Knights Templar

[Krush2k2]

Why was this group branded heretics and tortured to death?
I don't know much about them but from this show on Nation Geographic it shows them in a positive light.

[Extra ecclesiam nulla salus]

[quote name='Krush2k2' date='Mar 29 2006, 05:46 PM']Why was this group branded heretics and tortured to death?
I don't know much about them but from this show on Nation Geographic it shows them in a positive light.
[right][snapback]927536[/snapback][/right]
[/quote]

it was a politcal move carried out by a greedy French king. I think he was jealous of their wealth.

[mariahLVzJP2]

because the king of france (i believe Philip IV) saw them as a threat to his power. so he started a propaganda crusade against them and he gave orders for them to be killed (on Oct. Friday the 13th )

[Socrates]

They were sodomites.

[Jaime]

[quote name='Socrates' date='Mar 29 2006, 07:18 PM']They were sodomites.
[right][snapback]927638[/snapback][/right]
[/quote]

Seriously, you're obsessed dude.

[quote]   
The Knights Templars

    Catholic Encyclopedia on CD-ROM
    Contains 11,632 articles. Browse off-line, ad-free, printer-friendly.
    Get it here for only $29.95


(3) THEIR TRAGIC END

In the trial of the Templars two phases must be distinguished: the royal commission and the papal commission.

First phase: The royal commission

Philip the Fair made a preliminary inquiry, and, on the strength of so-called revelations of a few unworthy and degraded members, secret orders were sent throughout France to arrest all the Templars on the same day (13 October, 1307), and to submit them to a most rigorous examination. The king did this, it was made to appear, at the request of the ecclesiastical inquisitors, but in reality without their co-operation.

In this inquiry torture, the use of which was authorized by the cruel procedure of the age in the case of crimes committed without witnesses, was pitilessly employed. Owing to the lack of evidence, the accused could be convicted only through their own confession and, to extort this confession, the use of torture was considered necessary and legitimate.

There was one feature in the organization of the order which gave rise to suspicion, namely the secrecy with which the rites of initiation were conducted. The secrecy is explained by the fact that the receptions always took place in a chapter, and the chapters, owing to the delicate and grave questions discussed, were, and necessarily had to be, held in secret. An indiscretion in the matter of secrecy entailed exclusion from the order. The secrecy of these initiations, however, had two grave disadvantages.

As these receptions could take place wherever there was a commandery, they were carried on without publicity and were free from all surveillance or control from the higher authorities, the tests being entrusted to the discretion of subalterns who were often rough and uncultivated. Under such conditions, it is not to be wondered at that abuses crept in. One need only recall what took place almost daily at the time in the brotherhoods of artisans, the initiation of a new member being too often made the occasion for a parody more or less sacrilegious of baptism or of the Mass.

The second disadvantage of this secrecy was, that it gave an opportunity to the enemies of the Templars, and they were numerous, to infer from this mystery every conceivable malicious supposition and base on it the monstrous imputations. The Templars were accused of spitting upon the Cross, of denying Christ, of permitting sodomy, of worshipping an idol, all in the most impenetrable secrecy. Such were the Middle Ages, when prejudice was so vehement that, to destroy an adversary, men did not recoil from inventing the most criminal charges. It will suffice to recall the similar, but even more ridiculous than ignominious accusations brought against Pope Boniface VIII by the same Philip the Fair.

[b]Most of the accused declared themselves guilty of these secret crimes after being subjected to such ferocious torture that many of them succumbed. [/b]Some made similar confessions without the use of torture, it is true, but through fear of it; the threat had been sufficient. Such was the case with the grand master himself, Jacques de Molay, who acknowledged later that he had lied to save his life.

Carried on without the authorization of the pope, who had the military orders under his immediate jurisdiction, this investigation was radically corrupt both as to its intent and as to its procedure. Not only did Clement V enter an energetic protest, but he annulled the entire trial and suspended the powers of the bishops and their inquisitors. However, the offense had been admitted and remained the irrevocable basis of the entire subsequent proceedings. Philip the Fair took advantage of the discovery to have bestowed upon himself by the University of Paris the title of Champion and Defender of the Faith, and also to stir up public opinion at the States General of Tours against the heinous crimes of the Templars. Moreover, he succeeded in having the confessions of the accused confirmed in presence of the pope by seventy-two Templars, who had been specially chosen and coached beforehand. In view of this investigation at Poitiers (June, 1308), the pope, until then sceptical, at last became concerned and opened a new commission, the procedure of which he himself directed. He reserved the cause of the order to the papal commission, leaving individuals to be tried by the diocesan commissions to whom he restored their powers. [/quote]

Edited March 30, 2006 by jaime

[Paphnutius]

I believe the French plot is the most viable, but I am no history buff.

[Paladin]

It's too bad what happened to them. Supposedly, the Masons picked up the remains of the Templars structure and adapted it to their weird paganism. At least, the Masons claim lineage from the Templars. How true that is, .

[mariahLVzJP2]

[quote name='Socrates' date='Mar 29 2006, 06:18 PM']They were sodomites.
[right][snapback]927638[/snapback][/right]
[/quote]
according to you, not to history

[Peccator]

Yes, I as well recall some connections to the Freemasons...

[toledo_jesus]

they hold an ancient and terrible secret that could change the world!

It's in [i]all[/i] the books.

[Snarf]

The Freemasons always brag about the Templar link, but I find it unlikely. For what it's worth, History Channel flat-out called it a lie.

[Cow of Shame]

The High Templars could be useful ([i]I heed thy call. State thy bidding.[/i]), but the Dark Templar could really kick some butt ([i]Adun Toridas.[/i])

[Paladin]

[quote name='Cow of Shame' date='Mar 30 2006, 10:23 AM']The High Templars could be useful ([i]I heed thy call.  State thy bidding.[/i]), but the Dark Templar could really kick some butt ([i]Adun Toridas.[/i])
[right][snapback]928283[/snapback][/right]
[/quote]

[toledo_jesus]

[quote name='Cow of Shame' date='Mar 30 2006, 11:23 AM']The High Templars could be useful ([i]I heed thy call.  State thy bidding.[/i]), but the Dark Templar could really kick some butt ([i]Adun Toridas.[/i])
[right][snapback]928283[/snapback][/right]
[/quote]
I fear no enemy, for the Khala is my strength! I fear not death! For our strength is eternal! En taro Adun!

[dspen2005]

i think i'll seek out Dan Brown for some information about the Knights TEmplar... he is a very reputable source