I wouldn't be so hasty. The middle east, including Turkey, are some of the most culturally rich places to visit. In general, the Arab people are extremely hospitable. There has been civilization in the area for thousands of years and many fascinating antiquities remain. Turkey in particular has a longstanding secular tradition that was started a hundred years ago by Kemal Ataturk, only recently eroded by the religious conservatives. I wouldn't let a few thuggish people put you off.
I'd agree, but given that those few thuggish people in the Middle East seem to be setting policy that includes beating people for looking gay all the way up to beheadings, it might be beast to avoid it for now.
I don't think it makes sense to go anywhere completely whimsically. Times change and caution is prudent. Nobody is taking the silk road through Afghanistan any more but it was once a popular route, for example. However, I believe in the goodness of people. Most people just wanna be happy, kindness and respect goes a long way.
True, most people are willing to live and let live, but a lot of places have people where you won't know what you're dealing with until its too late. And I'm not even talking about the middle east specifically.