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| Based upon the teachings of Zoroaster (scholarly consensus 10th Century BCE) in the region of what is now Afghanistan. Monotheistic religion which, like Judaism, reflects many of the beliefs current in the Ancient Middle East. Principal doctrinal elements: a transcendent omnipotent God (Ahura Mazda), the progenitor of two spirits, Spenta Mainyu and Angra Mainyu, representing good and evil. The primordial choices made by the two spirits are reflected in the moral struggle of the human being. Fundamentally dualistic, the Zoroastrian scriptures can be divided into three phases: the Gathas (the original poems of Zoroaster), the rest of the Avesta (systematized 6th Century BCE but based on older oral traditions), and the texts written in the Pahlavi language in the ninth century of the Common Era. The last were in response to Islamic and Christian criticisms of Zoroaster's teachings. In all, Zoroastrianism, which was developed and expanded during the Persian imperial period, was marginalized by the rise of the other great monotheistic religions. Nonetheless, it impacted developments in the early Christian Church, particularly Manichaeism and other Gnostic beliefs. Zoroastrianism today is represented mainly by the Parsi community in India, and through the Parsi diaspora. | |
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| Facets of Religion-- Zoroastrianism
A portal for informational sites on Zoroastrianism Extensive list of translated texts, also includes general information on Zoroastrianism and related links. A site created for practitioners of Zoroastrianism, a source for basic information on tenets of the faith as well as devotional resources. |