Zoroastrianism - World cult and religion
Ancient Persian and monotheistic religion
 
Introduction

Date of origin: 1500 BC
Founder: Zarathustra (Zoroaster)
Holy Book: Avesta (Collection of writings)
Number of followers: More than 300,000

History
  • One of the oldest religions
  • In India, Zoroastrians are called Parsis (Persians)
  • 100,000 Parsis live in India.
  • Parsis have the highest literacy rate in India
  • Zoroastrianism is known as good religion
Motto
  • Zoroastrianism has this motto : Good thoughts, Good words, and good deeds
  • Quotation : "Taking the first step with a good thought, second with a good word, and the third with a good deed, I entered Paradise"
Founder
  1. This religion was founded by Zoroaster
  2. Zoroaster was a Persian prophet
  3. Zoroaster had a vision of shiny being called Vohu Manah who took him to the creator God called Ahura Mazda
  4. Ahura Mazda was the single, eternal, and moral creator God
History
  1. The teachings of Zoroaster grew throughout Persia
  2. In 559 BC Cyrus became king of Persia
  3. In 550 BC Cyrus beBeliefsuperor of Babylon and brought with him the religion of Zoroaster
  4. When Alexander the Great conquered Persia, Zoroastrianism was neglected
  5. At the time of Jesus, Zoroastrianism was a powerful religion
  6. In 7th century, a small group set out from Persia to India to have freedom of faith
  7. They settled on the west coast of India and were known as Parsis (Persians)
Beliefs
  1. The holy book called Avesta contains collection of texts compiled in different stages
  2. The text contains Yasna which means sacrifice
  3. Yasna has 72 sections
  4. Yasna is recited during religious gatherings
  5. Yasna contains hymns called Gathas
  6. They sacrifice to water, plants, trees, land, fire, heaven, stars, sun, moon, cattle, aquatic beasts, and to the beasts that roam in the plains
  7. Believe that Mazda has created everything
  8. Sacrifice to the lofty Lord called Ahura Mazda
  9. Human beings are good
  10. Death is caused by the devil
  11. Demons are present
  12. Dead bodies cannot be cremated since fire is divinely created
  13. Dead bodies cannot be buried since earth is holy and good
  14. So, dead bodies have to be allowed to be eaten by vultures and crows since they were thought to be created for this purpose
  15. Round structures called dakhma are created to throw dead bodies and are called "towers of silence"
  16. After some time, the remaining bones will be lowered into deep wells with charcoal to dissolve bones
  17. In the end times, the dead will be raised and judged by Ahura Mazda
  18. The wicked will go to hell
  19. The good go to kingdom of everlasting light and joy
  20. Those whose good actions outweigh the bad pass into heaven
  21. The bad ones go to hell. After correction and punishment, the people will be restored to life of bliss
Comparison with Christianity
Zorostrianism Christianity
There is one creator called Ahura Mazda John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
All humans are good created for good Romans 3:23-24 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
There is no concept of mediator between God and men 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
There is no need for the redeemer to make atonement for our sins Christ paid for our sins:Romans 5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
There is no concept Immanuel John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Reflection
  1. Can we sacrifice to all created things?
  2. Can humans reach God without Jesus who became the substitutionary sacrifice for our sins?
  3. Can good works take one to heaven?
Prayer
May the Lord lead us to eternal truth. Jesus is the truth.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.