I don't think any of the Templars survived. But what did survive - and what was a threat to church and state - was their knowledge of the lost teachings of Jesus. Their use of his teachings on alchemy, personal Christhood and the science of the spoken word resulted in their manifesting material and spiritual wealth that was the envy of the powers that were.
Unfortunately those teachings exist in very few places today in pure form. They have been watered down into New Age mumbo-jumbo or hijacked by Satanists, and is thus rejected as a result of the poisoned well strategy.
True, over time the Templars were infiltrated by corrupt men which was partly the cause of their persecution. But ever since Christ died his Teachings have been distorted or suppressed by those who did not want this teaching to get to the masses: That Christ was an example of what we could do, not the exception. He gave teachings on how to contact the divine source within and true soul liberation, which has nothing to do with orthodox docrines empahsizing sin, guilt and vicarious atonement. The Templars found these teachings and put them to use. Unfortunately, Westerners, myself included, do not have the self-discipline to use the lost teachings.
I am not so much interested in the history of their politics but moreso the esoteric spiritual means they used to achieve their wealth. Only akasha holds the true record of their political history.
I would be in favor of some sort of apology - if only to give some recognition to the group that has influenced western civiization more than any other as we know it, yet has been ignored by orthodox historians, precisely for the reasons above.
"But ever since Christ died his Teachings have been distorted or suppressed by those who did not want this teaching to get to the masses:"
I think if you read the New Testament you will see that the teachings of Jesus did get out to the masses, even though unsuccessful attempts have been made in history to destroy the Scriptures. There is more historical evidence that the New Testament we have is the authentic record of the apostles than there is that Columbus existed or sailed the ocean blue in 1492. :)