Zoroastrianism

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Does Zoroastrianism contain truth? For those who dont know, Zoroastrianism was founded by a Persian herder named Zoroaster. He taught that there was only One God and that both extreme excess and extreme asceticism are wrong. He also taught that pessimism and despair are sins as it means giving in to evil. His followers believe that they must do good to help God or Ahura Mazda(persian for Good Lord) to fight Angra Mainyu or Ahriman (pretty much Satan). They believe that those who do not strive to do good will be thrown into Hell. However they also believe that in the end all in Hell will be purified by fire and turn back to Ahura Mazda (even Ahriman). What are your thoughts on these teachings?
 
Yeah I found the first one on your list but it didnt answer my question and broke down into arguments over Bahai. I am still reading the others though.
 
I’ve always found Zoroastrianism to be quite appealing. From an outsider’s perspective, I can see how it would even make more sense than Christianity.

For example: as I understand it, Ahura Mazda and Ahriman are equal in power. They win or lose the cosmic struggle between good and evil based on the actions of mankind. Everyone has a choice to side with Ahura Mazda, and to what extent - or to side with Ahriman, and to what extent.

That has more “truthiness” to me than the God/Satan dichotomy, where, despite being omnibenevolent, God actually chooses to create Satan, knowing full well that he is evil. Then, God, despite being omnipotent (and again omnibenevolent), chooses not to destroy Satan for no apparent reason, despite the fact that Satan is not nearly as powerful as Him.
 
I find Zoroastrianism to be an interesting religion, though I know just a little. I actually met a Zoroastrian once and she was a very good person who taught me many interesting things. (I said that last sentence with no patronizing tone since it is usually difficult to find a Zoroastrian in the U.S. AND she walked into the room as I was reading out loud a book on World religions and just finished the last chapter on the only ‘Z’ religion.)

I’m not sure if this is truth or myth but I read that Zoroastrian influence guided the golden calf-worshipping Hebrews with multiple deities back into a one God religion. I have also read that one or all of the three kings were Zoroastrians. And I am most interested in the "Parsi’s of India, whom I believe were Zoroastrians from Persia who migrated east to India but were caught in the crossfires of the Hindu-Muslim conflicts.

I find it most interesting that they are not into proselytizing but spread the faith mostly through their descendants. (That might be why they are a smaller religion) Their history is certainly interesting and may be a unique story with important links to Judeo-Christian and other religions.)
 
Does Zoroastrianism contain truth? For those who dont know, Zoroastrianism was founded by a Persian herder named Zoroaster. He taught that there was only One God and that both extreme excess and extreme asceticism are wrong. He also taught that pessimism and despair are sins as it means giving in to evil. His followers believe that they must do good to help God or Ahura Mazda(persian for Good Lord) to fight Angra Mainyu or Ahriman (pretty much Satan). They believe that those who do not strive to do good will be thrown into Hell. However they also believe that in the end all in Hell will be purified by fire and turn back to Ahura Mazda (even Ahriman). What are your thoughts on these teachings?
I assume you mean does Zoroastrianism contain truth from the Catholic perspective? According to the latter, many religions may contain some of the truth, but only Catholicism contains all of the truth. Insofar as the specific dogma and doctrines of Zoroastrianism you mention, as well as those you do not, differ from those of the Catholic Church, Zoroastrianism departs from the truth.
 
First, it was started by a man. I have a friend who told me about it years ago. On an intellectual level, I get it, but Jesus Christ is God.

Peace,
Ed
 
That has more “truthiness” to me than the God/Satan dichotomy, where, despite being omnibenevolent, God actually chooses to create Satan, knowing full well that he is evil. Then, God, despite being omnipotent (and again omnibenevolent), chooses not to destroy Satan for no apparent reason, despite the fact that Satan is not nearly as powerful as Him.
One slight disagreement, Satan was not created evil, he choose to be evil. 🙂
 
My friend practices that faith. It is a bit different than in ancient times. It has a slight modern twist to it now. They believe similar to Judeo-Christianity. They have a God and a Satan like figure. The major downfall to the religion is that there is no need for Jesus in their equation. Man decides his/her fate. You either side with the good or bad. I believe it made way for many of them to convert to Christianity and Islam.

Like all religions, it has its good and bad parts, but it lacks the key part…CHRIST…👍
 
One slight disagreement, Satan was not created evil, he choose to be evil. 🙂
Thank you for your correction.

