From atop a hill overlooking this marvelous Renaissance City you view the Civic Hall, where you know great thinkers commonly gather to discuss their ideas and opinions. You proceed down the hill, past the loud vendors, scents of fine seasonings emanating from kitchens and cafes, and citizens milling about in their various affairs...

...where you are confronted with the soothing sound of gently running water, heralding the entrance of the Civic Hall through its garden and gate...

...and you face the humble entrance where you hear many people indulging in many lines of thoughtful conversation, discussing everything from politics to love in eloquent words...

...when your eyes fall upon a softly candlelit, incense-filled den. Your ears are graced with a religious and political conversation between two famous thinkers...

Machiavelli: "I think that religion is an excellent way to control the people of a state. If a ruler were to acquire new lands filled with a different religion, it may be best to leave matters of state as they are. It is important to be respected, not hated, and if the new ruler allows the populace to practice as they wish, then the people will respect him for his decision to protect their religion. Of course, you know the dangers associated with the mixing of religion and politics, so how would you handle a situation in which you might need to strip the church of its power to further your own influence?"

Savonarola: “I think the church should never lose or gain any power. The church is the body of Christ, and nothing should be more important than His body. I have no personal power. The power I have is from the Lord Himself. He is the one who sends all those who deny His power to HELL!!”

Machiavelli: “Indeed, you must have some power. Is it not your career to help in teaching about the perfection of the Lord to those on Earth? Do people not respect your way of life, and your willingness to help those in need? Did you not take vows to this end? God is indeed all powerful, but there are many in many nations that may be ripe for conversion to see His light, as they have not yet already. Would it not help the church to work with secular rulers of men in order to save more souls? The church has inevitably involved itself in the matters of many states. It has converted hundreds of thousands of people in South America, for instance, has it not? This conversion is in itself power, though it be granted from God Himself, are not all things granted from God Himself? Do you not say that saving the souls of innocent, indigenous, and ignorant people though this power through the church is a worthy task? Is it not one that a head of state should consider embarking upon, the liberation of heathens from heathen beliefs?”

Savonarola: “There are many nations in this world that have fallen far from the Lord. This is because this world is falling into the hands of Satan. The devil has no power like that of the Lord, but he has a strong ability to deceive. It is this reason why these nations are based on lies, not power. We as the church do not own the power; we simply lend it from the hand of God. And since it is God's will to bring all people to the church, I agree that it is a good idea to reach out to the nations and help convert the lost. But in order for this to work, we must overthrow their government. A leader who has more experience with their faith should run the government until one of their kind has learned enough about God to lead their government to a righteous life.”

Machiavelli: “Interesting… what if overthrowing a heathen government requires the use of arms? Would it be justifiable, in the eyes of the church, to allow a war on a heathen nation to change the government and allow the innocents to convert?”  

Savonarola: “If violence is needed, then violence must be used. Is it not better to lose the life of a handful to save many, than to allow hundreds to continuously fall deeper into sin, allowing this world to be swallowed by the hands of the devil himself.”