Cathars - Revision history

SysopJ at 18:58, 19 November 2023

2023-11-19T18:58:10Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:58, 19 November 2023
Line 86:		Line 86:

	Many historians have noted that if the civilization that existed in the Languedoc at the time of the Cathars, the atmosphere of tolerance, love of learning, curiosity and eager exchange of ideas with foreign lands, the construction of magnificent cathedrals, all of this - had not been destroyed by the Albigensian Crusade all of Europe might have enjoyed the Renaissance 300 years earlier and all of humanity might be 300 years more advanced than it is now.		Many historians have noted that if the civilization that existed in the Languedoc at the time of the Cathars, the atmosphere of tolerance, love of learning, curiosity and eager exchange of ideas with foreign lands, the construction of magnificent cathedrals, all of this - had not been destroyed by the Albigensian Crusade all of Europe might have enjoyed the Renaissance 300 years earlier and all of humanity might be 300 years more advanced than it is now.
	==~~Online Resource~~==		== Additional resources ==
			=== Articles ===
	* [https://theosophy.world/encyclopedia/cathari Cathari] at Theosophy World		* [https://theosophy.world/encyclopedia/cathari Cathari] at Theosophy World

	==~~Bibliography and Further Reading~~==		=== Books ===

	Gilbert, Adrian. ''Magi: The Quest for a Secret Tradition''. London: Bloomsbury, 1996. Print.		Gilbert, Adrian. ''Magi: The Quest for a Secret Tradition''. London: Bloomsbury, 1996. Print.

Line 107:		Line 107:
	Simmans, Graham. ''Jesus after the Crucifixion: From Jerusalem to Rennes-le-Château''. Rochester, Vt.: Bear, 2007. Print.		Simmans, Graham. ''Jesus after the Crucifixion: From Jerusalem to Rennes-le-Château''. Rochester, Vt.: Bear, 2007. Print.
	Smith, Morton. Jesus the Magician. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1978. Print.		Smith, Morton. Jesus the Magician. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1978. Print.

			=== Video ===
			*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbUMFI-XmyQ ''Cathars, the Good Christians''] by Holly Sullivan McClure

	== Notes ==		== Notes ==
	<references/>		<references/>



	[[Category:Other Groups]]		[[Category:Other Groups]]
	[[Category:Christians]]		[[Category:Christians]]

Michael Conlin at 20:59, 7 April 2020

2020-04-07T20:59:40Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:59, 7 April 2020
Line 86:		Line 86:

	Many historians have noted that if the civilization that existed in the Languedoc at the time of the Cathars, the atmosphere of tolerance, love of learning, curiosity and eager exchange of ideas with foreign lands, the construction of magnificent cathedrals, all of this - had not been destroyed by the Albigensian Crusade all of Europe might have enjoyed the Renaissance 300 years earlier and all of humanity might be 300 years more advanced than it is now.		Many historians have noted that if the civilization that existed in the Languedoc at the time of the Cathars, the atmosphere of tolerance, love of learning, curiosity and eager exchange of ideas with foreign lands, the construction of magnificent cathedrals, all of this - had not been destroyed by the Albigensian Crusade all of Europe might have enjoyed the Renaissance 300 years earlier and all of humanity might be 300 years more advanced than it is now.
			==Online Resource==
			* [https://theosophy.world/encyclopedia/cathari Cathari] at Theosophy World

	==Bibliography and Further Reading==		==Bibliography and Further Reading==

Kathleen Harlowe at 21:48, 16 January 2016

2016-01-16T21:48:05Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:48, 16 January 2016
Line 87:		Line 87:
	Many historians have noted that if the civilization that existed in the Languedoc at the time of the Cathars, the atmosphere of tolerance, love of learning, curiosity and eager exchange of ideas with foreign lands, the construction of magnificent cathedrals, all of this - had not been destroyed by the Albigensian Crusade all of Europe might have enjoyed the Renaissance 300 years earlier and all of humanity might be 300 years more advanced than it is now.		Many historians have noted that if the civilization that existed in the Languedoc at the time of the Cathars, the atmosphere of tolerance, love of learning, curiosity and eager exchange of ideas with foreign lands, the construction of magnificent cathedrals, all of this - had not been destroyed by the Albigensian Crusade all of Europe might have enjoyed the Renaissance 300 years earlier and all of humanity might be 300 years more advanced than it is now.

