'Knights Templar' try to shake down the Catholic Church

First, it was black descendants of American slaves, wanting reparations from the U.S. and state governments.

Now, it's a group of so-called Knights Templar trying to shake down the Vatican for untold treasures in repayment for 700-year old memories of medieval torture.

Next, it will be me trying to get back the lunch money that bully in the sixth grade stole from me.

At least they're trying to shake down a group — the Catholic Church — that has loot to spare.

The Register says:

The Daily Telegraph reports that The Association of the Sovereign Order of the Temple of Christ has launched a court case in Spain, demanding Pope Benedict “recognise” the seizure of assets worth €100bn.

The Spanish-based group of Templars apparently says in a statement: "We are not trying to cause the economic collapse of the Roman Catholic Church, but to illustrate to the court the magnitude of the plot against our Order."

This might come as a surprise to those who believe that the order of warrior monks — also credited with possessing the Holy Grail and laying the foundation of the European banking system — was smashed in 1307 by Pope Clement V and Philip IV of France.

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Remembering October anniversaries: Jacques de Molay, Sputnik, and 'Atlas Shrugged'

Several noteworthy anniversaries occur this month.

October 13, 2007, will mark the 700th anniversary of the mass arrests of Jacques de Molay and the Knights Templar at the order of King Philippe IV and Pope Clement V. It is believed that this is the origin of the superstition of Friday the 13th being bad luck.

Two other anniversaries are being noted this month, too.

It was 50 years ago this month that the U.S.S.R. launched Sputnik, the first satellite. Sputnik sparked the space race between the United States and Russia. I saw former lunar astronaut Jim Lovell on television the other day; he said that were it not for Sputnik, we'd have never gone to the moon.

Also in October, 1957 Atlas Shrugged, a novel by Russian immigrant Ayn Rand, was published. Millions of copies have been sold. A 1992 survey by the Library of Congress determined that, after the Bible, Atlas Shrugged is the most influential book in the United States. It helped launch the modern free market and the libertarian movement, according to an opinion piece in today's Washington Times.

Image: Ayn Rand

Knights Templar | Jacques de Molay | Sputnik | Ayn Rand | Atlas Shrugged | Burning Taper | BurningTaper.com

Rosslyn Chapel to get much-needed facelift

Scotland's Rosslyn Chapel, made more famous than it already was by The Da Vinci Code, today received grants totaling £7.2 million toward the restoration of the 15th-century icon.

The impressive building, which dates back to 1446, has seen its yearly tourist pilgrimage increase from 30,000 people a year in 2000 to over 120,000 last year.

Some of the intricate carvings, with symbols of the Knights Templar, Christianity, Freemasonry and mythology, are deteriorating.

For the last ten years, a tin roof has been keeping the rain off the chapel, allowing the original roof and walls to dry out. The renovation will include removing the tin roof. Repairs will also include conserving and protecting the stonework, fixing the stained and leaded glass and restoring the Victorian baptistry.

Scotland | Rosslyn Chapel | Da Vinci Code | Freemasonry | Dan Brown | Burning Taper | BurningTaper.com