Amid growing controversy, church officials stand by their decision to allow their church bells to toll John Lennon's Imagine.
Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral has drawn fire from those who believe that John Lennon's message in the song is atheistic in nature and that it is, therefore, "wholly inappropriate."
According to a report on the Click Web site, Imagine "is to be played to mark the start of the North West's Futuresonic festival on May 13."
Steven Green of Christian Voice reportedly said:
A song written by someone who described himself as 'Anti-religious' is not appropriate for the cathedral bells.
Liverpool has strong Christian roots and these are being pushed by this stunt.
Agreeing to play a song which promotes Atheism is very surprising and requires more careful consideration.
A spokesperson for the church said that they took into consideration the criticism but that they feel that playing the song "will be thought provoking as it yearns for peace in a broken and troubled world."
It was also said that "[the church] took into consideration sensitivities surrounding the song’s lyrical content and feel the message of bringing people together in harmony is very strong."
Imagine by John Lennon
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'll join us
And the world will be 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'll join us
And the world will live as one
For Beatles Info visit the Beatles Examiner, Steve Marinucci.
Comments
Stephen Green, also known as 'birdshit' by his countrymen and -women, is one of those wingnuts I suppose every modern country's population keeps as live exhibits to demonstrate where we've come from. Your fellow (ex-?)examiner Ray Comfort looks sane, rational and wise next to SG.
The bells aren't going to be playing the words, are they? It reminds me of the old joke about the prim lady who objected to her milkman whistling lewd songs. That's it. I said it was old, I didn't say it was funny.
Yeah, because one line negates the message of the whole song.
What a bunch of idiots.
Great song. Now if only people would take JL's advice, we would all have world peace and love all around.
Co optation, anyone?
"Bye, baby Banting, soon you'll need decanting..."
I think it's lovely that they are playing it. It's been my favorite song since I first heard it as a small child. The message is just beyond beautiful. Maybe that seeps through even to those who don't understand it. The idea of bringing people together in peace in harmony is something for all to share.
I also thinks it's a lovely idea. It's a beautiful melody and Liverpool is the perfect place.
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