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Posted on 06/03/2015 6:04:53 PM PDT by odds
Amazing.
Good to see.
All that said, kudos to those who have somehow kept the faith alive after hundreds of years of Islamic oppression.
The Jews speak well of one of the Persian Zoroastrian kings who ruled over them in Baghdad.
John Adams spoke of Zoaroaster in his works.
No one knows for certain during which century Zoroaster lived or where exactly he came from.
Most scholars think he lived around 5th to 6th century BC, based on the language used in the Gathas (17 hymns believed to be spoken by Zoroaster himself), as well as some historical evidence later pointing to King Vishtaspa (Kianian or spelled Keyanian dynasty).
King Vishtaspa is actually mentioned in the Gathas and the other Zoroastrian holy book the Avesta, for being the first King, who formally accepted Zoroaster’s teachings.
The language used in the Gathas is old Aryan, so it is believed Zoroaster was an Aryan himself and probably came from today’s Tajikistan.
He wasn’t Kurdish, but it really doesn’t matter :) - the Kurds were once mostly Zoroastrians too. Many Kurds have retained *cultural & traditional* aspects of Zoroastrianism over the centuries. So this isn’t too unfamiliar to them. Better a Zoroastrian than a follower of ISIS.
I applaud these folks.
Christians should surrender a nod to them,
since the gifts given, and what the gifts were
for, were brought to the prophesied child
by those of Zoroaster.
fyi
Looks like the Kurds have found their footing on “Freedom of Religion”.....In a country with a state religion, freedom of religion is generally considered to mean that the government permits religious practices of other sects besides the state religion, and does not persecute believers in other faiths.
Once again the Kurds are showing by actions they intend to meet the qualifications of nationhood by implementing religious freedom....which is a huge thing for that part of the world. Good on them!!!!
I couldn’t remember if it was Cyrus or Darius.
Zoroastrian faith teaches that at the end of time, a savior-figure (a Saoshyant) will bring about a final renovation of the world (frashokereti), in which the dead will be revived.
This certainly opens the door for Christianity in their communities all the more......perhaps not the Muslims but they likely would be open to listening to the Gospel message once again.
It was Cyrus who paid the ransom and freed the Jews from Babylonian captivity. He then decreed that Jews should go back and re-build their temple.
However, it was Darius who actioned Cyrus’ decree after Cyrus died, and also helped the Jews finance the re-building of their temple.
Yes, totally agree.
IMHO, since there are such similarities to Zoroastrianism and the Judeo-Christian tenets, I consider Zoroaster a prophet of God as well.
Jesus as the Saoshyant is a good way to evangelize to traditional Iranians.
I too would love to see Zoroastrianism return as the faith of the Iranian peoples, much better than the bloody heresy of Islam.
Sharif in the article is correct to say that Zoroaster was not a prophet, since there is no evidence of Zoroaster, himself, ever claiming 'prophethood'. Though I appreciate your view.
The other main 'philosophy' or key point, to which Sharif alludes in the article, "For me he is a prophet", is that Zoroastrianism is a *reflective* (not prescriptive) faith; meaning it provides clear guidelines for belief & ethical behaviour, which you must consider carefully. But you're also free to seek truth & choose according to your free will.
Jesus as the Saoshyant is a good way to evangelize to traditional Iranians.
Yes. In fact there are people who have converted to Christianity from Islam, even in Iran. But practice their new faith privately, because the punishment for an apostate in Islam, under an Islamic theocracy, is much worse than being an infidel.
I rather would see them become Christians, but less Muslim believers would do the world some good!
“Thus spoke Zarathustra”
I was debating with myself to reply to you or not since I like the picture you posted, as it is spot on for Z faith.
Though must note that “Thus spoke Zarathustra” not to be confused with “Thus spake Zarathustra”, a fictitious novel by German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. No connection!
Do not the Zoroastrians believe their are two gods—One good, the god of light, and one evil, the God of lies and darkness? We can guess which one Islam is.
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