{"product_id":"the-cathars-the-most-successful-heresy-of-the-middle-ages","title":"The Cathars: The Most Successful Heresy of the Middle Ages","description":"The gripping  tragic true story of a peaceful sect that was wiped out in Europes first genocide Flourishing principally in the Languedoc and Italy  the Cathars taught that the world is evil and must be transcended through a simple life of prayer  work  fasting  and non-violence. They believed themselves to be the heirs of the true heritage of Christianity going back to apostolic times  and completely rejected the Catholic Church  regarding it as the Church of Satan; Cathar services and ceremonies  by contrast  were held in fields  barns  and peoples homes. Finding support from the nobility in the fractious political situation in southern France  the Cathars also found widespread popularity among peasants and artisans. And again unlike the Church  the Cathars respected women  and women played a major role in the movement. Alarmed at the success of Catharism  the Church founded the Inquisition and launched the Albigensian Crusade to exterminate the heresy. The Crusade was the first to be directed against fellow Christians  and was also the first European genocide. With the fall of the Cathar fortress of Montsgur in 1244  Catharism was largely obliterated  although the faith survived into the early 14th century. Today  the mystique surrounding the Cathars is as strong as ever  and Sean Martin recounts their story and the myths associated with them in this lively and gripping book.","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44777203105845,"sku":"ByrdShop_1843443368","price":63.73,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/ByrdShop_1843443368_b5ee58fa-3506-4c8c-a7fb-2d918244d044.jpg?v=1764891347","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/the-cathars-the-most-successful-heresy-of-the-middle-ages","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}