History of the Cathars

The Cathars were a medieval religious movement in 12th-13th century Southern France, often called Albigensians. They believed in dualism, viewing the world as a struggle between good and evil spirits, and rejected materialism, the clergy’s authority, and the Catholic Church’s teachings. Their ideas conflicted with mainstream Christianity, leading to the Church launching the Albigensian Crusade (1209-1229) to suppress them. Many Cathars were persecuted, and their communities were destroyed. Their movement declined, but their desire for spiritual purity influenced later religious reform efforts.