Abstract:
This article examines some beliefs and rituals ofZoroastrianism. As the earliest historical faith of the Iranians, Zoroastrianism is little understood in comparison to Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Although the influence of Zoroastrianism on Judaism, Christianity and Islam is acknowledged by most scholars, it is not possible to state that there is universal consensus regarding the fact or degree ofsuch influence.Understanding of Zoroastrianismis especially important for Iranians, if for no other reason than for its significant role in the formative stages of Iranian national identity in history before the coming of Islam, and its reinforcing compatibility with the fundamental Islamic Shia tenets afterwards. Furthermore, the author probes the situation of Zoroastrianism in various historical ages including Achaemenian times, the age of emerging Islamic civilization, the period of Constitutional Revolution of 1905-1911, under the Pahlavi dynasty, and the period of the Islamic Revolution of Iran. In the end, the author mentions the challenges to Zoroastrianism today.
Machine summary:
" I, myse If, although the daughter of a Zoroastrian father and granddaughter of a prominent leader of the Zoroastrian community in Iran, had little knowledge of the religion, its beliefs, its precepts and its extraordinary influence on Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
It was not until much later in life that I came to learn more about this ancient religion, which led me to the realization that an understanding of Zoroastrianism is especially important for Iranians, if for no other reason than for its significant role in the formative stages of Iranian national identity in history before the coming oflslam, and its reinforcing compatibility with the fundamental Islamic Shia tenets afterwards.
Foltz: The concept of an all-powerful Creator god who is purely good, the personification of evil in an opposing being, the resurrection of the body after death, the judgment of the dead on the basis of their deeds while living, the existence of a heavenly paradise for the good and a hell of damnation for the evil, the expectation of a savior and a final cataclysmic battle in which good will ultimately triumph, as well as a universe populated by angels and demons, are all ideas that other religions acquired either directly or indirectly from Zoroastrianism.
By the time of Sasanian rule, Christians in Iran were so numerous that the magi Kerdir, the influential high priest of the day, saw them as a threat to Zoroastrianism.