Comments on: John Lennon and Jesus http://joshuacolwell.com/blog/index.php/2008/john-lennon-and-jesus/ Science, astronomy, politics, movies, and various minutiae. Tue, 13 Mar 2012 23:50:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: JC http://joshuacolwell.com/blog/index.php/2008/john-lennon-and-jesus/comment-page-1/#comment-82979 JC Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:24:07 +0000 http://joshuacolwell.com/blog/index.php/2008/john-lennon-and-jesus/#comment-82979 I stand corrected. I had not bothered to check the full quote, and that does at least explain a strong reaction. I stand corrected. I had not bothered to check the full quote, and that does at least explain a strong reaction.

]]> By: Matt http://joshuacolwell.com/blog/index.php/2008/john-lennon-and-jesus/comment-page-1/#comment-82973 Matt Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:55:49 +0000 http://joshuacolwell.com/blog/index.php/2008/john-lennon-and-jesus/#comment-82973 Well, he didn't just say "we're bigger than Jesus." Here is the full context of what Lennon said: "Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. I needn't argue with that; I'm right and I will be proved right. We're more popular than Jesus now; I don't know which will go first - rock 'n' roll or Christianity. Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. It's them twisting it that ruins it for me." So it was, to some extent, a direct attack on at least institutionalized Christianity. That's going to bother some people, especially people who see Christianity as an institution rather than a way of thinking and living. But of course, that is not to excuse an excessive reaction. Well, he didn’t just say “we’re bigger than Jesus.” Here is the full context of what Lennon said:

“Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. I needn’t argue with that; I’m right and I will be proved right. We’re more popular than Jesus now; I don’t know which will go first – rock ‘n’ roll or Christianity. Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. It’s them twisting it that ruins it for me.”

So it was, to some extent, a direct attack on at least institutionalized Christianity. That’s going to bother some people, especially people who see Christianity as an institution rather than a way of thinking and living. But of course, that is not to excuse an excessive reaction.

]]> By: JC http://joshuacolwell.com/blog/index.php/2008/john-lennon-and-jesus/comment-page-1/#comment-82946 JC Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:48:10 +0000 http://joshuacolwell.com/blog/index.php/2008/john-lennon-and-jesus/#comment-82946 Yep. I'm in agreement with the Pope on this and (I think) evolution. It's the reaction of Americans in the Bible Belt to Lennon's statement that puzzles me. I never interpreted it as a boast, but as a criticism. I thought he was saying that it was ridiculous, and a pity, that they would outdraw Jesus. He was probably wrong that they would outdraw Jesus, but he was right that if they would, it would be a shame. And there I managed to get three "would"s in one sentence. Yep. I’m in agreement with the Pope on this and (I think) evolution. It’s the reaction of Americans in the Bible Belt to Lennon’s statement that puzzles me. I never interpreted it as a boast, but as a criticism. I thought he was saying that it was ridiculous, and a pity, that they would outdraw Jesus. He was probably wrong that they would outdraw Jesus, but he was right that if they would, it would be a shame.

And there I managed to get three “would”s in one sentence.

]]> By: Matt http://joshuacolwell.com/blog/index.php/2008/john-lennon-and-jesus/comment-page-1/#comment-82943 Matt Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:42:00 +0000 http://joshuacolwell.com/blog/index.php/2008/john-lennon-and-jesus/#comment-82943 It's worth noting that, as far as I can tell, the word "forgiven" was inserted by the media and not part of the original statement in the Vatican newspaper, nor is there any indication I can find that this is any kind of change in the Vatican's stance. As I try to de-spin the coverage, it seems to me that the newspaper's main point was to reminisce upon the great value of the Beatles' work (on the 40th anniversary of the White Album), and it remarked in passing that the Lennon's comments were best excused as youthful boasting. So basically, I think the Pope agrees with you. :) However, finding the truth on this issue is made more difficult by the fact that L'Osservatore Romano does not appear to be available online. It’s worth noting that, as far as I can tell, the word “forgiven” was inserted by the media and not part of the original statement in the Vatican newspaper, nor is there any indication I can find that this is any kind of change in the Vatican’s stance. As I try to de-spin the coverage, it seems to me that the newspaper’s main point was to reminisce upon the great value of the Beatles’ work (on the 40th anniversary of the White Album), and it remarked in passing that the Lennon’s comments were best excused as youthful boasting.

So basically, I think the Pope agrees with you. :) However, finding the truth on this issue is made more difficult by the fact that L’Osservatore Romano does not appear to be available online.

]]> By: Frank http://joshuacolwell.com/blog/index.php/2008/john-lennon-and-jesus/comment-page-1/#comment-82406 Frank Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:51:11 +0000 http://joshuacolwell.com/blog/index.php/2008/john-lennon-and-jesus/#comment-82406 Everything little thing the Beatles said or did seemed to be amplified because they were so popular. Everything little thing the Beatles said or did seemed to be amplified because they were so popular.

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