The Knights Templar

Between the years of 1119 and 1188, a small group of knights founded the Knights Templar (the Order) in dedication to protecting pilgrims traveling to the holy land. The Sect was originally a Christian Order. Their rituals were held in secrecy. Because of this secrecy, it was speculated occurred that something was amiss within the religious order. 

Rumors that had been brewing for generations suggested the Templars worshiped Baphomet and partook in satanic rites during these secret meetings. Some believe that the rumors were a product of King Philip IV of France. He had sought to remove the power of the Templars not only for his own sake (as he owed them a substantial sum of money), but for his alleged dislike of one of the Order’s Grand Masters. Still, other sources suggest that while The Order was originally Christian it was overtaken by the de Lemann Sect in 1249; the Sect was a true Demonolatry Sect. In the latter instance, it is stated the reason the Templars fell was due to a loosening of the secrecy factor among members and less rigid entry requirements, which allowed almost any man to join the order providing he was willing. 

While the individual members of the Order were quite poor, the Order gained excessive wealth, which they used in commerce. By the 14th Century, the Order was a financial and religious power whose only contender was the Pope himself. In 1307 King Philip IV convinced Pope Clement to have all the Templars arrested. The Templars were stripped of all their properties and titles and were tried for sorcery and heresy and burnt at the stake. The Order was dissolved on an official level by Philip in 1312. 

The persecution of the Templars is well documented. However, whether or not the Templars were a bonified Demonolatry Sect remains just a theory. Their rites were not documented well. Much of the testimony of the occurrences at these secret meetings were given under extreme torture and interrogation and is therefore deemed invalid due to circumstance.