GENE SIMMONS Speaks Out On Marriage, Religion And KISS

KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons conducted an interview with Australia's Courier Mail last week in which he offered up the usual number of verbal nuggets that are certain to raise a few eyebrows.

The following are some of the highlights of the interview as they appear in the online version of the story:

On organized religion:

"To be selfish, committed to yourself, is better than being committed to an institution."

"Like, human beings are allowed to talk for God? Whoever came up with that one? The less educated you are, the more of a hold on you religion has."

"I'd like to put a new jurisdiction in there. Kisstianity would be a good religion - do away with all those other religions that are so self-destructive and divisive."

On Gene Simmons Tongue magazine:

"There are no drugs - that's left for Rolling Stone and the others. There are no cigarette ads, no drug references. Just lots of great-looking women and powerful men - the stuff that makes the world go round!"

On secret to his success:

"We all have been in the situation when we're in the supermarket and we can't remember what we wanted to get, and we think, why didn't we sit down and write a list?"

On marriage:

"You know you will forever be attracted to other women — why do you then pledge your life to one person?

"Marriage will be the single most expensive mistake you'll make while you're alive."

On his many sexual "conquests":

"Whether it's love or not, it's still a moment. I've enjoyed every lady I've spent time with. And I make sure that they're treated like royalty — every woman feels like a queen, because as far as I'm concerned, she is!"

"I don't like the smell or the taste of alcohol on any woman. God has given us five senses, and if you don't want to use all five to experience me, the notion that a woman can be drunk and spend the night with me is an insult to me."

On KISS' "farewell" tour":

"We're allowed to continue the tour for as long as we like. You're allowed to come or you're allowed not to come."

On bands that whine about being successful:

"At least Kurt Cobain had the dignity to be a man about it, and go off in a quiet corner and blow his brains out!"

On people that complain about everyday hardships:

"Cancer patients have a right to complain. If you have your health, you're not allowed to whine."

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