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Zoroastrianism
Based on the teachings of prophet Zoroaster, Zoroastrianism is monotheistic religion with a majority of adherents in India. As of 2004, there are between 145,000 and 210,000 Zoroastrians in the world.
204 Questions
What are the monotheistic faiths?
The 3 main monotheistic faiths are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Zoroastrianism is a religion that began with a philosopher known as Zarathustra, or Zoroaster, in ancient Persia. There are around 150,000 followers of Zoroastrianism today, mainly living in India and Iran. Like other monotheistic religions, Zoroastrianism asserts that there is one creator, God.
Zoroaster, or Zarathustra, taught about the Creator God, Ahura Mazda, meaning "Lord Wisdom." Polytheism, or the worship of many gods, was common in Persia during the time time of Zoroaster, who condemned this practice.
Where would you find the names of zoroastrian gods around us today?
Zoroastrians worshiped a supreme God called Ahura Mazda (the Wise Lord) though a number of divine entities later suppressed as "angels" were also worshiped. The names of these divinities still exist in the Iranian calendar and in countries where the Iranian calendar is in use. Months such as Bahman, Ordibehesht, Khordad, Tir, Aban, Azar, Esfand etc...reflect these divinites (Vohu Manu, Arta Vahishta, Haurvatat, Ameratat, Tishtrya, Apam Napat, Atar, Spenta Armaiti). In addition, there are many place names such as cities, valleys, rivers and townships that still preserve these ancient names. Herat in Afghanistan for instance, derives from Haurvatat, the divinity of perfection. The straight of Hormuz in Iran reflects Hormazd or Ahura Mazda. Azarbaijan province and the country of the same name reflect Atar or Azar, the divinity or spirit of fire. Yazd reflects Yazdan, or God. Bahramabad in Kerman province recalls Bahram, or Avestan Verethragna the deivinity of victory. Farah in Afghanistan recalls Farah or Avestan Khvarana or "fortune".
What is a description of the fundamental ideas of zoroastrianism?
In Zoroastrianism, the purpose of life is to "be among those who renew the world...to make the world progress towards perfection."
Main teachings:
- Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds.
- Follow the single path of Truth.
- Do the right thing because it is the right thing to do, and then you will be blessed.
source: Wikipedia
