Beatles Song Imagine Was Sung at President Carter's Funeral?

[Ray12614]

So the song was sung at an Christian funeral?  Does anyone see an problem with this?

Some of the lyrics are: 'Imagine there’s no heaven; it’s easy if you try' and 'imagine there’s no country; it isn’t hard to do. Nothing to kill or die for, and no religion too.'

It is overtly atheistic in its message. Sure, I like the melody and being a Beatles fan in my youth (before belief in Jesus) I liked that song, but no more. Lyrics mean something, and the message is clear - secular humanism and everything that goes with it . . . 

So some questions are begging to be asked:  Who made the decision approving that song? Did the family know? Most funerals the family decides how best to honor their loved ones who passed on. . . . still . . . this is just plain weird . . . Isn't it?

 

[Patticats]

The first of the lyrics says "Imagine there's no heaven" and "No hell below us". That goes against everything Christianity stands for. I don't understand why it was chosen as one of the songs. I do believe Jimmy Carter was a Christian but this part I don't understand. Maybe someone else chose it. But it insults Christanity! Bad Choice!! 
 

[other one]

I have never liked this song.   I backed off being a real Beatles fan when they brought it out.  It certainly shouldn't be sung at a Christian's Funeral.   I would be surprised if Jimmy knew it was to be there. Now that you mention it, I do wonder who made the decision.

[FreeGrace]

1 hour ago, Ray12614 said:

So the song was sung at an Christian funeral?  Does anyone see an problem with this?

Some of the lyrics are: 'Imagine there’s no heaven; it’s easy if you try' and 'imagine there’s no country; it isn’t hard to do. Nothing to kill or die for, and no religion too.'

It is overtly atheistic in its message. Sure, I like the melody and being a Beatles fan in my youth (before belief in Jesus) I liked that song, but no more. Lyrics mean something, and the message is clear - secular humanism and everything that goes with it . . 

So some questions are begging to be asked:  Who made the decision approving that song? Did the family know? Most funerals the family decides how best to honor their loved ones who passed on. . . . still . . . this is just plain weird . . . Isn't it?

I sure hope that every believer who knows the words to that song have a huge problem with that song!  The Beatles were known for being "anti-Christ".  Even their manager once said, "I'm anti-Christ myself, but they (Beatles) are more anti-Christ than I am".

iow, they are atheists to the core.  And that song reflects that clearly.  Since Jimmy Carter was known to be a Baptist SS teacher, one would assume his family were all familiar with the Bible and salvation.  How that song got in is shocking.  How sad!

[Indentured Servant]

When John Lennon released his solo song, "Imagine," he was a peace advocate. The focus of the song was one of peace, and living for each other.

He chose elements of religious belief, materialism/personal possessions, and governments as examples of the conflicts plaguing the world during the late sixties/early seventies that he felt separated us from one another and were usually found at the center of most conflict in this world.

The basic message of the song wasn't to erase belief in heaven or hell anymore than it advocated the removal of all national borders, or denying people to have personal possessions. 

It was his call to people to take a moment to imagine what we could be if we didn't keep feeding our need to be divisive, superior, or in conflict with each other. He wasn't promoting his atheist beliefs, but only that it is one point of contention between people. 

The song can also be accused of being anti-government, despite its being played at the funeral of a former world leader. 

It's just about fantasizing about peace in a world of conflict; about considering others as brothers/sisters and not as enemies everytime we're in contact with them. 

Carter was a peace advocate. Perhaps whoever selected it for the funeral was probably focused on Carter's dream of world peace. 

I recall hearing the Bette Milder song, "From a Distance" being sung regularly in churches in the 1990's, and being thought of as a Godly song, until you understand the lyrics and realize it talks about God not caring for people who are sick, dying, oppressed; and, that from His point of view everything looks just fine... But only from a distance... (The recording was popular as an accompaniment recording in Christian book stores.)