	==~~'''~~Bibliography and Further Reading~~'''~~==		==Bibliography and Further Reading==

	Gilbert, Adrian. ''Magi: The Quest for a Secret Tradition''. London: Bloomsbury, 1996. Print.		Gilbert, Adrian. ''Magi: The Quest for a Secret Tradition''. London: Bloomsbury, 1996. Print.

Kathleen Harlowe at 21:45, 16 January 2016

2016-01-16T21:45:55Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:45, 16 January 2016
Line 109:		Line 109:
	<references/>		<references/>

	~~== YOUR FOOTNOTES ==~~
	~~# Guirdham, Arthur. ''The Great Heresy''. St Helier: Neville Spearman (Jersey) ;, 1977. Print P. 102~~
	~~# Guirdham, Arthur. ''The Great Heresy''. St Helier: Neville Spearman (Jersey) ;, 1977. Print. P. 42~~
	~~# Murphy, Tim, and Marilyn Hopkins. ''Custodians of Truth: The Continuance of Rex Deus.'' Boston, MA: Weiser, 2005. Print. P. 168~~
	~~# Simmans, Graham. ''Jesus after the Crucifixion: From Jerusalem to Rennes-le-Château''. Rochester, Vt.: Bear, 2007. Print. P. 236~~
	~~# Picknett, Lynn, and Clive Prince. ''The Templar Revelation: Secret Guardians of the True Identity of Christ''. New York, N.Y.: Simon & Schuster, 1998. Print. P. 88~~
	~~# Murphy, Tim, and Marilyn Hopkins. ''Custodians of Truth: The Continuance of Rex Deus''. Boston, MA: Weiser, 2005. Print. P. 170~~

	[[Category:Other Groups]]		[[Category:Other Groups]]
	[[Category:Christians]]		[[Category:Christians]]

Kathleen Harlowe at 21:40, 16 January 2016

2016-01-16T21:40:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:40, 16 January 2016
Line 32:		Line 32:
	Reincarnation was also part of the Cathar beliefs. Zoé Oldenbourg, Cathar historian and author of Massacre at Montsegur, compared the Cathars to "Western Buddhists" noting that the Cathar doctrine of resurrection, as taught by Jesus, was comparable to the Buddhist doctrine of reincarnation. Until a croyant was willing to renounce the material self completely, they would be condemned to reincarnate and live again and again in the corrupt world of matter. Cathars, however, did not accept the Buddhist doctrine of karma, where the result of actions in one life were carried over into the next.		Reincarnation was also part of the Cathar beliefs. Zoé Oldenbourg, Cathar historian and author of Massacre at Montsegur, compared the Cathars to "Western Buddhists" noting that the Cathar doctrine of resurrection, as taught by Jesus, was comparable to the Buddhist doctrine of reincarnation. Until a croyant was willing to renounce the material self completely, they would be condemned to reincarnate and live again and again in the corrupt world of matter. Cathars, however, did not accept the Buddhist doctrine of karma, where the result of actions in one life were carried over into the next.

	Another correlation with the Buddhist faith was the Cathar emphasis on contemplation and meditation. A perfecti spent many hours a day in prayer and meditation. They were spiritualist without being in the least inclined to witchcraft, sorcery and magic.<ref>Guirdham, Arthur. The Great Heresy. St Helier: Neville Spearman (Jersey) ;, 1977. Print P. 102</ref> The perfecti expressed psychic abilities and amazing healing powers, much the way Jesus did. The Catholics seized on these powers as a witchcraft and a reason for persecution. Apparently, healing was something reserved only for their savior, Jesus, and not for the common man. But the Cathars taught that the powers they developed through dedicated meditation and prayer were available to every human being, just as Jesus had taught twelve centuries before.		Another correlation with the Buddhist faith was the Cathar emphasis on contemplation and meditation. A perfecti spent many hours a day in prayer and meditation. "They were spiritualist without being in the least inclined to witchcraft, sorcery and magic."<ref>Guirdham, Arthur. The Great Heresy. St Helier: Neville Spearman (Jersey) ;, 1977. Print P. 102</ref> The perfecti expressed psychic abilities and amazing healing powers, much the way Jesus did. The Catholics seized on these powers as a witchcraft and a reason for persecution. Apparently, healing was something reserved only for their savior, Jesus, and not for the common man. But the Cathars taught that the powers they developed through dedicated meditation and prayer were available to every human being, just as Jesus had taught twelve centuries before.

