Imagine...(A question especially for Christians)?

Question

What do you think of the song "Imagine", by John Lennon?

For those of you too young to remember, here are the lyrics...:

Imagine there's no heaven,
It's easy if you try.
No hell below us.
Above us, only sky.
Imagine all the people
Living for today.

Imagine there's no countries.
It isn't hard to do.
Nothing to kill or die for,
And no religion, too.
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace.

You may say I'm a dreamer,
But I'm not the only one.
I hope someday you will join us,
And the world will live as one.

Imagine no possessions,
I wonder if you can.
No need for greed or hunger,
A brotherhood of man.
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world.

You may say I'm a dreamer,
But I'm not the only one.
I hope someday you will join us,
And the world will live as one.

Answer 1

Man is a greedy creature collecting things to ensure that his chances of procreation are good. Without this drive we are useless. John Lennon was a dreamer.

Answer 2

Lennon was very intelligent, and as a solo artist, he was amazing (I don't like the Beatles, except for a couple songs)(as far as the sixties go, there were MANY other, better bands).

It's a good song...to a point. There are many people out there who are living as though there's no tomorrow, and they lead a shallow, selfish existence, in which every striving is for themselves, and their own pleasure. I'm not saying everyone who doesn't believe in an afterlife is like that; there are many extremely moral atheists. But this "live for today" motto LEADS to selfishness.

As far as the idea of "no religion" goes, how would that happen? What will we forsake in the name of "progress?" Is the world more meaningful now that we're so "enlightened?" Have wars stopped? Is greed now a thing of the past? No, we're always striving for more, more, MORE, and it has NOTHING to do with religion. It's "me, me, me" all over the world. Look at the state of other countries if you don't believe me. Humans are greedy and selfish. And we've only become MORE greedy and selfish as the years have gone by, instead of LESS so.

Have horrible things been done in the name of religion? Oh, YES. However, not all of the atrocities committed throughout history have been in the name of religion. Many times it has been in the name of "progress." Those who have committed atrocities against humankind that still echo decades and centuries later have only one thing in common: They were human.

The world will NEVER EVER "live as one" as Lennon dreamed, even if there was "no religion" and even if everyone "lived for today." If there were no humans, even the animals would strive for power, though it wouldn't be the same kind that is our endeavor.

Read the poem "Nothing Remains" by Ella Wheeler Wilcox. That'll give you an idea. Or go through my question history, and find MY poem (that I wrote before I even knew who Ella Wheeler Wilcox was) entitled "Remains." It should be on the first page. I haven't asked many questions.

"How weak do seem our strivings after power..." That's from "Nothing Remains."

Answer 3

Hey Rev

I always thought it was a very shallow song. No Substance.

Very dull world.

Imagine being a cow in its pasture; chewing on its cud for all eternity.

That's what you end up with.

(or maybe an ant colony?)

I've always thought that many of Lennon's songs gave the first impression of being "deep", but upon reflection there was nothing there.

Sort of like peeling an onion. Peel away enough and you have nothing left.

And I thought this before I became a Christian.

Becoming a Christian just reinforced it.

Besides, back in the day you were either a 'Stones Fan or a 'Beatles Fan.

Never both.

Whichever one you chose said much about you. lol


....theBerean

Answer 4

Being an original "Woodstocker", I am more than aware of the ideals back in the day; unfortunately, it is a dream - as long as there is flesh, there's also gonna be at least one person who wants what you have: that may not be a material possession, but simply your woman (or man); it might be someone who wants that piece of lakeside
property you live on. My point is that even if people didn't own anything, and even if you took all the religious denominations away, there will still be flesh man, and thats plenty to cause a problem.

Isn't it time to stop being naive in believing that its material possessions or religious
ideals that cause strife in the World? At some point you need to grow up and see
man for what he really is, even if that truth
is not so comfy to the ears or happy for the
heart.

All that said, there is a time coming when
all will live as one, and under one King of kings, and Lord of lords - then you'll get this
dream-come-true: uh, but only if you demonstrate that you're worthy to be there.
God is weeding out those who simply will
not be taught, and will not comply with exactly whats written in Lennon's song.
Since you seem to wish that the World was
like that, I can't understand why you wouldn't want to be on God's side and strive towards that? Just a thought.....

Answer 5

Where's the Love (John Lennon, We Need You Now)

Intro
Life is so uncertain, too many egos rule.
The more we give, the more they take away.

Power-hungry hedonists justify their truth,
once they sell their souls who has to pay?


verse
Stop and take a look at all the pain there is to see;
war and hatred, blind ambition, apathy and bigotry.

Can we come together or are we just insane
No matter what the answer, the question's still the same.

chorus
Where's the love?
We let it slip away, some-how.
If you're listening above send us down a little love,
we could use some love right now.

bridge
Now, I'm no blind utopian but maybe John was right.
I dream a place he once imagined when I close my eyes.


verse
Young and optimistic, the world so bright and true.
time unfolded, fate took over, lost was all the love we knew

We used to be like brothers it wasn't long ago
How we could have grown so cold, I just don't want to know


chorus
Where's the love?
We let it slip away, some-how.
If you're listening above send us down a little love,
we could use some love right now.


If you're listening above send us down a little love,
we could use some love right now.


©2007 Pat from Ohio

Answer 6

I've always liked this song.

I think Lennon's point was to do away with all divisiveness. Despite its theological implications, I can get behind this song. And hey, I'm a Christian.

Regards

Answer 7

Just gotta say I like Lennon but that song is a self indulgent piece of sh*t.
If I never hear that song or The Little Drummer boy,again, I will die a happy man.

Answer 8

I think it's cheesy and that man obviously never looked past his college campus and rock concerts. It's a harsh world out there with everyone fighting for power and we're all working our asses off just to get by.

20 and a conservative, no heart. 40 and a liberal, no brain. Winston Churchill had it right. I must have a huge *** brain though because I'm 26 :P

Answer 9

Didn't I see this on an episode of WKRP in Cincinatti?

Anyway. The song is okay, not great. Curious the question is directed mainly at Christians. He does say imagine there is no countries also. Why not direct it at Christians and patriots?

It's a nice sentiment I guess but hardly realistic. Mankind is far to violent a species to not have reason to kill, even with no possesions.

Evil must exist. Not only from a theological standpoint but also a scientific one. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. The only way for goodness to exist is for evil to exist also.

Answer 10

Interestingly... a girl in the Bible class I was forced to go to as a child was a big Beatles fan and actually used Beatles lyrics and members philosophy in our "classes."

At the time I thought she was stupid.

Now I think the "class" was stupid.