predictable as ever, nothing new here, move on.** _Oh, the irony._ _ **- Og** _ ---
**Author:** ![lekatt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lekatt/32/7269_2.png) [@lekatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lekatt)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2010, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trade-your-bibles-for-porn-smut-for-smut-event/531251/94 "2010-03-10T00:38:19Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > If someone’s beliefs can only be explained by profound ignorance and/or idiocy, why not? > > This particular example of ridicule may be unwarranted, but there are times when it is perfectly reasonable to fall back upon H. L. Mencken’s observation that one horse-laugh is worth ten thousand syllogisms. It is never, never right to ridicule anyone for any reason. If a person doesn’t know what he is talking about, attempt to explain it to him in a kind, generous way. If he objects then walk away. We are all at different levels of understanding in this world. The highest levels are held by those who are compassionate with others. ---
**Author:** ![lekatt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lekatt/32/7269_2.png) [@lekatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lekatt)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2010, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trade-your-bibles-for-porn-smut-for-smut-event/531251/95 "2010-03-10T00:43:49Z")
> [@Some\_Schmo](#): > > I meant to comment on this too. > > So, let’s say I had the belief that I was superior to everyone based on my race. Would it still be right not to insult or belittle me for that? > > Things like racism, sexism, homophobia, astrology, superstition, etc, etc have been largely (albeit nowhere near completely) eliminated do to criticism of the underlying beliefs. Hopefully religion, like all other irrational beliefs, will follow. The things you mentioned have been eliminated through education, not criticism, which only hardens the holder of such beliefs. As for beliefs being irrational, that is usually just an opinion. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2010, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trade-your-bibles-for-porn-smut-for-smut-event/531251/96 "2010-03-10T00:44:18Z")
> [@lekatt](#): > > It is never, never right to ridicule anyone for any reason. If a person doesn’t know what he is talking about, attempt to explain it to him in a kind, generous way. If he objects then walk away. We are all at different levels of understanding in this world. The highest levels are held by those who are compassionate with others. Well now that’s just ridiculous. ---
**Author:** ![lekatt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lekatt/32/7269_2.png) [@lekatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lekatt)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2010, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trade-your-bibles-for-porn-smut-for-smut-event/531251/97 "2010-03-10T00:51:42Z")
> [@Lestrade](#): > > I think that there’s also a considerable segment of the population that is affiliated with a religion, but does not believe in God (see [Jewish atheism](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_atheism)). I can’t but help wondering, would you happily count such people as religious and welcome such Christians into your church? > > I ask because it seems that you’re in favor of a “big tent” definition of theism, reducing the number of atheists. To me, this raises the obvious question of whether you would embrace outspoken people who slant in the other direction. I don’t know what a “big tent” definition means. I don’t go to church, so I wouldn’t be welcoming anyone to my church. I would count a person as an atheist who says he is an atheist. Makes no difference what his birth mother’s religion. If you are asking if I approve of fundamentalists Christians bashing atheists or gays, I would answer no, I don’t approve of such activity. ---
**Author:** ![lekatt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lekatt/32/7269_2.png) [@lekatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lekatt)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2010, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trade-your-bibles-for-porn-smut-for-smut-event/531251/98 "2010-03-10T00:53:59Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > Well now that’s just ridiculous. You will understand when you become compassionate toward others. ---
**Author:** ![Tethered\_Kite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a5b964/32.png) [@Tethered\_Kite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tethered_Kite)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2010, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trade-your-bibles-for-porn-smut-for-smut-event/531251/99 "2010-03-10T00:55:48Z")
> [@RaftPeople](#): > > Did you know that there is more than one world view? (It’s surprising how many people don’t seem to be aware of that fact). This is funny! It’s exactly what I was thinking after reading here. The generation which has been conditioned to tolerate nearly everything has been conditioned to find Christianisty unbearable. Cracks me up. Imagine the irony would be lost on most people under the age of thirty. If the Atheists were making a symbolic gesture to stir discussion they’ve probably succeeded. But, geez, couldn’t they have picked something that better respresented a thoughtful and scientific mind? There’s just something so mindless about the pursuit of good porn and the way it seems to run one step ahead, “all the sweet green icing flowing down.” ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2010, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trade-your-bibles-for-porn-smut-for-smut-event/531251/100 "2010-03-10T00:58:04Z")
> [@lekatt](#): > > You will understand when you become compassionate toward others. Actually I already did that - apparently I also need to lose the ability to detect humor and learn to layer on the condescencion to achieve perfection. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trade-your-bibles-for-porn-smut-for-smut-event/531251.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trade-your-bibles-for-porn-smut-for-smut-event/531251.md?page=6)