Ep. 38 Knights Templar, Freemasonry, and Guarding the West Gate

Are the Knights Templar connected to Freemasonry?In EP 38 of Masonic Muscle, Worshipful Jeriel Smith, Past Master, returns to talk about one of his passions: Knights Templar history.We discuss the rise and fall of the Templars, the mysteries surrounding them, accusations made against them, their role in early international banking, and why the Templar question continues to attract Masons, historians, researchers, and conspiracy-minded people alike.This episode solves one Masonic Muscle problem:How can Masons explore possible Templar connections to Freemasonry without confusing history, myth, symbolism, and speculation?We discuss:Knights Templar historythe rise and fall of the Templarsaccusations against the OrderTemplars and early international bankingpossible connections to Freemasonrywhy the Templar theory remains powerfulguarding the West Gatecandidate quality and lodge standardssymbolism, mystery, and Masonic educationhow Masons should separate evidence from romanceThe Templar story has everything.Power.Faith.War.Money.Secrecy.Accusation.Destruction.Survival rumors.And possible echoes in later Masonic imagination.But that does not mean we accept every claim.A Mason should be curious, but not gullible.He should be willing to investigate, but not desperate to believe.And when we bring this back to guarding the West Gate, the lesson becomes practical:A lodge must know who it lets in.Because once a man crosses that threshold, he affects the culture, standards, reputation, and future of the lodge.Masonic Muscle is dedicated to exploring the mysterious origins, history, traditions, and symbols of the Craft while encouraging Brethren to increase their level of fitness one degree at a time — becoming pillars of strength inside the lodge and outside in the world.We give you more light — but no light weights.This is the Way.Have an origin theory, Masonic question, old document, book recommendation, lodge problem, fitness transformation story, or research lead?Write to me at:[email protected] Masonic Muscle on Instagram:@masonicmuscleFollow Masonic Muscle on Facebook.Subscribe and follow Masonic Muscle on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.