Impeccable Reputations

According to Bernard [Monk associating with earliest Knights of Templar], "God has elected such men to Himself," carefully choosing and appointing them to fight in His name. These warrior-monks were to wage the "double fight" against evil, spiritually and physically. Killing barbarians was not only permitted, justified as "malacide" rather than homicide, but actually encouraged by the promise of an instant place in heaven.