Did you know that the word “Cathar” has been used only since the 19th century in reference to the 13th century supporters of a faith and a religious practice which the Catholic papacy considered to be dangerously heretical? Did you know that almost everything that we know about the Cathars comes from interrogations carried out by the Inquisitors in the name of the Catholic Church? Did you know that, thanks to this religious conflict, the Kingdom of France was able to extend its domination over southern Occitan?
In this book, Claude Lebedel describes as clearly as possible the historic, cultural and religious context, as well as the events which marked this tragedy, cast into the darkness recesses of history between the 13th and 19th centuries, and around which a certain amount of mystery has grown.
Tourists or visitor wishing to follow in the footsteps of the Cathars will find suggestions to help them in their search for a cultural and historical Cathar itinerary.
Review:
The book gives a concise but thorough overview of the Cathars and their faith and the persecution of them by the Catholic church. It sets out the historical context and the players that were involved. It sets out the basis of the Cathar faith and describes each of the albegensian crusades against them.
The book is illustrated throughout and there are many pictures of the remains of the Cathar fortresses along with maps showing the location of the Cathar strongholds. It even has a section that gives ideas for an itinerary to follow in the footsteps of the Cathars.
The Tao that can be spoken is not the …..true Tao.
Any name which can be given to it …..is not its true name.
That which was before Heaven and …..Earth is Tao.
Tao is the mother of all things.
The wise seek its mystery, …..and find it made of opposites.
Opposites arise from the same source …..and are identical in all but name.
The mystery of opposites is so profound, …..to understand it
is to open the door of Tao.
Holocaust Memorial Day provides an opportunity for everyone to learn lessons from the Holocaust, Nazi persecution and subsequent genocides and apply them to the present day to create a safer, better future. On HMD we share the memory of the millions who have been murdered in the Holocaust and subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur in order to challenge hatred and persecution in the UK today.
My hope is that people will become enlightened and that hatred and persecution throughout the world will cease to be.
No ‘one’ person can change the world, but everyone can contribute with their thoughts and actions. Those thoughts and actions cause a ripple effect, hopefully towards a better future.
This weeks theme was convert a photo to Black & White.
I am still working my way through my Paris photos and one of the sculptures that adorns the side of the Arc de Triomph provided me with the perfect opportunity for a B&W photo
The Paris virgin quite understandably wanted to go up to see the view from the top of the Arc de Triumph and one of the Paris veterans accompanied him. I took everyone else to the Champs Elysees to have coffee and cake watching the world go by whilst we waited for the Arc de Triumph adventurers to join us. One of the party didn’t want to stop at any of the cafes… Then that person ‘claimed’ a loo break emergency which involved going into M&S and a stressful walk rather than a leisurely stroll for both groups
I have to admit I was beginning to lose my cool (especially as there was no emergency really!!)…
Eventually both groups reconnected and we went into the nearest cafe which was more expensive than I would have chosen and they did not serve cake, but they did have a rather nice Belgian Beer which helped to refocus my mood And on the way back to the hotel I purchased a naughty cake to enjoy at my leisure
If you are wondering… The naughty cake will be featuring soon
Synopsis (from book cover):
