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'Imagine' Christian lyrics... Why?!?!?

AhnimusAhnimus Posts: 10,560
edited June 2007 in A Moving Train
IMAGINE

Revised by Fredi D’Alessio

Imagine there's a Heaven,
It's easy if you try,
A hell below us,
Above us Holy sky,
Imagine all the people
Living for God’s way ~

Imagine there's no hatred,
It isn’t hard to do,
No cause to kill or die for,
And one religion too,
Imagine all the people
Living in Christ’s peace ~

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world believes as one

Imagine shared possessions,
I wonder if you can,
No deeds of greed, no 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'll join us,
And the world will Love as one
http://dalessio.topcities.com/Imagine.htm

Why would you do that? Why?
I necessarily have the passion for writing this, and you have the passion for condemning me; both of us are equally fools, equally the toys of destiny. Your nature is to do harm, mine is to love truth, and to make it public in spite of you. - Voltaire
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments

  • seagoat2seagoat2 Posts: 241
    Yuck! Johnnie is rolling in his grave......
  • CosmoCosmo Posts: 12,225
    "No cause to kill or die for,
    And one religion too,
    Imagine all the people
    Living in Christ’s peace ~"
    ...
    I thought the idea of everybody living under One religion was the goal of Muslim extremists.
    ...
    But... I don't blame this guy for doing this... I mean here are a couple of examples of Christian prayers 'modified' in song:
    "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want, He makes me down to lie
    Through pastures green he leadeth me the silent waters by.
    With bright knives he releaseth my soul.
    He maketh me to hang on hooks in high places.
    He converteth me to lamb cutlets.
    For lo, he hath great power and great hunger.
    When cometh the day we lowly ones, Through quiet reflection and great dedication, Master the art of karate...
    Lo, we shall rise up
    And then we'll make the bugger's eyes water."
    ...
    1. In the beginning Man created God; and in the image of Man created he him.

    2. And Man gave unto God a multitude of names, that he might be Lord over all the earth when it was suited to Man.

    3. And on the seven millionth day Man rested and did lean heavily on his God and saw that it was good.

    4. And Man formed Aqualung of the dust of the ground, and a host of others likened unto his hind.

    5. And these lesser man Man did cast into the void. And some were burned; and some were put apart from their kind.

    6. And Man became the God that he had created and with his miracles did rule over all the earth.

    7. But as these things did come to pass, the Spirit that did cause Man to create his God lived on within all Men: even within Aqualung.

    8. And Man saw it not.

    9. But for Christ’s sake, he’d better start looking.
    ...
    Turnabouts fair play... right?
    Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
    Hail, Hail!!!
  • AhnimusAhnimus Posts: 10,560
    I just started reading "The God Delusion" by Dawkins and this was written in the preface...
    Imagine, with John Lennon, a world with no religion. Imagine
    no suicide bombers, no 9/11, no 7/7, no Crusades, no witch-hunts,
    no Gunpowder Plot, no Indian partition, no Israeli/Palestinian
    wars, no Serb/Croat/Muslim massacres, no persecution of Jews
    as 'Christ-killers', no Northern Ireland 'troubles', no 'honour
    killings', no shiny-suited bouffant-haired televangelists fleecing
    gullible people of their money ('God wants you to give till it
    hurts'). Imagine no Taliban to blow up ancient statues, no public beheadings of blasphemers, no flogging of female skin for the crime
    of showing an inch of it. Incidentally, my colleague Desmond
    Morris informs me that John Lennon's magnificent song is some-
    times performed in America with the phrase 'and no religion too'
    expurgated. One version even has the effrontery to change it to 'and
    one religion too

    Well, I had to confirm that outrageous claim myself, then I found Frank D'Assiholes version of the song.
    I necessarily have the passion for writing this, and you have the passion for condemning me; both of us are equally fools, equally the toys of destiny. Your nature is to do harm, mine is to love truth, and to make it public in spite of you. - Voltaire
  • Bu2Bu2 Posts: 1,693
    John is not amused.
    Feels Good Inc.
  • surferdudesurferdude Posts: 2,057
    File this under "who cares".
    “One good thing about music,
    when it hits you, you feel to pain.
    So brutalize me with music.”
    ~ Bob Marley
  • PaperPlatesPaperPlates Posts: 1,745
    surferdude wrote:
    File this under "who cares".


