Who are the Zoroastrians?

Zoroastrian Studies ^ | 7/29/03 | Zoroastrian Studies

[freedom44]

Prophet Zoroaster who believed to be a peaceful, spiritual man. The 3 wisemen were 'magi' a term meaning Priest in the religion of Zoroastrianism. They came from the 'East' which was then Persia. Zoroastrians were forced to either convert or die after the invasion of Barbaric Islamic forces from Arabia into the Persian Empire.

In spite of losing their religon, Persians were able to retain their language and ethnicity.

[freedom44]

Iran history ..

on or off iran ping

[kms61]

Zoroastrianism sounds rather appealing....

[Timesink]

I like it that when a Zoroastrian dies, they leave the body outside for the vultures to eat. It eliminates all those creepy "buried alive" phobias.

[WellsFargo94]

He's got some awful lazy eye action going on. Maybe the hallucinations are kicking in.

[freedom44]

Yeah it's an ancient belief of Zoroastrians not to bury the dead, b/c it is disrespectful to bury someone inside of a mere grave when the entire body can enjoy fruits of heaven.

I find that to be the strangest part of their religion, but i can also respect it on those grounds.

[C210N]

Vultures and crows have just as much right to eat as the worms...

[from some line in a Clint Eastwood movie]

[armed_in_sydney]

Zoroastrianism and Christianity are eerily similar,a large part of the New Testament is almost a carbon copy of Zoroastrian teachings with Zoroastra playing the part of the Christ......only played out a thousand years earlier.

[USMMA_83]

Some have said the Jesus's teachings are more Zoroastrian than Jewish.

[Cronos]

Actually Judaism is also influenced by Zoroastrianism -- the angelic figures and the messianic figures appear only after the Babylonian (subsequently Persian) rule. Plus the Zoroastrians were very tolerant of other faiths, unlike the Babylonians.

It's an offshoot of the Indo-Aryanic religions, most of which deal with two sets, 'families' of Gods -- as witness the Aenir and the Vanir of the Nordic peoples (which is a primitive form of the Aryanic religion).

The more developed forms of the Aryanic religion were to be found in India and Persia -- actually opposing groups with the Indic peoples (Hindus == from the river Indus) elevating the Daevas as gods and the Asuras as demons (of course that seems to have been accelerated by Christian though) while the Irani peoples (Persians, Parthians, Medes etc) elevated the Asuras (or Ahuras In Iranic) to the level of Gods and the daevas to minor deities or demons. Zoroaster came and changed this, making a somewhat monotheistic religion.

[Elliott Jackalope]

I agree. I wonder how long before someone comes along with the usual "They are bad, they are evil, they kick their children, they participated in the great cheese slaughter of the innocent Fardusi worshippers in B.C. 721, they smell funny because of their strange belief in not changing their underwear", etc. etc. etc. etc. until you want to puke rubber biscuts, and you end up becoming a bitter old athiest who snarls at the well meaning people who come to the door with the colorful pamphlets and the vacant smiles.

Sorry. Was that a rant?

[txzman]

Yes. LOL. Now take your medicine :)

[truth_seeker]

"Zoroastrians were forced to either convert or die after the invasion of Barbaric Islamic forces from Arabia into the Persian Empire."

Early example of the "religion of peace" from long before the squabbles over Palestine, occupied lands, etc.

Just goes to show they've been at the same game, from the start. (They being muslims)

A friend of mine grew up in Bombay, but returned to Iran under the Shah. The Shah recognized they were ancient people of Iran, and invited them to return.

My friend worked for an American company in Tehran, but escaped with his wife in 1979, when things got nasty for non-muslims.

As an Indian citizen, he could go to Britain or Canada, but managed to get an American greencard for professional skills. Now American citizens, he and his family are an assets to the community.

Their religious beliefs are compatible with Judeo-Christian beliefs, as far as monotheism and morality.

Their numbers are small, compounded by marrying only within their faith. In India and elsewhere, they are well educated, often the professional class.

[Neanderthal]

When they start with this BCE and CE crap versus BC and AD they lose me.

[Thorondir]

Ahura Mazda?

My friend had a Mazda RX7 back in the seventies. He thought it was divine. Now I know why!

[Thorondir]

Ahura Mazda?

My friend had a Mazda RX7 back in the seventies. He thought it was divine. Now I know why!

[50sDad]

An equally senseable presentation is made by H.R. "Bob" Dobbs...

All Hail Slack!

[Stentor]

from some line in a Clint Eastwood movie]

The Outlaw Josey Wales.

[dennisw]

Who are the Zoroastrians?

[dennisw]

All I know is it's gotta be better than Islam which has been a disaster for Iran. A lethal foreign import.

Dump those bloated Mullahs