Absolutist Keys to Success

After reading about the different absolutist monarchs and how they rule, do you believe that the monarch exists 1) to maintain and strengthen the country, or 2) to take care of the people that they rule and protect their well being? 

Strong or Weak Leader

Do you believe that people want/desire a strong person leading them in terms of national leadership?  Or would they rather have someone that they can get rid of when they want and then set up for themselves a new person to lead them?  Please explain your thoughts.

The Scientific Revolution

Do you believe that science and religions (their ideas, doctrines, teachings, history) can be reconciled?  That is, does one have to make the choice to either believe in science and abandon their faith, or hold on to their faith and therefore question science?  Or, can one find harmony with the two?  Explain.

Luther & his ideas

First, would have you been willing to have the Holy Roman Emperor cut off your head rather than give up your personal beliefs about your own faith? Explain your answer. (Remember, you are a noble, and have a lot of land and money to lose).  Second, if you didn't believe in Luther's ideas, would you still be willing to use those ideas as a leverage against the Holy Roman Emperor and compromise your own faith?

Medieval Man vs. Renaissance Man

Is it more effective to focus on how society could or should be (as proposed and written by the Medieval Scholars & Christian Humanists), or to concentrate on how life really is (as proposed and written by the Humanists of the Renaissance)?  Where would you place today's view of humanity?

To Be Feared or Loved?

If you were to be the ruler of a principality, would you rather have your subjects fear you, or love you?  You may not sit the fence on this, pick a side and explain your position.

Crusades

Do you think that the effects of the Crusades still affect Christian & Muslim attitudes & views towards each other today?  Think about the portrayal of each group today in TV, the Web, movies, newspapers, & other media.  Please explain your answer.