what were the Knights Templar morals and duties?
358544
The Knights Templar\nThe Templar Knights or 'Poor Knights of Christ' were a monastic order of knights founded in 1112 A.D. to protect the pilgrims along the path from Europe to the Holy Lands (Jerusalem). They took a vow of poverty which was rare for knights, and had to supply themselves with a horse, armor and weapons. \n\nThe Templars were organized as a monastic order, following a rule created for them by Bernard of Clairvaux, the founder of the Cistercian Order. The Templars were well connected and quickly became prime movers in the international politics of the Crusades period. In time, they were endowed with several extraordinary Papal bulls that permitted them, among other things, to levy taxes and accept tithing in the areas under their direct control, facilitating their quick rise to institutional power. \n\nAt any time, each knight had some ten people in support positions. Some brothers were devoted solely to banking, as the Order was often trusted with precious goods by participants in the Crusades. But the majority of the Knights Templar were dedicated to warfare. It was primarily a military order directly responsible only to the Pope. Some consider the Knights Templar to be the forerunner of the modern professional army and elite special forces units. The Templars used their wealth to construct numerous fortifications throughout the Holy Land and were probably the best trained and disciplined fighting units of their day. \n\n\nSeal of the Knights Templar\n\nTheir seal became two knights on one horse to show how poor they were. There were also other various interpretations of the seal. They became very powerful and influencial in European political circles since Pope Innocent II exempted the Templars from all authority except the Pope. \n\n\nBanking System\nThe Templars got into banking almost by accident. Because they regularly transmitted money and supplies from Europe to Palestine, they gradually developed an efficient banking system unlike any the world had seen before. Their military might and financial acumen caused them to become both feared and trusted. Because of their unselfish defense of the Holy Lands and their monastic vows, they amassed great wealth through gifts from their grateful benefactors. They soon had an army and a fleet as well as surplus money. Since the Knights had taken a vow of poverty they re-invested the money and lent. \n\nWhen members joined the order, they often donated large amounts of cash or property to the order since all had to take oaths of poverty. Combined with massive grants from the Pope, their financial power was assured from the beginning. \n\nSince the Templars kept cash in all their chapter houses and temples, it was natural that in 1135 the Order started lending money to Spanish pilgrims who wanted to travel to the Holy Land. \n\nThe Knights' involvement in banking grew over time into a new basis for money, as Templars became increasingly involved in banking activities. \n\nOne indication of their powerful political connections is that the Templars' involvement in usury did not lead to more controversy within the Order and the church at large. \n\nThe charge was typically sidestepped, by a stipulation that the Templars retained the rights to the production of mortgaged property. \n\nThe Templars' political connections and awareness of the essentially urban and commercial nature of the Outremer communities naturally led the Order to a position of significant power, both in Europe and the Holy Land. \n\nTheir success attracted the concern of many other orders and eventually that of the nobility and monarchs of Europe as well, who were at this time seeking to monopolize control of money and banking after a long chaotic period in which civil society, especially the Church and its lay orders, had dominated financial activities. The Templars' holdings were extensive both in Europe and the Middle East, including for a time the entire island of Cyprus.
600038
It was 884 years ago that nine knights met in Palestine under the noble purpose of protecting Christian pilgrims on route to the Holy Land.  Jacques De Molay was the order's last Grand Master.
530634
Justice, respect and love for humanity.\nBe true to others as you want others to be with you.
21933
A Christian military order from the Crusades. Their original job was to guard Solomon's temple in Jerusalem. They made tons of loot and were eventually accused of devil worship and suppressed by the King of France and the Pope. Their stuff passed to the Hospitalers.\n\nSome think the Templars survived, and still guard the Holy Grail. For more, read Umberto Eco's book "Foucault's Pendulum".
1131757
You specifically asked about the Knights Templar as portrayed in the book and the movie DaVinci Code.  The only bit of unproven information mentioned about the Knights Templar was their connection with the Priory of Sion.  All of the rest of the story of the Knights tends to be correct.  Founded in Jerusalem at the close of the first crusade and given the ruin of the Temple of Solomon for their headquarters.  Given carte blanche by the Pope to raise money and gained tremendous power throughout the time of the later crusades.\n\nThe Priory of Sion, however, was exposed as a hoax at least as it comes down to the modern era.  If there was such an organization that started the Knights Templar it is yet to be proven to me a Modern Knight Templar in good standing.
160616
Human morals lead ethics in law. The concept is that we have a universal code that we need to live up to as human beings. For some, that's religion. For others, that's just the law. \n\nWe tie those morals into the law so that it's not optional. You follow the rules or you pay the consequences. It's that simple.\n\nLaws we make should be just and in good conscience. What's more, we should make them fairly and always have the means to repeal them or change them.
1163985
Being a priest in the middle ages wasn't what we consider it now.  It was mostly a politcial position bought for second sons.  Like being a politician today there were some people that took their job seriously, and then there were the people who were spoiled and corrupt.  There was almost no accountablity, so those that broke the Church's rules paid their way out if they got into trouble, or did what they wanted.  The widespread corruption was what eventually lead to the breaking of Church authority.
