Information AboutAlbigensians |
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Albigensians (, a city in southern France . However, the term was used to refer to the later followers of Cathar ism, a Gnostic -like religious movement of southern France in the 12th and 13th Century . The name originates from the end of the 12th Century , and was used in 1181 by the chronicler Geoffroy Du Breuil Of Vigeois . The name is somewhat misleading as the center of the religious movement was really Toulouse . Early Catharism was much more associated with Gnostic theologies that it inherited from its association with the Paulicianism and Bogomils . However, as one historian phrased it, as time proceeded they became more and more like orthodox Christians. When the term "Albigensians" or " Albigensian Crusades " are used they are usually referring to these later Cathars which were a branch of the earlier sect. They believed that the principles of good and evil continually oppose each other in the world. The Albigenses opposed marriage, bearing children (because they thought bringing life into the world to be a sin), and eating meat. Their enemies claimed they advocated suicide,when in reality they only advocated the voluntary cessation of food by those already close to death (so that when they died, they would have little taint on them and be free of Earthly desires). In the prior to their sect being wiped out in the inquisitions. The Albigensians left their mark on the Waldensian movement which is evident in the Waldensian theology and customs. The Waldensian movement was opposed to the early Cathar movement but was known to work side by side with the Albigensians. There exists today a modern sect that claims to be Cathars which received its consolamentum from survivors of the original sect. However this is difficult if not impossible to prove. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS |
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