-Caveat Lector- >From http://www.journalstar.com/features.php?story_id=32870
Zoroastrianism: Good thoughts, good words, good deeds BY BOB REEVES / Lincoln Journal Star This is one of a series of stories on world religions. In about 1,400 B.C. a man named Zarathustra Spitama, a member of a warrior clan in ancient Persia, had a vision that had a far-reaching impact on his society and the rest of the world. The Persians at that time were predominantly nature worshippers and believers in a panoply of many gods. The angel in Zarathustra's vision told him there was only one true God, whose name was Ahura Mazda, and that Zarathustra was to become his prophet. Zarathustra (also known as Zoroaster) began preaching and trying to win converts to his new, monotheistic religion. At first he was attacked for his strange new teachings, but eventually the king was converted. Zoroastrianism became the dominant faith of the Persian Empire, which by 600 B.C. spread from its base in modern-day Iran from India to Asia Minor. The beliefs and practices of Zoroastrians had widespread influence on Judaism and Christianity, and later on Islam. "Zoroastrianism is the oldest of the revealed world-religions, and it has probably had more influence on mankind, directly and indirectly, than any other single faith," wrote religion scholar Mary Boyce. The central teaching of Zoroastrianism is belief in the one god, Ahura Mazda, whose name means "Wise Lord." Ahura Mazda reveals himself in six aspects, known as the "holy immortals": Asha (the law), Vohu-Mana (love), Kshthra (loving service), Armaiti (piety), Haurvatat (wholeness or perfection) and Ameretat (immortality). Zoroastrianism has often been called a dualism, because the religion recognizes that the world is full of both good and evil. However, Zarathustra taught that both good and evil emanate from Ahura Mazda, who is in control of the world and will ultimately triumph. The evil force is alternatively called Ahriman and Shaitin, from which the word "Satan" is derived. Human beings have free will, so they are free to choose good and reject evil. People can achieve perfection in this life by always choosing "good thoughts, good words and good deeds." Zoroastrians also believe that after death the soul stays in the body for three days, meditating on the deeds that were done in life. On the fourth day, the soul journeys to the place of judgment. If good thoughts, words and deeds outweigh the bad, the soul is taken into a blissful heaven. Otherwise, the soul is assigned to a horrific hell. Over time, Zoroastrians came to believe in a Saoshyant (World Savior) who will be born of a virgin and who will raise the dead and judge all people in a final judgment. Beliefs in God and Satan, the soul, heaven and hell and the resurrection are concepts that later appeared in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Zoroastrians stress the sacredness of nature, including the four elements: earth, fire, water and air. Temples have a perpetual fire, at which priests make offerings by burning sandalwood. The religion has a high standard of righteousness, as expressed in truthfulness, chastity, justice, compassion, care of the soil and cattle, charity, education and service. The Zoroastrian holy book is called the Avesta. It includes the original words of Zarathustra, preserved in a series of five hymns, called the Gathas, plus other writings dealing with laws of ritual and practice. Zoroastrians follow a creed in which they promise, in part,"to ascribe to all things good." The religion lost its dominance during Greek and Roman times, but resurfaced in Persia after about 200 A.D. When Arabs, followers of Islam, invaded Persia in 650 A.D., most of the Zoroastrians fled to India. Today, Zoroastrianism is one of the world's smallest religions, with approximately 11,000 adherents in Iran, about 100,000 in India (known as Parsis) and others, mostly immigrants from Iran and India, scattered throughout the world. Estimates of the total number of Zoroastrians worldwide range from 150,000 to 200,000. (Sources for this article included: "Zoroastrianism" by B. A. Robinson, "Zoroastrians: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices" by Mary Boyce; and "Religions of the World" by Lewis M. Hopfe.) Next Week: Christianity Reach Bob Reeves at 473-7212 or at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Copyright © 2002, Lincoln Journal Star. 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