Page "Catharism" Paragraph 13

Killing was abhorrent to the Cathars.

Consequently, abstention from all animal food ( sometimes exempting fish ) was enjoined of the Perfecti.

The Perfecti apparently avoided eating anything considered to be a by-product of sexual reproduction.

War and capital punishment were also condemned, an abnormality in the Medieval age.

As a consequence of their rejection of oaths, Cathars also rejected marriage vows.

Sexual intercourse between the sexes and reproduction was viewed as a moral evil to be avoided.

Their moral doctrine was based on the belief that the material world including the flesh was intrinsically evil as stemming from the evil principle or god.

Such was the situation that in order for a reputed Cathar to have the charge of heresy against him dismissed he needed only to show that he was legally married.