KORN's BRIAN 'HEAD' WELCH: 'Christians, Unfortunately, Have Been Given A Bad Rap'

KORN guitarist Brian "Head" Welch spoke to Variety.com about his involvement with the faith-based film "Holy Ghost", which aims to prove that the Holy Spirit is real. The rocker will introduce "Holy Ghost" at the movie's "world premiere experience," a live, one-time digital event where anyone in the world can see the film and the event free of charge, this Saturday, September 6 from the Redding Civic Auditorium in Redding, California. Welch will also make a rare, solo musical appearance during the event, joining Christian band JAKE HAMILTON & THE SOUND for a live performance.

"Christians, unfortunately, have been given a bad rap," said Welch. "I'm excited for real people to be able to talk about faith and not scare people away from it. It's all about love and meeting God and having our eyes opened."

Regarding his decision to promote the film, Welch said: "It's like I've been shown where to get a billion dollars and it's like I can share all the money with everybody else. Celebrities are given a platform and we've got to use it for something, because we're all going to be accountable one day, so it's important to use it wisely."

He added: "'Holy Ghost' is about people inviting God into their heart and life and going out into world and not staying in church judging people and how they live and saying 'prepare for hell.' We want to show people the real Christ."

'Holy Ghost' was crowd-funded by 2,500 investors who surged to support Wilson's Kickstarter campaign, raising a record-breaking $360,000 in just 45 days to become the No. 1 most-funded, faith-based film — and the No. 2 most-funded documentary — in Kickstarter history. Wanderlust Productions is now crowd-promoting and crowd-marketing this film by mobilizing 25,000 of its most deeply dedicated fans through the #HolyGhostExperience campaign.

The 'Holy Ghost' world premiere experience begins at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT this Saturday, September 6.

To learn more and view the trailer, visit hgpremiere.bethel.tv.

In a recent interview, Welch stated that, while he is a spiritual man, he hates religion. "I like to get high on something, and when I asked the Lord to come and make his home inside of me, the spiritual high, it's so real," he said.

"And I hate religion — I don't talk about religion at all — but the relationship through Christ is what I found. And I'm totally satisfied. Now I can enjoy raising my kid, I can enjoy jamming with music in KORN, I can enjoy anything I do. It's the best high ever."

Welch left KORN in 2005, got sober and embraced Christianity, saying that as a single father he did not want his daughter around the rock and roll lifestyle. "The last two years I was in KORN, I partied non-stop and started doing speed every day," he said. "I got so addicted that I got scared. I tried to go to rehab, but that didn't work. No one could help me. Then I ended up seeing if Jesus was real, and He instantly took the drugs away. He revealed Himself to me and gave me the strength. Once I figured that out, I knew I was accountable to God."

Welch pursued a solo career for several years before rejoining KORN onstage in 2012 at a festival. He reunited with the group permanently last year and recorded his first album with them in 10 years, "The Paradigm Shift".