Talk:Zoroastrianism

Influence on Judaism, Gnosticism, Christianity, and Islam

How did it influence them? I've heard that claimed, but never heard of how exactly that took place. Also I second the previous question about Hinduism, and possibly Buddhism. (It may have influenced Hinduism after Buddhism came along, I don't know.) It definitely has influenced Hinduism some at least; there is a fire temple revered by both Hindus and Zoroastrians in Azerbaijan. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.62.247.226 (talk) 23:11, 28 May 2013 (UTC)

Edit request on 2 March 2013

Please remove the following with blank as they are at odds with current theories and established facts: "Whether Cyrus II was a Zoroastrian is subject to debate. It did, however, influence him to the extent that it became the non-imposing religion of his empire, and its beliefs later allowed Cyrus to free the Jews and allow them to return to Judea when the emperor took Babylon in 539 BCE."

I will begin with established facts and briefly include that no Zoroastrian belief includes Judea or the Jews. It is quite a bizarre comment given that it is widely-held among scholars and historians (and even the wikipedia page for "Zoroastrianism") that Zoroastrianism pre-dates Judaism.

Furthermore, it is widely believed and reported in outlets such as BBC's "Engineering an Empire: Persia", that Cyrus the Great freed the Jews so that they could act as a buffer state between Persia and Egypt. Darius's Canal (present-day Suez Canal) was also constructed by the Persian Empire for the very same purpose.

The page once again makes a false claim stating: "Almost nothing is known of the status of Zoroastrianism under the Seleucids and Parthians, who ruled over Persia following Alexander the Great's invasion in 330 BCE. " No citation is provided and from my own previous research & knowledge on the subject, I knew that to be incorrect as Magistanes (high-ranking Parthian officials/ Zoroastrian Priests) during the Parthian Empire were and are of great significance due to the rivalry between the Parthian Empire and the Roman Empire and the major role religion had between them. Steven Collins, in the book "The Missing Years of the Life of Christ" argues that Jesus Christ actually played a role in the great power politics which occurred between the empires of Parthia and Rome.

I also shouldn't leave out that there are extensive information regarding Zoroastrianism in the Parthian Empire and that the "Wise Men" who selected Jesus upon his birth and presented him with 3 gifts were Zoroastrian and one of their burial sites is believed to be in Orumieh, Iran where an Assyrian Church now lies (Fox News has a report on it that is accessible on youtube.) Quite contrary to the claim that "almost nothing is known of the status of Zoroastrianism under the Seleucids and Parthians."

The claims sound ridiculous and the overall Wikipedia page regarding "Zoroastrianism" is extremely murky.

The next claim: "It was also during the later Achaemenid era that many of the divinities and divine concepts of proto-Indo-Iranian religion(s) were incorporated in Zoroastrianism, in particular those to whom the days of the month of the Zoroastrian calendar are dedicated." is also in dire need of citation.

Thank You.

— Preceding unsigned comment added by KBadie (talk • contribs) 2 March 2013

The article isn't locked, so you are free to edit however you see fit (Wikipedia's WP:BOLD policy). I do urge you however to first read the guidelines, they contain vital information on editing. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. Thanks, and happy editing. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Soetermans (talk • contribs) 2 March 2013

It looks like a few things went wrong with this request, but I have done ahead and Done this as a good-faith challenge to uncited text. Sorry it took so long. —KuyaBriBri^Talk 16:19, 26 March 2013 (UTC)

Edit request on 22 March 2013

I think the following statement is incorrect. "In the eastern part of ancient Persia over a thousand years BCE a religious philosopher called Zoroaster simplified the pantheon of early Iranian gods[1] into two opposing forces: Ahura Mazda (Illuminating Wisdom) and Angra Mainyu (Destructive Spirit) which were in conflict." I request that it should read as follows. In the eastern part of ancient Persia over a thousand years BCE a religious philosopher called Zoroaster simplified the pantheon of early Iranian gods[1] into two opposing forces: spenta mainyu (Holy spirit) and Angre Mainyu (Destructive Spirit) which were in conflict."

