John Lennon made his most controversial comment in March 1966, when he stated that the Beatles were more popular than Jesus. This remark triggered a massive controversy among conservative groups in the United States. Lennon also suggested that rock music might outlast Christianity. His comments are considered to be a possible motive for his murder in 1980.
Lennon was compelled by the Beatles manager, Brian Epstein, to issue a public apology. The controversy also led to a confrontation with the White supremacist group, Ku Klux Klan, during the Beatles’ press tours. The backlash resulted in the band and Lennon avoiding any further press tours.
John Lennon’s Prediction About Christianity Triggered Massive Backlash
John Lennon was not afraid to express his opinions publicly, but one particular controversial comment caused distress to his family and friends. Lennon gave a progressive interview to London’s The Evening Standard in March 1966, where he predicted that Christianity would “vanish and shrink”. He shared that people were more obsessed with the Beatles than Jesus and the Christian faith.
He added that rock music is here to stay, unlike Christianity. However, he noted that Jesus was right in his message, but it was his disciples who twisted and ruined the religion for Lennon. He shared with The Evening Standard (via beatlesinterviews.org):
“Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. I needn’t argue about that; I’m right and I will be proved right. We’re more popular than Jesus now. I don’t know which will go first, rock ‘n’ roll or Christianity. Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. It’s them twisting it that ruins it for me.”
The controversy started only after the interviews were published in the American teen magazine, The Datebook. It was published along with Paul McCartney’s negative opinion about race relations in the United States, which was expected to draw more controversy. However, Lennon’s comment ignited protests and threats against the rock band. The protests were stronger in the Bible Belt in the Southern United States.
The Beatles were promoting their new album, Revolver, at the time, but their tours and press conferences were canceled. Lennon issued an apology, but the threats continued, especially from the Ku Klux Klan, which upset the band. Lennon and the Beatles never undertook a tour again after the controversy.
The Controversial Comments Were One Of The Possible Motives In John Lennon’s Murder
John Lennon was murdered outside his apartment building on December 8, 1980, by Mark David Chapman. Chapman had long been a fan of the Beatles but revealed that he began hating John Lennon, especially after Chapman’s religious conversion. He was incensed by Lennon’s controversial comments in March 1966.
Chapman also revealed that Lennon’s lavish lifestyle, despite preaching for love and peace in his songs, made him angry. The lyrics of Lennon’s two songs, God and Imagine, where he sings that he did not believe in God, also triggered Chapman. Chapman surrendered without resisting arrest and pleaded guilty to the murder. He is currently incarcerated at the Green Haven Correctional Facility in New York.
The controversy surrounding Lennon’s claims opened more discussion on the matter. Pop culture analysts believe that comments like Lennon’s no longer cause such controversy in modern times.
