Neo-Templarism

Neo-Templarism is the movement designating self-styled re-creations of the Order of the Temple since its dissolution in 1312 and the execution of its grandmaster in 1314.

The Order of the Solar Temple is one infamous example of a "neo-Templar" group, founded in 1984, that claimed descent from the original Knights Templar; there are several other self-styled orders that also claim to be descended from, or revivals of, the Templar Order. Another Templar-related order, the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem, is a charitable organization founded in 1804 which has achieved United Nations NGO special status. They are a part of the larger Ordo Supremus Militaris Templi Hierosolymitani (OSMTH), commonly called Knights Templar Worldwide. Some members of the OSMTH claim to be the direct descendants of the original Knights Templar, citing the Larmenius Charter as proof; however, this document is suspected to be a forgery.

In May 2018 BBC News reported that since 2015 far-right activist Jim Dowson has been fronting a UK-based anti-immigrant organization, 'Knights Templar International', with Dowson's sister-in-law Marion Thomas named as one of its directors. In April 2019, Knights Templar International and Jim Dowson were banned by Facebook for spreading hate.