Jacques de Molay

While on the surface the Templars appeared to engage in selfless service, they were initiated with a ceremony which required them to reject Christ by spitting on a crucifix. They were then ordered to worship Satan, who was depicted in the form of a bearded idol. Although Pope Clement V was personally apprised of the blasphemous conduct of the Templars, he took no action until their activities became public knowledge. It was then that the political pressure forced his hand and the Templars were suppressed. According to Albert Pike, Jacques de Molay, the Grand Master of the Templars, was arrested and while he was in prison founded the first lodges of Freemasonry in Naples, Edinburgh, Stockholm, and Paris. De Molay was burned at the stake in 1314 by King Philip IV of France and Pope Clement V. Albert Pike states that both King Philip IV of France and Pope Clement V were assassinated shortly thereafter as revenge for the suppression of the Knights Templars.  The young men’s branch of modern freemasonry is named after Jacques de Molay. [2011] Solving the Mystery of Babylon the Great by Edward Hendrie