Cathars

The Cathars were a Christian sect that emerged in the 12th century in southern France. They believed in dualism, seeing the material world as evil and the spiritual world as good, which led them to reject the authority of the Catholic Church and its teachings. Cathars emphasized personal spiritual experience, living a simple life, and practicing non-violence. Their beliefs were considered heretical by the Church, leading to a violent crusade against them in the early 13th century. The movement declined after the ruthless suppression, but it left a lasting impact on religious thought and regional history.