Amalricians
Pantheistic Christians who believed that they could become sinless and were free to engage in any sexual act
Early 13th century
Painting of the Amalricians being persecuted
The Amalricians were followers of Amalric of Bene, who was accused of pantheism and antinomianism and forced to recant his beliefs. He had approximately 14 followers who believed it was possible to reach perfection and become sinless, allowing them to reject the sacraments and engage in sexual sins. Most members were killed in 1210, with the last remaining members living in Troyes in 1221.
Religion: Christianity
Denomination: Other
Founder: Amaury de Beynes
Founded: end of 13th century
Ended: 1221
Size: 15
Location: France
Also called: Amaurians; Almaricans
Believed that every action considered to be good or bad were equally of God (source)
Believed that "he who remains in love of God can commit no sin" (source)
The Gospel was believed to have been overridden by the interior guidance of the holy spirit, just as the old law had been overridden by Christ (source)
Practiced free love (source)
Other info:
Did not believe in an afterlife (source)
Rejected the sacraments as obsolete and useless (source)
Some scholars argue that they influenced the Brethren of the Free Spirit (source)