“White Rural Rage” and Modern Catharism

The Cathars were a religious group in southern France that faced brutal persecution by the Catholic Church in the early 13th century. Their beliefs and the violence against them have parallels in today's sociopolitical climate, particularly regarding rural populations in the United States.

1. Background on the Cathars:

• The Cathars were targeted during the first major intra-Europe crusade, leading to the deaths of many and vast destruction in France.

• Most information about the Cathars comes from Catholic sources, as they were labeled heretics.

• Their beliefs included the idea that salvation did not require priestly mediation, opposing the Catholic Church’s authority.

2. Conflict with the Catholic Church:

• The Cathars resisted the Catholic Church’s reforms, representing a struggle between traditionalist rural communities and centralizing church power.

• They are described as early Protestant-like figures seeking self-governance over religious authority.

3. Modern Parallels:

• The contemporary concern over "white rural rage" and "Christian nationalism" mimics the historical treatment of the Cathars.

• Rural Americans, resisting urban pressures and bureaucracy, face criticism aimed at undermining their beliefs in local control and autonomy.

• The dynamic resembles that of the Albigensian Crusade against the Cathars, with current elites viewing non-urban populations as a threat.

4. Historical Events Reflecting Similar Struggles:

• Conflicts like the Hatfield-McCoy Feud and the Whiskey Rebellion are cited as historical examples of rural populations resisting central authority.

• The depiction of such conflicts in media often portrays rural communities negatively, reflecting an ongoing cultural divide.

5. Current Power Dynamics:

• The article argues that the elite’s concerns about rural people today mirror past conflicts between centralized authority and those preferring autonomy.

• The term "heresy" in both historical and modern contexts refers to non-conformity and resistance to control by authority.

The historical narrative of the Cathars highlights a long-standing conflict between local, rural populations and centralized authority, an issue that resonates today with the treatment of rural Americans. The author suggests that understanding these past tensions may provide insight into current societal fears and conflicts regarding rural identities and beliefs. 

https://brownstone.org/articles/white-rural-rage-and-modern-catharism/