Here we encounter once again another very controversial subject, and one that is shrouded in mystery. We do know alot about the Templars, but we dont know much about their secrets...which has been the subject of much discussion over the centuries, and has resulted in the Templars being hounded and killed by the church.. It seems that the Templars possessed some very secret and sacred knowledge that threatened the very existence of the church.. Go Figure..!!! Here is the basic run down on the Templars as I understand it, the actual history of them however you can read for yourself on the below web-links. Some very interesting reading indeed.  I picked the story up at the time where the Templars were protecting the pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem during the crusades.. These "soldiers of Christ", were actually it turns out, looking for treasure in Jerusalem. In particular at the ruins of the Temple of Solomon. Solomon, you may remember from Bible study was the wisest of all men, and was given special and divine knowledge from God himself.. It was said to him that no other man would be given such wisdom, as was now given to him. It goes without saying that Solomon possessed very sacred knowledge of the sciences in all disciplines. and rumors abounded that the riches and temple treasures were squirrelled away and hidden before jerusalem and the temple were destroyed by the Romans in 70AD.   The legend continues that the Templars were afforded a place to stay by King Baldwin in Jerusalem at the site of Solomons stables.. While there, they conducted secret excavations, and uncovered not only the treasures, but such sacred knowledge that man had not laid his eyes on. In effect, they had found the treasures of Solomon and the articles of the Temple, to include the Ark of the Covenant., or so the legend alledges. These were secretly brought back to France. It was circa this era that amazing architechtual marvels and sciences started to appear in France, and then spread throughout Europe.. The secrets that the Templars possessed enabled them to accrue great wealth..  It was the Templars that were the founders of todays modern banking system.. Alot of people may find this intriguing, but I dont. The place from where the Templars in essence "stole" this wealth, and sacred secrets was held by the Jews.. It was to the Jews that the Law of Moses was given.. In that law its stated that NO Jew would ever be charged interest (usury) on any loan or debt.. However to the gentile (infidel) it was ok to charge interest. Today this injuction continues in jewish circles...It is also common practice in Muslim circles, and is a requirement in Islam..breaking this commandment is a very serious offense... The elitists today who control virtually the worlds entire banking and finacial system charge interest to ALL people except those among themselves who are Jews..or in a middle eastern case...Muslims.. It is this kind of usury that has kept mankind enslaved to their economic systems, as you will never own anything outright, and when you do, you will have paid several times the cost of the thing ..As is the case of purchassing a home and financing it for 20-30 years, and paying a high amount of interest on it over that time...or a purchase of a car.. The God of Israel apparently thought that Usury was evil...? Anyway, food for thought.. Christianity, of which they always proudly say is taken from the Law of Moses, doesn't seem to have any problem with oppressing their fellow man through usury...more food for thought..however it would be a good idea to read my book first before you pass judgement on the purity of the christian faith..Below are some links that will familiarize you with the templars...Please read them, or find your own.. http://altreligion.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.veling.nl/anne/templars/knight.htm http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14493a.htm http://www.crystalinks.com/templars.html http://www.rumormillnews.com/cgi-bin/archive.cgi?read=4286 http://www.freemasonrywatch.org/knightstemplar.html