The selection of John Lennon's "Imagine" at former President Jimmy Carter's funeral sparked a heated debate on social media, with critics questioning the song's appropriateness in a Christian memorial service. Performed by Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks, the song, known for its lyrical rejection of religion, raised eyebrows among some attendees and observers.

Several prominent conservative figures and social media users expressed their disapproval, highlighting the seeming contradiction between Carter's devout Christian faith and the song's lyrics, which encourage listeners to "imagine there's no heaven." Some questioned the sincerity of the tributes to Carter's faith in light of the song choice.

Bishop Robert Barron of the Catholic Archdiocese of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, called the performance an "insult" to Carter's memory and a sign of "spinelessness" in established religion. Others, however, defended the song choice, arguing that the act of imagining the absence of heaven implies its existence. Some also pointed to Lennon's own complex relationship with religion, noting his correspondence with Christian preachers and his reflections on the teachings of Christ.