All Comments (103)

interesting article...although I'm not much of a Beatles fan, I too interpreted Original spiritually....for me..the one who kneels at the door is Christ.

http://moreaboutmen.com/abc/y/

http://moreaboutmen.com/artist/shayne-ward/s31877/

http://moreaboutmen.com/artist/shayne-ward/s31877/

http://moreaboutmen.com/artist/shayne-ward/s31877/

http://moreaboutmen.com/genre/rock-folk-rock/g918/

http://moreaboutmen.com/genre/rock-folk-rock/g918/

John Lennon also said that the Gnostics were the true Christians. He was right. There is no way that Jesus, Logos of the Divine, is the son of the repulsive trible war god who craves sacrifice.

Eve is our spiritual mother. In her rebellion against the Lying God Saklas, she won for us our morality and consciousness.

Blessings from the Gnostic Christ!

my name is nobody,
i haven't seen anyone try to say that.if you thought that,then you should've posted it without trying to draw attention to others to justify it.

my name is nobody,
i haven't seen anyone try to say that.if you thought that,then you should've posted it without trying to draw attention to others to justify it.

Well, I'll just say the words that every other person here has been dancing around but is clearly too chicken to say.

F__K CHRIST.

After looking at some of these postings, I guess it is true that the thoughts of the heart come spilling thru the mouth. I have said for quite a while, to quite a few people, that I find some of the so-called secular songs much more inspiring than some of the so-called sacred songs. It is really sad that so many people seem to think, at least by what they write, so poorly about Love. Without Love, really, is anything worthwhile? There are many different types of Love and if there is not at least some type of yearning for Love in your heart, you are already dead, you just haven't stopped breathing yet. Sincerely, Thomas Paul Moses Baum.

The only connection between God and rock love songs is their common message of love.Even then,love for God is not romantic.

It is stupid to say that rock and roll love songs are a result of God or the Catholic Church's late emphasis on love.

Judge basically states that God's message of love and love songs have a cause and effect relationship.Regardless of faith,love songs would come out the same way because they are for a person,not God.

Judge claims the message of love is God's.Christanity isn't that damn old.Ancient peoples have expressivley channeled love and displayed it in art as well.

So what? We need God to express love?...And even dumber,strictly through rock and roll music??

Judge makes weak ties between love songs and God.Bono sings something three times to reflect the Trinity?Please,Bono probabaly just sung the line three times because it sounded best that way.
Again,Judge marks something as exclusively God's.The number three is an archetypal number seen everywhere in mythology and more before the time of Christianity.

I agree with others who have said people who look for God can find God everywhere.

Well,I've got to go to school now.High School b.s. is better than this.

The only connection between God and rock love songs is their common message of love.Even then,love for God is not romantic.

It is stupid to say that rock and roll love songs are a result of God or the Catholic Church's late emphasis on love.

Judge basically states that God's message of love and love songs have a cause and effect relationship.Regardless of faith,love songs would come out the same way because they are for a person,not God.

Judge claims the message of love is God's.Christanity isn't that damn old.Ancient peoples have expressivley channeled love and displayed it in art as well.

So what? We need God to express love?...And even dumber,strictly through rock and roll music??

Judge makes weak ties between love songs and God.Bono sings something three times to reflect the Trinity?Please,Bono probabaly just sung the line three times because it sounded best that way.
Again,Judge marks something as exclusively God's.The number three is an archetypal number seen everywhere in mythology and more before the time of Christianity.

I agree with others who have said people who look for God can find God everywhere.

Well,I've got to go to school now.High School b.s. is better than this.

The only connection between God and rock love songs is their common message of love.Even then,love for God is not romantic.

It is stupid to say that rock and roll love songs are a result of God or the Catholic Church's late emphasis on love.

Judge basically states that God's message of love and love songs have a cause and effect relationship.Regardless of faith,love songs would come out the same way because they are for a person,not God.

Judge claims the message of love is God's.Christanity isn't that damn old.Ancient peoples have expressivley channeled love and displayed it in art as well.

So what? We need God to express love?...And even dumber,strictly through rock and roll music??

Judge makes weak ties between love songs and God.Bono sings something three times to reflect the Trinity?Please,Bono probabaly just sung the line three times because it sounded best that way.
Again,Judge marks something as exclusively God's.The number three is an archetypal number seen everywhere in mythology and more before the time of Christianity.

