Today, we find out whether the New York Times seriously said “God is Dead.”
In Pop Culture Questions Answered, I answer whatever questions you folks might have about movies, TV, music or whatever (feel free to e-mail questions to me at brian@pop culture references.com).
My wife asked me this the other day when we were listening to the classic 1971 Elton John song (with lyrics by Bernie Taupin, John’s famous co-writer), “Levon.” She wanted to know about the bridge in the song where John sings:
He was born a pauper to a pawn on a Christmas day
When the New York Times said, “God is dead
And the war’s begun”
Oh, Alvin Tostig has a son today
Did the Times actually have a headline that said that?
Well…kinda.
In January 1966, the Times ran a piece about the then-new debate about how society was becoming more secular and God was being “written out” of science and stuff like that. The article had the headline, “Religion; ‘God Is Dead’ Debate Widens.” There was a text box on the bottom of the page that said “God is Dead.”
A couple of months later, Time magazine got in on the action with a striking cover for its April 8, 1966 edition…
That Times article, though, was not on the front page. Two years later, though, the following headline DID make the front page of the Times, “‘ God Is Dead’ Doctrine Losing Ground to ‘Theology of Hope'”
So yes, technically, the phrase “God is Dead” DID make the cover of the New York Times, so I guess it’s a fair enough thing for Elton John’s song to say that the Times said “God is Dead,” in a roundabout way.
Thanks to Meredith for the question!
If anyone ELSE, presumably not married to me, has a question, drop me a line at brian@popculturereferences.com!
I would certainly hope god is dead. Too bad the headline wasn’t correct. Theocracy has no place in a democracy!
God is not dead. Culture and society no longer see God as important if at all.
Jay is ‘Brimming’ of ‘Excrement’ !
Jay … Go fix another toe jam and horse radish sandwich for you and your mom.
God couldn’t possibly be dead since he was never alive in the first place.
“so I guess it’s a fair enough thing for Elton John’s son to say that the Times said “God is Dead,””
The son didn’t say that. The NYT said it.
God is not dead. God is fictitious. If he never existed in the first place, he cannot be dead.
God is Love. Love is everywhere and in all of us. Our love for each other insures that God will never die.
Thank you for the information. *sigh* This isn’t a debate about God. This is an article giving information. That’s it.
Thank you, Bridget. I’ve been thinking it, and you put it better than I could have.
I thank Scientist for exploring what God is doing to attract us to desire heaven. The Shroud, Medjugoria, Father Pio, Guadalupe, The Jesus Revival, Gallup poll reports 744 daily near-Death Experiences. (NDE). The Apparitions of Mary mother of God, it goes on and on. Not to mention A course in miracles and the Book of Heaven, both of which claim to have been dictated by Jesus to specific individuals relatively recently.
But, we were given the gift of free Will and you can freely will to believe the Earth is Flat – which many people do.
Have fun with that.
God gave us the 10 Commandments for life. Jesus preached LOVE, His last & greatest commandment says”, ” to LOVE your neighbor as yourself”, + that The Kingdom of God in within you..not in an exclusive church denomination.