Catharism refers to a religious movement that emerged in the 12th century in Europe, particularly in the regions of southern France and northern Italy. It is characterized by its dualistic belief system, which posits a stark distinction between good and evil, often associated with a rejection of materialism and the physical world, which they viewed as flawed or corrupt. Cathars believed in the existence of two opposing principles: a good god representing the spiritual realm and an evil god representing the material world. This belief system led them to reject the authority of the Roman Catholic Church, including its sacraments and teachings, and to adopt a lifestyle of asceticism. The movement was deemed heretical by the Catholic Church, leading to the Albigensian Crusade in the early 13th century, which sought to suppress Cathar beliefs.
