Zoroastrian is also known as Zoroastrian , but even if you have heard of Zoroastrian, it is difficult for you to express your belief in Zoroastrian. Zoroastrian philosophy developed several centuries before Christianity, but as far as religion and philosophy are concerned, more powerful religions prevail over time, and older beliefs are often buried in the long river of time. The history of Zoroastrianism is immersed in the duality of Eastern philosophy and the roots of modern Western beliefs. Although its text sometimes gives a feeling of a dungeon and dragon player manual, Zoroastrian teachings contain many interesting and positive beliefs.
So what do Zoroastrian believers believe in? And what is Zoroastrianism? In this article on one of the oldest religions in the world, we will look at their conception of death, the way pastors work, and how this religion has changed over the past few centuries. If you have never heard of Zoroastrianism, now you can start to understand what they do, or review theology of the sixth century and try to keep an open mind while reading.
They believe in the dualism of good and evil
Most modern religions are based on the concepts of good and evil, but Zoroastrianism believes that in terms of cosmic view and moral view, both are indispensable.
Zoroastrian believe that the universe is locked in the ongoing battle between good (Ahura Mazda) and evil (Angra Mainyu). Ahura Mazda is the power of creation, while Angela Mazda is the power of destruction, trying to stop Ahura Mazda's creation. And all the good and bad in real life come from this motivation.
Individual humans are also a mixture of good and evil. In Zoroastrianism, humans have free will, and they can choose good or evil. Divisions like happiness or sorrow, purity or impurity come from human choices that support good or evil. Human beings are expected to do their part in the struggle between good and evil, and are also represented as the struggle between order and chaos.
But they also believe in only one God
Although they believe in the binary theory , Zoroastrian only believes in a god named Ahumazda (meaning "the Lord of Wisdom"), and like most gods, he is everywhere and knows everything. (Or more appropriately, they are everywhere, because Ahumazda has both male and female attributes.)
Essentially, Zoroastrian believers believe that even if the world is now dualistic - between good and evil, in the end good will always defeat everything and the world will become a unified paradise. This combination of dualism and monotheism is considered to be unique to Zoroastrianism.
In addition to Ahumazda, Zoroastrianism also believes that there are six Amsha Spenta, namely the Holy Immortal, similar to what Christians call Archangel . Each Amsha Spintas represents a different positive attribute: a good heart, good purpose, truth and justice, divine dedication, power and justice rule, health and longevity.
Everyone has their own guardian spirit
Zoroastrian believe that before human beings are born, each individual soul (urvan) will have a guardian spirit (fravashi) that matches itself. By birth, the human soul enters this world, and your guardian spirit will continue to play the role of protector, somewhat like the concept of guardian angels.
On the fourth day after human death, your soul reunites with your guardian spirit. And your soul will convey all the life experience you have accumulated in every day you spend in this world to the guardian spirit, and will eventually be used in the ongoing battle between good and evil.
Death is the incarnation of evil
According to Zoroastrian's belief system, once the human being leaves the body in one last breath, it will become impure.In keeping with the theme of dualism, life (and everything in it) is considered God’s work, while death is considered the incarnation of evil.
After the death of a person, the body will be washed with cow urine and then placed for people to admire. Afterwards, according to tradition, the corpse will be placed in the Tower of Silence and will be pecked by the vultures.
homosexuality is similar to demon worship
In the most sacred verse of Zoroastrianism, there is a passage that reads like this: " If a person is compatible with a man, just like a woman, they will always be punished to death and sin will be attributed to them. "
In addition to this poem, there is another myth about an evil soul, which has a homosexual relationship, which leads to the "explosion of evil power" and creates a group of weaker demons.
Some religious scholars believe that Zoroastrianism is so opposed to homosexuality because the religion does not accept converts. The only way to become a Zoroastrian is to have a Zoroastrian parent—so in order to keep the religion alive, they must pressure the believers to have children.
A famous Zoroastrian is band singer
Yes, Freddy Mercury of the Queen's band was born in a devout Zoroastrian family. Although it remains to be debated whether Mercury sticks to his beliefs throughout his life, his funeral was planned by a Zoroastrian priest, whose body was soon cremated.