	The only sacrament practiced by the Cathars was called the Consolamentum which was administered upon becoming a perfecti and upon the death bed. This was a very austere and mysterious ritual about which little is known. But whether administered upon becoming a perfecti or at the approach of death the idea was that the compulsion of the flesh was rejected and the aspirant devoted, or relinquished, himself to the life of spirit.<ref>Guirdham, Arthur. ''The Great Heresy''. St Helier: Neville Spearman (Jersey) ;, 1977. Print. P. 42</ref> The strictest austerity was expected after the Consolamentum was administered which is why, other than becoming a perfecti, the right was administered at death.		The only sacrament practiced by the Cathars was called the Consolamentum which was administered upon becoming a perfecti and upon the death bed. This was a very austere and mysterious ritual about which little is known. But whether administered upon becoming a perfecti or at the approach of death "the idea was that the compulsion of the flesh was rejected and the aspirant devoted, or relinquished, himself to the life of spirit."<ref>Guirdham, Arthur. ''The Great Heresy''. St Helier: Neville Spearman (Jersey) ;, 1977. Print. P. 42</ref> The strictest austerity was expected after the Consolamentum was administered which is why, other than becoming a perfecti, the right was administered at death.
	The inclusion of women in the faith of the Cathars particularly upset the Catholic officials. Women could join the church and become “perfecti’ – the Cathar equivalent of a Catholic priest. The perfecti travelled in pairs and preached their gospel in forests, caves, private homes – where ever they were welcome. The Cathars did have an administrative structure with bishops of different ranks and territory but they preferred no structural church. The lived a simple modest life travelling, spreading the word, helping the poor and healing the sick.		The inclusion of women in the faith of the Cathars particularly upset the Catholic officials. Women could join the church and become “perfecti’ – the Cathar equivalent of a Catholic priest. The perfecti travelled in pairs and preached their gospel in forests, caves, private homes – where ever they were welcome. The Cathars did have an administrative structure with bishops of different ranks and territory but they preferred no structural church. The lived a simple modest life travelling, spreading the word, helping the poor and healing the sick.

Kathleen Harlowe at 21:36, 16 January 2016

2016-01-16T21:36:21Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:36, 16 January 2016
Line 18:		Line 18:

	Cathars did believe in the teachings of Jesus in their purest form, which they felt had been corrupted by the Catholic Church. They did not recognize the authority of the Pope but maintained their own loose structure of a church with bishops at varies levels and overseeing different territories.		Cathars did believe in the teachings of Jesus in their purest form, which they felt had been corrupted by the Catholic Church. They did not recognize the authority of the Pope but maintained their own loose structure of a church with bishops at varies levels and overseeing different territories.
	As an oral tradition, the Cathars had few written books they considered sacred but there were a few- besides the New Testament, The Gospel of the Secret Supper, or John's Interrogation and The Book of the Two Principles. There has been confusion concerning Cathar attitude toward John the Evangelist and John the Baptist. Strangely Cathars did not look favorably upon John the Baptist, describing him as a demon.<ref> Picknett, Lynn, and Clive Prince. ''The Templar Revelation: Secret Guardians of the True Identity of Christ''. New York, N.Y.: Simon & Schuster, 1998. Print. P. 95.</ref> They believed Jesus passed on his secret teachings to his inner circle which included young Saint John.		As an oral tradition, the Cathars had few written books they considered sacred but there were a few- besides the New Testament, The Gospel of the Secret Supper, or John's Interrogation and The Book of the Two Principles. There has been confusion concerning Cathar attitude toward John the Evangelist and John the Baptist. Strangely Cathars did not look favorably upon John the Baptist, describing him as a "demon."<ref> Picknett, Lynn, and Clive Prince. ''The Templar Revelation: Secret Guardians of the True Identity of Christ''. New York, N.Y.: Simon & Schuster, 1998. Print. P. 95.</ref> They believed Jesus passed on his secret teachings to his inner circle which included young Saint John.

