By Dick Blackford
An Internet site is taking a poll to determine the best song of the century. John Lennon’s song “Imagine” is winning. It is winning over Louie Armstrong’s “What A Wonderful World.” Imagine that.
At the Atlanta Olympics of 1996, Lennon’s song was the center piece of the closing ceremonies. It was sung by Stevie Wonder and broadcast around the world during prime time and was watched by over one billion people.
On October 9, 1990, Yoko Ono spoke before the United Nations and a recording of “Imagine” was broadcast to 130 countries over 1000 radio stations to over one billion people. The Armed Forces network beamed it to 80 more countries.
While one may admire Lennon’s ability, right –thinking people must disdain his atheistic communism. Tom Brokaw (of NBC) told us Lennon began his rebellion against authority when he was ten years old. The peace he longed for will never come through the philosophy he advocated in his song.
“Imagine There’s No Heaven, It’s easy if you try.” Lennon wanted us to believe Jesus was lying by promising us heaven. This would mean Jesus was not the son of God. Jesus taught us to live morally and righteously that we might spend eternity in the place he has gone to prepare and where he now reigns (John 14:1-3). Lennon never advocated morality.
“No Hell Below Us, Above Us Only Sky.” As an act of friendship, Jesus warned us against hell. “And I say unto you my friends, . . . fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Luke 12:4, 5; Matt. 10:28). Warning people about hell is an act of friendship. Not many believe in hell because it hampers their lifestyle. Lennon taught and practiced self-indulgence. Jesus taught self- denial and called us to a higher and nobler life of faith in Jehovah God who holds the future. If Jesus was right about hell then Lennon was no friend to man.
“Imagine All The People, Living for today.” Charles Smith, former president of the American Association for the Advancement of Atheism (4A Society) said, “Happiness here and now should be the motive of our conduct.” Neither Smith nor Lennon believed in a hereafter — no heaven or hell. Just do what makes you happy now. Live for today. For over two decades a large segment of society has been doing that. And when we look at the AIDS plague, other epidemics of VD, the abortions, unwanted and unloved children, drug addicts, suicides, school shootings, etc., we are caused to ask, “Are we having fun yet?”
“Imagine. . . No religion too.” Eliminating Jesus and his teaching about heaven and hell does not eliminate religion. It exchanges one religion for another. From a religion of self-denial to a religion of self-indulgence. Lennon’s religion of self-indulgence makes self into a god. The worship of self is the most corrupt religion a man can have.
“Imagine All The People, living life in peace.” If you can imagine this from a life of self-indulgence you have too big an imagination. Lennon admitted advocating drug use (self-indulgence) in some of his songs. The drug culture has brought us anything but peace. We have seen its blight on America’s most precious natural resource — her youth. Drugs are involved in the majority of crimes. They have ruined the physical and mental health of many. Some have turned to crime and prostitution. Some have turned away from life to suicide. Lennon suffered the consequences of his own philosophy. One of his fans, who was a drug user, shot and killed the rock star. And if there is no God, who can say he did wrong? If there is no God then anything goes, and eventually everything will.
Christians deplore both the crime and the philosophy that led to Lennon’s death (no God, self-indulgence).
“Imagine No Possessions . . . People sharing all the world.” Christians of the first century shared their possessions by choice, out of love, as Jesus taught (Acts 2:44, 45; 4:32; John 13:34, 35). Communism tried to force people to work according to their ability and receive according to their needs (no choice, without love). The work ethic was destroyed and many now live in poverty. It would help if the multi-millionaires like Lennon and many other advocates of this philosophy would lead the way instead of pointing the direction. Lennon, Jane Fonda, etc. retain their millions while making token contributions to liberal causes now and then. Communist leaders lived lives of luxury while the people starved. They want everyone else to give up their possessions but they haven’t shown us how it’s done.
“You May Say I’m A Dreamer, but I’m not the only one.” Yes, because what Lennon dreamed (communism) became a nightmare that didn’t work. Atheistic communism is not the answer to man’s plight. The reason we could never have the peace of which Lennon (and Lenin) dreamed is because he eliminated the Prince of Peace who gave us the highest moral principles known to man. Any attempt to bring about peace (such as the United Nations, ecumenical movement, communism) that eliminates the Prince of Peace is bound to failure. Lennon never knew the real Jesus and his high moral principles, such as the golden rule, which when applied, will bring about peace. Because of that, he wanted to eliminate all religion. Early on, it was Lennon who claimed the Beatles were more popular than Jesus Christ. The fact that the cooperation of the U.N., all the radio and TV stations and 210 countries could be brought together to hear Lennon’s song should tell us that there are many who are still dreaming Lennon’s dream. Lennon never gave a fair examination to the evidence. Perhaps it would be appropriate to close with the words to the song that appears to be coming in second, made popular by Louie Armstrong.
I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you,
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.
I see skies of blue and clouds of white,
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.
The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people goin’ by.
I see friends shakin’ hands, sayin’“How do you do!”
They’re really sayin’“I love you.”
I hear babies cry, I watch them grow.
They’ll learn much more than I’ll ever know.
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.
Yes I think to myself, What A Wonderful World
( Words and music by George David Weiss and Bob Thiele
I don’t need to tell you which song I voted for Almost.