Bashers and the Bible

[Q]

There is an opinion - and it is only opinion - on-site that all 14 Yes members/alumni are special and gifted musicians and that each contributed something worthwhile and unique to the 3-decade adventure of Yes. There are other opinions - only opinions - that some of these players were unworthy, or destructive, or somehow undesirable. I conform to the first opinion, and offer the following thought in this connection:

In the early years of Christianity, Paul, a "classic" apostle, undertook a tour with Barnabas (likewise a trooper) and the younger, more exuberant John Mark, who generated much energy but was not as well-versed in the still-fledgling tradition of the faith. There came a point when Paul turned on John Mark and said, in essence, 'you aren't cutting it, you're just not up to this. Go home, let us old-timers carry on.' Perhaps John Mark played too many power chords. Perhaps his pants were too tight. In any case, he was, of course, dismayed to find himself so charged.

Barnabas, likewise a "classic" apostle but more forward-thinking, took John Mark aside and said, in essence, 'don't listen to him; you've got a great future as a soldier of the faith!'

John Mark took those words to heart, and stuck with it.

And eventually wrote one of the New Testament gospels.

Love to all,
Q

[Joedude]

A rather interesting perspective, Quantum. Your perspective, to me, allows for something that many people are frightened about - change - while still keeping the central faith. I've enjoyed Yes music for a number of years and in its varied formats, and was shocked when I first came to this site seeing alot of the ex-member-bashing that was going on.

Anyways, that's how I interpret what you wrote, at this late hour here. Thoughts?

[Neverthirst]

if God were a Yesfan (which, of course, He is), would he be a YesTrooper, YesWest, or Yeswhole fan?

I would kindly take a moment to caution the Bashers. Those who admire Rabin, and even those who simply accept Rabin, have quite a history of peacefully tolerating your sorry and often pathetic criticisms. We have forgiven you of your persecution of our dear Brother Rabin to the point of benevolence. Please, dear Brother Basher, walk soft if you must trample my heart under foot ...

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the Basher, I will fear no anti-Rabin propaganda ...

[Q]

It's about more than accepting or appreciating Rabin. Consider how the faithful feel about the works of the Almighty.

Back near the Beginning, we had the Parting of the Red Sea, and so on. In consequence, we as the faithful develop the idea that the Almighty only works through such grand gestures - and then in more cosmopolitan times, when occupied by the Romans, we expect such gestures and fail to see new messengers of the faith pointing to the Almighty's work in more subtle quarters.

That is, "Close to the Edge" and Tales and "Awaken" and so on lead us to the Almighty only in huge, cosmos-shaking events. And we are less attuned to the subtler works of the Almighty - seen early on in "Turn of the Century" and "Onward" and other less obvious places, continuing on in "Final Eyes," "I Am Waiting," and so on, and then when stones roll from tombs in "Endless Dream," the faithful whine because no plate shifted in the earth's crust.

The point: Yes penetrated into the musical heart of EVERY member, including Rabin, including Sherwood, including Horn, and this infiltration is a GOOD thing. Are we the Hebrews, keeping God to ourselves? or are we the early Christians, spreading the faith wherever we go? If it takes root in the Gentiles, and we have healings here and there rather than storms and earthquakes, is that a bad thing?

Love to all,
Q

[ycantibu]

I would caution anyone against bashing Trevor Rabin. He is, after all, a holy man:

http://www.happinessinslavery.com/trevor/index.html

[Neverthirst]

So if the albums of Yes are like books in the Yes Bible, does that mean that Drama and ABWH are kinda like the Dead Sea Scrolls.