Wednesday, July 30, 2008

John Lennon and Christianity

Ang BEATLES ang nagbigay inspirasyon sa akin para mag-aral ng gitara. May quasi-Beatles band kami noong high school. Nagkataong ako natokang maging John Lennon. Isang malaking isyu sa popularidad ng banda ang minsang inihayag ni ni Lennon na mas sikat na ang kanilang banda kay Cristo. Makalipas ang mahigit tatlong dekada, isang interview clip ang inilabas ng BBC Radio tungkol sa kahulugan ng pahayag...Nakakatuwang malaman (kung totoo man) na na-misinterpret lang ng publiko ang sinabi ni Lennon.

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On a 1969 interview with John Lennon:

John Lennon famously claimed the Beatles were more popular than Jesus, even predicting that Christianity would "vanish and shrink".

But 28 years after his death, in an interview being broadcast for the first time, he claims that on the contrary, he hoped to encourage people to focus on the Christian faith.

Despite his familiar image as a hippy icon who invited us to imagine a world without religion, Lennon says he was "one of Christ's biggest fans" and felt emotional in church.

In the interview, which was recorded in 1969 and is being aired on BBC Radio 4's Sunday programme, he talks about the Church of England, his vision of heaven, and expresses disappointment at not being allowed to marry his second wife, Yoko Ono, in church.

The interview was conducted by Ken Seymour of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation when Lennon and Ono were at the Bed-In for Peace protest in Montreal. It was bought three years ago by National Museums Liverpool, which is playing an extract at a new exhibition at World Museum Liverpool.

Christians around the world had been dismayed by Lennon's boast in an article in London's Evening Standard about the popularity of the Beatles, but the singer says he was misunderstood.

"It's just an expression meaning the Beatles seem to me to have more influence over youth than Christ," he says. "Now I wasn't saying that was a good idea, 'cos I'm one of Christ's biggest fans. And if I can turn the focus on the Beatles on to Christ's message, then that's what we're here to do."

He blames "the hypocrites" for being too "uptight" in reacting to his comments. "If the Beatles get on the side of Christ, which they always were, and let people know that, then maybe the churches won't be full, but there'll be a lot of Christians dancing in the dance halls. Whatever they celebrate, God and Christ, I don't think it matters as long as they're aware of Him and His message."

He acknowledges a strong belief in the power of prayer but says he dislikes all the church trappings. "Community praying is probably very powerful. I'm just against the hypocrisy and the hat-wearing and the socialising and the tea parties."

His aversion to institutional religion was shaped when a "ludicrous" vicar banned him from a church when he was 14 because he and his friends were "having the giggles".

"I wasn't convinced of the vicar's sincerity anyway. But I knew it was the house of God. So I went along for that and the atmosphere always made me feel emotional and religious or whatever you call it.

"Being thrown out of church for laughing was the end of the Church for me."

He continues: "I would have liked to have been married in a church but they wouldn't marry divorcees. That's pure hypocrisy." The Church's position on the issue changed in 2002.

On heaven, he says: "I haven't got any sort of dream of a physical heaven where there's lots of chocolate and pretty women in nightgowns, playing harps. I believe you can make heaven within your own mind. The kingdom of heaven is within you, Christ said, and I believe that."

The author Paul Du Noyer, who has written extensively on the Beatles, said: "He was chastened by the reaction he got to his Jesus remarks and it probably made him think more carefully about religion.

"These comments would have been a great boost for churches if they had come out at the time."

Ang Suicide Note ni Kurt Cobain

Nasa third year high school ako noong sumikat ang bandang NIRVANA na pinapangunahan ni Kurt Cobain, ang nagpauso ng Grunge Rock Music. Nalulong si Kurt sa ipinagbabawal na gamot. Hindi niya rin nakayanan ang pasakit na bunga ng kasikatan at pagsunod ng media sa kaniyang buhay at ang kaniyang asawa, si Courtney Cox. Ginulantang ni Kurt ang buong mundo nang matagpuan siyang patay sa kaniyang tahanan sa Seattle, Washington noong April 8, 1994. Naging malinaw ang dahilan ng kamatayan: suicide. Nag-iwan siya ng isang sulat upang ipaliwanag ang dahilan ng kaniyang pagpapakamatay. Ipinakita ng kaniyang liham na ang tunay na KALIGAYAHAN ay hindi matatagpuan sa kayamanan at kasikatan.
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"...All the warnings from the punk rock 101 courses over the years, since my first introduction to the, shall we say, ethics involved with independence and the embracement of your community has proven to be very true. I haven't felt the excitement of listening to as well as creating music along with reading and writing for too many years now. I feel guity beyond words about these things.

For example when we're back stage and the lights go out and the manic roar of the crowds begins., it doesn't affect me the way in which it did for Freddie Mercury, who seemed to love, relish in the the love and adoration from the crowd which is something I totally admire and envy. The fact is, I can't fool you, any one of you. It simply isn't fair to you or me. The worst crime I can think of would be to rip people off by faking it and pretending as if I'm having 100% fun. Sometimes I feel as if I should have a punch-in time clock before I walk out on stage. I've tried everything within my power to appreciate it (and I do,God, believe me I do, but it's not enough). I appreciate the fact that I and we have affected and entertained a lot of people. It must be one of those narcissists who only appreciate things when they're gone. I'm too sensitive. I need to be slightly numb in order to regain the enthusiasms I once had as a child.

On our last 3 tours, I've had a much better appreciation for all the people I've known personally, and as fans of our music, but I still can't get over the frustration, the guilt and empathy I have for everyone. There's good in all of us and I think I simply love people too much, so much that it makes me feel too fucking sad. The sad little, sensitive, unappreciative, Pisces, Jesus man. Why don't you just enjoy it? I don't know!

I have a goddess of a wife who sweats ambition and empathy and a daughter who reminds me too much of what i used to be, full of love and joy, kissing every person she meets because everyone is good and will do her no harm. And that terrifies me to the point to where I can barely function. I can't stand the thought of Frances becoming the miserable, self-destructive, death rocker that I've become.

I have it good, very good, and I'm grateful, but since the age of seven, I've become hateful towards all humans in general. Only because it seems so easy for people to get along that have empathy. Only because I love and feel sorry for people too much I guess.

Thank you all from the pit of my burning, nauseous stomach for your letters and concern during the past years. I'm too much of an erratic, moody baby! I don't have the passion anymore, and so remember, it's better to burn out than to fade away.

Peace, love, empathy.
Kurt Cobain

Frances and Courtney, I'll be at your alter.
Please keep going Courtney, for Frances.
For her life, which will be so much happier without me.

I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU!