Christian Discussion Thread VIII: Augustine's Revenge.

[Czechanada]

I would also like to stress for the sake of historical rigour that a Byzantine loss at the Second Arab Siege of Constantinople wouldn't have been so bad for Europe. Other than the marginalization of Christianity, it's not like there would have been severe tyranny under Umayyad rule; Perhaps the unification of Europe under Islamic rule could have prevented later destructive conflicts like the Hundred Years War. (Imagine what would have happened if it were the Black Prince that conquered Constantinople.)

[Jamzmania]

I would also like to stress for the sake of historical rigour that a Byzantine loss at the Second Arab Siege of Constantinople wouldn't have been so bad for Europe. Other than the marginalization of Christianity, it's not like there would have been severe tyranny under Umayyad rule; Perhaps the unification of Europe under Islamic rule could have prevented later destructive conflicts like the Hundred Years War. (Imagine what would have happened if it were the Black Prince that conquered Constantinople.)

Wars happen regardless of who's in charge.

[Czechanada]

I would also like to stress for the sake of historical rigour that a Byzantine loss at the Second Arab Siege of Constantinople wouldn't have been so bad for Europe. Other than the marginalization of Christianity, it's not like there would have been severe tyranny under Umayyad rule; Perhaps the unification of Europe under Islamic rule could have prevented later destructive conflicts like the Hundred Years War. (Imagine what would have happened if it were the Black Prince that conquered Constantinople.)

Wars happen regardless of who's in charge.

Yes, but why, and how they happen change.

[Nordengrund]

Indeed, big scandal was had when 'Church' of Scientology in Moscow was caught black mailing with Confessions.

Wow, that pretty shitty.

I don't agree with the religion of the JWs and Mormons and I doubt most of us do, but I think it is disgusting to suppress anyone's religion.

[Luminesa]

I would also like to stress for the sake of historical rigour that a Byzantine loss at the Second Arab Siege of Constantinople wouldn't have been so bad for Europe. Other than the marginalization of Christianity, it's not like there would have been severe tyranny under Umayyad rule; Perhaps the unification of Europe under Islamic rule could have prevented later destructive conflicts like the Hundred Years War. (Imagine what would have happened if it were the Black Prince that conquered Constantinople.)

...It probably would have happened anyway, simply because England and France have never liked each other.

[Diopolis]

I'm not familiar with what is going on in Russia. What's up?

Restrictions on street preaching (Bans in many cities), restrictions on home worship, and efforts to close their religious structures.

The restrictions on home worship seem kinda sketchy, but the rest of it is pretty fine.

[Czechanada]

I would also like to stress for the sake of historical rigour that a Byzantine loss at the Second Arab Siege of Constantinople wouldn't have been so bad for Europe. Other than the marginalization of Christianity, it's not like there would have been severe tyranny under Umayyad rule; Perhaps the unification of Europe under Islamic rule could have prevented later destructive conflicts like the Hundred Years War. (Imagine what would have happened if it were the Black Prince that conquered Constantinople.)

...It probably would have happened anyway, simply because England and France have never liked each other.

The Hundred Years' War cannot be reduced to some simplistic Manichean binary of the English and French not liking each other. Our habit of labeling both groups as the French and English actually is a partial consequence of the war.

As with all history, there were a lot of more complex factors behind the event: the shift from feudalism to more centralized modes of governance and the subsequent complications presented by the obsolescence of existing territorial boundaries based on vassal authority; economic disparities between France and England; the wool trade of the English Channel; the struggle between the Avignon Papacy and Rome; the political subordination of the Low Countries; and so forth.

[Salus Maior]

Restrictions on street preaching (Bans in many cities), restrictions on home worship, and efforts to close their religious structures.

While I might understand suppression of Scientology (I hear they do some nasty shit), Mormonism and Jehovah's Witnesses, while obviously wrong, should not be subject to government suppression. That is a violation of the basic human right of freedom of worship.

I disagree about Jehovah's Witnesses. They're pretty damn tyrannical when it comes to their followers, if you happen to have a change in heart or you actually find out how weak their theological foundations are and decide to leave, you're somehow condemned forever and treated as a pariah, and they pressure any still in their church to treat you the same.

They destroy families, they split apart friends, they destroy marriages. They're a complete cult, and I would not complain if the JW's were completely destroyed as a movement.

[Salus Maior]

I would also like to stress for the sake of historical rigour that a Byzantine loss at the Second Arab Siege of Constantinople wouldn't have been so bad for Europe. Other than the marginalization of Christianity, it's not like there would have been severe tyranny under Umayyad rule; Perhaps the unification of Europe under Islamic rule could have prevented later destructive conflicts like the Hundred Years War. (Imagine what would have happened if it were the Black Prince that conquered Constantinople.)

Ah yes, because the Muslim World has always been a prime example of stability.

Europe would have been just as backstabby and war torn as it always was.

[The Derpy Democratic Republic Of Herp]

What's this thread view on pokemons?

I know some televangelists don't like them.

[Salus Maior]

What's this thread view on pokemons?

I know some televangelists don't like them.

Pffffffffft, televangelists.

Pokemon's just a harmless, fun, distraction. Like any other video game.

[The Derpy Democratic Republic Of Herp]

What's this thread view on pokemons?

I know some televangelists don't like them.

Pffffffffft, televangelists.

Pokemon's just a harmless, fun, distraction. Like any other video game.

Agreed. :3

[Luminesa]

What's this thread view on pokemons?

I know some televangelists don't like them.

I've played Pokemon since I was six, I'm about 99% sure that they have not turned me into a demon-worshipper or anything. Some people just need to chill.

[The united states of Saints]

What's this thread view on pokemons?

I know some televangelists don't like them.

Play it, love it, live it...ok not that last one. I grew up watching the show and playing the games (3rd generation trainer here). Got and beat pokemon moon recently and it was very good.

I really don't think there is anything wrong with pokemon as its only a distraction. those televangelists that don't like them because they think its evil or whatever speak nonsense. While of course it shouldn't be a big part of your life it's not bad really.

[Tarsonis Survivors]

Oooooooooooh.

Americans would love it (Christian Europeans defeat Muslims), Russians would love it (brave Orthodox Christians in mighty triumph), special effects-hardened blockbuster crowds would love it (several hundred ships go up in flames as Greek Fire is unleashed on the Caliphate's navy via pressurised nozzles), and while the Chinese would be indifferent, they can be mollified by insertion of Chinese trader travelling in 8th-century Constantinople.

And since Leo III was born in a border region of northern Syria before its conquest by the Caliphate, and the Empress Maria only enters history with Leo's coronation, you can even have that tragic Arab love interest without terribly stretching the historical record.

I should have a word with someone.

Just so long as Hollywood doesn't decide to use Leo's birth name; I'm not sure I could stomach a film called Konon the Conqueror. And we need to make sure that Maslama al-Malik is a suitably stereotypically noble commander of the Umayyad armies.

We can do even better: The Chinese trader can be responsible for bringing a shipment of... something... that turns out to be a vital ingredient in the making of Greek Fire. There also needs to be an eccentric scientist of some kind, of course.

I was also thinking that there needs to be a character who is the leader of the Coptic Egyptian mutineers who take over a number of the Caliphate's ships and defect to the side of the Byzantine Empire.

And of course, the Bulgars need to have an epic cavalry charge at a critical moment, as I mentioned.

The 717-718 siege could legitimately make a great Hollywood movie.

I'm on board. Let's start hammering out a script. And none of this director's cut nonsense like they did to Kingdom of Heaven. . I want at least a 3 1/2 hour theatrical release

[Tarsonis Survivors]

Honestly this sounds like an Eastern European War epic rather then a Holly Wood film...

Not that thats a bad thing, I love my War Epics like Michael the Brave.

Just make Maslama al Malik a Brit and Hollywood will lap it up.

Alexander Saddig should do nicely.