	Cathars found the Catholic practice of worshipping a crucifix, an effigy of their savior dying of a cross, abhorrent. In fact, some Cathars believed Jesus was never crucified or that he had survived the crucifixion and had come to southern France to escape further persecution. Why France? It has been suggested that during the so-called “lost years” of Jesus he spent his time in Egypt (just at Pythagoras did) learning the esoteric secrets he revealed to his inner circle and preached in his ministry.		Cathars found the Catholic practice of worshipping a crucifix, an effigy of their savior dying of a cross, abhorrent. In fact, some Cathars believed Jesus was never crucified or that he had survived the crucifixion and had come to southern France to escape further persecution. Why France? It has been suggested that during the so-called “lost years” of Jesus he spent his time in Egypt (just at Pythagoras did) learning the esoteric secrets he revealed to his inner circle and preached in his ministry.

Kathleen Harlowe at 21:35, 16 January 2016

2016-01-16T21:35:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:35, 16 January 2016
Line 53:		Line 53:
	In July of 1209 the papal army arrived at Beziers and demanded the citizens either hand over the 222 Cathars living within the city walls or the Catholics living there should leave the city so the Cathars left behind within the city could be dealt with. This demand was made on pain of excommunication but the townspeople refused to surrender the Cathars. According to reports, the townspeople took an oath to defend the Cathars.		In July of 1209 the papal army arrived at Beziers and demanded the citizens either hand over the 222 Cathars living within the city walls or the Catholics living there should leave the city so the Cathars left behind within the city could be dealt with. This demand was made on pain of excommunication but the townspeople refused to surrender the Cathars. According to reports, the townspeople took an oath to defend the Cathars.

	The crusaders marched into the city and hacked to death every man, woman and child and then torched the city. Between 15,000 and 20,000 people were butchered in less than a day. It was at this famous siege that one of the crusader’s lieutenants, knowing the city was primarily Catholic, asked the commander, Arnauld Aimery, how to tell the difference between the heretics and the townspeople. Aimery replied “Kill them all. God will know his own.”<ref>"</ref> Beziers was attacked on St. Mary Magdalaine’s Day – a crusader by the name Pierre des Vaux de Cremat made comment on the deliberate timing of the attack “….just cause that these disgusting dogs were taken and massacred during the feast of the one that they had insulted.”<ref>"</ref> The insult of course being that the Cathars believed Mary Magdelaine to be the wife of Jesus.		The crusaders marched into the city and hacked to death every man, woman and child and then torched the city. Between 15,000 and 20,000 people were butchered in less than a day. It was at this famous siege that one of the crusader’s lieutenants, knowing the city was primarily Catholic, asked the commander, Arnauld Aimery, how to tell the difference between the heretics and the townspeople. Aimery replied “Kill them all. God will know his own.”<ref>Picknett, Lynn, and Clive Prince. ''The Templar Revelation: Secret Guardians of the True Identity of Christ''. New York, N.Y.: Simon & Schuster, 1998. Print. P. 88</ref> Beziers was attacked on St. Mary Magdalaine’s Day – a crusader by the name Pierre des Vaux de Cremat made comment on the deliberate timing of the attack “….just cause that these disgusting dogs were taken and massacred during the feast of the one that they had insulted.”<ref>Murphy, Tim, and Marilyn Hopkins. ''Custodians of Truth: The Continuance of Rex Deus''. Boston, MA: Weiser, 2005. Print. P. 170</ref> The insult of course being that the Cathars believed Mary Magdelaine to be the wife of Jesus.

	The walled city of Carcassonne was next to be sieged. Having heard of the atrocities at Beziers the horrified city surrendered without a fight. All citizens were required to abandon their homes and possessions immediately as spoils to the invading army and Simon De Montfort was awarded all feudal rights, property and titles of Viscount Trencavel, the Lord of Carcassonne.		The walled city of Carcassonne was next to be sieged. Having heard of the atrocities at Beziers the horrified city surrendered without a fight. All citizens were required to abandon their homes and possessions immediately as spoils to the invading army and Simon De Montfort was awarded all feudal rights, property and titles of Viscount Trencavel, the Lord of Carcassonne.

Kathleen Harlowe at 21:31, 16 January 2016

2016-01-16T21:31:26Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:31, 16 January 2016
Line 47:		Line 47:
	After years of trying to stop the spread of Catharism and bring straying Catholics back into the fold by preaching, open debates and putting pressure on local authorities to crack down the Cathars the Pope finally lost patience. He excommunicated Count Raymond IV of Toulouse for failing to take action against the Cathars. On January 14, 1208 a papal legate, Peter de Castlenau, was to deliver to the Count the news of his excommunication. The legate was murdered by a vassal of Count Raymond. Finally, the Pope had a “legitimate” reason to call for war. Two months after the murder the Pope issued a call to arms.		After years of trying to stop the spread of Catharism and bring straying Catholics back into the fold by preaching, open debates and putting pressure on local authorities to crack down the Cathars the Pope finally lost patience. He excommunicated Count Raymond IV of Toulouse for failing to take action against the Cathars. On January 14, 1208 a papal legate, Peter de Castlenau, was to deliver to the Count the news of his excommunication. The legate was murdered by a vassal of Count Raymond. Finally, the Pope had a “legitimate” reason to call for war. Two months after the murder the Pope issued a call to arms.

	The Pope called for “a crusade against the Cathars considered a far greater danger to Christianity than all the armies of Islam.”<ref>"</ref> The Christian crusaders turned their attention from the Infidels in the Middle East to their own backyard focusing all their fury on fellow European Christians. Those taking part in this crusade were granted absolution for all sins – past, present and future. They were essentially given carte blanche to seize the property of any heretic, noble or peasant, and also implied consent to steal, murder, rape, plunder and pillage. The result was “a war which even by medieval standards was shockingly violent.”<ref>"</ref>		The Pope called for “a crusade against the Cathars considered a far greater danger to Christianity than all the armies of Islam.”<ref>Murphy, Tim, and Marilyn Hopkins. ''Custodians of Truth: The Continuance of Rex Deus.'' Boston, MA: Weiser, 2005. Print. P. 168</ref> The Christian crusaders turned their attention from the Infidels in the Middle East to their own backyard focusing all their fury on fellow European Christians. Those taking part in this crusade were granted absolution for all sins – past, present and future. They were essentially given carte blanche to seize the property of any heretic, noble or peasant, and also implied consent to steal, murder, rape, plunder and pillage. The result was “a war which even by medieval standards was shockingly violent.”<ref>Simmans, Graham. ''Jesus after the Crucifixion: From Jerusalem to Rennes-le-Château''. Rochester, Vt.: Bear, 2007. Print. P. 236</ref>

	It is interesting to note that the Knights Templar and the Knights Hospitaller, both supposedly on the side of the Pope, never played a role in the Cathar massacres ordered by the Church. No record is found of how the Pope reacted to their obvious absence. The Languedoc region was known to have by far the greatest concentration of Templar families, so either because of family bonds or acceptance of the Cathar creed the Templars were not only tolerant but protective of the Cathars. Some historians say the Templars gave their treasures to the Cathars for safe keeping. Some rumors even claimed the Templar Treasure included the Holy Grail. No matter what the treasure may have been there was some sort of understanding between the Cathars and the Knights.		It is interesting to note that the Knights Templar and the Knights Hospitaller, both supposedly on the side of the Pope, never played a role in the Cathar massacres ordered by the Church. No record is found of how the Pope reacted to their obvious absence. The Languedoc region was known to have by far the greatest concentration of Templar families, so either because of family bonds or acceptance of the Cathar creed the Templars were not only tolerant but protective of the Cathars. Some historians say the Templars gave their treasures to the Cathars for safe keeping. Some rumors even claimed the Templar Treasure included the Holy Grail. No matter what the treasure may have been there was some sort of understanding between the Cathars and the Knights.
Line 112:		Line 112:
	# Guirdham, Arthur. ''The Great Heresy''. St Helier: Neville Spearman (Jersey) ;, 1977. Print P. 102		# Guirdham, Arthur. ''The Great Heresy''. St Helier: Neville Spearman (Jersey) ;, 1977. Print P. 102
	# Guirdham, Arthur. ''The Great Heresy''. St Helier: Neville Spearman (Jersey) ;, 1977. Print. P. 42		# Guirdham, Arthur. ''The Great Heresy''. St Helier: Neville Spearman (Jersey) ;, 1977. Print. P. 42
	# Murphy, Tim, and Marilyn Hopkins. ''Custodians of Truth: The Continuance of Rex Deus.'' Boston, MA: Weiser, 2005. Print. P. 168		# Murphy, Tim, and Marilyn Hopkins. ''Custodians of Truth: The Continuance of Rex Deus.'' Boston, MA: Weiser, 2005. Print. P. 168
	# Simmans, Graham. ''Jesus after the Crucifixion: From Jerusalem to Rennes-le-Château''. Rochester, Vt.: Bear, 2007. Print. P. 236		# Simmans, Graham. ''Jesus after the Crucifixion: From Jerusalem to Rennes-le-Château''. Rochester, Vt.: Bear, 2007. Print. P. 236
	# Picknett, Lynn, and Clive Prince. ''The Templar Revelation: Secret Guardians of the True Identity of Christ''. New York, N.Y.: Simon & Schuster, 1998. Print. P. 88		# Picknett, Lynn, and Clive Prince. ''The Templar Revelation: Secret Guardians of the True Identity of Christ''. New York, N.Y.: Simon & Schuster, 1998. Print. P. 88

