The Cathar (Cathari)

Greetings Everyone,

The Cathar were known as a very peaceful community, following the path of Love and the original teachings of Jesus. While we have found many sources regarding their supposed ways, their history, how they were oppressed, tortured, killed and forced in to hiding, how they acted externally etc. There are little to no resources regarding their spiritual understanding and practices. It seems that someone or rather a group of individuals has worked hard to hide, destroy or distort any substantial Truth of their ways. *Even the ancient “discovered” scripture of the Cathar seems manipulated, each highly contradicting the other.

If anyone has what they believe to be Truth regarding the Cathar, we would greatly appreciate it!

Thank you kindly.

This seems to be the only text which we feel truly corresponds to the belief of the Cathar… Despite the fact that we’ve not been able to find evidence that it was ever written by a member of their community.

Cathars Creed

This church has no membership save those who know they belong.

It has no rivals as it is non competitive.

It is not self seeking, it seeks only to serve.

It knows no boundries, for divisions are an illusion.

It acknowledges all great teachers of the ages, who have shown the Truth of Love.

Those who participate, practice the Truth of Love to the best of their ability.

It seeks not to teach, but to be, and by being, enrich.

It recognises that the way we are, may be the way of those around us, because we are that way.

It recognises that the whole planet is a being of which we are a part.

It recognises that the time has come, to shift from separation in to oneness.

It does not proclaim itself with a loud voice, but in the subtle realms of loving.

It salutes all those in the past who have blazoned the path.

It admits no hierarchy, for no one is greater than another.

It’s members shall know each other by their deeds and being, and by their eyes, and no other outward sign, save the fraternal embrace.

It has no reward to offer, save that of the ineffable joy of being and loving.

Each shall seek to advance the cause of understanding, doing good by stealth and teaching only by example.

They shall heal their neighbour, their community and our planet.

They shall know no fear and feel no shame, and their witness shall prevail over all odds.

It has no secret, no initiation save that of true understanding of the power of Love and that, if we want it to be so the world would change, but only if we want to change.

All those who belong, belong; they belong to the Church of Love.

While Catharism itself has been extinguished, its philosophy existed prior to itself under different names, and continues even to today.

If you want to understand historical Catharism, you will have to read the Catholic heresiologists of the time writing on the Cathars. I know, attempting to understand a group or philosophy by the writings of their enemies is not ideal. However, again this takes discernment, one can read beyond the biases and propaganda to find the core of Truth at the base of the argument. You can discover what the Cathar believed, what their core principals were, and what their distinguishing practices were.

My opinion of them is another story. But you can discover for yourself who they were by reading the history their enemies wrote with discernment.