Grand Theft Auto Fans Spoof Critics, Go After Bible

Gamers in Australia start petition after retailers ban 'GTA V'
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 5, 2014 3:24 PM CST
Grand Theft Auto Fans Spoof Critics, Go After Bible
This publicity photo released by Rockstar Games shows a screen shot from the video game "Grand Theft Auto V."   (AP Photo/Rockstar Games, File)

Some big retailers in Australia aren't stocking Grand Theft Auto V on the grounds that it's misogynistic and sends a bad message to kids. As a result, gamers have started a petition of their own to stop sales of the Bible—on the grounds that it's misogynistic and sends a bad message to kids. "It's a book that encourages readers to murder women for entertainment," reads the petition at Change.org. The petition asks, straight-faced, that Target stores in Australia stop selling the Bible, and it had collected more than 27,000 signatures as of today.

Target and Kmart Australia are among Aussie chains that have bowed to advocacy groups and opted not to sell the game, notes the Hollywood Reporter. “Kmart apologizes for not being closer to the content of this game," says a company statement picked up by ABC News of Australia. Critics cite clips such as one described by Bloomberg/Businessweek that “features a first-person character who picks up a sickly looking hooker on the street, has sex with her in his car, then gets annoyed with her chattering and punches her in the face before before running her over and driving away.” Gamers point out that GTA's rating means it can't be sold to minors. (More strange stuff stories.)

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