I don't want to try to read their minds, but I bet I can. They were probably trying to haze safely, and thought chugging water, while unpleasant, wouldn't be as bad as making them chug beer, like was probably done prior to their banishment. Besides, they can tell the administration and their nationals that their pledgeship is dry- no alcohol.
I had a friend at a very religious school, and you would be suprised at the creativity shown in hazing "effectively" without any alcohol.
However, I doubt that religious reasons were behind this incident not involving alcohol. SMU is not all that Methodist. Many national fraternities are advocating "dry" pledgeships. I think it's a good idea, but maybe they should advocate "safe" pledging instead.
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