Kathleen Harlowe at 21:17, 16 January 2016

2016-01-16T21:17:06Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:17, 16 January 2016
Line 32:		Line 32:
	Reincarnation was also part of the Cathar beliefs. Zoé Oldenbourg, Cathar historian and author of Massacre at Montsegur, compared the Cathars to "Western Buddhists" noting that the Cathar doctrine of resurrection, as taught by Jesus, was comparable to the Buddhist doctrine of reincarnation. Until a croyant was willing to renounce the material self completely, they would be condemned to reincarnate and live again and again in the corrupt world of matter. Cathars, however, did not accept the Buddhist doctrine of karma, where the result of actions in one life were carried over into the next.		Reincarnation was also part of the Cathar beliefs. Zoé Oldenbourg, Cathar historian and author of Massacre at Montsegur, compared the Cathars to "Western Buddhists" noting that the Cathar doctrine of resurrection, as taught by Jesus, was comparable to the Buddhist doctrine of reincarnation. Until a croyant was willing to renounce the material self completely, they would be condemned to reincarnate and live again and again in the corrupt world of matter. Cathars, however, did not accept the Buddhist doctrine of karma, where the result of actions in one life were carried over into the next.

	Another correlation with the Buddhist faith was the Cathar emphasis on contemplation and meditation. A perfecti spent many hours a day in prayer and meditation. ~~“They~~ were spiritualist without being in the least inclined to witchcraft, sorcery and magic.<ref>Guirdham, Arthur. The Great Heresy. St Helier: Neville Spearman (Jersey) ;, 1977. Print P. 102</ref> The perfecti expressed psychic abilities and amazing healing powers, much the way Jesus did. The Catholics seized on these powers as a witchcraft and a reason for persecution. Apparently, healing was something reserved only for their savior, Jesus, and not for the common man. But the Cathars taught that the powers they developed through dedicated meditation and prayer were available to every human being, just as Jesus had taught twelve centuries before.		Another correlation with the Buddhist faith was the Cathar emphasis on contemplation and meditation. A perfecti spent many hours a day in prayer and meditation. They were spiritualist without being in the least inclined to witchcraft, sorcery and magic.<ref>Guirdham, Arthur. The Great Heresy. St Helier: Neville Spearman (Jersey) ;, 1977. Print P. 102</ref> The perfecti expressed psychic abilities and amazing healing powers, much the way Jesus did. The Catholics seized on these powers as a witchcraft and a reason for persecution. Apparently, healing was something reserved only for their savior, Jesus, and not for the common man. But the Cathars taught that the powers they developed through dedicated meditation and prayer were available to every human being, just as Jesus had taught twelve centuries before.

	The only sacrament practiced by the Cathars was called the Consolamentum which was administered upon becoming a perfecti and upon the death bed. This was a very austere and mysterious ritual about which little is known. But whether administered upon becoming a perfecti or at the approach of death ~~“the~~ idea was that the compulsion of the flesh was rejected and the aspirant devoted, or relinquished, himself to the life of spirit.”<ref>"</ref> The strictest austerity was expected after the Consolamentum was administered which is why, other than becoming a perfecti, the right was administered at death.		The only sacrament practiced by the Cathars was called the Consolamentum which was administered upon becoming a perfecti and upon the death bed. This was a very austere and mysterious ritual about which little is known. But whether administered upon becoming a perfecti or at the approach of death the idea was that the compulsion of the flesh was rejected and the aspirant devoted, or relinquished, himself to the life of spirit.<ref>Guirdham, Arthur. ''The Great Heresy''. St Helier: Neville Spearman (Jersey) ;, 1977. Print. P. 42</ref> The strictest austerity was expected after the Consolamentum was administered which is why, other than becoming a perfecti, the right was administered at death.
	The inclusion of women in the faith of the Cathars particularly upset the Catholic officials. Women could join the church and become “perfecti’ – the Cathar equivalent of a Catholic priest. The perfecti travelled in pairs and preached their gospel in forests, caves, private homes – where ever they were welcome. The Cathars did have an administrative structure with bishops of different ranks and territory but they preferred no structural church. The lived a simple modest life travelling, spreading the word, helping the poor and healing the sick.		The inclusion of women in the faith of the Cathars particularly upset the Catholic officials. Women could join the church and become “perfecti’ – the Cathar equivalent of a Catholic priest. The perfecti travelled in pairs and preached their gospel in forests, caves, private homes – where ever they were welcome. The Cathars did have an administrative structure with bishops of different ranks and territory but they preferred no structural church. The lived a simple modest life travelling, spreading the word, helping the poor and healing the sick.

