I know what you mean. I completely agree. It's dumb! Who would actually read a book like that, anyway? I wouldn't! I just can't believe that these guys think they're all high and mighty and can write a book about themselves. And they expect people to buy it? Why should people blow their money on something like this?

Agreed~ the greed emphasized.

To be clear, I have as much compassion as the next guy for anyone struggling to get their act together after falling into drug abuse or alcohol addiction.

But wouldn't it be better if they practiced some Christian humility and quietly volunteered at a rehab center or helped feed the homeless at a shelter -- or something.

Sorry. Making more dough by writing a book doesn't count as penance.

My reaction to these books:  Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Laura -- I rant about it and you quietly ignore it.

I think you have the superior strategy.

 Amen! My brother from another mother.

Comment from "Head" Welch from a TBC interview in July '07:

I'm all for druggies seeing the light and finding a meaningful purpose in life. I just wonder if many of these conversions are really just exchanging one pschological dependence for another, rather than a true religious conversion.

I'll admit I also had a "*groan* not another Korn member finding God and writing a book about it" reaction when I saw the story.

As an agnostic and a cynic, I would think if this was a true conversion he would give it a few more years of reflection before releasing a book. However, if someone kick drugs and turns their life around and used religion or believe in an imaginary friend to do it, I'm not going to be threatened by it as some of you seem to be.

I'm happy for anyone that finds Jesus, and have no problem if they want to put their testimony out in the form of a book, a speaking tour, a bumper sticker, or the National Enquirer. 

Too bad more of us don't have the courage to admit we were (or are) screwed up and headed in the wrong direction. And do something about it.  My best to "Fieldy" and "Head" .

Years ago (we won't go into just HOW many years) I decided that it was time for drugs and me to part company, and I found...MYSELF! Oh, wait...is it possible to turn your life around without relying on religion? If not, then I guess I'm still screwed up. Maybe I should write a self-help book.

You'll get no argument from me, ghostriter.  I'm happy for you, too.  Hey, maybe you can work  the title of your upcoming self help book into one of your new tats.

Here's a question for Korn fans: Will Korn now move into the nü-metal Christian music genre?

Would you prefer this as a headline: "Rocker found dead in apartment due to drug overdose"?

Rather than celebrating in a person's ability to get off of drugs, the temptation is to knock them down, become cynical about his/her motives, and to resent him/her for finally finding happiness.   But the Bible says, "Judge not, lest ye be judged."

It reminds me of that Don Henley song, Dirty Laundry that goes, "Kick 'em when they're up, kick 'em with they're down..."  

After interviewing Brian, I found him to be extremely humble, genuine and sincere.  I'm giving both of them the benefit of the doubt.  If the rest of you want to kick another man just when he's found a way to pick himself up, that's your decision.  I'm not about to pile on. 

No. I applaud his self-improvement. That's not my beef.

I just think it's disingenuous that this guy who made millions from playing the extreme rocker persona for years now wants to hawk his book about cleansing himself from his errant past -- and make yet another killing in the process.

As I said, if the profits were going to help others struggling with drug addiction, I'd jump on the bandwagon, too.

I would urge you not to judge his motives if you don't know him personally.   Do you have inside information on what he plans to do with the money?  Brian "Head" Welch has used his money for a lot of noble causes, alleviating a lot of human suffering in the world.  Do you condemn him as well? 

Even if Fieldy profited big time from sales of the book, is that such a big sin?  Would you hold someone like Obama to the same standard?  Would you condemn him for making money off of his books?  I applaud Obama for his books, even though I don't agree with all of his views.  The books offer a message of hope, and hope is something this world can never get enough of. 

I can think of a lot more destructive ways of making money other than offering people hope, and a way out of their darkness. 

No matter where the money goes, millions of needy people will profit, those enslaved to a life of addiction and self-destruction will discover, through his book, and through his testimony, that there is a way out and that there is freedom from that bondage.  If that's not a good cause, I don't know what is. 

True enough BLT~ but as you well know all the words and stories in the world will not help one bit if the addicted person does not do the work.

 Good for anyone who follows her/his spiritual path and becomes a better person. Good for money spent in bettering humanities condition.

Good for humility.

"Even if Fieldy profited big time from sales of the book, is that such a big sin?  Would you hold someone like Obama to the same standard?  Would you condemn him for making money off of his books?  I applaud Obama for his books, even though I don't agree with all of his views.  The books offer a message of hope, and hope is something this world can never get enough of."