    what he said.
    Why go home

    www.myspace.com/jensvad
  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    i imagine john lennon would relish the opportunity to debate.
    or
    he just might think it all inconsequential.

    either way at least people would be talking about his song. :)
    hear my name
    take a good look
    this could be the day
    hold my hand
    lie beside me
    i just need to say
  • CosmoCosmo Posts: 12,225
    catefrances wrote:
    i imagine john lennon would relish the opportunity to debate.
    or
    he just might think it all inconsequential.

    either way at least people would be talking about his song. :)
    ...
    From what i've read about John Lennon... he would be amused about it. but, more concerned about what is happening in places like Darfur and Iraq.
    Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
    Hail, Hail!!!
  • melodiousmelodious Posts: 1,719
    so, very true...
    all insanity:
    a derivitive of nature.
    nature is god
    god is love
    love is light
  • AhnimusAhnimus Posts: 10,560
    surferdude wrote:
    File this under "who cares".

    I think it demonstrates the one-sided attitude of theists. For example a neighbourhood house has written on it "Jesus Loves You" and if I were to write on mine "Jesus is a lie" I would be publicly ridiculed. It would not be acceptable for me to mock a religious hymn by editing the lyrics to support atheism. At the core of this is stupidity and I don't feel stupidity should have sanctuary in religion.
    I necessarily have the passion for writing this, and you have the passion for condemning me; both of us are equally fools, equally the toys of destiny. Your nature is to do harm, mine is to love truth, and to make it public in spite of you. - Voltaire
  • normnorm Posts: 31,146
    Ahnimus wrote:
    I think it demonstrates the one-sided attitude of theists. For example a neighbourhood house has written on it "Jesus Loves You" and if I were to write on mine "Jesus is a lie" I would be publicly ridiculed. It would not be acceptable for me to mock a religious hymn by editing the lyrics to support atheism. At the core of this is stupidity and I don't feel stupidity should have sanctuary in religion.


    every once and a while you're right on target ryan.....:)
  • surferdudesurferdude Posts: 2,057
    Ahnimus wrote:
    I think it demonstrates the one-sided attitude of theists. For example a neighbourhood house has written on it "Jesus Loves You" and if I were to write on mine "Jesus is a lie" I would be publicly ridiculed. It would not be acceptable for me to mock a religious hymn by editing the lyrics to support atheism. At the core of this is stupidity and I don't feel stupidity should have sanctuary in religion.
    I didn't realize "Imagine" was an atheist hymn. My bad. Thought it was just another pop song by a pop singer. Can you recommend a good atheist church for me to go to, I'd love to hear an atheist choir do this song justice.
    “One good thing about music,
    when it hits you, you feel to pain.
    So brutalize me with music.”
    ~ Bob Marley
  • CosmoCosmo Posts: 12,225
    Ahnimus wrote:
    I think it demonstrates the one-sided attitude of theists. For example a neighbourhood house has written on it "Jesus Loves You" and if I were to write on mine "Jesus is a lie" I would be publicly ridiculed. It would not be acceptable for me to mock a religious hymn by editing the lyrics to support atheism. At the core of this is stupidity and I don't feel stupidity should have sanctuary in religion.
    ...
    Actually... it does happen. i sited two examples... the Jethro Tull liner notes created quite a stir in 1972 and these religious types went all overboard and protested and shit.
    I'm saying, when the opposite occurs... don't react in the same manner as these people who creep you out. It really is a matter of... 'Okay... that's creepy'... then, move on.
    Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
    Hail, Hail!!!
  • ByrnzieByrnzie Posts: 21,037
    Ahnimus wrote:
    I just started reading "The God Delusion" by Dawkins and this was written in the preface...