I should say instead, “God created Satan knowing full well that he would be evil.”

It is a mystery!
 
From my understanding “yes” Zoroastrianism must contain some truth just as every attempt by man to worship and honor God no matter how mislead that attempt may be must contain some truth, however it is not nor can it ever be the fullness of truth.
As Catholics we can be assured of this because when Christ founded the Church on the apostels he promised to send the Holy Spirit who would lead the Church into all truth.
One aspect of Zoroastrianism that is incompatable with the fullness of truth, as pointed out in the posts, is the Chaos theory or as described in Zoroastrianism the cosmic struggle between good and evil according to this theology this struggle exsists independently from Gods plan for mans salvation and accordingly the possability that evil may triumph is a real and distinct possability. This teaching is incompatabile with Catholic doctrin.
 
Actually based on the single book I read they believe Ahura Mazda will triumph and Ahriman will repent.
 
However they also believe that in the end all in Hell will be purified by fire and turn back to Ahura Mazda (even Ahriman).
Not Ahriman. Hell is not eternal in Zoroastrianism because in the end the entire good creation must be redeemed, however, unlike the Christian Satan, Ahriman is not a creation of Ahura Mazda. He has a separate existence. In the end he will be consumed by his own rage.
 
VeritasLuxMea;10344937\:
That has more “truthiness” to me than the God/Satan dichotomy, where, despite being omnibenevolent, God actually chooses to create Satan, knowing full well that he is evil. Then, God, despite being omnipotent (and again omnibenevolent), chooses not to destroy Satan for no apparent reason, despite the fact that Satan is not nearly as powerful as Him.
What you are alluding to is the central problem of monotheism, namely how can God be all-powerful and all-good and yet evil exist. When push comes to shove Zoroastrianism is prepared to say that Ahura Mazda is not omnipotent whereas the Abrahamic religions have been more prepared to say (with Isaiah 45) that evil ultimately comes from God Himself.
 
What you are alluding to is the central problem of monotheism, namely how can God be all-powerful and all-good and yet evil exist. When push comes to shove Zoroastrianism is prepared to say that Ahura Mazda is not omnipotent whereas the Abrahamic religions have been more prepared to say (with Isaiah 45) that evil ultimately comes from God Himself.
Judaism more so than Christianity. The latter is prepared to say that G-d can turn evil into good, however.
 
I’m not sure if this is truth or myth but I read that Zoroastrian influence guided the golden calf-worshipping Hebrews with multiple deities back into a one God religion.
The Zoroastrian influence on Judaism comes much later, mostly during the Hellenistic period. Jews were already fully monotheistic by this time. In my view the most radical statement of monotheism in the Tanakh is a “no” to Zoroastrian dualism. It is found in Isaiah 45 and aimed at Cyrus the Great who would have been a Zoroastrian:

4 For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee [Cyrus] by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.

5 I am the Lord Yahweh], and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:

6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else.

7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.

Note that the reason Cyrus is said not to ‘know’ Yahweh is because God made both evil and darkness. For a Zoroastrian this a dangerous heresy. For a Jew anything else would be an unacceptable compromise of God’s unity.
I have also read that one or all of the three kings were Zoroastrians.
Read the Gospels again. There are no “three kings.” It is Magi who bring gifts to the Christ child and nothing says there were three of them. A magi is a Zoroastrian priest.
And I am most interested in the "Parsi’s of India, whom I believe were Zoroastrians from Persia who migrated east to India but were caught in the crossfires of the Hindu-Muslim conflicts.
I wrote my dissertation on them and it was published as a book entitled The Death of Ahriman.
I find it most interesting that they are not into proselytizing but spread the faith mostly through their descendants.
Parsis do not believe in conversion because in India only low-caste people would have wanted to convert, and that would have lowered the social status of the Parsi community. Most Irani Zoroastrians, however, do believe in conversion.
 
First, it was started by a man. I have a friend who told me about it years ago.
Or more specifically, a Prophet. Among the Zoroastrian prophecies was that Sayoshant (the Benefator) would be born of a virgin. This is presumably what the Magi were searching for.
 
Can any religion contain all of the truth?
Not according to your faith. However, Catholicism is based on the belief that it contains the fullness of truth, at least as much as is given humans to know on Earth if not entirely understand, since much remains a mystery.
 
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