I watched one of these videos out of curiosity. You hear time and time again on the news that someone has been beheaded. I couldn't believe that people can be so brutal so curiosity got the better of me, I wish it hadn't! I was close to being sick and the images are still clear in my head today, time & time again I think about what the poor man went through and how the family have to deal with knowing a loved one died in such a horrific way, it does get me upset. No words can describe the people that do such things!
Craig, Manchester
If viewing pornography (child or otherwise) is deemed as you "making" that image, because its downloaded onto your computer and then you can do as you please with the image, so isn't watching these videos seen in the same legal light. If torture and such like, are illegal in this country should it not be illegal to possess images/videos of torture? The war is officially over in Iraq, and these acts can't be acts of war - just acts of terror, barbarism, so should the possession of these videos not be illegal?
Jon, Deeside
I downloaded and watch the Bigley video, and so should everyone else. The press make the whole event to be clinical and explainable. It was not. Watching the video filled me with absolute repulsion at what men can do to each other. These were not freedom fighters on a religous crusade, but power hungry sadists, who released a video that shows exactly what they are. I only hope the relatives never see this video; but the public should.
Simon Naracott, London
I think a lot of it does have to do with curiosity. I haven't seen the videos, nor do I want to. However, I have in the past seen pictures of gruesome accidents/bodies on the net. I found them by accident (misleading Google search), then couldn't take my eyes away!
Sarah, Brussels, Belgium
I had no intention of seeing this inhumane act of murder. I did watch it firstly out of curiosity, and secondly because it was easily available. On this note - I didn't think I would actually see the graphic detail that I did. I advise people not to watch this. It is very distressing and I wish I hadn't now. But I know my comments will just make people more curious.
Sanjay Hunjan, Basingstoke
The justification put forth by many for watching these executions, such as "it is good to see what we are really up against", may have worked when viewing the execution video of the first hostage who was beheaded in Iraq. However, the point should have come across clear enough in this first viewing: any subsequent viewings of the murders of additional hostages will only be for entertainment's sake, and this is vile and disrespectful to a high degree.
Josh McInnis, Raleigh, NC United States
I have an active enough imagination as to what happened to these poor men, & do not need to have it on view. Someone I know watched one of the videos - out of curiosity - and described in detail what he saw. I did not want to hear it, & can not get rid of the awful images created in my head. The perpetrators are not stupid, they know how we will react, which is why they 'publicise' their barbaric actions.
Jane, Cheshire
By watching the executions all you are doing is feuling the terrorists and making them more popular - if no-one watched, there would be no more executions. You must be a very sorry excuse for a human being if you have to watch this.
Gail, South Africa
I have watched an American and Korean execution and feel that it is an important part of what is happening in the world. Although foul, we cannot shy away from real events happening to real people. It is just as important to watch the hostage takers in these videos and listen to what they say as most describe in great detail the reasons for the execution.
anon, anon
I regularly watch the execution videos on the Internet. I don't enjoy them. I watch them to get a glimpse of reality. I try to imagine myself in his position, to imagine his fear, so I can understand that killing is wrong. So tell me, why should we blame the people who watch execution videos, when we elect (and re-elect) those that drop bombs and kill thousands of people in more gruesome ways? The hypocrisy is obscene.
Adam, Yokohama, Japan
I would not wish to view Mr Bigley's execution video; firstly as a mark of respect to the torment and fate he has suffered, though secondly, intentionally watching such footage for entertainment is an immoral and sick act. However, it must be said, we are all curious. Few of us have witnessed a killing or a death (natural or not). What did curiousity do to the cat?
John Galantini, Southampton, United Kingdom
There is nothing, "fairly healthy or normal" about watching people suffer and die. Don't give me the excuse that you're curious and you want to come to a better understanding of how "horrible" these (and who are "these")people are. Don't even say that it helps you understand terrorism better. Go read a history book about the Salem witch trials, the camps in Germany, the Tower of London if you will - but don't excuse your own sick and violent tendencies by saying that it's something that needs to be watched to be understood. I'm just as frightened of the people who indulge in such things as I am the terrorists.
Chase, Gablesville, PA, US
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3733996.stm