Early1

Brooklynn Early
John Kubler
English 114A
7 September 2014
Hope for Tomorrow
On December 31st you are at a New Years Eve Party approaching the countdown to
bring in the New Year in 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 you hear the sounds of John Lennons Imagine
playing as everyone sings along. Imagine by John Lennon is a song usually played at New Year
parties around the world. The song urges listeners to imagine a world without spirituality and
differences in beliefs, a world of brotherhood and equality. The song came out during a time of
war over religion and beliefs; it was much needed during the period in which it was released.
Forty three years later, and the song still holds great meaning and significance to what is going
on in the world today.
Religion is very important in other countries and rules the lives of believers in foreign
countries, Imagine theres no heaven, nothing to kill over (Lennon). Too many people have
died in the name of God and it may seem as though it would be pleasurable to have a world
where there is nothing to kill or die for, which would lead to an extinction of wars and terrorist
activities (Lennon).This world John Lennon beseeches us to fantasize about is a world without a
focus on possessions and creating a oneness within everyone without the barriers that makes us
different like religion and political views. With wars going on and people dying in the name of
God, and too many throats have been cut in Gods name through the ages, and God has enlisted
in too many wars, there seems to be a need for unity today; political parties have turned in to

Early2

gangs and its as though our differences have divided us (Albright 35). Perhaps if religion was
removed, the motivation for terror and even fear would be removed.
John Lennons song Imagine suggest a world where everyone can cooperate by
eliminating the things that divide us like religion and other beliefs and although it might give the
impression of a peaceful world youd want to live in think again. Lennons lyrics inspire a
system in which everyone is equal and no one is better or more superior to another. A world like
that, sounds a lot like communism, a classless society, in which America today is opposite. Many
dictatorships are based on communists ideas and values. We need to continue a world of
networks in which today is based on not what you know, but who you know, indeed it has been
shown that our lifetime income is powerfully by the quality of our networks and building these
networks gives motivation to move up in the world financially and socially ( Putnam). Lennons
lyrics suggest a world in which there is nothing to work for if everyone is equal and encourages
us to come together despite how naturally, people are drawn to people most like them. The more
people are forces to be with one another, the less likelihood of working on a community
project, there is a lack of trust between people that is inevitable (Putnam). Realistically in this
world John Lennon is referring to, people forced to live around others would tend to withdraw
from collective life, to distrust their neighbors, regardless of the color of their skin, it is a part of
our nature to withdraw in a diverse setting (Albright). The way we build networks is a voluntary
process not a forceful way of making the environment more diverse.
Lennon asserts an idea that a world without religion would be appropriate for this world
in which people are killing and being killed in the name of God, Imagine there is no heaven
it's easy if you try no hell below us above us only sky, nothing to believe or put faith in (Lennon).
During this time where religion is killing people, spirituality is needed and most importantly, religion at

Early3
its best can reinforce the core values necessary for people from different cultures to live in some degree of
harmony , so rather than allowing religion to separate us, we should let it bring us together (Albright).
Spirituality fosters a sense of hope in hopeless times and reinforces morality. We need religion,
something to look forward to, something to put our trust in, a higher power to give guidance and
tranquility among us.
As you Jam to Imagine by John Lennon and reflect of the state in which the world is in today,
consider the following: a world where everyone is the same and individuality doesnt control lives isnt a
world to live in, a world where we can foster enough knowledge about beliefs other than our own and
have a tolerance and understanding for our difference is a world we should strive for.