I see lately the religion thing is heating up again on the letters section of your site. I usually get a chuckle out of it when followers of the mystic/altruist axis write to you on this topic.

Especially when they think their letter will somehow change your mind on the subject, and then they get a bit annoyed when it doesn't. Or that they think (...well, who really thinks anymore) that you may have misinterpreted their letter in your response when you use your intellectual ammunition to shoot down their view point. Then they are compelled to write you back, trying to set you straight -- I can only imagine the letters of this type you don't post! This usually make me think of a few great quotes I wanted to share with you and others, should you decide to post this:


"You cannot by reasoning correct a man of ill opinion which by reasoning he never acquired" ~Sir Francis Bacon, 1561 - 1626


Which leads me into this other great quote:


"We like to continue to believe what we have been accustomed to accept as true, and the resentment aroused when doubt is cast upon any of our assumptions leads us to seek every manner of excuse for clinging to it. The result is that most of our so-called reasoning consists of finding arguments for going on believing as we already do." ~James Harvey Robinson, 1863 - 1936


But you can't really blame those who write to you on these subjects. Check this quote out:


"The richest plum...[was that we] took over the publication of all school materials...[and therefore] could mold public opinion to suit our purposes. The people are only stupid pigs who grunt and squeal the chants we give them...truth or lies. There is no silent majority...[the] only thing that exists is an unthinking majority and unthinking they will remain."
~Harold W. Rosenthal, former administrative assistant to New York Senator Jacob Javits, in the 1970s.

Thank you for reading my little letter and I'll see you/KISS in September!
~Carl from Florida

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Hi Gene,

I heard Geddy Lee interviewed recently on a radio show. When asked about his influences in the early days he said that KISS had a big impact on his band, not musically, but in terms of work ethic and giving 110% to the fans. What do you remember about touring with Rush and what do you think of them, both as people and as musicians?

Terry.

Response from Gene:

They were great people to work with. We took them out on their first tour, supporting their debut album.

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Gene,

In regards to your comment about the accuracy (or lack thereof) of the supposed first-hand accounts of Jesus' life in the New Testament - based on the evidence I've read, I agree with you. But here's another point - what about the accuracy of the TRANSLATIONS of these passages of scripture? When going from the original Hebrew or Greek source texts to English, much has been lost in the meaning, or worse, much has been INTERPRETED to mean something the original writer may not have meant. And these interpretations usually have religious or dogmatic undertones.

There is a new Bible translation scheduled to arrive in 2004 that attempts to address these very real problems of current translations of scripture. It is tentatively called the TEV (Transparent English Version) and is being prepared by Dr. James D. Tabor, a professor at the Univesity of North Carolina. In his introduction to the project, he writes:

"Most modern translations are intended for liturgical and devotional use and incorporate a whole range of theological vocabulary that is far removed from the original historical and cultural contexts of the texts. In other words, the ancient text is made to serve our traditional assumptions and modern premises, rather than the other way around. Surprisingly, a long list of comfortably familiar theological terms, so common to all English translations, do not even occur a single time in the TEV&Mac247;atonement, sanctification, covenant, soul, angel, Christ, church, redemption, salvation, baptism, and so forth. The word „atonement‰ comes from the Hebrew verb „to cover,‰ and whether one is burying a corpse with dirt, or symbolically „covering‰ sins with the pouring out of blood, the same term is used....Not only do these theological terms interject a „flavor‰ absent from the original languages, more often than not they carry connotations that are misleading and simply incorrect."

For more info about the project, go here - http://www.centuryone.org/translation.html

Bottom line: as my father used to say, "Consider the source."

Thanks, Gene, for the lively and informative religious debate!

Your fan,
Erik

Response from Gene:

The problem with translations, even well intended ones is that they don't always communicate the exact meaning. Case in point: One of the Ten Commandments is (we're told) Do Not Kill. That's actually not so. The correct translation (I speak Hebrew, remember) is "Do Not Murder." There is a world of difference between the two.

If you cannot kill, soldiers cannot protect their country and cops can't protect the populace. Murder is entirely different.

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Gene,

I enjoy reading these letters, and the whole thing with people fighting about religions and everything reminds me of a thing I once saw in South Park. There are all these people in hell and they're all saying something like:

"What am I doing here?! I was Christian!!!"
"NO! I shouldn't be here, I was a Buddhist!!"
and the guy in hell goes: "No, no. I'm sorry the correct religion were the Mormons. The Mormons had it"
and everyone goes: "aww!"

...heh, I found that kinda funny. Just thought I'd share.

Can't wait for the show in Camden NJ.
-Jordan.

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Helloooo Gene!!

This past Sunday, I grabbed three friends and we were on a mission. The mission was mainly for me (it's all about KAT), but I will take all the support that I can get!

Last week, I went to a book store and low and behold, there it was! An autographed Sex, Money and KISS book! I did not have the money at the time-so I just kissed the book good bye and laid it back on the shelf. I was telling a friend, that afternoon how I put the book back and he literally yelled at me (being a huge KISS fan himself). So today we went back to the book store for "OPERATION AUTOGRAPHED BOOK" When we got to the store, the book was not on the shelf. I went up to the girl (who was working when I was there last) and asked her who purchased the book (so I could stalk the individual). She told me to wait a moment, and she came back with the book. She told me that she wanted to buy the book herself (being a huge KISS fan), but when she saw me kissing the book (almost in tears) she put it aside for me.

I have just started reading the book, and I have to say that it is one of the most educational books that I have ever read! What you basically say IS common sense. But most of us do not think about things this way. I just want to thank you for making such a wonderful book and taking the time to autograph a certain few. You have made one person (and many others as I am sure) HAPPY.

See you when you come to Boston
Kathy

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Hey Gene!

Clarance Darrow, the famous "Scopes Monkey Trial" lawyer, made this observation:

"If the Bible is mistaken in telling us where we came from, then how can we trust it to tell us where we're going?"

As a former devout Christian, I can absolutely vouch for the fact that the first and foremost duty of every GOOD Christian is to spread the good news and "compel" sinners to come to Christ through denial of our natural human pleasures and characteristics and by rejecting reason in favor of blind faith. The more "child-like" the faith, the more sincere the Christian. That's exactly what is being taught to many Christians by their pastors, priests and Sunday School teachers. I can attest to that, absolutely. It is widespread.

Any attempt at conciliatory discussion or a pretense of "live and let live" philosophy is simply a ruse; they are out to get you. Have no doubt about that. The Christians are taught different conversion strategies in their churches, targeting anyone from the very very young to the very old. They use any disguise to make you think that they are being "loving" "caring" "open-minded" "impartial" while they attempt to enchain your brain and soul.

I have seen it myself, I was a victim of it at one point long ago (until I started going to the library and reading for myself...), and I see these same religious people trying every trick in the book to make you think better of them, while they are praying that their god will save you from your degenerate self. It's an utterly disgusting and demeaning religion, and it's out to get you, make no mistake. There would be no Christianity without proselytizing. It's the foundation of the faith.

If there were a god, there would be no need for religion. If such a god existed, belief would be rendered unnecessary and the entire system of organized religion would collapse in a puff of logic.

As you said, the LIBRARY is the HOUSE OF GOD. Absolutely. And the best part about it is...it's FREE.\

Keep up the good work.

JASON

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Hi Gene,

I wanted to drop you a line and tell you that the book jacket on Sex, Money, Kiss rocks!! The "mylar" effect flavor lends itself to vintage KISS drum sets and I too can look into it and see my reflection like Ace seemed to enjoy doing with the bass drum in the 70's.

Maybe you were trying to tell the reader to look to himself for the answers (i.e. hard work) and not others? Hmmm....interesting do you think?

Thank you for your time,

Brad
Priceville, Alabama

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'Hey Gene...

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Dearest Gene,

How are you darling? Hope you are well. I'm fine. Separated from my husband about four weeks ago and happy to be on my own again. I think you are right about marriage, it makes some people, many people feel trapped and I'm afraid that I am one of them. Still, I have no regrets, I have a beautiful son, my x-husband and I are still good friends and I move on.

I am excited and optimistic about what lies ahead of me. I know that my future is going to be great because I intend to make it so. That's one of the reasons why I had to go my own way. I need to have the freedom to pursue my dreams and unfortunately I felt that my husband was holding me back and dragging me down with his lack of drive and enthusiasm.

I have, inside me this insatiable hunger right now but I'm not sure what I am hungry for. Hungry for love? Hungry for your attention or maybe just your tongue? (hee,hee...) Hungry for a challenge and the fulfillment of my life's purpose? Who knows? I just know that I am starving! I want it all. I want all that life has to offer. I have, incidentally, had a really bad couple of weeks, filled with problems of every kind but no matter, I am prepared to take the good with the bad. Just bring it on!

I had a dream about you too last night, yeah...bring that on.

Maybe I'll tell you about it some time but for now,
Gotta fly!
Love always,
Penny
xxx

Response from Gene:

What a woman wants is for one man to fulfill all her needs. What a man wants, is for all women to fulfill just one of his needs.

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I saw a show on how others stars had lost all of their money and Gene said he would help them out and take it from them because always wants more. Just after he said that they showed a book, with a bag of money on it, and I beleive that it was a success book. You know, Gene's finacial advice on how to become a marketing GOD, such as he. I would like to know the name of the book and any others of this type, by Gene, and where to get them. I want to feather his pocket. Please tell me how.


Mark Wonders

Response from Gene:

The book became SEX MONEY KISS. At your local bookstore. Thanks.