About this classic atheist song

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fishy1's picture
About this classic atheist song

John Lennon - Imagine

I always loved this song, but I understand that music, like art is totally a personal thing, and so their will be people, even atheists, that just hate it. That's fine. I get that.

But every time I hear this song, I always wonder how a song that is so clearly atheist in values, could have ever gotten so popular, and stayed so popular for so many years (46 !) amongst a general public with such a large majority of christians ???

I mean, it's easy for an atheist to sing along, and agree with this song, but how could enough christians do this, that the song would still be so popular after more than 4 decades ?

Imagine their's no heaven,
It's easy if you try,
No hell below us,
Above us only sky

Your thoughts ???

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ZeffD's picture
Imagine is my favourite too,

Imagine is my favourite too,
"but how could enough christians do this, that the song would still be so popular after more than 4 decades ?"
That religionists don't really listen is not news to me. Beliefs should be challenged, not valued and defended as religionists believe.

chimp3's picture
In 1972 , at 13 years old, I

In 1972 , at 13 years old, I conducted a thought experiment based on this song. I went outside, looked up and imagined only sky. Felt good. That is the moment I was an atheist, ex-catholic. This song is my alma mater. Working Class Hero is my favorite Lennon song though.

Aposteriori unum's picture
Even though I listen to only

Even though I listen to only metal now I have to agree with you on working class hero. Excellent song.

Nyarlathotep's picture
According to Yoko, the most

According to Yoko, the most common request she gets is for permission to record Imagine with the lyric about "no religion" altered or removed.

Flamenca's picture
About what @Nyar said, a few

About what @Nyar said, a few years ago, they said on a Spanish radio show that the censored version is the only version allowed in US radio formula. Is this true?

Tin-Man's picture
@Flame Re: Censored version

@Flame Re: Censored version

Have no idea if it has been censored or not. Haven't heard that song at all on the radio in YEARS. LOL

Sushisnake's picture
That's really disappointing.

That's really disappointing. Does she refuse or allow it?

algebe's picture
In a few simple words,

In a few simple words, apparently inspired by Forrest Gump, this song perfectly captures the poisonous effects of religion and nationalism. I guess most people overlook the obvious hypocrisy in the verse about "no possessions," but it's still a very powerful and memorable song that must give preachers and priests a lot of headaches as they try to explain away their cult's guilty relationship to nationalism and war-mongering.

Cronus's picture
I always thought John Lennon

I always thought John Lennon was a genius.

Then came Yoko.

Makes you wonder, doesn't it?

;)

Cognostic's picture
Even Christians wish they

Even Christians wish they were free of the wrath of God! They know they can not be free thinkers, because "What if they are wrong?" "Imagine" speaks to the sanity of any intelligent human.

mickron88's picture
i like the song "hands of the

i like the song "hands of the almighty" by John R. Butler, its not an old song, but i love the humor. ehehe...

"yess..god will fuck you up"

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