Posted on 09/30/2008 10:52:28 AM PDT by Jim Giatas
Contemporary Orthodox Christian singer/songwriter, Jim Giatas, has written and recorded “If You Imagine” as an answer to former Beatle, John Lennon’s song “Imagine.”
“If You Imagine” has generated significant criticism. One writer called it blasphemy. On MySpace, Vangellis responded that it was: “A terrible denigration of Lennon's ode to reason. And the fireworks are just beginning.
“John’s song has gone virtually unchallenged for all these years and I felt compelled to write an answer to it from my own conservative Orthodox Christian faith.” It can be heard for free on YouTube at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMM3WZ7AErA
“I ‘ve always been a Beatles and John fan. I mean no disrespect to John’s memory. His loss was an unspeakable tragedy. I never knew him personally but I understand that he was a very sweet guy. I’d like to think that John would have liked my song - especially since he has so many ardent and sycophant followers and that his music and his humanist - athiestic philosophy have become something of a sacred cow. Nevertheless, as I say in my song, ‘If you imagine (no religion, no God, etc), you couldn’t be more wrong.”
In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine voted "Imagine" the third greatest song of all time. Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter said, "In many countries around the world — my wife and I have visited about 125 countries — you hear John Lennon's song 'Imagine' used almost equally with national anthems."
In the book Lennon in America, written by Geoffrey Giuliano, Lennon commented that the song was "an anti-religious, anti-nationalistic, anti-conventional, anti-capitalistic song, but because it's sugar-coated, it's accepted." Lennon also described it as "virtually the Communist Manifesto".
Jim continues,“We live in such unreasonable times that Christianity is being attacked as ‘hate speech’ - imagine that! Jesus also warned that the time would come when those who kill His followers would think that they are doing God a favor. However, there is only one Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ who is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to God except by Him.”
Jim’s music is not sold commercially and is available for free on the internet at http://www.myspace.com/jimgiatas. Jim’s concerts are always free admission events. All contributions to the work of this mission are very much needed and greatly appreciated. (Tax deductions are not available)
The lyrics to “If You Imagine”
IF YOU IMAGINE
IF YOU IMAGINE ONLY SKY ABOVE NO HEAVEN OR HELL BELOW IF YOU IMAGINE NO RELIGION OR GOD YOU COULDN’T BE MORE WRONG
CREATION COULD NOT BE BY CHANCE GOD REALLY DOES EXIST BECAUSE WE WERE MADE IN HIS IMAGE, LIFE IS SACRED AND SO YOU COULDN’T BE MORE WRONG
NO MATTER WHAT YOU MIGHT IMAGINE JUST LIKE ADAM AND EVE YOU’VE BEEN DECEIVED LOVE ISN’T ALL YOU NEED
IF YOU IMAGINE THE WORLD AS ONE AS IF ONLY THEN PEACE WOULD COME AND WITHOUT COUNTRIES HUNGER AND GREED WOULD END YOU COULDN’T BE MORE WRONG
MAN IS NOT THE MEASURE OF ALL THINGS MARX AND LENNON WERE GREATLY MISTAKEN WITHOUT RIGHTS LIKE PROPERTY IN OUR POSSESSION YOUR “BROTHERHOOD OF MAN” IS REALLY SLAVERY
//: LOVE ISN’T ALL YOU NEED ://
Words and Music By Jim Giatas All Rights Reserved ASCAP
Thanks for signing up today to promote your song.
Nothing personal. But that’s kinda frowned upon.
Imagine by Lennon, is the Communist manifesto put to music.
It’s ok as long as it’s posted as a vanity. We have several people that push their stuff on FR.
MAN IS NOT THE MEASURE OF ALL THINGSTake that, Protagoras!
Hey, I’ve promoted some of my own stuff, so I do understand.
But I didn’t sign up ~just~ for that purpose.
That’s all I’m sayin’...
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Welcome to Free Republic.
Are you a big "O" or little "o," "Orthodox Christian?"
Bookmark
Welcome to FR
It was an utter waste of time.
Owl_Eagle
There are people who are surrounded by bigots
and know it is wrong, but are afraid to be vocal against it.
These people are going to pull the lever for Obama
and they are not being polled.
angee_is_mad, DUmmy
It seems a bit contrived to have to put it to the same melody.
I know that was the point, but mayhaps you could do better at someting more original..
I like the jokey song “Freedom Isn’t Free” from ‘America World Police’, but then again I’m considered uncouth.
The bottom line here is that yours is a crappy song, Jim.
“One writer called it blasphemy.”
No, actually the original “Imagine” was blasphemy.
John Lennon is not God, in spite of his “more famous than Christ” statement.
You’ve got to be kidding me? That’s not a song, that’s a childish response to a song.
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