I’ve got to ask: Whose bright idea was it to have Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood sing John Lennon’s anthem to secular humanism, “Imagine,” at Jimmy Carter’s state funeral?

In Washington’s National Cathedral of all places.

I’m guessing it was a member of the Carter clan.

A clueless member.

Then again, maybe this ode to atheism and open borders was one of Jimmy’s favorites. There are reports that these two country singers warbled the most overrated song of the 20th century at Rosalynn’s funeral too.

I know that some Christian denominations have become little more than latte-serving social clubs with pews, but it’s impossible to conceive of any church - no matter how diluted - longing for a world without heaven or God.

To hear that vapid song sung under the flying buttresses of this gorgeous gothic Christian church that sits majestically on the highest point in Washington DC was jarring.

I’m not the only one who found it objectionable.

Have you listened to Lennon’s lyrics lately? Thought about them? Here’s a refresher:

Imagine there's no heaven

It's easy if you try

No hell below us

Above us, only sky

Imagine all the people

Livin' for today

Ah

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

Livin' life in peace

You

You may say 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

Imagine no possessions

I wonder if you can

No need for greed or hunger

A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people

Sharing all the world

You

You may say I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will live as one

I grew up a Beatles fan and I think John Lennon was a singular talent. “Imagine” is hauntingly beautiful.

But as a Christian I can say the lyrics have no place in a church, let alone at a state funeral. Frankly, the last thing most believers want anyone singing as they‘re being laid to rest is “imagine there’s no heaven.”

Frankly, one of the biggest problems with the world is that way too many people are “livin’ for today” with no moral compass, no belief in God, no hope of heaven, no fear of hell.

Singing about the utopian notion of a godless world without sovereign nations also seems odd at the passing of a man who served his country in the Navy and then in the White House. 

Of all the beautiful music to play at a funeral, the selection of “Imagine” struck a discordant note during a somber funeral for a deeply religious man.

In retrospect, it might have been better if Garth just launched into his signature song.

“Friends in Low Places.”