'Hey, Who's This Blood Pullin me Outta My Ride'!

[David21]

Computer games like Grand Theft Auto are massively popular around the world, taking in millions. Some people have said that it is such games that are responsible for turning people into criminals, but I wonder whether this is so?

Honestly, I am a big fan of the GTA saga and, to this day, I still play the game. I love running around stealing cars, driving on the pavement, killing people in cold blood and generally being as ruthless, brutal and unnecessarily violent as possible. Yet, despite this, I absolutely could not hurt anyone in real life; I can't even kill an insect easily without feeling a little regret and remorse. But what does it say about someone who can play such games.

There are games that are worse than GTA, Manhunt is a good example of this. This game sees you stalking people in dark streets, creeping up behind them so that you can perform brutal murders to the delight of a snuff film-maker watching you on street cameras. And we're not talking simple stabbing or shooting here, we're talking real dirty, grizzly, over-the-top, horrific murders unlike anything some could imagine. Yet people play this game, I included.

What are your thoughts on the effects of such games? What do you think are the spiritual implications for playing these? Are they a harmless release for our more primitive sides?

Thanks for your thoughts.