69191
Friday the 13th was the day that the Knights of the Templar where killed.  There is a whole story about how the King sent out a missive to be opened at a certain time by his commanders and it was to capture and kill any knights.
395348
Morals just what are they? They are the difference between right and wrong. If you break one of the ten commandments you are immoral for example.\n\nExamples of moral codes include the golden rule; Wiccan Rede, the Noble Eightfold Path of Buddhism; the ten commandments of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; and the ten Indian commandments.\n\n\nIf you have done wrong you are immoral. If you do the things that society says you should you could be considered being a moral person.\n\nCulture sometimes plays a role. In one culture what you did that was immoral might be considered as being right in another.
832112
Wow, its amazing he number of misconceptions regarding Friday the 13th.\n\nit was on Friday the 13th when the Roman Catholic Church destroyed the Knights Templars.  The KT was a powerful group within the Church and was responsible for opening up trade routes from Europe to the Middle East.  They also developed the first true banking system to aid travelers, so that travelers did not have to carry large sums of money across Europe, thus avoiding robbery.  The KT became so rich and influential that the Catholic Pope decided they were a threat, and conspired to destroy them. The plot was carried out on Friday the 13th. Thus, Friday the 13th became an unlucky day.
418668
The Knight Templars to the wealthy in Medevil Europe after the Crusades.
388147
I'm in the US Navy.\nMorals is having sense of right and wrong. US Navy follows three basic core values: Honor, Courage, Commitment. Basically those are my morals. Backed up by Oath of Enlistment that I took when I signed the contract. I swore to defend this country against all enemies foreign and domestic by any means. That means what normal civilian might think is wrong (immoral) might be right (moral) for service member based on his/hers agreement with this nation. I look at this this way, I'm responsible before the nation and the public, I'll do anything to defend this nation. It is my job, my duty, my obligation. Navy Core Values guide me each day.
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Living and behaving in a way that reflects the life and teachings of Christ.  Representing Him as closely as possible.\n\nBlessed Be
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It's pretty much summed up in Ecclesiastes:\n"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." Eccl. 12:13 :)
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The Catholic faith also make sense! When you are in a war situation it legally is not murder, because you are defending the common good. Likewise it is not a mortal sin according to the Catechism.
562702
Its not religious duty.\n\nSomewhere somehow some idiot with influence found a way of making quick money (by selling their kids) by exploiting the old customs of bride bringing home some stuff from parents (vaguely put) - others followed suit
744121
The Knights Templar were founded as a group supposedly to help the folks who were doing pilgrimage to the Holy Land. They set up their headquarters in the supposed stables of King Solomon's Temple. Of course, Solomon's Temple had been destroyed long before, where they were was actually Herod's reconstructed temple -- still destroyed but the most recent. They may have found something there in the ruins. We are not sure.\n\nThey went from being a small band of knights to becoming very wealthy, the equivalent of bankers of the Middle Ages. Eventually, that wealth attracted the envious eyes of a strong King: Philip la Belle (the good looking) of France. He had just managed to buy a Pope (Clement) and decided to take over the Templars. Under sealed orders Philip had all the Templars arrested. Some escaped (supposedly to Scotland and to Spain). The loot went with the escapees. The head of the Templars, Jacques de Molay, was roasted on a fire but not before he cursed King Philip and Pope Clement. Both died within a year of Jacques' death.\n\nThere are some records of fighters looking like Templars showing up in Scotland fighting on the side of Robert the Bruce. This is in the 1300s. Then the rumors sort of died down. Funny thing, the Templar battle flag had a funny cross on it. You have seen it in your grade school history books on the sails of Columus' ships. Oh, they never did find the Templar fleet either.\n\nCenturies later a flamboyant Freemason named Chevalier Ramsey claimed that Freemasonry really was the heir to the Knights Templar. The French (who had long since spit on Philip's grave) ate that up and decided that a Knight Templar degree would be cool. There were many more degrees instituted ontop of the regular three (possibly four if you count the Mark degree) Blue Lodge of Freemasonry degrees. \n\nNow Rosslyn Chapel does have some good ties to Masonry and Templarism. Some even have found Templar graves on the coast of Scotland. Another bunch of authors think that the Shroud of Turin was created by the torturing of Jacques de Molay.\n\nSomehow most of it will remain speculation. But it is fun to read about. When you reach 21 years of age and if you are interested, feel free to knock on the door of Freemasonry and ask to join. Co-Masonry admits women and men. Even before then, most Lodges will allow you to use their libraries. I think all Masons are interested in such.\n\nA Master Mason\nAmerican Co-Masonry\n\nHiram Lodge (Santa Cruz, CA)\nAmon Ra Lodge (Los Angeles, CA)\nSapientia Lodge of Research (Larkspur, CO)\nAdamant Mark Lodge (Santa Cruz, CA)