​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

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These quotes are taken from the song “Imagine” by John Lennon.

 

This may seem like a strange quote on which to be speaking particularly, as in many parts of the world, we will soon be celebrating the season of Christmas.  However, I believe, that there is a profoundly spiritual message behind this quotation that is closely linked to the basic message of Christmas.

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No religion too

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In the song “Imagine” the words “imagine … no religion too” appear in the context of conflict and war between nations and races.  So many of the wars, invasions, and colonisations in our history have been based on religion or carried out in the name of a specific religion.

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Fundamentals of religions

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In the case of most of the major religions there are fundamental founding principles that are universal.  In summary, they are that we should all show love and compassion to ourselves and to one another; we should live our lives in peace and harmony in our families, communities, and in our world; and we should tend and care for our world so that we can pass it on to the next generations in a better state.

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Evolution of religions

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While most religions are based on a version of the fundamentals above, what happens to the religious organisations over time?  Unfortunately, the organisations of these religions become more concerned about maintaining power, and maintaining the organisation.  This results in wars, as mentioned, and in the persecution of vast sections of society based on religion, gender, sexual orientation, race, and many other examples of difference.  The religious organisations have moved away from the basic and simple principles on which they were formed.  I believe, that it is in this context that “imagine … no religion too” was intended in the song.  However, there are many members within these religions that can and do live their lives in a very spiritual way.  And there are many without any religious beliefs that do so too.

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Spirituality and the Christmas message

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I believe that the fundamentals that I mentioned earlier, “that we should all show love and compassion to ourselves and one another; we should live our lives in peace and harmony in our families, communities, and in our world; and we should tend and care for our world so that we can pass it on to the next generations in a better state” is the simple message of Christmas.  I believe that this is a fundamental spiritual message and that if we all lived our lives following this message, regardless of whether we do so for spiritual, religious, or humanist reasons, then our lives would be better, our families and communities would be better, and the world would certainly be a better place.

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Conclusion

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So, I wish you a Happy and a peaceful Christmas season and hope that we all can live our lives based on the simple spiritual message of the Christmas season, a message that is not “owned” by any individual or group.  If so, then 2026 will be better for us all and for our world.

 

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