Who were the real “heretics” since Christ never authorized Bible burning or suppression of so-called heresies by means of the sword.
Core belief of the Cathars:The idea of two Gods or principles, one being good the other evil, was central to Cathar beliefs. The good God was the God of the New Testament and the creator of the spiritual realm as opposed to the bad God who many Cathars identified as Satan creator of the physical world of the Old Testament. All visible matter was created by Satan, it was therefore tainted with sin, this even included the human body. Human souls were thought to be the genderless souls of Angels trapped within the physical creation of Satan cursed to be reincarnated until the Cathar faithful achieved salvation through a ritual called the Consolamentum.[5]
I don't think any current protestant church would agree with these beliefs.
Who were the real “heretics” since Christ never authorized Bible burning or suppression of so-called heresies by means of the sword.
I think we need to be very careful when we judge the actions of groups or individuals in the past based on mores of our time.
The Catholic Church has maintained that we hold the fullness of faith and that inherent in that is a duty to protect others from falling into heresy.
Further the Catholic Church has also always viewed itself as the "Body of Christ" and Christ did instruct His followers to take up the sword to defend themselves: Lukle 22:35 He said to them, “When I sent you forth without a money bag or a sack or sandals, were you in need of anything?” “No, nothing,” they replied.
36 He said to them,* “But now one who has a money bag should take it, and likewise a sack, and one who does not have a sword should sell his cloak and buy one.
37 For I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in me, namely, ‘He was counted among the wicked’; and indeed what is written about me is coming to fulfillment.”
38 Then they said, “Lord, look, there are two swords here.” But he replied, “It is enough!”*
At the time these heresies were viewed as direct assaults on the Church, the Body of Christ.