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[Graknorke]

Quick question: What do you think would happen if the Pope called for a modern-day crusade against ISIS? To protect the local Christians and the holy sites, of course.

In all likelihood most Christians would ignore him, except for the extremists, and I'd like to think most would vote to de-Pope him (is that even a thing?) on grounds of flagrantly contradicting the religion.

Also it would make a lot of important people rage, yeah.

I don't really think you could say that crusades are contradictory to the beliefs of Catholicism, given historical precedent.
But yes there would be the problem that it's not really as concentrated as it was then. You don't exactly have Catholic countries in the same way.

[Flying Dice]

It helps that the Church isn't shoulder-deep in the politics of every territorial entity in Europe any more. Three huzzahs for the Peace of Westphalia and the state system (except for all the terrible, terrible things about modern states, natch).

[Loud Whispers]

It helps that the Church isn't shoulder-deep in the politics of every territorial entity in Europe any more. Three huzzahs for the Peace of Westphalia and the state system (except for all the terrible, terrible things about modern states, natch).

Used to be that the Church was the only thing keeping (or failing) to keep peace between feuding Christian rulers. They had a LOT of influence over the people who controlled big armies. Now? Well, there is always the possibility that the pope calling a crusade would cause a lot of angry Catholic ex-cartel fighters to go around beheading ISIS fighters.

[Dutchling]

How do you address female professors in English without knowing their marital status :S?

[Lightningfalcon]

How do you address female professors in English without knowing their marital status :S?

Professor, teacher, or ma'am would work. 

[Flying Dice]

It helps that the Church isn't shoulder-deep in the politics of every territorial entity in Europe any more. Three huzzahs for the Peace of Westphalia and the state system (except for all the terrible, terrible things about modern states, natch).

Used to be that the Church was the only thing keeping (or failing) to keep peace between feuding Christian rulers. They had a LOT of influence over the people who controlled big armies. Now? Well, there is always the possibility that the pope calling a crusade would cause a lot of angry Catholic ex-cartel fighters to go around beheading ISIS fighters.

Which was the case in part because the Church's level of control over various polities also helped prevent rulers from stabilizing control over their territories. That's not to say there weren't plenty of other factors, but the modern centralized state is a direct result of monarchs in Europe being able to tax their subjects and tell the Church's officials to GTFO of their policy-making.

How do you address female professors in English without knowing their marital status :S?

If they have a postgraduate degree, 'Dr. [familial name]'. If you aren't sure whether or not they do, the same. If you know that they don't have a doctorate, 'Professor [familial name]'. Unless they directly invite you to address them casually, in which case do so at your discretion (aka during class sessions and private meetings, not at a conference/large meeting/etc.).

It's always best to play safe with academics; in the first case, you don't know whether they're prideful in their accomplishments so it's best to act as if they do and pander; in the second, the same except that if they don't have a doctorate they'll usually be flattered because it's an implicit statement of respect for their knowledge; in the third it's a sign of trust and openness, and if you don't go along you'll likely come off as formal and possibly a bit standoffish, which will probably level out to neutral.

[Dutchling]

I mean as in an email :|

[Lightningfalcon]

I mean as in an email :|

The way I've been doing it is not directly addressing them at all, and writing my way around using their name.

[penguinofhonor]

In emails, professors should only be addressed as "your majesty".

[Valid_Dark]

My ex girlfriend just had a video go viral, and I'm getting really tired of seeing it.

It's a video of a spider crawling out of her mouth, if any of you have seen it.

[pisskop]

Dear professor [name, if known];

  I missed class because I was playing a fortress simulation game.  I also didn't have time to check what room it was in because I was busy browsing forums and arguing about Ferguson.  Please forgive my indiscretions, and kindly point me to the assigned readings and projects that were assigned.

p.s. I also spilled coffee on the syllabus and some leaked through, landing on my already injured laptop.  Please print me another, using higher-weight paper, so as to prevent this in the future.

    Can't wait to attend your class;

        F,J

[TheDarkStar]

I just watched a storm miss my house by about five feet. Seriously, it was raining on half the driveway and completely dry on the other half.

[Tawa]

I just watched a storm miss my house by about five feet. Seriously, it was raining on half the driveway and completely dry on the other half.

.o.

That's awesome.

[Sirus]

I just watched a storm miss my house by about five feet. Seriously, it was raining on half the driveway and completely dry on the other half.

Check to see if you have some sort of energy barrier over your house.

[Loud Whispers]

I just watched a storm miss my house by about five feet. Seriously, it was raining on half the driveway and completely dry on the other half.

I walked into one of those once. Jumped back in surprise and realized the glorious divide.