I agree with others who have said people who look for God can find God everywhere.

Well,I've got to go to school now.High School b.s. is better than this.

The only connection between God and rock love songs is their common message of love.Even then,love for God is not romantic.

It is stupid to say that rock and roll love songs are a result of God or the Catholic Church's late emphasis on love.

Judge basically states that God's message of love and love songs have a cause and effect relationship.Regardless of faith,love songs would come out the same way because they are for a person,not God.

Judge claims the message of love is God's.Christanity isn't that damn old.Ancient peoples have expressivley channeled love and displayed it in art as well.

So what? We need God to express love?...And even dumber,strictly through rock and roll music??

Judge makes weak ties between love songs and God.Bono sings something three times to reflect the Trinity?Please,Bono probabaly just sung the line three times because it sounded best that way.
Again,Judge marks something as exclusively God's.The number three is an archetypal number seen everywhere in mythology and more before the time of Christianity.

I agree with others who have said people who look for God can find God everywhere.

Well,I've got to go to school now.High School b.s. is better than this.

My love of the Beatles began in my Freshman year at an all girls Catholic High School in Niagara Falls, N.Y. I was part of the screeming throng of teenage girls hoping to get a glimps of the Fab Four when they visited the Falls on their way to Toronto. Every song they wrote "spoke" directly to me and my friends about our lives and loves. By the time I joined the Army in 1967, their music was part of the Catholic Mass at the chapel. I felt closer to God than ever. But, it was just recently that my husband and I listened to "Love", the sound track to the Circque du Soleil of the same name,that I really appreciated the Beatles. We sat on our patio sipping wine and reminiscing. Several times we both shed tears as we walked down memory lane. John, Paul, George and Ringo had put a sound track to our lives. Thanks for the memories!

Appreciation to Mr. Judge, who reaches his faith-analysis into the ordinary -- and yet sometimes unforgettable -- daily life happenings. If some of rock music is about love, then that portion is no less than a hope yet to embodied in a person's prayer.

Alas, if you read any other of Judge's narcissistic, tongue-clucking, reactionary rants, you'll see he's not being parodic here.

"In his massive series of lectures that are known as the Theology of the Body, John Paul II revolutionized Catholic teaching about sex - a revolution that is now just starting to unfold..."

I for one hope that the unfolding of the sex scandals that took place under John Paul's leadership are over - not just starting to unfold. My prayer is that under B16 Christology will be the focus of the church not sex. Let the focus be on Jesus Christ. Leadership makes a difference and it is undeniable that under John Paul there was a massive series of predatory sex crimes and a cover-up. It does not surprise me to find out today that John Paul was writing about the Song of Songs, teaching about sex, and developing a Theology of the Body. Seems that under his leadership the body and sex became the focus of many priests. Who knows if it was JP2's fault? It did happen on his watch. Clearly, B16 is focused on Christ and thank God for this.

Has anyone commented on the fact that the three main Beatles were all Catholic? I don't think it's in doubt their faith influenced their writing. Only a Catholic would have written "Eleanor Rigby" or "Let it Be."

You're nuts !

First - McCartney has confirmed in recent interviews that the Mary he sang of in "Let It Be" was INDEED his mother. Second, as someone else posted on here, one can read/hear just about anything one wants into music, or any other form of art, for that matter. If the Beatles brought the originator of this thread some spiritual revelation, good for him. They and other musical artists have brough a great deal of spirituality into my life - however, I would not foist my beliefs unto others. Nor would I attach my beliefs onto the songs which brought me such pleasure in the first place; I didn't create those works.

First - McCartney has confirmed in recent interviews that the Mary he sang of in "Let It Be" was INDEED his mother. Second, as someone else posted on here, one can read/hear just about anything one wants into music, or any other formm of art, for that matter. If the Beatles brought the originator of this thread some spiritual revelation, good for him. They and other musical artists have brough a great deal of spirituality into my life - however, I would not foist my beliefs unto others. Nor would I attach my beliefs onto the songs which brought me such pleasure in the first place; I didn't create those works.

I knew it! There I was stuck in a secular school, when Paulie Mac and the lads showed me the light with the catchy hymn, "Lady Madonna".

While my teacher was cute, she certainly didn't entertain children at her breast, so I took the message of Catholicism with all due seriousness. I wanted to sign up!