    Well, the Soviets weren't religious and yet Stalin still managed to wipe out about 30 million of his own people in the 1920's . Most of the top rank of the Nazi's also dabbled in occultism, and I don't think anyone believed their pretensions to be on some sort of messianic crusade. Nazism was fundamentally a secular force.
    Anyway, to be honest, I don't consider about 99% of supposed Christians to be religious at all. Most of these people who we label religious aren't religious at all. Going to a church once a week and singing hymns doesn't qualify you as being religious in my book. The church has failed Christianity. And unless you've experienced God first hand, through a direct religious/mystical experience, then you are not religious.
  • FinsburyParkCarrotsFinsburyParkCarrots Seattle, WA Posts: 12,223
    Yep, and if Dawkins thinks the troubles in Ireland were about religion, he's a bigger jackass than I took him for.
  • Gary CarterGary Carter Posts: 14,067
    Byrnzie wrote:
    Anyway, to be honest, I don't consider about 99% of supposed Christians to be religious at all. Most of these people who we label religious aren't religious at all. Going to a church once a week and singing hymns doesn't qualify you as being religious in my book. The church has failed Christianity. And unless you've experienced God first hand, through a direct religious/mystical experience, then you are not religious.
    but yet some people do and then they spew there hate and brainwash towards people. so then u got both sides doing a wrong, 2 wrongs dont make a right. the church has failed christians since the bible was made up and thats going back thousands of years
    Ron: I just don't feel like going out tonight
    Sammi: Wanna just break up?

  • cornnifercornnifer Posts: 2,130
    Ahnimus wrote:
    I think it demonstrates the one-sided attitude of theists. For example a neighbourhood house has written on it "Jesus Loves You" and if I were to write on mine "Jesus is a lie" I would be publicly ridiculed. It would not be acceptable for me to mock a religious hymn by editing the lyrics to support atheism. At the core of this is stupidity and I don't feel stupidity should have sanctuary in religion.

    You might be right, and as a Christian, i agree that the revised lyrics to the song are a bad idea. It isn't like Lennon wasn't demonstrating a "one sided attitude" of his own with the original lyrics, however. Lennon was basically saying "just think, if it weren't for those idiots that believed in God, if EVERYONE thought EXACTLY like i, the great, John fucking Lennon, do evreything would be keen". Sheesh. Anthem for the open-minded indeed. :rolleyes:
    i agree the revised lyrics are cheesy and perhaps even in bad taste. Let's be honest, however, the original is a steaming pile also.
    "When all your friends and sedatives mean well but make it worse... better find yourself a place to level out."
  • Bu2Bu2 Posts: 1,693
    surferdude wrote:
    I didn't realize "Imagine" was an atheist hymn. My bad. Thought it was just another pop song by a pop singer. Can you recommend a good atheist church for me to go to, I'd love to hear an atheist choir do this song justice.

    John Lennon, to many, was a peace activist.
    Feels Good Inc.
  • cornnifercornnifer Posts: 2,130
    Byrnzie wrote:
    Anyway, to be honest, I don't consider about 99% of supposed Christians to be religious at all. Most of these people who we label religious aren't religious at all. Going to a church once a week and singing hymns doesn't qualify you as being religious in my book. The church has failed Christianity. And unless you've experienced God first hand, through a direct religious/mystical experience, then you are not religious.

    Well actually, ritualistically attending church, singing hymns, going to confession, holy water, etc. is EXACTLY what makes a person RELIGIOUS. Christianity, in and of itself, in its purest form, is not a religion. It is a faith.
    There is a HUGE difference between religion and faith, religious and faithful.
    "When all your friends and sedatives mean well but make it worse... better find yourself a place to level out."
  • cornnifercornnifer Posts: 2,130
    Bu2 wrote:
    John Lennon, to many, was a peace activist.

    Peace activist...









    and fucking hypocrite.
    "When all your friends and sedatives mean well but make it worse... better find yourself a place to level out."
  • AbookamongstthemanyAbookamongstthemany Posts: 8,209
    cornnifer wrote:
    Peace activist...









    and fucking hypocrite.

    Just like everyone else.
    If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.

    Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
    -Oscar Wilde
  • CosmoCosmo Posts: 12,225
    cornnifer wrote:
    You might be right, and as a Christian, i agree that the revised lyrics to the song are a bad idea. It isn't like Lennon wasn't demonstrating a "one sided attitude" of his own with the original lyrics, however. Lennon was basically saying "just think, if it weren't for those idiots that believed in God, if EVERYONE thought EXACTLY like i, the great, John fucking Lennon, do evreything would be keen". Sheesh. Anthem for the open-minded indeed. :rolleyes:
    i agree the revised lyrics are cheesy and perhaps even in bad taste. Let's be honest, however, the original is a steaming pile also.
    ...
    Ummmm... no... that's NOT what Lennon was saying. He was saying that if there was no greed and selfishness and if we basically did unto others as we would have them do unto us... we'd all be a lot better off. And face it... like it or not... Nationalism and Religion are greed based selfish entities. Being, MY nation withing MY borders... or MY religion over yours... is why there is so much conflict. There is no mention of no God.
    Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
    Hail, Hail!!!
  • AbookamongstthemanyAbookamongstthemany Posts: 8,209
    Bu2 wrote:
    John Lennon, to many, was a peace activist.


    A very good one at that. :)
    If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.

    Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
    -Oscar Wilde
  • cornnifercornnifer Posts: 2,130
    Abookamongstthemany wrote:
    Just like everyone else.

    To a degree, you're right. You'll get no argument out of me on this one.
    "When all your friends and sedatives mean well but make it worse... better find yourself a place to level out."
  • Gary CarterGary Carter Posts: 14,067
    Abookamongstthemany wrote:
    A very good one at that. :)
    yup he was so good at it, that the good old US OF A(SS) even was spying on him
    Ron: I just don't feel like going out tonight
    Sammi: Wanna just break up?

  • Bu2Bu2 Posts: 1,693
    Cosmo wrote:
    ...
    Ummmm... no... that's NOT what Lennon was saying. He was saying that if there was no greed and selfishness and if we basically did unto others as we would have them do unto us... we'd all be a lot better off. And face it... like it or not... Nationalism and Religion are greed based selfish entities. Being, MY nation withing MY borders... or MY religion over yours... is why there is so much conflict. There is no mention of no God.

    Hear, hear!
    Feels Good Inc.
  • AbookamongstthemanyAbookamongstthemany Posts: 8,209
    metsfan531941 wrote:
    yup he was so good at it, that the good old US OF A(SS) even was spying on him


    and tried to deport him.
    If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.

    Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
    -Oscar Wilde
  • Bu2Bu2 Posts: 1,693
    Yoko Ono recently said in an article that she believes John would've LOVED the internet, really dug it. She thinks the instant (karma - cough!) communication would've turned him on.

    And I, for one, agree.
    Feels Good Inc.
  • CosmoCosmo Posts: 12,225
    cornnifer wrote:
    Well actually, ritualistically attending church, singing hymns, going to confession, holy water, etc. is EXACTLY what makes a person RELIGIOUS. Christianity, in and of itself, in its purest form, is not a religion. It is a faith.
    There is a HUGE difference between religion and faith, religious and faithful.
    ...
    Then I'm not religious. I reject religion... all organized religion, from Christianity to Judaism to Scientology... for ME. If it works for other people, fine... i am happy for them. But, religion does not fit me.
    My faith is in God (whatever those religions choose to call Him)... not rituals or texts or hymns. I still don't know about the whole Jesus resurrection and coming back to kick my ass to Hell... but, i love His teachings and try to follow them. God is my God and I'm not laying my sins and failures and blame on Jesus' shoulders... even though others tell me i can. I own those faults and they are mine to bear... no one else's... not even Jesus.
    If I am judged in the end... I will carry my guilt and admit to them. My God will accept me because He knows I'm just some fucked up dude trying to do his best here on Earth. If that ain't good enough for Him... well, then I guess I had Him pegged all wrong. But, i will still not regret the good things I've done in my life.
    Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
    Hail, Hail!!!
  • moeaholicmoeaholic Posts: 535
    Bu2 wrote:
    Yoko Ono recently said in an article that she believes John would've LOVED the internet, really dug it. She thinks the instant (karma - cough!) communication would've turned him on.

    And I, for one, agree.

    "We live in a country where John Lennon gets shot, Yoko Ono is standing right next to him...not one fucking bullet! Explain this to me, God! Explain it to me, God! I want it explained to me, JESUS!"
    "PC Load Letter?! What the fuck does that mean?"
    ~Michael Bolton
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