 

 

[Vine Abider]

The world will be the world - shouldn't surprise anyone.  That is to say, the world has the spirit of anti-Christ, no matter how good someone tries to make it look.

Personally, I never liked the song that much for the reasons that the lyrics were blatantly of the world and of the spirit thereof. Many worldly songs have that kind of sentiment in them, and it makes them hard to enjoy because of the words.  (but then again, as Christians we are not really meant to enjoy them too much, since it's sourced in the world)

I remember hearing Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" the first couple times thinking it was really something that a Beatle came out with a Godly worship song.  But, of course, I eventually heard the background refrain of "Hare Krishna" in it. True worldly colors always come out . . . 

[PATrobas]

32 minutes ago, Indentured Servant said:

When John Lennon released his solo song, "Imagine," he was a peace advocate. The focus of the song was one of peace, and living for each other.

He chose elements of religious belief, materialism/personal possessions, and governments as examples of the conflicts plaguing the world during the late sixties/early seventies that he felt separated us from one another and were usually found at the center of most conflict in this world.

The basic message of the song wasn't to erase belief in heaven or hell anymore than it advocated the removal of all national borders, or denying people to have personal possessions. 

It was his call to people to take a moment to imagine what we could be if we didn't keep feeding our need to be divisive, superior, or in conflict with each other. He wasn't promoting his atheist beliefs, but only that it is one point of contention between people. 

The song can also be accused of being anti-government, despite its being played at the funeral of a former world leader. 

It's just about fantasizing about peace in a world of conflict; about considering others as brothers/sisters and not as enemies everytime we're in contact with them. 

Carter was a peace advocate. Perhaps whoever selected it for the funeral was probably focused on Carter's dream of world peace. 

I recall hearing the Bette Milder song, "From a Distance" being sung regularly in churches in the 1990's, and being thought of as a Godly song, until you understand the lyrics and realize it talks about God not caring for people who are sick, dying, oppressed; and, that from His point of view everything looks just fine... But only from a distance... (The recording was popular as an accompaniment recording in Christian book stores.)

 

 

Mat 10:34  Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

John 16:33  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

The world Lennon spoke of can not be made by man, nor by man's efforts. It is the anti-christ's world.

[Indentured Servant]

1 hour ago, PATrobas said:

The world Lennon spoke of can not be made by man, nor by man's efforts.

Oh, I certainly agree, but that's why, in the song, he admitted to being a dreamer. He knew what reality was and that people were finding ways of making bigger the gap between us all...

[Fran C]

4 hours ago, Patticats said:

The first of the lyrics says "Imagine there's no heaven" and "Imagine there's no hell". That goes against everything Christianity stands for. I don't understand why it was chosen as one of the songs. I do believe Jimmy Carter was a Christian but this part I don't understand. Maybe someone else chose it. But it insults Christanity! Bad Choice!! 
 

I agree with you.  Most don't even listen to the words...they think the song is about peace and how to achieve it.

BTW,,,what does OVERSIGHT mean under a person's avatar?

 

 

[Debp]

5 hours ago, Patticats said:

The first of the lyrics says "Imagine there's no heaven" and "Imagine there's no hell". That goes against everything Christianity stands for. I don't understand why it was chosen as one of the songs. I do believe Jimmy Carter was a Christian but this part I don't understand. Maybe someone else chose it. But it insults Christanity! Bad Choice!! 
 

I always was glad Carter confessed to being a Christian.    But I was shocked that he wanted to vote for Kamala since she supports ungodly things.

I wondered if he was so old that he didn't realize she was into the gay and transgender agendas amongst other things.

 

1 hour ago, Fran C said:

I agree with you.  Most don't even listen to the words...they think the song is about peace and how to achieve it.

BTW,,,what does OVERSIGHT mean under a person's avatar?

 

 

Oversight means we are a part of the staff at Worthy.

Nice to have you join us from Italy.