CATHARI

a medieval hertical group which began in the early 11th century as an outgrowth of Paulicians and Bogomils . Followers were persecuted by the Inquisition and several crusades; they were burned at the stake. They were dualistic docetic and very ascetic (opposed marriage); rejected sacraments; believed themselves to be the only true church; divided into Perfect (the only ones saved) and the Believers; believed in reincarnation; rejected purgatory and indulgences; practiced suicide by starvation; pacifistic. Also called Patarenes or Albigensians .