Saturday, August 9, 2008
Carte Blanche of the Knights Templar
Unfettered power brings about abuse and corruption. The founding fathers of our country knew this full well, and attempted to guard against it. Jefferson was so aware of power mongers that he preferred not to have a strong centralized Federal system, and Washington to avoid any implementation of blue blooded tradition in America. Libertarians often rail against many forms of regulation as evidence of the burden placed on capitalism, and environmentalists do the same against the weight of entrenched corporate power. The Knights Templar, while serving the purposes of the Pope in the holy land, also wore the mantle of unfettered power. The list of the prerogatives and privileges granted them is sure sign that abuse would surely have crept into and stained the noble orders rule and guide. Free from taxation and tithing, from lawful conduct and norms. The powers granted the Knights were vast and far reaching, and after the power was stripped away, their condemnation left only true believers. Sometimes that's a good thing in the end. When those in authority abuse their power it is the obligation of the people to remove them.
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2 comments:
Are you actually suggesting that the Templars were not acting lawfully or morally?
Europe, at the time, was under 2 laws, those of the individual countries and states, and those of the RC church. The Templar Rule had them fully under the province of the Church. They collected money from mainly the wealthy, and property from nobility entering the order.
It almost seems as if you're saying that it's a good think that Phillip the Fair took them down, before they themselves got up to some mischief.
Unless you're the type who believes that power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. In which case, where does that leave the GAOTU?
Over several hundred years and much accumulated wealth and power, one can certainly assume fairly that unlawful and amoral conduct occurred. No doubt,the battle against the Moors and Musselmen, made the Templars much needed,in Spain/Portugal, which never outlawed the Templars, but just renamed them. Elsewhere in Europe, after the losses to and retrenchment through Rhodes and the islands of the Mediteraneam, still vast holdings, given by wealthy donors, would have attracted some unscrupulous to the Templar banner. Thats all, I think it is naive to assume that so much power wouldn't have.
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