Introduction
Zoroastrianism, which is sometimes referred to as Mazdaism and Magianism, is a religion and religious that was found in Iran in the ancient times. At one point in time it was made a state religion in Iran and it has an estimated population of around 140,000 to 200,000. It is the religion that gave birth to most of the formal religions and has influenced other religions, which came thereafter like Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (Besant, 2003 p. 57).
The absolute
Zoroastrianism holds that Ahura Mazda, the eternal, holy and truth is the alpha and omega who made all things that can be seen. They believe that Zoroaster who committed the whole of his life to Ahura Mazda composed their text. They consider daena as the eternal law, which is expected to bring social order, impact the right conducts and values in the believers. Anyone who goes against this law is charged and therefore they uphold it so dearly. Those people who violated against the law and order which they refer to as druj, then they are rebelling against creation, which definitely mean they are rebelling against Ahura Mazda the creator of everything good. Every believer is given the moral freedom to choose duty and responsibility in that one human must account for their actions and behavior from whom they may either be rewarded or punished depending on how they behave (Hartz, 1999 p.118).
The world
According to Zoroastrians two supernatural beings existed even before creation that is Ahura Mazda in the light and had wisdom and knowledge in the higher holy place and Angara Mainyu who existed in complete darkness and ignorance below. Ahura then began by creating Amesha Spentas, seven heavenly who faithfully served together with many other yazards and lesser beings. He then made universe to capture evil. The universe is described to be in the shape of an egg with two distinct parts that is the spiritual and physical parts(Besant, 2003 p.213). Afterwards he then created archetype representing the perfect man that He desires. Contrary to the creator of good things, Angra on the other hand miscreated the demons, demonic yazards, and annoying creatures such as snakes, flies, and ants. Angra then found his way to universe and persecuted to Gaymond and the bull to death. The evil forces continued to rise in the universe while waging war. The dying primordial man together with the bull dispersed many seeds. Out the bull’s seed came all the beneficial plants and animals that inhabit the world. A plant whose leaves are believed to form the first human couple grew out of the man’s seeds. Evil in the physical world is not attributed to the inherent weaknesses but rather to the mistake that was committed Angra of trying to do Mazda’s responsibility of creation.
Humans
They believe that all humans are a creation of Ahura. Every human being beings originated from the first man who was created by the supernatural being of good things. Humans are therefore expected to spent all their lives worshiping Ahura and giving him glory in all their achievements for they believe he is the god of fortune and cannot be associated with evil or failure in life. They are the subjects of his rule and go to whichever direction he directs them to go.
Problems of human
The main problem of humans according to Zoroastrianism’s law is sin. When a person goes against his will then he or she is considered unfit to live for it is an abomination to sin against the creator and against other people. The ultimate pay for those go against this rule and do not turn from their perceived evil nature is eternal punishment. Therefore, all people must adjust their behavior to comply with the existing laws(Waterhouse, 2012 p. 82).
Solutions for humans
They believe that the only solution to sin is to ask for forgiveness from those whom you have wronged. Even though they know that Ahura is merciful and able to forgive, they still hold that he too believes that humans must first forgive themselves. Forgiveness is therefore something very crucial worthy for taking a deliberate effort to go and look for from the person whom who have wronged.
Rites and rituals
According to them water and fire are very important agents of ritual purity. They organize and honor purification ceremonies for it is an important ceremony for them. They believe that fire and water were the last primordial elements to be created in the universe. Water is considered the most spiritual element and as the source of wisdom and knowledge, whereas fire is the medium through which this wisdom is received. Therefore one would probably find them praying near a fire because that is what their doctrine teaches them to do so (Waterhouse, 2012 p. 127). Corpse being a host of decay is expected to be disposed in manner that it does not pollute the environment. Ritual exposure is only practiced among some few communities and it is not illegal like in Indian Sub continental.
Life after death
Zoroastrians used to believe there is no life after death and that human life only ends at death until some few centuries ago that they decided to include some abstracts on life and death. A human being therefore must live according to the standards of Mazda to qualify to go to heaven. When one dies and was living according the ways of Mazda, his or her soul rests for sometime while awaiting for the Day of Judgment. During the Day of Judgment, those who lived while in his ways shall qualify to go heaven while those who defied will be destined to hell a place of torment.
Relationship with other religions
Most of the concepts of this religion are related to Abrahamic religion. A close examination of its doctrines, beliefs, rituals and even the form of worship clearly demonstrates that it shares almost the same ideologies and characteristics with Abrahamic religion (Hartz, 1999 p. 54). It can also be compared with Manichaeism, a nominal religion of Iran that originated from the Middle East. It is therefore a religion, which found roots in a long time ago, and most recent religions share some common characteristics from it for they originated here.
Work cited
Hartz, Paula. Zoroastrianism. New York: Facts On File, 1999.
Waterhouse, John W. Zoroastrianism. London: The Epworth press, 2012.
Besant, Annie. Zoroastrianism. Adyar, Madras: Theosophical Pub. House, 2003.
