Posted on 09/05/2004 8:09:50 PM PDT by freedom44
The text suggests that Zoroastrians refuse to accept converts because they do not want to be exterminated by the Muslims for accepting converts. It would follow that if they do not have to fear the Muslims, they might change this policy.
This is certainly to be encouraged.
ZA pre-dates Islam by approx. 1000 yrs.
I was talking about Bahai on that one --- I think it is basically Islam but with a different last prophet -- and not an Arab one.
Which I guess means it isn't basically Islam. Islam is an Arab religion through and through and everything centers around Mohammed. Replace that and it's not Islam.
You might click on either the tree pic or the words link on my first 2 posts. Both go to some overview info on ZA. It is a very old and complex belief system. Not very well known in the west.
The ancestor of Cyrus, Aryaramnes, referred to Ahura Mazda as God on a tabernacle discovered in Hamadan in 1920. Aryaramnes inscribed thus: "The country which I possess was bestowed upon me by Ahura Mazda. By the grace of Ahura Mazda I am the monarch of this country. I pray that Ahura Mazda may help me." Similar inscriptions by Cyrus the Great and Darius the Great, refer to their allegiance with Ahura Mazda. Darius I has said "I worshipped Ahura Mazda. I am the King by Grace of Ahura Mazda."
Even Xerxes, Darius' son, following his father's beliefs, praises Ahura Mazda and says "where previously Daivas were worshipped .. I destroyed Daivas and proclaimed that Daivas shall not be worshipped." During his military exploits Xerxes incorporated part of Egypt into his kingdom and on the western side marched into Greece. This brought in several foreign influences and Zoroastrian theologians had to make compromises to assimilate several non-Zoroastrian divinities. Thus, Artaxerses II broke the tradition of exceptional praise to Ahura Mazda. At Persepolis he inscribed that "by the will of Ahura Mazda, Anahita and Mithra, I built this palace. May Ahura Mazda, Mithra and Anahita protect me from the evil." The cult of Mithra goes back before Zoroaster's time in Iran, but it is disputed whether Zoroaster accepted or denied Mithra. Yet, in contrast to his predecessors Cyrus and Darius, Ataxerxes II incorporated Mithra in the pantheon of deities, a long time after the birth of Zoroaster.
http://www.iranchamber.com/religions/zoroastrianism_under_achaemenids.php
The fellowship based on birth, may also have begun to protect them from the Islamic assaults which would have portrayed them as usurpers of the followers of Mohammed. Since their community has had to operate as a closed entity, no one in could be equated by the outside to mean no one out either.
I would imagine that if the mullahs would be run off, there would be interest in Zoroasterianism by some --- and some would study and return to that, some would look into Bahai, some would become Christian --- some Orthodox, some Catholic, some Evangelical, and many would be agnostic like it seems many already are. Freedom of religion would be a very good thing and liven everything up.
RE:"Why not set up *safe zones* and *safe ways* for people to *leave* Islam? It would certainly solve the problem of a lack of Arabic and Farsi translators loyal to the US."
These sites aren't exactly what you suggest...but at least a step in the right direction:
http://www.faithfreedom.org/
http://www.apostatesofislam.com/main.htm
They could have been -- they were considered to be "wise men", the distance would have been right, and they were known to study the stars and be influenced by what they saw in them.
The USA itself should be that -- since those who wish to leave Islam have to fear the others who are still in Islam, maybe only those wishing to leave Islam should be allowed to come here -- those wishing to stay with Islam should be happier living in an Islamic country anyhow and shouldn't come here.
The Zoroastrians are in a bind. Like the article said, if they openly proselytize or are considered to be too aggressive, especially in the face of Khatami's relative laxity, then they risk angering the government and bringing down its wrath. Under such a cloud of tension and suspicion, they don't have much choice but to say that they will not accept converts. So for now there has to be this awkward situation where people can only convert and educate themselves in sercret. But in a future where there is freedom to chose religion in Iran, if millions want to go back to their national religion, it would be impossible to prevent them from do so.