Fieldy on the one hand, Obama on the other? blognroll, there is much confusion suggested by this concept, its construction and the paragraph that followed it (above).

Rather than try and trace all this out for you, I just want to point out that rock music is, at its heart, a liberal form. No, they don't own it, they just happen to be its practitioners and creative force. Conservatives like yourself (yes, I've read your blog and posts) who decide to identify with the sound, panache and to co-opt the symbols are okay by me.

Until they try and use the weight of the whole to protect or advance conservative ideals.

Really. I don't even disagree with your defense of Fieldy. I can't read his mind nor do I care to try and read his motives.

But please, don't impute or imply that yours are views that are in line with the mainstream of the rock industry.

I'm not sure how I implied in my statement that my views are "in line with the mainstream of the rock industry."  I was speaking from my heart.  My views are simply my views.  I don't speak here for anybody but myself.  I do agree with certain things you've said however.  I think the reason why conservatives have not been more prolific in the rock world (with a few exceptions like members of the Ramones, as I've pointed out in this song...

Republican Rock Stars
words and music by Dr. BLT (c)2006
http://www.drblt.net/music/...

...) is due to the dark side of right-wing Christianity, the side that is too restrictive in terms of self-expression. 

On the other hand, I don't believe that the rock community, while predominantly liberal, will condemn Fieldy or push him under the bus.  Like my own views, I don't believe the guy who posted this is representing the rock industry or the rock community.  They didn't jump down Head's throat when he discovered God, and I don't think they will attack Fieldy either, though individuals within the rock community may very well attack him. 

And to be honest, the particular brand of Christianity that seems to have been embraced by both members of this band, is a bit more of a conservative brand than I am comfortable with.  Maybe their faith will mature into something just as strong, but not quite as hard-core. 

But whatever happens on each of their respective spiritual journeys, it is the tendency to immediately attack him when he's still recovering from a serious drug addiction that I take issue with.  I say, give the man a break.  Give him the benefit of the doubt, and wish him well in shining some light into the dark lives of other addicts. 

I'm not criticizing Fieldy so much as bemoaning the current media environment that says, if a celebrity does it, it's news.

Let's face it: If he was a regular guy, we ("the media" and the public) wouldn't give a rip. But as a celebrity tell-all, his book gets the ink and we tell readers where to go to spend their $26.99.

There will always be celebrity tell-alls. I just don't want to see them regularly plugged in the news.

I just hate to see a really talented guy "find religion" and suddenly decide that the outlet of that talent is just not good enough for god. I am VERY happy that he got off drugs, and I would be saddened if he became yet another OD victim. (I am still mourning Heath Ledger!) I just wish that he could continue making great rock without the drugs.

ghost -- Fieldy is still a member of Korn.

Unlike Head Welch, he apparently felt he didn't have to sepparate himself from the trappings and temptations of rock to get straight.

There's a plus side to that celebrity status.  If you're putting out a message of hope to hard-core drug addicts, feeling trapped in their addiction, and you happen to be a celebrity, you're likely to be able to influence many more of those drug addicts than if you were just an ordinary Joe. 

On the other hand, I don't believe that the rock community, while predominantly liberal, will condemn Fieldy or push him under the bus.  Like my own views, I don't believe the guy who posted this is representing the rock industry or the rock community.  They didn't jump down Head's throat when he discovered God, and I don't think they will attack Fieldy either, though individuals within the rock community may very well attack him. 

Agreed.

blogn -- I agree it would be very cool if Fieldy was able to inspire others to find that natural high.

If he can stay in the band, and rise above the trappings of fame, more power to him, especially if he's able to influence the music in the direction of more light and less darkness.  Songs don't have to be "preachy" to be positive and uplifting.  I found a lot of Korn's music to be very depressing because much of it doesn't offer any light at the end of the tunnel.  I spoke with Jonathon's father about this, and he agreed with me that he'd like to see the band embrace a more positive message. 

blogn -- thanks for the heartfelt yet logical posts. You make a strong argument.

No problem, smayer.  As a recovering fundamentalist Christian, I can actually also see things from your point of view as well.  I am not comfortable when people get too zealous around me about their beliefs, even if those beliefs are similar to my own.