references below are from the "gathas" or divine songs of Zarathushtra. = Ha 30 para 3 para 4 para 5 There are two opposing forces = their names are "spenta mainyu" and "angre mainyu" para 10 says "understand law of happiness and misery which ahura mazda has ordained" "age-long pain for the wicked sinful persons and advantages for the righteous person which lead to happiness" Ha 29 para 4 "ahura mazda himself is the judge (of good and evil) So let happen unto us as He himself desires." the gathas (divine songs of zarathustra) clearly state that there is one god = ahura mazda = ha 31 para 8 Ever since I have held thee (O Ahura Mazda) in ( my) eye I have always regarded Thee O Ahura Mazda as the first of all, as worthy of worship with pure thought as the father of Vohu61 Mana (good mind) as the real origin of truth (and) as the lord over (all) actions of this world."

there are two spirits in this world = spenta mainyu and angre mainyu In christianity there is holy spirit and the devil (or satan)(or shaitaan). Spenta mainyu or holy spirit guides a person Angre mainyu or (evil spirit) (sound is like "angry spirit") deceives you. Ahura mazda is judge of good and evil. Man has a choice. If he listens to spenta mainyu he will have good thoughts, speak good words and do good deeds and he will be happy and prosperous in this life and at the end of life he will go to garothman heaven (abode of songs). If he listens to angre mainyu he will be the opposite and he will suffer. The references are clear in the "gathas". Sarosh mehta (talk) 12:16, 22 March 2013 (UTC)

I can't understand a word of that. Could you just clarify your reasoning?--Launchballer 16:52, 6 April 2013 (UTC)

Not done: Reasoning is not clear - I am not confident on what grounds this needs to be changed. Mdann52 (talk) 10:07, 8 April 2013 (UTC)

Demographics

I have seen several articles one by the New York Times claiming that there are Zoroastrians in Afghanistan. However no information about this Zoroastrian population seems to be available, just statistics which often vary. Does anyone have any more specific and detailed information about the Zoroastrians in Afghanistan. Ten thousand is a considerable number of Zoroastrians if there are any in Afghanistan but due to the fact I have only seen one or two statistics saying that there were Zoroastrians in the country I am skeptical that there actually are any in Afghanistan. Please clarify as to whether this skepticism is justified or not. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 96.238.26.136 (talk) 01:54, 17 May 2013 (UTC)

Edit request on 11 June 2013

It notes that Zoratorism (Spelling?) influenced later religions including Judaism. If I am not incorrect, Gods chosen people, the Jews (Judaism) was the first known organized belief system. They were the direct descendants of Adam and Eve. So how can a religion that developed thousands of years after Gods chosen people, the Jews, have influenced what is called 'later religions'? Just a question, I'm not a Jew, I'm a believer in God and that's all it takes IMHO. But was wondering. Stephen 76.183.177.89 (talk) 00:09, 11 June 2013 (UTC)

No, Judaism is not the oldest religion. The name "Judaism" comes from "Judah," which was one tribe of the Israelites, who were named after one of Abraham's sons. Even the Jews will tell you their religion goes back to Abraham, which means it's not the oldest religion in the world by either secular or Biblical count.

Even then, there's some distinction between the Israelite religion, and Judaism, which is considered to be the surviving branch of the Israelite religion.

Also, look up the Book of Daniel, chapters 5 and 6, where Persia conquers Babylon (which happened to be holding the Israelites captive). The Bible has a overall positive view of Persia. What was Persia's religion? Zoroastrianism.

So, proper chronology: long time ago, there's the Israelite religion and Zoroastrianism, Zoroastrianism influences the Israelite religion, and by the time the Israelite religion has evolved into Judaism it has plenty of Zoroastrian influence. Ian.thomson (talk) 00:21, 11 June 2013 (UTC)