And likewise, one certainly can't argue with the claim that "in the last 30 years the Catholic Church has closed the gap between eros and agape"...most specifically related to the love between a Priest and his young charge.

Imagine there’s no heaven and no religion too. As John would say, it isn't hard to do.

Bonjour,
Je pense que c'est dans le rapport amoureux entre l'auteur (le créateur) et sa muse que se révèle un rapport divin -une trinité-, après viennent les chansons et la musique. Je crois que dans toute forme de création artistique, cette trilogie existe : créateur-muse-inspiration.
C'est ainsi que naissent les chefs d'oeuvre.
L'homme, la femme, l'amour relèvent de la même galaxie.
Paul

Bonjour,
Je pense que c'est dans le rapport amoureux entre l'auteur (le créateur) et sa muse que se révèle un rapport divin -une trinité-, après viennent les chansons et la musique. Je crois que dans toute forme de création artistique, cette trilogie existe : créateur-muse-inspiration.
C'est ainsi que naissent les chefs d'oeuvre.
L'homme, la femme, l'amour relèvent de la même galaxie.
Paul

Interesting piece.I must point out,however,that the Beatles recorded a song called "I'm Happy Just to Dance With You",not "I Only Want to Dance With You".Also,"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" was a Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell song,later covered by Diana Ross,after she had left The Supremes.

What is this public relations nonsense about calling the late Pope John Paul II by the title "the Great"? What did he do to earn this appellation, re-invent the calendar or something when I wasn't paying attention?

If I myself had to give him a moniker I would keep it simple; perhaps "John Paul the Popular" or some such thing. But "the Great?" Oh, well, I suppose it's what one must expect in these mass-media dominated times when people routinely confuse popularity with greatness.

What is this public relations nonsense about calling the late Pope John Paul II by the title "the Great"? What did he do to earn this appellation, re-invent the calendar or something when I wasn't paying attention?

If I myself had to give him a moniker I would keep it simple; perhaps "John Paul the Popular" or some such thing. But "the Great?" Oh, well, I suppose it's what one must expect in these mass-media dominated times when people routinely confuse popularity with greatness.

I remember when the Beatles arrived. I also remember people burning their records. And by "people", I mean religious zealots who were incensed when John uttered the reality that the Beatles were more popular than Christ.

Now we're supposed to believe Lennon and McCartney were really writing a collection of 20th century Catholic hymns? You'd better read through some of those lyrics because I don't think they mean what Mr. Judge thinks they do.

Re: McCartney's reference to "Mother Mary" in "Let It Be" may have something to do with the fact that his mother's name was Mary.

Oh my dear god, the Washington Post is publishing this drivel?

Have any of the critics here ever read the Theology of the Body? If sexuality were a poker game, it would be sort of like John Paul II's "all in."

You have every right to believe what you wanna believe, but connecting the Catholic church and the Beatles? What did the Beatles ever do to you? I'm not gonna unload here on the church, everybody knows what a truckload of horse manure that whole thing represents.

You have every right to believe what you wanna believe, but connecting the Catholic church and the Beatles? What did the Beatles ever do to you? I'm not gonna unload here on the church, everybody knows what a truckload of horse manure that whole thing represents.

Oh puuuuuuuuulease. Stop injecting religion into everything. Religion is nothing but a crutch for people who need something to believe in. Let music and the rest of arts be the art form that they are.

Eleanor Rigby has a preist in it but the line is "no one was saved." When the Levee Breaks is about a storm, a flood but its line is when the levee Breaks Mama you better move. On that note I hear Christians are offended when Stairway comes on. Then you have Sympathy for the Devil. Lots of Catholics would say why give sympathy when the singer talks about Jesus's "moment down in pain." Then you're saying you take credit for the Jimi Hendrix's, Keith Moons and John Bonhams, that died of drug overdoses. Careful what you say

Some wino takes a leak on a wall and the next morning there's shrine set up by some catholic who thinks it resembles an image of the virgin.

This clown has a brainfart and thinks he's hearing the voice of god.

BTW Good riddance D James Kennedy.

#1: Lisa dodged a bullet when the two of you lost contact.

#2) Anyone who draws comparison between the Fabs and Justin Timberlake is an idiot.

