Dear Gene,
Hi my name is Allison from Marion WI im 11, you've never herd of it because it's a small population of 1306 people. I have a question my mom's friend said that you don't answer the fan letters and you just pay someone to write one for you. I don't believe it . I personally think your not the kind of person who would do that. Recently I went to ma KISS concert at Summerfest In Milwaukee WI ,I could have only dreamed of actually seeing you in person I was so excited I started crying. You Rock and your my favorite famous person.
You rock,
Allison
Response from Gene:
Tell your mom's friend to be quiet. He or she doesn't know me, and wouldn't know anything about me in either case. I DO answer fan letters...some personally, some here.
Just watched the 'Godfather' episode and while I knew of some of the politics of the Catholic faith (or at least the church featured), I was unaware of the 'no Jews' policy in regards to baptism. I can't help but find that ironic, what with Jesus being Jewish and all.
I wonder what kind of community service he has to do to get in there?
I am, however, glad it all worked out and the Padre was willing to work with you.
Mike D
Response from Gene:
Firstly, religion is a wonderful thing for most people. Any Faith.
God is a good idea. Not everybody can police themselves as a Humanist. Some need to fear fire and brimstone to keep in line.
However, Baptism isn't a Christian invention. Jews have been Baptizing each other for a thousand years before the birth of Jesus. It's called MIKVAH. And for people of the desert, Beduins, Arabs, Jews and so on, water has always signified more than just drinking and bathing water. It has also been the symbol of life itself. Therefore, immersing yourself in water, you wash away the sand and dirt and "cleanse yourself."
It was, in fact, Jews who started Baptizing and because ALL OF THE PIVOTAL FIGURES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT ARE JEWS THEMSELVES, including Jesus, and all the Apostles (yep -- all of em), it makes sense that there would be Baptism.
Why wouldn't there.
They're all Jews.
I love reading your responses to these letters. There are plenty of times I violently disagree with you; but damn, do I appreciate the intellect, wit and heart behind your thoughts. You are a class act, Mr. Simmons.
Tobey
Hi Gene,
The Kiss Army posted this in it's notes on facebook..
"Then Simmons muses aloud, "Maybe I should move to Canada. There's something to say about all the beautiful women in Canada. My wife Shannon [Tweed] is from Canada. When we're in Ottawa on July 15, it's going to be Shannon Tweed Day in Ottawa!">>
So, my question is did you get married?? I thought you didn't like to use the term "wife" or maybe this is what you're talking about when we shouldn't be believing everything we read??WTG Shannon on her special day in Canada!!
Love,
Chrissy
Response from Gene:
It's a lie.
I never said I was married. Or, are now married. Or, have any plans to ever get married.
Hi gene, I'll be attending the KISS concert on July 21st at casino rama. I was looking around for some new "Kisswear" for the event when I stumbled across this item. I was curious if you knew about it as I noticed that there was no trademark on it.
Loyal KISS fan,
Tony
Response from Gene:
Tell us who made em. We'll go get em.
OK. Here we go again.
Glad that you feel that you know God personally, Gene,
I HOPE YOU REALIZE I WAS KIDDING. AND NO, I DON'T BELIEVE FOR A SECOND SOMEONE ON TELEVISION SAYING "WHAT'S THAT YOU SAY, GOD? YOU WANT ME TO TELL MY FLOCK THEY SHOULD SEND ME MONEY SO THEY CAN BE HAPPIER???" NONESENSE.
but there is a bit more to obeying (and knowing) God than just being kind to other people.
SAYS WHO. YOU? AND WHO ARE YOU?
I've told you before about universalism
MY SENSE IS, YOU'RE A NICE PERSON, WHO'S BEEN CAUGHT UP IN THE "HOLIER THAN THOU" SYNDROME. GET RID OF IT. YOU'RE BETTER THAN THAT.
and that is what it tends to sound like to me. The being "kind thing" is not equivalent to being "right" with God.
AND WHO DETERMINES ALL OF THIS. YOU? AND AGAIN, WHO ARE YOU?
(according to the Bible) It is giving him something that YOU WANT to give Him, not giving Him what He is actually asking from you.
ACTUALLY, MY SENSE IS GOD DOESN'T NEED OR WANT ANYTHING. BY DEFINITION, THAT'S WHAT MAKES HIM GOD.
And that is your WHOLE heart. Of course, "we" don't ask for small things...
NOT A CLUE WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.
Cal
Please run for President.
I'm not even kidding.
Tobey
Gene:
A few years ago, I sent you a question regarding a rumor you had a tattoo and you were kind enough to respond by saying you didn't have a tattoo, but that Paul did.
It made me think...since the book of Leviticus has a verse prohibiting tattoos, does this mean that Paul would be ineligible to be buried in a Jewish cemetery?
My understanding is the only exception Jewish cemeteries make for tattoos is for Holocaust victims who, obviously, had no choice in the matter.
Best,
Rick
Response from Gene:
Everything you say is true. However, since Judaism doesn't have Popes, or any authority that can Excommunicate you, laws are "self policed." That is to say, EVEN if you have tattoos and EVEN though they are forbidden, you can STILL be buried in a Jewish cemetary. If not one. Certainly another.
Hey my name is Mustafa Eshanzada and I was a huge fan of KISS, I heard about some of the stuff you have said about Islam(my religion) and was very hurt and sad. It is sad that you are very stuck on your culture and that you believe that you should hate others because you grew up that way and that your parents brought you up in such a sad way.
Mustafa
Response from Gene:
Not true. And as a Theology Major in school, I learned about most of the world's religions and respect them all. Islam as well. Please don't believe everything you read.
Gene,
I love how on your Facebook page, it says underneath the photo of you “Not the Gene Simmon’s you were looking for? Search more...” That made me laugh out loud. Like there could EVER be another Gene Simmon’s worth searching for!
You are AWESOME Gene. End of story.
Smooches,
Janice J.
Hi Gene,
I met you last week in Toronto outside of a hospital. I got a picture with you, but I was completely speechless. Not to mention I felt completely horrible asking for a picture with you while you were in your vehicle about to leave, I know your a very busy guy.
When I found out you were in Toronto I was so excited. I am a super big fan of your show! :)
I wish I had the chance to have even spoken a few words, I managed to mutter thank you after you took the picture with me. I don't know I suppose I picture you to be a guy who if a fan started talking and you weren't in a HUGE hurry you WOULD give them the time of day. Now i know I'll probably never ever meet you again. Cause really meeting Gene Simmons is a once in a life time opportunity. But it was a great 5 minute moment for me.
I know this is not going to make the page of letters that your fans write to you, but I just wanted you to know how much your admired from my boyfriend my co-workers and my family.
I think your one of the most down to earth guys.....from what I've seen of you anways. And by reading your responses to your fans! You seem and sound very genuine! :) It's nice to see that coming from Hollywood! :)
Now of course it would be completely awesome if you responded. But again I know how crazy busy you are! I suppose I am rambling but the point of this email was to say thank-you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to take a photo with me! :)
Thank you,
Erica Barrow
Gene:
Just wanted you to know I am a fan of your TV show and I am truly amazed at what a wonderful father and partner you are. My daughter was a fan of KISS back in the 80's and I must admit I worried about the KISS influence on her as she went off to college. Well, now she is a Professor and Dean at Finlandia University in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and I worried for nothing!!! After watching your TV program for 2 seasons now, I am here to apologize to you for my error. I think your family is great, there is real love and chemistry there that no reality show can mimic. I hope you stay on the air for many more seasons....
Thanks for sticking around until I grew up!!!!
Nancy Hansen
