[hoppity]

Freddie was Zorastrian

[freedom44]

"Modern Iran has consistently wobbled between the dual and sometimes conflicting pillars that define it: Islam, and what is now euphemistically called Iran’s “pre-Islamic heritage.” As Iran struggles to emerge from the oppressive failures of its Islamic revolution, it has grown increasingly conscious of its roots."

SunkenCiv, does this fit GGG?

[megatherium]

I have read this book. Very interesting, I highly recommend it.

[goldstategop]

Zoroastrianism is on the way out because it refuses to accept converts. One has to be born into the faith to believe in it. In contrast, every other religion welcomes those from outside to propagate and spread the faith.

[alloysteel]

Perhaps it shall not be necessary to convert the Farsi people of Iran to Christianity at all - simply encourage them to revert to Zoroastrianism. After all, this was their religion for a much longer period of time than Islam has been. One suspects the Iranians are not that enthusiastic about Islam, which is basically an Arabic religion, and apparently the Koran only makes sense in Arabic.

[Khurkris]

The cypress at Kâshmar

[coconutt2000]

Hmm... I remember reading that Ahura Mazda was the only god in their religion, and that Ahriman was just a demon.

[Savage Beast]

The best way to get rid of something bad is to replace it with something good. Anything would be better than Islam.

[FreedomSurge]

I wish the Catholic church had some cajones and would beam the message to Persia in farsi.

[SunkenCiv]

"From Cyrus the Great’s tranquil tomb in his now abandoned capital at Pasargad..."

http://www.iranpix.com/browse/html_pers/vga_pers/03_pasargad/pers_pix_pasargad001.htm

Maybe that's a picture?

[Fiddlstix]

BTTT

[Uncle Vlad]

Wouldn't it be wonderful some day soon to wake up and see the name on the map change from "Iran" to "Persia."

[SuziQ]

And theologians generally agree that Zarathusti notions of monotheism, heaven and hell, and the messiah and the apocalypse spread quickly and profoundly influenced Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

If Zoroastrianism began about 3500 years ago, it is NOT the world's first mono-theistic religion. According to Biblical and historical references, Judaism began almost 7000 years ago, didn't it? It sounds as though the Persian was influenced by Judaism, possibly as a result of trade and movement of people along the Silk Road.

[rang1995]

tick tock tick tock can we afford to wait??

[freedumb2003]

I assume this is the type of info you were suggesting I get last night?

Seriously... I appreciate the information. This is the kind of thing FR is all about -- facts that can be itegrated into thoughts to produce actions.

Thanks for a great post.

[Psycho_Bunny]

Zarathustrianism is a fascinating faith.  In my varied religious readings I have to say the most interesting fable I ever read was in the (often considered apocryphal) Zoroastrian Desatir.

Seeking redress from man's arrogance and stupidity, seven beasts and insects - as representatives of the animal kingdom - beseech [God] for compassion.  [God] sends them into the desert where they meet seven wise men and for one evening, over an open fire, the fourteen are able to understand one another's speech.

The seven arguments that ensue are surprisingly insightful and amusing.  In arguing man's superiority one of the wise men states that our ability to make fine foods and drink separates us from base animals to which the ant replies that we shouldn't be proud that our most prized and sought after food is nothing other than bee vomit.

As a humility story, that chapter is quit effective.

[Psycho_Bunny]

Zarathustrianism is a fascinating faith.  In my varied religious readings I have to say the most interesting fable I ever read was in the (often considered apocryphal) Zoroastrian Desatir.

Seeking redress from man's arrogance and stupidity, seven beasts and insects - as representatives of the animal kingdom - beseech [God] for compassion.  [God] sends them into the desert where they meet seven wise men and for one evening, over an open fire, the fourteen are able to understand one another's speech.

The seven arguments that ensue are surprisingly insightful and amusing.  In arguing man's superiority one of the wise men states that our ability to make fine foods and drink separates us from base animals to which the ant replies that we shouldn't be proud that our most prized and sought after food is nothing other than bee vomit.

As a humility story, that chapter is quit effective.

[cookcounty]

It's interesting that when Iranians come to the US, one of the first things that happens is that they shed their Islam. There are nore than 60 Iranian-American churches in California.

[bert]

.....whom he called Ahura Mazda.....

Many modern historians also note that Ahura Mazada should not be confused with Wankel Mazda that is worshiped by some but is actually a sports car engine.

[dennisw]

Good news....anything beats wacko Mohammedanism. And if the smelly Ayatollahs aren't wacko Mohammedans then no one is.