How do you compare Zoroastrianism to Christianity?

Answer 1

A:The ancient Zoroastrian religion had many characteristics later found in Judaism or Christianity, some of which are:

• Monotheism
• Creation of the world in seven stages
• Angels
• The seven archangels
• Angra Mainyu, or Ahriman, as the evil adversary of Ahura Mazda, foreshadows Satan
• Heaven and hell as places of punishment, and a last judgement
• The Saoshyant, who will be born of a virgin and lead humanity in the last battle against evil

When the author of Matthew's Gospel wrote of the magifollowing a star to come and worship Jesus, he knew that the magi were priests of the Zoroastrian religion and that they expected one day to receive the Saoshyant, a saviour to be born of a virgin. This story shows the priests of this great religion accepting Jesus as their saviour.

Answer 2

Christianity Christianity is the world's largest religion and is centered on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, Son of God. Around 2.1 billion followers around the world believe in Christianity. Subdivisions of Christianity include the Roman Catholic Church, Mormon Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Lutheran Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Baptist Church, Methodist Church, and more. As in the case of Islam and Judaism, Christianity is an Abrahamic religion.

History of ChristianityChristianity began in the Middle East and spread across the globe to Africa, Europe and South America. The religion is based on the birth and Resurrection of Jesus Christ who was born in Bethlehem to the Virgin Mary. CustomsThere are several customs of Christianity. Most Christians praise God through prayers and song. Prayers are an important custom for Christians along with sacraments. To become a Christian, one must be Baptised. BeliefsBeliefs in Christianity vary from one sect to another. The main aspects of Christian belief include the Resurrection, the Holy Trinity, the Immaculate Conception and Afterlife. The main text for Christianity is the Bible. SymbolismThe most popular symbol of Christianity is the cross, which represents the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Other common symbols include the Ichthys, lamb and dove. Certain sects of Christianity use Icons to represent symbolic meaning.

ZoroastrianismZoroastrianism is among the oldest religions of the world. Many Westerners erroneously label Zoroastrians as fire worshippers. According to Zoroastrianism, there is one God called Ahura Mazda, or Wise Lord. Once one of the largest religions, it is currently one of the smallest religions. A quarter of a million Zoroastrians exist throughout the world.

History of ZoroastrianismZoroastrianism was founded in Persia (ancient Iran) around 3500 years ago by the prophet Zoroaster, or Zarathustra. Zoroaster was born into a polytheistic religion similar to early Hinduism in Northeast Iran or Southwest Afghanistan. He had a wife and six children. He rejected the polytheistic religion and disapproved of its animal sacrifices and use of intoxicants. When he was thirty, he saw God in a vision. Zoroaster was a changed man and started spreading the teachings of the one and only God. The people and officials were not receptive to Zoroaster. He was having a difficult time so he moved to the more accepting land of King Vishtaspa where his ideas were accepted as the official religion. Zoroaster eventually died. In the meantime, Zoroastrianism spread to Western Iran and became an established religion. It was the official religion of Persia from 600 BC to 650 AD. Zoroastrianism BeliefsAt the center of Zoroastrianism is God or Ahura Mazda, the creator of the world. Some religions, like Christianity, refer to mankind as God's children; in Zoroastrianism, however, humans are God's helpers. The positive and wise choices of man will push evil away and God's Paradise will then be set up on Earth. Zoroastrianism encourages its followers to think good thoughts, speak good words, and perform good deeds. Zoroastrianism believes in the family and community. It does not believe in celibacy. The religion also encourages taking an active role in improving society. Zoroastrians avidly donate to social and educational charities and believe that all people are equal. Zoroastrianism is frequently mistaken for a fire-worshipping religion. The truth is that Zoroastrians worship God and consider natural elements to represent features of God. Fire, fore example, represents the wisdom of God. The holy book of Zoroastrianism is The Avesta, which contains the Gathas, or the seventeen hymns by Zoroaster, and the The Younger Avesta, which includes commentaries, myths, ritual descriptions, and more. Zoroastrianism CustomsAccording to Zoroastrianism, followers can pray as often as they like. Followers pray while facing a source of light like the sun or fire which symbolize the energy or wisdom of God. Traditional Zoroastrians pray several times a day. This is a custom that starts early in life. When they are seven years old, Zoroastrians must go through an initiation ceremony. They are given a scared shirt and cord. They are to wear the shirt and tie the cord around it three times symbolizing the Zoroastrian belief in good words, thoughts and deeds. They pray as they untie and retie the cord. They may also wash their hands as a purification ritual before praying. Communal worship usually takes place around the time of a festival or a ceremony marking a stage of life. Fire is always part of a ceremony.
first off theyre spelled differently

Answer 3

Answer 1

Probably the clearest distinction is that the Saoshyant, the Zoroastrian equivalent of the End-Times Messiah, has not yet come, nor is Zoroaster himself usually considered such a person. The Saoshyant is also a superhuman or person with capabilities beyond those of man (like Achilles in the Greek tradition), but is not himself a divinity. By contrast Jesus Christ, the central personage in Christianity, has already come and is expected to return. Jesus also is supposed to be an actual presence of the divinity.

Another clear distinction is that Christianity is a monotheistic religion whereas Zoroastrianism is a monolatrous henotheistic faith. Angra Mainyu, also called Ahriman, is the Zoroastrian equivalent to the Devil and has enough power to create (usually used for evil) and to challenge (although not defeat) the primary god Ahura Mazda, also called Ormuzd. Conversely, in Christianity, Lucifer or Satan is an angel who rebelled against God lacks any serious creative powers and can only perform his malice with God's direct permission.

Answer 4

Both Christianity & Zoroastrianism emphasize the battle between Good & Evil, & choosing Good over Evil.