Hong Kong Liberal Religious Forum

The Theology of the Beatles
Rev. Ann C. Fox
Unitarian Universalist Society of Fairhaven
www.uufairhaven.org/2003/Ser2003Aug17.htm

John Lennon said, "I suppose now what I'm interested in is Nirvana, the Buddhist heaven. I don't know much about it, or really understand it enough to explain it. George knows more. Studying religion has made me try to improve relationships, not to be unpleasant. . . .Drugs have probably helped the understanding of myself better, but not much. . . . But there are much better ways of getting there. I've nothing really against the ideas of Christianity and their ways. I suppose I wouldn't make that remark about Jesus today [the one where he said the Beatles were more popular than Jesus and this caused a great outcry here in the U.S. Even the Klu Klux Klan demonstrated against him]. I think about things differently. I think Buddhism is simple and more logical than Christianity, but I've nothing against Jesus. I'll let Julian [my son] learn all about Jesus when he goes to school, but I'll also tell him there have been lots of other Jesuses. I'll tell him about the Buddhist ones; they're good men as well."

When John married sculptor and filmmaker Yoko Ono he became politically active for peace. His interest in religion and things spiritual gave way to a broad focus only on this world and its problems. He wrote the widely acclaimed "Imagine". (Note: We sang it as our second hymn.)...

...As to their theology: I believe they were very much like Unitarian Universalists-they claimed the freedom to make it up as they go along while reflecting on their current experience and understanding. Their scriptural source was our first source-Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures... They each in their own way turned to a mystical way of being religious. John dedicated his final years to political activity for a more peaceful world. Perhaps he said it all when he said, "I am already cosmic."

Being "cosmic" after all is seeing the oneness in all life. May we also continue our individual search for truth and meaning and listen openheartedly to one another's views, no matter how diverse for in this shared listening, we will hear the oneness that underlies our search.