"We're more popular than Jesus now; I don't know which will go first, rock 'n' roll or Christianity"

John Lennon’s observation reflects both the surging influence of popular culture in the 1960s and his own acute sense of the Beatles’ astronomical fame. The statement compares the widespread adoration of the Beatles to the enduring influence of Christianity, a provocative juxtaposition considering the deep-rooted cultural and spiritual hold of religion in the Western world. Lennon is not merely boasting about the Beatles’ success; rather, he’s critiquing the changing societal values and pointing out the shifting grounds of collective worship.

The 1960s were marked by a spirit of rebellion, optimism, and the questioning of traditional institutions. Christianity, for centuries a central guiding force in Western lives, faced growing secularization, as well as generational frustrations with authority and orthodoxy. Amidst this backdrop, rock ‘n’ roll emerged as much more than just music, it embodied a cultural revolution. The Beatles stood at the forefront, becoming symbols of new attitudes, new styles, and a new sense of individual freedom. The phrase “more popular than Jesus” acts as both a comment on the nature of fame in the modern world and a critical examination of where people were investing their attention, emotion, and even devotion.

Lennon’s uncertainty about "which will go first, rock 'n' roll or Christianity" stirs up questions about the permanence of cultural phenomena and belief systems. Both rock music and Christianity stood as powerful, often competing sources of meaning, community, and identity. Lennon senses the fleeting nature of pop stardom but also investigates the evolving forms of spiritual and social allegiance in contemporary society. His remark recognizes that idols and institutions rise and fade, and the Beatles’ temporary ascendancy points to the larger theme of how society constantly redefines what or whom it chooses to follow. It’s a reflection of the zeitgeist, full of uncertainty and bold candidness.