Australian gamers have responded to the ban of popular game "Grand Theft Auto V" from local stores by starting a petition to have the Bible banned as well.
The petition was posted on Change.org on Thursday and has already gained over 20,000 signatures, calling for Target and other retailers that banned GTA V to remove the holy book from their shelves, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The arguments from gamers were made in clear mockery of arguments made against video games, saying the Bible, "encourages readers to murder women for entertainment" by "commit(ting) sexual violence against women, then abuse or kill them to proceed or get 'god' points."
A petition posted by a group of female survivors of violence that persuaded Australian stores to ban GTA V was the source of inspiration for the new petition against the Bible, News.com.au. The group accused the game of having "misogynistic" scenes in which players can have sex with prostitutes and then kill them to get their money back.
The anti-GTA V petition has so far obtained around 40,000 signatures, arguing that the game "literally makes a game of bashing, killing and horrific violence against women" and spread the idea that "certain women exist as scapegoats."
The parodies ask Target to change its "violent name and aggressive logo" and to ban the sale of knives and "Fifty Shades of Grey." The anti-Bible petition also talks about instances in which the book has "given readers the options" of stoning women, cutting off their hands and killing their children, while also suggesting that prostitutes should be set on fire.
Australian gamers arguing in favor of GTA V say minors can't buy the game since it's rated R18+, and that there has been no incident connected to the game since it was released over a year ago, The Hollywood Reporter said.
GTA V made over $800 million in sales within the first 24 hours of its launch, grossing close to $2 billion ever since, which made it the best-selling video game to date.
