Global I Honors: Spiconardi

Zoroaster [Zarathustra] As a young man, Zoroaster had visions and conversations with divine beings. He wanted to answer the question: Why should so much suffering and chaos exist in the world? He began to wander & preach that Persians should making sacrifices to minor deities and treat animals more humanely in sacrifices.

Beliefs Monotheistic There is one true god: Ahura Mazda Ahura Mazda is all good and all powerful Only he is worthy of being worshipped He is the creator of all that is seen and unseen Good vs. Evil Good is represented by light, fire, & water Evil is represented by darkness Ahura Mazda’s twin Angra Mainyu [Ahriman]was banished from heaven and sent to hell where he reigns as the principle of evil

Beliefs Asha vs. Druj Asha = The Truth Druj = Lies All humans have a choice to either do good or evil and will be judged by these choices The Book of Life All your actions are recorded, so you can be judged when you die After death, your soul reflects for 3 days on your life You are then judged by 3 Zoroastrian figures: Mithra, Sraosha, & Rashnu If you good deeds & thoughts outweigh your bad ones, then your soul is taken to heaven

Beliefs The Three Eras of the Universe Creation The Present World Good and evil battle and the world is gradually transformed into heaven’s likeness The Separation/Final Judgment Once good wins over evil, the two entities will be separated and everything will be purified by goodness (even the occupants in hell will be released)

Beliefs The Savior A Saoshyant will be born of a virgin from the lineage of Zoroaster The Saoshyant will raise the dead and judge everyone in the final judgment Sound familiar anyone? Yes? Now check this out…

Beliefs The Cult of Mithra Ahura Mazda sends Mithra from heaven to redeem the earth Mithra is born on December 25 Mithraism competed with Christianity for followers in the first century of the Common Era Cult of Mithras was more popular, especially with Roman soldiers Eastern Orthodox Christianity borrowed many of the cults practices

Beliefs The Magi Zoroastrian priests Absolved [forgave sins] Dealt out atonement & repentance Where have you heard the term magi before?

Beliefs The Tower of Silence Zoroastrians believe the dead body is unclean Also believe cut hair and nails are too A demon enters a dead body and contaminates everything it comes in contact with Bodies are placed on a top of a tower where the sunlight and birds of prey dispose of the body

Practices Fire is the symbol of divinity, so all ceremonies are performed in front of a fire Spring Equinox is the most important holiday in the Zoroastrian calendar Symbolizes return of warmth and rebirth Can worship in a temple or at home No requirement to worship in a temple No proselytizing Religion should be unique to a given tribe

Zoroastrianism Today Mostly practiced in India Less than 200,000 followers worldwide Considered the most influential religion by many historians (especially it’s influence on the Abrahamic religions) Followers are called Parsi today