If you are interested in making an application to join the Order, then please also take time to read through the following answers to frequently asked questions.
This list is not intended to be a comprehensive list, but answers the most commonly asked questions. Should you have any further questions not listed here, then please feel free to contact the Clerk to the Grand Priory by clicking the Apply link above.
| Q. What does the Order expect of someone looking to join ? |
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A. In the Grand
Priory, we lay particular emphasis on the personal commitment of
members to the Order’s rule of life and code of chivalry, and
expect members to set an example in their local communities by
their conduct. |
| Q. How much time and effort should I expect to give to the Order ? |
|
A. In the
tradition of military-monastic orders of chivalry, ours is very
much a working Order. As such, full members are expected to attend
meetings and to support - according to their financial means and
through their active participation - the Order’s charitable,
humanitarian, cultural and heritage objectives. |
| Q. What status does the Order have internationally ? |
|
A. This Grand
Priory is a member association of OSMTH – Knights Templar
International, which is recognised by the United Nations as a
Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in Special Consultative
Status. We therefore have a responsibility to ensure that we
maintain the standing and reputation of the Order. |
| Q. These are high expectations – what if I find it difficult to meet them ? |
|
A. We think it is
right to aspire to high ideals in the Order, but we recognise
that everyone needs help and encouragement to achieve them.
Experienced members of the Order act as mentors to successful
applicants and provide them with advice and support during their
preparations for admission and investiture. However, support
does not cease there as all members are encouraged to support
and help one another in such a manner as to foster a good team
spirit. |
| Q. Do you accept applicants from different Christian Churches ? |
|
A. Yes - ours is
an interdenominational Christian organisation. We admit
adherents from all of the mainstream Christian churches. |
| Q. I consider myself to be a Christian, but I am not a regular worshipper at a particular church – can I still apply for membership ? |
|
A. Yes - we also
consider applications from those who are making their own
spiritual pilgrimage into the Christian Faith. During the
Admission Ceremony, candidates are required to make a public
profession of Christian Faith. |
| Q. You have chaplains and hold religious services. Does this mean the Order is a church ? |
|
A. No – our
chaplains are ordained and lay members of churches to which they
personally belong, and give advice and spiritual guidance
accordingly. We hold services in places of public worship by
agreement with the parish priest or the local minister. |
| Q. What is your attitude to adherents of other faiths ? |
|
A. As a Christian
organisation, we also seek to increase mutual understanding with
other faiths, and especially the Islamic and Jewish faiths that
share historic roots with Christianity. Many of our programs are
designed to encourage Adherents of other
faiths may apply to become associated with the Order as Friends
of the Grand Priory - see the Associate (Friend) Section. |
| Q. Does your organisation preserve 'hidden' teachings open only to initiates ? |
|
A. No - the Order
is not a secret society nor an esoteric organisation. It is not
part of Freemasonry, nor does it have any party-political ties.
Please don't expect to be enlightened with some supposed arcane
'secret' knowledge, because nothing exists. We are aware that some other non-official 'Templar' groups like to pretend that they are custodians of such 'knowledge', but it tends to be highly creative and imaginative fiction with an overdone blend of various esoteric threads. We believe that this is done purely to increase membership numbers by purporting to offer potential members 'knowledge' that is completely fiction. It is interesting to note that the websites of such groups offer instant, online membership in return for a not-inconsiderable sum of money. We do not believe that such methods of recruitment are credible or ethical, and simply highlight the desperate measures to which some groups will go in their pursuit of funds. We would urge all Internet users to be very wary of any site that offers 'instant membership' or charges large sums of money for membership and assorted paraphernalia, such as fees for certificates, badges and the like. |
| Q. Will I gain a title of nobility if I join the Order ? |
|
A. No - membership
of the Order does not confer titles that have any legal or
social standing outside of the Order. We expect the Order’s
public status to derive from the value that society at large places
on our work and our conduct. Again, there are some non-official 'Templar' websites that offer supposed 'titles', usually in exchange for thousands of pounds. However, the Law of the United Kingdom states quite implicitly that nobody can bestow a feudal title except with the permission of Her Majesty. Usually, such pseudo 'titles' offered are nothing more than methods to part you from your hard-earned money in exchange for the seller changing your name by deed poll, thus attempting to give the impression that you own a legally bestowed title. For more information about these types of scams, we would recommend an excellent website set up by Hon. Richard Bridgeman, The 7th Earl of Bradford, who has devoted a great deal of time to research this subject and has uncovered many of the characters involved in such practices. His research website can be found at www.faketitles.co.uk. |
| Q. What is your approach to the many and varied stories that surround the medieval and modern Knights Templar ? |
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A. We follow an
academically disciplined and objective approach to research into
the history and traditions of the Order, and the mythology
associated with it. We are very aware that there are some authors who like to embellish their books with theories about supposed 'secrets' and conspiracy theories, but the Order has neither the time nor inclination to respond to such fanciful hypotheses. We are more concerned with devoting our time and energies to our charities. However, we welcome any comments or questions of a questioning nature, especially from people wishing to know about the history of the Order, or how we go about our objectives today. We will also consider publishing or promoting works or ideas that help achieve these aims - please use the details in the Contact section to correspond with the webmaster on such matters. |