Your soul has already collapsed before going to heaven
According to Zoroastrian belief, after the soul leaves the body, it will wander around for a few days, and then collapse due to the pressure of separation anxiety caused by death. Then, under the leadership of the angel Daena, the soul is taken to the Bridge of Judgment (Chinavat), where its good and evil acts are reviewed. If everything goes well, the soul will ascend to heaven; otherwise, it will go to hell.
Zoroastrians do not eat beef, and what looks like cow
Some of the original teachings of Zoroastrians are all about what foods can be eaten and what foods cannot be eaten. Its basic philosophy includes gentle care for the earth, animals, pets and livestock, and has a specific list of animals that tells you that you should treat them like your neighbors.
This religion not only avoids animal sacrifices, but also points out that you should avoid eating cattle and cattle-like animals (from yak to reindeer ). Although there is still some debate on whether the ancient Zoroastrian believers were vegetarians, many people today choose to practice vegetarianism .
Women are considered more susceptible to evil temptation
Most religions are somewhat sexist when it comes to women. Although equality between men and women is stated in religious texts, it is worth noting that Zoroastrian verses show that women are vulnerable to "evil temptation".
In a more degrading passage, women are divided into four categories: " good and bad ; not bad; sloppy; neither good nor bad ."
These three wise men are likely to be Zoroastrian priest
In Zoroastrian society, some of the most respected members are called priest . Traditionally, their mission was to maintain the fire at the ceremony and keep it burning. They also serve as judges, knowledge of astrology and natural sciences, well known throughout the Middle East.
The modern Zoroastrian priests are responsible for liturgy, various other rituals, and are proficient in maintaining and promulgating laws.
Interestingly, the three "wise men" who visit infant Jesus in the New Testament are considered Zoroastrian pastors and/or astrologers.
Zoroastrian believers can worship anywhere there is fire
Unlike other Western religions center on temple worship, Zoroastrianism mainly worships in personal places.While any open place would be OK, Zoroastrians may choose to worship at home, by the sea, on the top of the mountain, or wherever they feel comfortable. Usually fire is part of their worship because it is considered a purifier.
Although the service is usually done at home, when they really build the temple, as they say, it is still very beautiful.
The purpose of Zoroastrians wearing headscarves is very special
All Zoroastrians will cover their heads at any time, such as wearing a small hat. The purpose is to protect the head where creativity and wisdom are located, and not affected by negative energy.
The demon in Zoroastrianism is the god of Hinduism
Many Western civilizations may or may not believe in demons, but the difference is that the Zoroastrian sect has a specific list of demons. Similar to the Western Archangel hierarchy, their demons also have hierarchy led by the angry demon Eshma.
Another interesting fact about Zoroastrian demons is that their names and actions directly correspond to a certain Hindu god.
It is probably the oldest religion on earth
Historians believe that Zoroastrianism was a reform of the early Iranian polytheism. Although traditionally it dates back to 6 BC, it is believed that this religion did not really emerge until 10 BC.
Although it is difficult to define what a "religion" is, Zoroastrianism can strongly claim that it is the oldest religion still operating today. This belief has had a significant impact on Jewish , Christianity, Islam and some forms of Buddhism.
Zoroastrianism is considered an environmentalist religion
One of the most special aspects of Zoroastrianism is its contribution to the ecology. According to historians, the priest and prophet Zoroaster preached that humans, as the "seventh category", had the responsibility to protect the other six categories: sky, water, land, plants, animals and fire. This is interpreted as direct commanding people to love the world around them, because ignoring the environment is “considered as surrendering to the darkness and evil forces.”
In addition to this, Zoroastrianism respects pure, uncontaminated water, and planting trees is also part of their celebrations, while also emphasizing kindness to animals.
There are not many Zoroastrians
According to the Iranian Religious News Agency, Zoroastrians, which was once the main religion in most areas of Iran and East Africa, has decreased to only 200,000 believers in 2016. The decrease in the number of followers was due to the conquest of Iran in 630 AD.
According to Dr. Daryoush Jahanian, after the invasion of Persian , Saad Ibn Abi Vagas and his army suppressed and massacred a large number of Zoroastrians. To significantly reduce the number of followers, the government has also adopted a variety of measures, including mass enslavement and taxation of those who do not convert to Islam.
