Social media erupts over funeral rendition of Jimmy Carter’s reported favorite song, ‘Imagine’
The recent state funeral of former President Jimmy Carter at the Washington National Cathedral has sparked controversy on social media after the performance of John Lennon’s iconic song “Imagine.” The late President reportedly held this song as his favorite tune, but its use at his memorial service has raised eyebrows among critics who believe it was inappropriate for a Christian church setting.
During the funeral service, fellow Georgian artists Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks performed “Imagine,” a song that lyrically rejects religion with lines like “Imagine there’s no heaven / It’s easy if you try / No Hell below us / Above us, only sky.” This choice of song has divided opinions on social media, with many questioning the appropriateness of the song for a Christian funeral service.
Conservative figures and social media users took to platforms like X to express their concerns about the song choice. Commentator Erick Erickson raised doubts about the authenticity of portraying Carter as a strong Christian while having a song like “Imagine” played at his funeral. Others questioned the use of a song that rejects religion at a Christian funeral, with some calling it a dark and insulting choice.
Even a prominent member of the Catholic clergy, Bishop Robert Barron, expressed his disapproval of the performance, calling it an insult to the memory of a devoutly believing Christian. He criticized the choice of a hymn to atheistic humanism being sung in a Christian church, labeling it as an indicator of the spinelessness of established religion in the country.
Despite the backlash, some defended the performance, with National Review’s Jim Geraghty suggesting that the fact “Imagine” asks listeners to imagine the absence of heaven is a de facto concession that it exists. Lennon himself had a complex relationship with Christianity and organized religion, as he once corresponded with Christian preachers like Oral Roberts.
Ultimately, the performance of “Imagine” at President Carter’s funeral has sparked a debate about the appropriateness of the song choice for a Christian memorial service. While some view it as a fitting tribute to the late President’s favorite tune, others criticize it for its lyrical rejection of religion. The controversy surrounding this performance highlights the intersection of music, religion, and personal beliefs in the context of a solemn ceremony.
