“Secularism is the philosophical belief that everything that happens can be explained in terms of natural causes – the soul, the afterlife, God – do not exist by definition” (Noebel, 2015). “Imagine”, by John Lennon is a beautiful secular hymn that is filled with hope that one day everyone will leave equally, creating a heaven on Earth. This hymn resonates with many people as racism is prevalent in the world and everyone has been shunned or looked down upon in one way or the other. “They struggle with trying to make sense of this pain and suffering in their lives” (Godawa, 2009), so this hymn gives them hope. A hope that one-day greed, hatred, inequality, and injustice will be eradicated from the world; leaving a peaceful world where people will be able to co-exist peacefully. With the current situation of the world; this song is like a ray of hope for people and this is the reason that it speaks to them at a deeper level as it allows them to “Imagine all the people, Livin’ life in peace” (Lennon, 2016).
The thesis of this song is to ask people that they imagine a world where there is only peace and love. If they can imagine it then they should know that it is not difficult to achieve. The main message is of spreading peace and helping love by joining those who are trying to spread this message as well.
Christians can enjoy this song as it spreads the message of peace and love which is one of the core values of any religion. There will indeed come a time when every negative attribute will be eradicated from this world as stated in Mathew 6:10 “your kingdom come, you will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (NIV, 2020). This verse refers to the time when this earth will be no more and new earth will come into existence where there will be only peace and love. So in essence the song is spreading the message of God and the followers of God can fully enjoy it.
References
Godawa, B. (2009). 4. Existentialism. In Hollywood Worldviews: Watching Films with Wisdom and Discernment (p. 97). InterVarsity Press.
Lennon, J. (2016, December 18). IMAGINE. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkgkThdzX-8
NIV. (2020). Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 6:10 – New International Version. Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206%3A10&version=NIV
Noebel, D. A. (2015). Chapter 9: Philosophy. In Understanding The Times (p. 208). https://platform.virdocs.com/r/s/0/doc/476551/sp/179022858/mi/570876952?cfi=%2F4%5Bthe_times-21%5D%2F4%2F48%2F2%2C%2F15%3A0%2C%2F15%3A0