[Diopolis]

We can do even better: The Chinese trader can be responsible for bringing a shipment of... something... that turns out to be a vital ingredient in the making of Greek Fire. There also needs to be an eccentric scientist of some kind, of course.

I was also thinking that there needs to be a character who is the leader of the Coptic Egyptian mutineers who take over a number of the Caliphate's ships and defect to the side of the Byzantine Empire.

And of course, the Bulgars need to have an epic cavalry charge at a critical moment, as I mentioned.

The 717-718 siege could legitimately make a great Hollywood movie.

I'm on board. Let's start hammering out a script. And none of this director's cut nonsense like they did to Kingdom of Heaven. . I want at least a 3 1/2 hour theatrical release

We could probably get Mel Gibson to direct it if we put the entire thing in Arabic, Greek, and Frankish.

[Tarsonis Survivors]

I'm on board. Let's start hammering out a script. And none of this director's cut nonsense like they did to Kingdom of Heaven. . I want at least a 3 1/2 hour theatrical release

We could probably get Mel Gibson to direct it if we put the entire thing in Arabic, Greek, and Frankish.

Ehhhhhhhh

[Tarsonis Survivors]

We could probably get Mel Gibson to direct it if we put the entire thing in Arabic, Greek, and Frankish.

Ehhhhhhhh

Mel's sort of radioactive. Not sure we want to attach him to film of such...sensitive nature.

[Constantinopolis]

In the Mel Gibson version, the whole siege is financed by Jews. Also, the Byzantines inexplicably speak Medieval Greek.

[Salus Maior]

In the Mel Gibson version, the whole siege is financed by Jews. Also, the Byzantines inexplicably speak Medieval Greek.

Wait, what did the Byzzies speak then?

[Czechanada]

In the Mel Gibson version, the whole siege is financed by Jews. Also, the Byzantines inexplicably speak Medieval Greek.

Wait, what did the Byzzies speak then?

I believe that Koine Greek would have been spoken by the court at the time of Leo III.

[Nordengrund]

I've been living with depression for awhile, and I thought I'd share my thoughts here.

Well, I'm not doing so well in college and a lot of my family members are pushing me to join the military, but I don't really want to go into it. The message seems to be everywhere I go, so I decided to ask God. I asked him if going into the military is His will, and He seems to have said no, but idk for certain.

When I prayed, I told Him I dread joining the military, but if it is His will, I will go.

[Salus Maior]

I've been living with depression for awhile, and I thought I'd share my thoughts here.

Well, I'm not doing so well in college and a lot of my family members are pushing me to join the military, but I don't really want to go into it. The message seems to be everywhere I go, so I decided to ask God. I asked him if going into the military is His will, and He seems to have said no, but idk for certain.

When I prayed, I told Him I dread joining the military, but if it is His will, I will go.

Hm, I understand what you're going through. I'm going through a lot of uncertainty myself when it comes to...Well, the rest of my life.

I feel like I can't really give you a good answer, but I'll be praying, man.

Edit: What do you think is really making it hard for you in college? If you don't mind me asking.

[Nordengrund]

I've been living with depression for awhile, and I thought I'd share my thoughts here.

Well, I'm not doing so well in college and a lot of my family members are pushing me to join the military, but I don't really want to go into it. The message seems to be everywhere I go, so I decided to ask God. I asked him if going into the military is His will, and He seems to have said no, but idk for certain.

When I prayed, I told Him I dread joining the military, but if it is His will, I will go.

Hm, I understand what you're going through. I'm going through a lot of uncertainty myself when it comes to...Well, the rest of my life.

I feel like I can't really give you a good answer, but I'll be praying, man.

Edit: What do you think is really making it hard for you in college? If you don't mind me asking.

Not really sure. I know I lack the motivation to do the homework, though when I do do it, there is always at least one assignment that I forgot all about and I just feel it is too much for me to keep up with. I'm also going through depression, which I think hinders my performance.

I tried getting organized ALOT, but it never works out because I am soon back to my old unorganized ways.