Respectfully.... Jim Lynch

Very interesting. But i would like to add something that i've noted within my friends: the taste for a rock and roll style may be affected by the religious background. Among my friends, those who like punk rock or reggae usually are catholic. On the other hand, those who like heavy metal over all other styles usually come from protestant families.
So, there is some religion connection. But Art
form? I'm not sure.

I'm struck by the number of ad hominem attacks on the author. Bummer - they don't really add anything to the conversation.

It's also a bit ironic that some of the posters seem to be applying as rigid an interpretation on the article as they are claiming the author places on rock music and how it may be connected to the divine.

As far as I can tell, Judge is simply pointing to the idea that the divine can be - and is - reflected in the human experience. If you believe in God, perhaps that goes without saying; if you don't, well, surely we can agree that there is something beautiful in the songs that Judge mentions, and enjoy the beauty. Here's to hoping.

This is the most ridiculous thing, really, I have ever read. The Catholic Church, after centuries of torture, intolerance and child molestation trying to cling on to a positive message of the Beatles. Feh

Very interesting. But i would like to add something that i've noted within my friends: the taste for a rock and roll style may be affected by the religious background. Among my friends, those who like punk rock or reggae usually are catholic. On the other hand, those who like heavy metal over all other styles usually come from protestant families.

Please say this is a very poor satire. Oh, please.

Please say this is a very poor satire. Oh, please.

Please say this is a very poor satire. Oh, please.

what a bad article! why is god catholic, not jewish or muslim? what's that pretentious religion/author who believes to be able to monopolise love. and is pop music about love just. where is the word sex in his ridiculous article. i doubt that mr. gauvreau got anything about pop music at all if he thinks that it's about "metaphysical imagery", importing the denial of the human physical body from his hypocritical detructive, man/woman-demeaning fatiht of catholicism into the world of pop. and his woman-deprectating view about eve being the helper for adam the man seeing god. woman as the sacrifice for a higher male understanding. oh, i forgot, it's catholoicism we're talking about. this text, in all it's apparent peacefulness, eveness of argument (of which there is none) and positivity is really just one more example of a catholocism is nothing but a kitsch-event for the imature fakers of this world. disgusting that message. if it was a popsong, nobody but the hearing deprived would listen to it.

this is the sort of guy who sees the face of jesus in not just any tortilla, but every tortilla.

This is equivalent to the Mormons posthumously baptizing famous world figures such as Albert Einstein to make them fit into their world view (I mean make them right with god).

come on people rock and roll is all about being rebellious and the concept of love in a rock and roll sense is usually about getting laid not being a good Catholic. True there are many songs talking about doing the right thing or being good to people in general but this is a human concept which transcends every religion. Don't forget the Beatles spent much time in India and I don't think they were praying the rosary.

Why does religion always have to take credit for everything good and ignore or denounce all of the bad? Don't forget it was the catholic church who denounced Galileo and molested choir boys. The Beatles brought us Revolution and John Lennon gave us the immortal words "Imagine there is no heaven". Great songs and in my opinion far greater than any Christian doctrine.

I thought rock and roll is the music of the devil?

Born after the Beatles split up, so what do I know about rock and roll being a Catholic art form or about what the Beatles meant.

I thought perhaps gospel is closer to being a religious art form. Say, the full-blooded gospel of say, Mahalia Jackson? But she's not Catholic.

Is rock and roll not a fusion of blues, country, etc? A fusion of black and white music? A fusion of rythym and melody? An original and vibrant American music form, not a Catholic art form?

The Beatles stole, were inspired or influenced by from everyone from Elvis to Chuck Berry to Buddy Holly. British musicians taking an American music form, repackaging and re-exporting back to the US.

Yes, I'm confused by the essay. Listening to ABBA now.

"This got to be rock and roll
Cos there's a hole in your soul."

"Hole in Your Soul" by Abba from "Abba-The Album"

Sometimes ABBA do make sense apart from churning happy, peppy, perky, saccharine sweet music and banal lyrics.

Aretha Franklin, where are you?

J

I don't know whether to laugh or... or what? at this tortuous imposition of a theological view on rock. You have rendered both your view of rock and roll and Catholicism meaningless. I would note also that your view is dependent upon a Hebrew text (that you seem to feel belongs only to your perspective. It doesn't. That is a Jewish text that you're bastardizing.) I am insulted in how your willful exegesis damages my sacred text.

