BEATLES are DANGEROUS! : Jesus - The John Lennon Controversy (1966)

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BEATLES are DANGEROUS! : Jesus - The John Lennon Controversy (1966)
by Darius Kadivar
09-Oct-2010
 

During an interview with Evening Standard reporter Maureen Cleave, Lennon remarked, "Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink… We're more popular than Jesus now—I don't know which will go first, rock and roll or Christianity."Lennon's comment went virtually unnoticed in England but created a controversy when quoted by American teen magazine Datebook five months later. The uproar that followed—burning of Beatles records, Ku Klux Klan activity, and threats against Lennon—contributed to the band's decision to stop touring.

The Beatles Popular than Jesus:

John Lennon responds to questions about his "more popular than Jesus" remark at a L.A. press conference in August 1966:

BEATLES are DANGEROUS!

Jesus - John Lennon Controversy (1966):

Part I:

Part II:

Part III:

Part IV:

John Lennon Shot BBC NEWS 1980:

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more from Darius Kadivar
 
Escape

Darius I Have to Agree to disagree

by Escape on

Not everyone understood what Lennon meant and your right it's probably what got him killed.But it wasn't just religious people,people on both sides misunderstood.That's why I thought you didn't,I mean on appearance of your post..Back then you didn't say 'I don't believe in God' and not have controversy.And controversy was Lennon's forte..I like your description of the song God,when you listen to the song and think about the lyrics you realize it's a intentional provocation to get you to think.

Lennon was on the Tommorow show in 1975 saying how he thought Beatlemania was over and how he was living a open life like a normal person in NYC.I have the movie of the re-broadcast of the show the night after he was shot and I think that played a big part.He also talks about the breakup of Beatles,gives you the answer.Oh and another big part in his Death was a Rolling Stone interview in support of his last album 'Double Fantasy'.It's very personal and revealing.I don't believe Lennon wanted to live in the cage of Celebrity,I think he would have rather been dead and that's why he decided to live as you and I would.


Darius Kadivar

Escape Jaan What makes you think I misunderstood ?

by Darius Kadivar on

I didn't say the contrary ...

I think everyone understood Lennon was being ironic in his song "God" about the relativity of all things including Faith or when worshipping Celebrities, religious, cultural or political icons as substitutes to one's spiritual void ...

Everyone ... Except ... Mark David Chapman I'm afraid ...

Lennon's killer Chapman 'wanted to become somebody' (bbc)


Escape

I think you are misunderstanding what Lennon meant

by Escape on

In his song 'God'..

The Lyrics I don't believe in Magic,I don't believe in Elvis,Kennedy,Jesus,God etc..

He is talking about the established world,what a mess it is.

In a similar relation it may be easier to say this - I don't believe,what you believe..What we are taught to believe.Our society being inbredded..

Anyway I never took the song as meaning John Lennon making personal attacks on Elvis or Kennedy or Jesus or God etc..I took it as meaning 'open your mind' to what people are trying to teach you,some of it is wrong.What better way to get your attention?


Escape

Lennon was one of Christ's biggest fans

by Escape on

And the Beatles were always on the side of Christ.

 

  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.”

//www.thinkchristian.net/index.php/2008/07/14/the-beatles-as-a-christian-band/


Darius Kadivar

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