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"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." - Mary Boyce



The above quote and following article were taken from a website called Religious Tolerance.



''The religion was founded by Zarathushtra (Zoroaster in Greek; Zarthosht in India and Persia). Conservative Zoroastrians assign a date of 6000 BCE to the founding of the religion; other followers estimate 600 BCE. Historians and religious scholars generally date his life sometime between 1500 and 1000 BCE on the basis of his style of writing.

He lived in Persia, modern day Iran. Legends say that his birth was predicted and that attempts were made by the forces of evil to kill him as a child. He preached a monotheism in a land which followed an aboriginal polytheistic religion. He was attacked for his teaching, but finally won the support of the king. Zoroastrianism became the state religion of various Persian empires, until the 7th Century CE.

When Muslim Arabs invaded Persia in 650 CE, a small number of Zoroastrians fled to India where most are concentrated today. Those who remained behind have survived centuries of persecution, systematic slaughter, forced conversion, heavy taxes, etc. They now number only about 18,000 and reside chiefly in Yazd, Kernan and Tehran in what is now Iran. The Canadian 1991 census counted 3,190 Zoroastrians in that country. The actual number is believed to be much higher. According to the Fezana Journal survey, published quarterly by the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America, there are about 11,000 Zoroastrians in the United States, 6,000 in Canada, 5,000 in England, 2,700 in Australia and 2,200 in the Persian Gulf nations.''

MBK,

Zoroastrianism does appear to be widely accepted as having developed between 1500 and 1000 BCE, so I'd go with that date at present.

The concepts espoused by Zarathushtra had a great deal of influence over the other monotheistic religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Essentially, he proposed that there was a great struggle between the forces of light and darkness, and that potentially, the forces of light could win it, giving rise to the apocalyptic visions of later prophets.

Though the idea of light vs dark was not new, his was probably the first real utopian ideal, as well as the first to contain a possibility for victory of one side over the other, rather than an eternal battle.

Unfortunately, this probably is what has provoked the continual cycle of faith based wars over the centuries since, with the 'good' side believing that they can defeat the 'evil', which just happens to be those who don't believe the same 'truths' as they do.

One of the more interesting offshoots of Zoroastrianism, is the Cultish worship of Zurvan, the godly representation of time, who came even above Ahura Mazda and Ahriman in the hierarchy.

The nature of this being transcended both good and evil, perhaps a precursor to the dualistic view which Zoroaster developed, which again proves a monotheistic view as old as Judaism.

I've heard of this religion, and went to Jr college with a girl who was of the faith. She was related to Freddy Mercury (Queen) and said that he was one too.
This thread will make me do some reading on this, as I love reading about various faiths/religions. Thanks!

Ugh BCE/CE don't tell me your using the new abbreviations that don't actually change anything lol.


I think it's influence is rather logical. Its age mixed with the location and races of it's followers gives it a good chance of being able to spread.
All the "Big 3" have connections with it.

I'm currently trying to collect a "complete" text of their writings, its a very interesting religion. Whats even greater still is the fact that it still has some 250,000 followers, after 6-10,000 years.

I don't know about it being the oldest known religion, but it is the first monotheist religion, unless you count that one eygptian one.

It's not widely known about due to the fact the religion is against converting the masses. It's like if you want to join you want to because to feel the beliefs and seek out a teacher. Or something like that.

Freddie Mercury was a follower of zoroastrianism - his family were Persian ex-pats, from a sect known as Parsees who had gone to Zanzibar via India.

I have written a research paper on the same topic, including it's evolution into mithrialism and finally as my theory Christianity. If you are interested in reading it, I can offer it up the reading.

necrop - "that one Egyptian one"?

Are you referring to the religion of the Pharaoh Akhenaten?

I have done rather extensive studies on Zoroastrianism and the parsis- it interests me to no end! Though, a lot more of the studies were on zoroastrianism in it's time of glory- the ancient sense.
I've always found it to be one of the most interesting religions in existence. Arguably the first monotheistic religion and arguably the oldest alive today.

I find their funerary practices particularly interesting. They believe that earth, fire and water are all sacred symbols of God, and as a result can not allow the bodies of dead humans to touch any of these elements, as they also believe that there is nothing left for the body when death sets in- the decay a form of evil contamination must not be in contact at all with the sacred elements. There are particular people set aside who are allowed to carry the bodies...their proper name evades me now, but there are...I swear! =P
As a result of this the zoroastrians found a method with which to dispose of the bodies, leaving them on top of the "towers of silence" and allowing them to be devoured by vultures.
The body is given three days with which the soul is allowed to meditate before being placed on the towers of silence to be eaten.

The poor parsis community of today are experiencing problems with a shortage of vulture, causing obvious problems in disposing bodies.
In other countries, as the practice is not allowed anywhere but their small sect of Iran, those belonging to the religion resort to cremation despite the fact that it conflicts with their teachings.

Also, the teachings of zoroastrianism are utterly fascinating. It is easy to see how it was the basis for Judaism, Christianity and Islam- among others.

The holy text of zoroastrians is called Avesta and contains the words of zarathushtra among these teachings.

As Stabb said they came up with the idea of good and evil in the form of their God Ahura Mazda and their evil spirit Angra Mainyu. They believe that these two forces are pitted against each other in a cosmic battle involving the entire universe- including humanity who must choose a side.

Another defining characteristic of zoroastrianism is it's strong ethical framework...I could go into that but, I think I've written too much for now. =P

So let's just leave it at the fact that they have a strict code of behaviour that helped form the ethical frameworks we know so well today!

this is the first time that I have heard of this religion. It sounds really interesting I never really followed any type of organized religion. I believe that their is a God and that he wants us to live a good life.

Barbara Walker says that Zoroaster had many anti-female doctrines, such as the rule that no women could enter heaven except those "submissive to control, who had considered their husbands lords." These sentiments adoped by the Jews and apllied to the laws of Yahweh.