Perhaps you should seek wisdom seperate from music and texts which seem to be beyond your ability to force a square peg into a round hole.

So, whenever a chorus or refrain is repeated twice (so we hear it three times) it's a likely reference to the Trinity?

Give me a break.
Give me a break.
Give me a break.

What I'm led to consider from reading the authors thoughts and what is confirmed within this heart of mine is this:

God is love. We need God. We need love.

He made mention to many artists who do not who promote God but rather speak from their own personal vaccuum of a need for love. He's right - it's in the music we hear. We all were born with that same vaccuum.

John Lennon was writing from his own need for this magical force from above - love. He needed it but couldn't give it. His own son writes that the love of a father was absent and missing in very formative years.

Bono said and maybe still does - I still haven't found what I'm looking for. Looking for what? We're looking for love. That is why it's heard from the cry of so many hearts - through music.

I found this article insightful and encouraging.

And no, I'm not catholic. But I'm loved.

:-)

I just had a revelation. Eating is a christian tradition. Since the bible mentions people eating food, and since people eat food, it follows that people eat food because the bible mentions it!

I know thats a very poor analogy but I am trying to point out that the author is claiming that Love, a basic human emotion, is somehow a catholic creation. If you agree to that presumption, then I guess this article makes sense. Otherwise its a waste of space as its premise is completely specious.

It's an interesting article and food for thought. Too bad so many commenters give into their knee-jerk reaction of belief/faith=weakness/stupidity. One of the best things about music, art, and faith is that they are all open to interpretation. Let this guy have his...you all can have yours, but don't be calling it bs unless you're willing to have yours called the same.

golden rule, karma, what's the diff?

Right. And "Why Don't We Do It In The Road" is a gospel tune. It's bad enough people can't look at something natural without trying to infuse religious crap into, but now we have people seeing religion in the Beatles.
I live with the hope that someday mankind will wake up and see that religion is nothing more than pure bunk.

I have a good memory.
I remember when Democrats believed in God and went to church instead of hanging around forums using verbal masturbation to find their pleasure.

I have a good memory.
I remember when Democrats believed in God and went to church instead of hanging around forums using verbal masturbation to find their pleasure.

Also, Paul McCartney's reference to "Mother Mary" in Let It Be has absolutely nothing to do with the Virgin Mary; it has everything to do with his deceased mother named Mary.

Curious - has the person who wrote this listened to John Lennon's songs God or Working Class Hero? Or for that matter, is this person aware that George Harrison converted to Hinduism?

What a bizzare thing to say. To compare Catholicism to the Beatles. Catholicism is destruction of ethnic cultures around the globe. Nothing to do with Love.

Sorry! No Soup for you!

As a Beatle fan, i also see God in (nearly) every song they wrote. i also think it is great that the Pope continue to envoke Beatle names such as John, Paul and my favorite, John Paul.

What silliness-
Rock has always been a REFUGE from the holy-rollers!
You probably are the type to see the virgin Mary in an overpass or piece of toast....

"Christianity will go, it will vanish and shrink. I needn't argue about that. I'm right and will be proved right." -John Lennon, 1966

John Winston Ono Lennon, (9 October 1940 – 8 December 1980)

Rest in Peace..

Cool remarks. But when the beatles said "all you need is Love" it was for all not just the Faithful. even we secularists want and need love. Spike lee also said "do the right thing" and please dont forget the man jesus. he said "love each other". I have been believing in and have had faith in these six people for over many many years. and by the way I am a practicing Buddists. Go figure I am the Budda because these people have helt me get to "enlightenment" Michael

Rock 'n roll a Catholic art form? Until the sectarians realized they could snare young people at Xtian "rock" shows they HATED rock music, and most old-fashioned fundamentalists still hate it. Now you will claim a shared ideology with the Beatles???

"Christianity will go, it will vanish and shrink. I needn't argue about that. I'm right and will be proved right." -John Lennon, 1966

Rock music is every bit as Catholic as LSD.

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
AND NO RELIGION TOO
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

I think Mr. Judge is correct in saying the Catholic Church has "closed the gap" between eros and agape. It's the most credible explanation of why the Church is losing membership by the millions around the world.

God is love, and love has jack squat to do with human libido. Libido is simply nature's way of fooling people into making copies of themselves.