One who has left Islam offers numerous suggestion:
http://www.faithfreedom.org/oped/sina40903.htm
Please FREEPMAIL me if you want on, off, or alter the "Gods, Graves, Glyphs" PING list --
Archaeology/Anthropology/Ancient Cultures/Artifacts/Antiquities, etc.
The GGG Digest -- Gods, Graves, Glyphs (alpha order)
I think many will go back --- there is a part of their original culture still in them --- you never see Persians act as weird as the Arabs act. Even Persians who are strict followers of Islam seem to know quite a bit about Zoroasterianism and seem to almost wish they were still that. Deep down I think most of them prefer the religious tolerance they were allowed to have back then, the more openness and freedom, and when the women could be beautiful instead of acting ashamed in hideous brown rags.
Zoroastrian, Cyrus the Great, annointed by Christ mentioned 32 times in the Holy Bible.
http://www.farsinet.com/cyrus/isaiah45_1_8.html
This is what the LORD says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of to subdue nations before him and to strip kings of their armor, to open doors before him so that gates will not be shut: I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. For the sake of Jacob my servant, of Israel my chosen, I summon you by name and bestow on you a title of honor, though you do not acknowledge me. I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other. I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things. "You heavens above, rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness grow with it; I, the LORD, have created it. Isaiah 45:1-8
King Cyrus allows Return of Jews from Iran to Israel
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and to put it in writing:
"This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: "`The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Anyone of his people among you--may the LORD his God be with him, and let him go up.'" 2 Chronicles 36:22-23
"In the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be builded, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits; With three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expenses be given out of the king's house."
"And also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the Temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again unto the Temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to his place, and place them in the house of God." (Ezra 6:3-5 KJV)
Iran History Network:
Persian King Cyrus the Great and liberation of the Jews.
One of the significant events in ancient history is the conquest of Babylon by the Persian king, Cyrus the Great.
On October 4th, 539 BC, the Persian Army entered the city of Babylon. This was a bloodless campaign and no prisoners were taken. Later, on November 9th, King Cyrus of Persia visited the city. Babylonian history tells us that Cyrus was greeted by the people, who spread a pathway of green twigs before him as a sign of honor and peace (sulmu). Cyrus greeted all Babylonians in peace and brought peace to their city.
On this great event, Cyrus issued a declaration, inscribed on a clay barrel known as Cyrus's inscription cylinder. It was discovered in 1879 by Hormoz Rassam in Babylon and today is kept in the British Museum. Many historians have reviewed it as the first declaration of human rights.
On this historical turning point, by order of Cyrus, all the captive nationalities held as slaves for generations in Babylon were freed and the return to their homeland was financed. Among the liberated captives were 50,000 Jews held in Babylon for three generations whose return toward the rebuilding of their temple in Palestine, a policy that was followed by Darius and his successors. Some of the liberated Jews were invited to and did settle in Persia. Because of such a generous act, Cyrus has been anointed in the Bible. He is the only gentile in the Bible, who has been titled Messiah, an is mentioned explicitly as the Lord's shepherd and his anointed (Messiah). Other references to Cyrus are attested in Isaiah 45:4 where Cyrus is called by name and given a title of honor; he is also called to rebuild the God's city and free His people (Is. 45:13) and is chosen, called and brought successful by God (Is. 48:14-15).
"This is What Cyrus King of Persia says: The LORD the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah."
Ezra 1:2 (New International Version)
"In the first year of King Cyrus, the king issued a decree concerning the temple of God in Jerusalem: Let the temple be rebuilt as a place to present sacrifices, and let its foundations be laid. It is to be ninty feet high and ninety feet wide" Ezra 6:3 (New International Version) who says of Cyrus, "He is my shepherd and will accomplish all that I please; he will say of Jerusalem, "Let it be rebuilt," and of the temple, "Let its foundations be laid."
Isaiah 44:28 (New International Version)
"This is what the LORD says to his annointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of to subdue nations before him and to strip kings of their armor, to open doors before him so that gates will not be shut."
Isaiah 45:1 (New International Version)
"I will raise up Cyrus in my righteousness: I will make all his ways straight. He will rebuild my city and set my exiles free, but not for a price or reward, says the LORD Almighty."
Isaiah 45:13 (New International Version)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.