Zoroastrianism Essay

Zoroastrianism, and its effect on Christianity Zoroastrianism is one of the world’s oldest religions, and is, in fact, the world’s oldest known monotheistic religion, generally believed to be created by Zarathustra around 1000 BCE (Bryan S. Rennie, Zoroastrianism: the Iranian roots of Christianity?, Council of Societies For the Study of Religion Bulletin 36.1, 4). Being the oldest known monotheistic religion, Zoroastrianism has, most likely, influenced, in some way or another, most modern monotheistic religions, such as Christianity. The Zoroastrian influence of the Christian religion was largely transferred from earlier Zoroastrian influences of Judaism, the predecessor of Christianity. There are numerous amounts of similarities between Christianity…

Zoroastrians and Jews clearly rubbed shoulders in the ancient world, however, it is unknown at what stage in each religions formation that the two sides exchanged ideas and therefore it is also unknown which concepts are similar due to cultural diffusion and which are due to parallel evolution of the respective faiths. Zoroastrianism originated, as stated earlier, somewhere between the 6th and 18th century B.C. Judaism began with Abraham who lived somewhere around the 20th century B.C, so in…

As one of the world’s oldest religions, Zoroastrianism has survived throughout the existence of the Persian Empire and continues to flourish today (BBC Religions: Zoroastrianism 2009). In addition, Zoroastrianism is one of the smallest religions in the modern society with as few as 190,000 followers that are concentrated in Iran and India, but have recently migrated into the western hemisphere. Some believe that their numbers are low due to their inability to proselytize because of their belief…

The Persians mainly had one main religion called Zoroastrianism. Zoroastrianism is one of world’s ancient religions that the Persians practiced. A male prophet named Zarathustra preached this religion. His religion started out in the Iranian community and then Cyrus the Great of Persia adopted it. Zoroastrianism is so influential because their rulers hold imperial powers for about 1,000 years. One of the Zoroastrianism beliefs was that the world was governed by good and evil. Another belief…

Final Examination 1. Describe the principle concepts which Zoroastrianism is credited with contributing to Western Religions Zoroastrianism was founded by a prophet Zoroaster who had a vision by high god Ahura Mazda, and reflects an outgoing, universal battle of Ahura Mazda, the good god, and Angra Mainyu, the evil spirit, between the truth and lie while human beings must decide which side they want to choose. Zoroastrianism contributes to Western Religions with eschatology, resurrection, and…

As a lot of other early agricultural societies, in the beginning, Persian religious beliefs were mostly based on natural elements. But as it developed into complex society, the need for religious that would require from its follower's high morals standards and social harmony. This resulted for Zoroastrianism to appear. Zarathustra, the person who’s teaching became a foundation for Zoroastrianism was indeed a real person. Though, historians argue when he was born. When he turned twenty, he…

Religious festivals dedicated to Zoroastrianism were some of the most popular forms of entertainment in the Persian Empire, especially within Persia. During a five to six day fire festival, sources say that Rabbi Simon ben Gamaliel would toss eight torches that were lit on fire up into the air and catch them. All of Jerusalem was lit up by lanterns and torches because the community enjoyed and honored this festival. These fire festivals were so important to Zoroastrians that fire temples were…

Zoroastrianism is an ancient Persian religion. It was once the state religion of the Achaemenid Empire and Sassanid Empire. In the eastern part of ancient Persia over 1000 years BCE, a Persian prophet called Zoroaster simplified the Iranian gods into two opposing forces: Ahura Mazda (Good) and Angra Mainyu (Evil) which were in conflict. Prophet Zoroaster was better known as Zarathushtra by the Greeks, which means “Shining Light”. In Zoroastrian cosmology, the universe is manifested by Ahura…

1) Zoroastrianism, one of the world's oldest monotheistic religions, emerged from a polytheistic religious environment. As you see it, what are the ethical, ritual and theological implications of the shift from polytheism to monotheism? Zoroastrianism is one of the world’s oldest monotheistic religion and it was founded by the Prophet Zoroaster. Zoroastrianism is an ethical religion which teaches that humans have their right and perspective to choose between good and bad which can affect their…

It conveyed a vision of relentless cosmic conflict based on a dualistic reality into the Persian mythology (“Myths Encyclopedia”, par.1). As an intrinsic property of life, the concept of the dualistic reality is referring to the coexistence of good and villain that leads to a continuous cosmic war over their share in human life. Zoroastrianism introduced Ahura Mazda, the Wise Lord, as the creator, and the god of goodness, light and truth. Due to the underlying concept of dualism in…