Kathleen Harlowe at 21:14, 16 January 2016

2016-01-16T21:14:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:14, 16 January 2016
Line 32:		Line 32:
	Reincarnation was also part of the Cathar beliefs. Zoé Oldenbourg, Cathar historian and author of Massacre at Montsegur, compared the Cathars to "Western Buddhists" noting that the Cathar doctrine of resurrection, as taught by Jesus, was comparable to the Buddhist doctrine of reincarnation. Until a croyant was willing to renounce the material self completely, they would be condemned to reincarnate and live again and again in the corrupt world of matter. Cathars, however, did not accept the Buddhist doctrine of karma, where the result of actions in one life were carried over into the next.		Reincarnation was also part of the Cathar beliefs. Zoé Oldenbourg, Cathar historian and author of Massacre at Montsegur, compared the Cathars to "Western Buddhists" noting that the Cathar doctrine of resurrection, as taught by Jesus, was comparable to the Buddhist doctrine of reincarnation. Until a croyant was willing to renounce the material self completely, they would be condemned to reincarnate and live again and again in the corrupt world of matter. Cathars, however, did not accept the Buddhist doctrine of karma, where the result of actions in one life were carried over into the next.

	Another correlation with the Buddhist faith was the Cathar emphasis on contemplation and meditation. A perfecti spent many hours a day in prayer and meditation. “They were spiritualist without being in the least inclined to witchcraft, sorcery and magic.”<ref>"</ref> The perfecti expressed psychic abilities and amazing healing powers, much the way Jesus did. The Catholics seized on these powers as a witchcraft and a reason for persecution. Apparently, healing was something reserved only for their savior, Jesus, and not for the common man. But the Cathars taught that the powers they developed through dedicated meditation and prayer were available to every human being, just as Jesus had taught twelve centuries before.		Another correlation with the Buddhist faith was the Cathar emphasis on contemplation and meditation. A perfecti spent many hours a day in prayer and meditation. “They were spiritualist without being in the least inclined to witchcraft, sorcery and magic.<ref>Guirdham, Arthur. The Great Heresy. St Helier: Neville Spearman (Jersey) ;, 1977. Print P. 102</ref> The perfecti expressed psychic abilities and amazing healing powers, much the way Jesus did. The Catholics seized on these powers as a witchcraft and a reason for persecution. Apparently, healing was something reserved only for their savior, Jesus, and not for the common man. But the Cathars taught that the powers they developed through dedicated meditation and prayer were available to every human being, just as Jesus had taught twelve centuries before.

	The only sacrament practiced by the Cathars was called the Consolamentum which was administered upon becoming a perfecti and upon the death bed. This was a very austere and mysterious ritual about which little is known. But whether administered upon becoming a perfecti or at the approach of death “the idea was that the compulsion of the flesh was rejected and the aspirant devoted, or relinquished, himself to the life of spirit.”<ref>"</ref> The strictest austerity was expected after the Consolamentum was administered which is why, other than becoming a perfecti, the right was administered at death.		The only sacrament practiced by the Cathars was called the Consolamentum which was administered upon becoming a perfecti and upon the death bed. This was a very austere and mysterious ritual about which little is known. But whether administered upon becoming a perfecti or at the approach of death “the idea was that the compulsion of the flesh was rejected and the aspirant devoted, or relinquished, himself to the life of spirit.”<ref>"</ref> The strictest austerity was expected after the Consolamentum was administered which is why, other than becoming a perfecti, the right was administered at death.