1. Zoroastrianism

2. Founder/Origin/Location
Zarathushtra (Zoroaster)
BCE
Middle East/Persia

3. Holidays/Clothing/Holy Book/Branches
Noruz – New Year
Khordad Sal – birth of Zoroaster
Dress – kusti (thread) & sudre (shirt)
Holy Book – Avesta
Branches – Gabars (Iraq) and Parsis (India)

4. Creation Myth/God
Ahura Mazda created all
God is Ahura Mazda – monotheistic, omnipotent, omniscient, creator & sustainer
Ahura Mazda is friend of believers & protects good from evil; humans are to help God make the world a better place

5. Holy Cities/Today/Hierarchy/Other Supernatural Beings
Fire Temples
200,000 believers mostly in Iran & India
Suppressed & Persecuted and are declining in #
Women are treated equally
Angra Mainyu – Evil being; Amesha Spentas – angels

6. Basic Beliefs Everyone is free to choose between good & bad
Fire is symbol of Ahura Mazda
Humans are born pure, not as sinners
Judgment Day
Life on earth is opportunity for souls to refine their character
Dead matter is impure
Material world is battleground between good & evil

7. Rituals/Rules/Rites of Passage
3 Commandments – Good thoughts, Good deeds, Good Words
No inter-religious marriage
No cremation or burial – leave body for vultures in tower or for natural disintegration
Fire & water are purification agents
Pray 5x/day
Yasnas – sacrificial rituals performed by priests in fire temple
Navajote – initiation ceremony for boys & girls

8. Salvation/Afterlife
Three Commandments
Help in battle against evil
Soul remains for 3 days and nights and then departs to spiritual realm
Heaven/Hell