Jul 14 2008
‘Bigger than Jesus? The Beatles were a Christian band’
John Lennon famously claimed the Beatles were more popular than Jesus, even predicting that Christianity would “vanish and shrink”. But 28 years after his death, in an interview being broadcast for the first time, he claims that on the contrary, he hoped to encourage people to focus on the Christian faith.
Despite his familiar image as a hippy icon who invited us to imagine a world without religion, Lennon says he was “one of Christ’s biggest fans” and felt emotional in church.
In the interview, which was recorded in 1969 and is being aired on BBC Radio 4’s Sunday programme, he talks about the Church of England, his vision of heaven, and expresses disappointment at not being allowed to marry his second wife, Yoko Ono, in church.
The interview was conducted by Ken Seymour of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation when Lennon and Ono were at the Bed-In for Peace protest in Montreal. It was bought three years ago by National Museums Liverpool, which is playing an extract at a new exhibition at World Museum Liverpool.
Christians around the world had been dismayed by Lennon’s boast in an article in London’s Evening Standard about the popularity of the Beatles, but the singer says he was misunderstood.
“It’s just an expression meaning the Beatles seem to me to have more influence over youth than Christ,” he says. “Now I wasn’t saying that was a good idea, ‘cos I’m one of Christ’s biggest fans. And if I can turn the focus on the Beatles on to Christ’s message, then that’s what we’re here to do.”
He blames “the hypocrites” for being too “uptight” in reacting to his comments. “If the Beatles get on the side of Christ, which they always were, and let people know that, then maybe the churches won’t be full, but there’ll be a lot of Christians dancing in the dance halls. Whatever they celebrate, God and Christ, I don’t think it matters as long as they’re aware of Him and His message.”
He acknowledges a strong belief in the power of prayer but says he dislikes all the church trappings. “Community praying is probably very powerful… I’m just against the hypocrisy and the hat-wearing and the socialising and the tea parties.”
His aversion to institutional religion was shaped when a “ludicrous” vicar banned him from a church when he was 14 because he and his friends were “having the giggles”.
“I wasn’t convinced of the vicar’s sincerity anyway. But I knew it was the house of God. So I went along for that and the atmosphere always made me feel emotional and religious or whatever you call it.
“Being thrown out of church for laughing was the end of the Church for me.”
Read more here.
[From me]
Wow. I don’t think we can discount what Lennon said. He made some interesting observations. I wonder how many people have been turned off for of church for the same reasons Lennon was? There is a lot of hypocrisy in the church. I’m one of the problems. That is why every day I ask God to cleanse my heart so I can become a new person. I certainly don’t want to be the reason a person gives up on church. I used to get the giggles in church. Thank God I wasn’t asked to leave. I think we can learn from this rather than dismissing what he said.
What do you think?
7 responses so far
Kevin…I’m afraid we’ve thrown too many people out of the church for even worse reasons…some of those were non-believers, and many were Christ followers. For some reason, we’ve become the church wardens, ruling with an iron fist, and if anyone doesn’t meet our standards, out they go.
WOW! Gives another perspective on him that’s for sure. I was struck by the statement he made about “the churches may not be full but we would have a lot of Christians dancing in the dance halls.” Is that an early form of “church without walls?” Just curious. Could he have been touching on something years ago that many Christ-followers are talking about now? Also, like Steve, I could have been thrown out of church for some things (but not the giggles). I had to sit my parents for years so giggles were not allowed.
We also have to raise the question about being judgmental of others. It also gives a good view of why they searched “spiritually?”
Bill(cycleguy)’s last blog post..Important Words
Just look at the Lennon/McCartney worship set…
“Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”…talking about LSD? YES!!! Lord, Savior, Deity!
“Come Together” - the original song about community.
“Let it Be” - a reminder to not get close to sin.
“Lady Madonna” - no explanation needed.
“All You Need is Love” - AMEN!
“Help!” - a cry for God’s help.
“We Can Work it Out” - Godly reconciliation.
“Hey Jude” - the only song written to celebrate the short but powerful book.
“Strawberry Fields Forever” - Heaven!!!
“Getting Better” - a song about sanctification!
“Yellow Submarine” - mmmm…still have no idea!
Ryan Day’s last blog post..Summer in the City
How about “I Am a Walrus?” See book of Jonah
Great post Ryan. I laughed. Got me thinking about more songs too!
“Maybe I’m Amazed!” Talking about God’s acceptance of me (more Paul though I reckon)
Bill(cycleguy)’s last blog post..Quantity vs. Quality
I agree Kevin. We usually dismiss and even ban what we don’t want to hear. This is something I thought at the time. I never want to be the problem either. What you have posted here is one of the many reasons you are such an asset to the church Kevn. Kudos.
Debbie Kaufman’s last blog post..Mercy: A Lost Attribute Among Christians?
Well, with the band’s love affair with Buddhism, I fear we would be over run with more “Buddhist Christians”. I know it is a contradiction in terms, but they are out there (in more ways than 8). I fear the gospel would be watered down even more had the Fab 4 lifestyle been more accepted. OR perhaps, if the boys from Liverpool had been regular church goers, they would not have fallen prey to the lies of visualization and reincarnation. Much less… Instant Karma as one of Lenon’s songs said.
Hans Wunch’s last blog post..Happy Independence Day
Hans,
I don’t have a clue if any of the Beatles are believers. But I believe many believers chase off people because of our legalistic rules.