| Our Order is
not connected with any
individual(s) or organisational membership who promote hatred or
intolerance of others. Individuals who demonstrate
such traits are not permitted to join the Grand
Commandery of Knights Templar by written Constitution
and Rule. Furthermore, any such action or behaviour is
considered to contravene the Order's core principles
of Chivalry, honour, integrity, humility, courtesy,
wisdom & charity. |
Question 1: Is your Order associated with the Freemason
Knights Templar?
Answer: We are not affiliated at all
with Freemasonry.
Question 2: Why is
membership not on an invite only basis?
Answer:
Invitation to become a Knights Templar is often associated
with Freemasonry and/or historic secret societies. We believe
all men, women and children are considered equal and entry
into our Order does not depend on social standing or financial
status
Question 3: I have been told that I have to complete the three
degrees to achieve membership of the Knights Templar. Is this
true?
Answer: These degrees reflect the
position of Master Mason within Freemasonry. Master Masons can
then progress on to further positions, one of which is named
after the Knights Templar. However, Knights Templar has always
stood in its own right, separate and distinct from
Freemasonry.
Question 4: Can I meet other members in the area where I live
and do these have to be at preceptories or other Templar
locations?
Answer: We have our meetings all over
the world. Our main offices are based within London but we do
have District Commanderies in various locations up and down
the United Kingdom as well as in other countries. Groups of
members in certain areas tend to meet at particular
Templar locations such as old preceptories and templar meeting
houses to maintain tradition.
Question 5: Is there a religious bias in your Order?
Answer: We do state that our Order’s
core principles are based on Christian principles
but we do not specifically align ourselves to any one church.
Question 6: Do I have to have any particular work experience,
qualifications or skills to be accepted as a member of the
Grand Commandery of Knights Templar?
Answer: It is your character,
qualities and personal integrity which is assessed during the
application stage. However, we are always on the lookout for
appropriate persons with the skills that can assist us with
our various projects.
Question
7: There
are so many Knights
Templar Orders out there with some claiming ancestral heritage
to the original Medieval Templars. What is the Grand
Commandery of Knights Templar claim to former historic Orders
or Grand Masters?
Answer: We make no claim to ancestral
right or heritage to any former Order or Grand Master. We are
a modern Order formed by a group of individuals who were
previous Templars of another Order.
Question 8: Do all Knights Templar Orders follow the same
rules and disciplines regardless of name?
Answer:
Unfortunately not. This is why the decision was made to form a
new Order which followed some of the original principles
adopted by Hugues de Payens and others under the guidance of St Bernard
of Clairvaux and Council of Troyes on 13th January 1129.
Question 9: How well recognised is your Order of the Knights
Templar?
Answer: Our Order is already becoming recognised
as a true Templar Order by some established Orders. Please click 'Other Order Affiliations' to see those
established Orders who have entered into a fraternal
allegiance with us.
Question 10: Is the Freemason Knights Templar of similar status
to your Order of Knights Templar?
Answer: None
whatsoever. The only connection is that Freemasons have called
one of their ranks/degrees after the Knights Templar. This is
likely to be based on the fact that some Templars
were given protection by the Freemasons following the false
accusations and subsequent persecution against them by King
Philip IV in the 14th century.
Question 11: I have an active interest in
history, would this be relevant?
Answer: We have a lot of books in our
electronic library regarding the history of Templarism from
the 12th century onwards. An active interest in gaining
historical fact around Templarism is essential as we require
our members to have the ability to discern, especially as
there is a lot of myth mixed with fact relating to Templar
history.
Question 12: Why do you require sole allegiance to
become a member of your Order?
Answer: Keeping in tradition with the Latin Rule of Templars,
our Constitution requires our members to pledge an oath of
allegiance to the Order and it's Grand Master. We do not
believe that true Templars would or should join multiple
Orders if they have already given an oath to one. We do
however have an Associate grade for individuals, who belong to
another Order, if they wish to show their support of ours. We,
of course, are willing to accept an individual's application
into full membership if they wish to leave their current Order
(for whatever reason).
