[method77]

MELBOURNE, Australia -- Kiss bassist Gene Simmons has sparked outrage in Australia with comments seen as attacking Islam.

"This is a vile culture and if you think for a second that it's willing to just live in the sands of God's armpit, you've got another thing coming," Simmons said during an interview on Melbourne's 3AW radio Thursday. "They want to come and live right where you live and they think that you're evil."

The western world is under threat from extremists and a culture that treats women worse than dogs, he claimed in a segment of the interview that touched on the war in Iraq.

"You can send your dog to school to learn tricks, sit, beg, do all that stuff -- none of the women have that advantage," the 54-year-old said.

Angry Muslims flooded the radio station with calls, furious over Simmons's comments.

Susan Carland, Australian Muslim of the Year, rejected what she saw as his stereotype of Muslim women. She has two university degrees, she said, and "I certainly do not walk behind my husband."

"Mixing the entertainment world with the political and religious world is a minefield," said Yasser Soliman, chairman of Victoria state's Islamic Council.

"I think it would be good for overseas speakers and commentators to be given some sort of advice in regards to our vilification laws here," Soliman said. "They leave and go back to where they arrived from, but they leave behind a big mess that we have to live with."

Chrissie Camp, who is in charge of publicity for Kiss's Australian tour, said Simmons was unavailable for comment Friday.

The band was due to perform in Melbourne on Friday night and Saturday before shows in Sydney and Brisbane.

JamMusic!

[Umma]

Didnt I read somewhere that Gene Simmons is an 'asshole'??

[DudeAsInCool]

Guess that's one way for Mr. Simmons to tell people to "KISS off", but his comments are tactless and offensive.... but that's just my opinion.

[Wolfie]

What a dork!!! :reallymad:

People like Simmons are the main cause of cultural prejedice and stereotyping in the world. Islam like any other religion (Christianity included) has its core group hardcore fundementalist which are living in the past and hanging on to archaic ideas. However, it does not mean that they are representative of the entire culture and religion.

[Wolfie]

Umma, on May 15 2004, 04:42 PM, said:

Didnt I read somewhere that Gene Simmons is an 'asshole'??

Yep, and this is further evidence.

[MxRob]

Fuc**n Idiot, just what the world needs another ignorant person..........

[KiwiCoromandel]

very poor taste....very uncool...sorry gene, i`ve just thrown all my kiss records out...... dennis leary`s song "i`m an asshole" comes to mind

[Shawn]

What an idgit.

[Ken]

While it is a gross, mishandled generalization, he has some "points" about the way women are treated in societies and cultures where Islam is prominent.


And yes, Gene Simmons is an asshole. I thought he cleared that up earlier?

[method77]

Ken, on May 16 2004, 07:15 AM, said:

While it is a gross, mishandled generalization, he has some "points" about the way women are treated under traditional Islam.


And yes, Gene Simmons is an asshole. I thought he cleared that up earlier?

the women have full rights in Islam. There are some places though that treat the women like shit. Happens in christian countries too

[Ken]

Yeah, I actually meant culture where Islam is prominent.

I'll edit that to be more clear.

[moonglow]

I saw a documentary on the Independent Film Channel yesterday where an Afgan woman was excuted because her husband accused her of adultry, it was horrible. I believe that was when the Taliban was in control of the country but I think that there are still many abuses going on there where women are concerned. Now to Gene simmons..........I suppose its his right to state his opinion, that doesnt mean we have to agree with it, RIGHT :evil:

[Bombardier]

The moral of the story is:

Gene Simmons is an asshole!!

[Cerebral_Assassin]

I just listened to his album "Asshole" and I think it sucks.