Why does Christian merchandise/advertisements depict Crusaders/Templars as of late?

I've seen many ads recently for merchandise utilizing a Templar as like a sort of mascot of Christianity. I've also seen some pastors selling cds, books, etc using the Templar as their mascot. In fact, I feel like I'm seeing it more and more often.

I'll be honest, I don't know a whole lot about the Crusades, but I know enough to say that it does not seem like a high point in Christian history (seems like an understatement). Why has it become popular to associate ourselves with it?

To show examples

This is the first time i have ever seen anything like this... I have never seen anyone wearing the examples you have shown.

Perhaps because, from a visual standpoint, it's an appealing look. And the majority, both Christian and non-Christian, will not recognize it as a Knights Templar.

Maybe because this is the type of Christians we need in this world that has drastically fell into more secular and evil desires. Like it or not the Christian crusades is part of our history. The soldier's truly believed in what their priest was telling them. They was told if they didn't go on this crusade then they would be subject to hell. Remember back then the church controlled the word of God. No common person had the word of God. Thank you to all who died to get us the Bible we can hold. Nasty part of history but nonetheless these Christian crusaders gave everything to fight for God. But now we know better that we are under a covenant of love. But in this new age we must also put on the armor of God and be ready to speak the truth. And legally do all we can to fight for our relegious freedoms and to protect human life from evil. Which in order to fight evil takes a soldier of righteousness.

There are Knights of Templar today in Freemasonry. My friend is one of them. He has a battle ready sword and swore an oath and signed an agreement to fight under a call to arms.

So some of the Knights of Templar stuff she's been seeing might be traced back to Freemasons? That...would actually make some sense. Thank you for that piece of information!

===========================================================

this is an astute observation, Magenta, this IS exactly what they are 'preparing for and are about'...
they are just a small segment of a very LARGE MILITANT MOVEMENT...

lol I didn't realize this was gonna turn into a conspiracy thread. Though I suppose that aspect is interesting. I just thought it might give unbelievers the impression that we want to bring "Christendom" back. But Ugly made a good point. Many probably won't recognize it. Though some do.

Knights of Templar today aren't Christian, even though the Bible in Freemasonry is considered the Great Light. I'm sure that some are, but I am also sure that some aren't.

My friend, for example, is a Knight of Templar and does read the Bible. However, he stated that he believes Jesus is an allegorical figure and does not believe that Jesus came in the flesh.

We know from John, that is of the spirit of the Antichrist.

The Knights of Templar are prepared to kill others by the sword. They even offer sword training.

In their call to arms oath, they swear to fight against the forces of evil, but if they don't believe Jesus came in the flesh, I wonder who decides on their part what is good and evil.