What religions are related to Zoroastrianism?

Answer 1

Zoroastrianism was minorly influenced by the Jewish scriptures while the Jews were in exile. There was also some later influence from the New Testament writings which can be seen in the appearance of doctrines involving resurrection and judgement. Apart from this, the relation between the Abrahamic religions and Zoroastrianism is superficial.

Answer 2

Zoroastrianism and Hinduism are said to share a common origin in the ancient Indo-Iranian culture of southern Russia.

During the Babylonian Exile, Judaism developed some of the same theological concepts as those that already existed in Zoroastrianism. Thus, Judaism could be considered likely to be related to Zoroastrianism.

Christianity includes further concepts otherwise found in Zoroastrianism, apart from those already absorbed by Judaism, very likely as the result of influence from the more ancient religion.

Answer 3

Some have claimed a limited connection between Zoroastrianism and Judaism.

Since the two groups lived side by side in Babylonia, there may have been some borrowing in language or other minor matters. But in terms of beliefs, the two are quite different.Judaism, according to tradition, has always been monotheistic. Even at the height of the unfortunate spread of idolatry among the less-loyal Ten Tribes, there were thousands who remained loyal to God (1 Kings 19:18).

The Zoroastrians, however, believed in two gods, not one. The Jewish Sages who redacted the Talmud in the early centuries of the Common Era lived in Babylonia, witnessed the practices of the Zoroastrians, and recorded this fact (Talmud, Sanhedrin 39a). In addition, Zoroastrianism is unlike Judaism in that:

• its deity is not immanent
• it believes in worship through intermediaries, who are themselves "worthy of worship"
• evil has its own creator, Angra Mainyu or Ahriman, which had always existed
• some of its adherents believe in a self-creating universe
• some modern scholars see it as a form of pantheism
• it has "fire-temples," with worship in the presence of flame
• its adherents are not required to marry within their faith
• some Zoroastrians dispose of their dead through ritual exposure to the open sky, while some others cremate the dead
• dogs are considered sacred
• such creatures as snakes, ants and flies were "not created by the creator of good"
• it includes a virgin birth, in which its messiah will be conceived without sexual penetration.

Compare: What do Jews believe God is like?