Additional Coverage:
- Social media erupts over funeral rendition of Jimmy Carter’s reported favorite song, ‘Imagine’ (foxnews.com)
Former President Jimmy Carter’s favorite song, John Lennon’s “Imagine,” sparked controversy when it was performed at his state funeral. Critics argued that the song’s lyrics, which reject religion, were inappropriate for a memorial service in a Christian church.
The performance by Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks drew criticism on social media, with some questioning the song’s suitability for a devout Christian like Carter. Bishop Robert Barron of the Catholic Archdiocese of Winona-Rochester called the rendition an “insult” and an indicator of the decline of established religion.
However, some defended the choice of song, arguing that it did not deny the existence of heaven but rather invited listeners to imagine a world without conflict and division. They also noted that Lennon himself had a complex relationship with Christianity and sought guidance from religious figures.