Beatles More Popular Than Jesus …1966

Forty five years ago today Beatle, John Lennon made comments during an interview that brought DJ’s across the Bible belt of the US calling for a ban on Beatles Music and Memorabilia.  As reported out of context… thoughts of the pride and punishment of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4, came to mind… as well as the most quoted Proverb having to do with pride…

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18.

But were Lennon’s comments prideful and arrogant or a prophecy of things to come in the Christian community of Great Britain? …the world. Taken in the context of an interview covering a variety of subjects from gorilla suits to car phones, Lennon said, “Christianity will go,”    ”It will vanish and shrink….We’re more popular than Jesus now.”

These comments were reported all over as:

 “Lennon says Beatles better than Christ”…or another… “Christianity setting The Beatles rising….”

When approached about his comments and the resulting ban on “The Beatles”, John’s response in retrospect was prophetic…

“I’m not anti-God, anti-Christ or anti-religion. I was not saying we are greater or better. I believe in God, but not as one thing, not as an old man in the sky. I’m sorry I said it, really. I never meant it to be a lousy anti-religious thing. From what I’ve read, or observed, Christianity just seems to be shrinking, to be losing contact.”

Those comments were made in 1966. So what has been happening in Britain for the past  45 years ?

Just this year award winning British journalist and Radio host Jeremy Vine shares these comments with The Telegraph.

…”You can’t express views that were common currency 30 or 40 years ago,” he said.

…”Arguably, the parameters of what you might call ‘right thinking’ are probably closing.

…”Sadly, along with that has come the fact that it’s almost socially unacceptable to say you believe in God.”

 

The headline reads…

Christians are becoming social pariahs in Britain, claims Jeremy Vine

In 2007, Prime Minister Tony Blair was quoted as saying; he had been unable to be open about his faith when Prime Minister for fear that people would label him a “nutter”.

“It’s difficult if you talk about religious faith in our political system (Great Britain),” he said.

“If you are in the American political system or others then you can talk about religious faith and people say ‘Yes, that’s fair enough,’ and it is something they respond to quite naturally.

“You talk about it in our system and, frankly, people do think you’re a nutter.”

So what does all this mean to Evangelical Christians Worldwide?

Better yet what do YOU think this means to Evangelical Christians Worldwide?

Is John Lennon correct?  Is Christianity “losing touch”

As we head into the weekend and as we begin to prepare our hearts for corporate worship on Sunday…. How does a comment made 45 years ago relate to your life and witness as a Christian today?

Your Comments Please