Comments on: The Zarathushtra Effect http://bustedhalo.com/features/the-zarathushtra-effect an online magazine for spiritual seekers Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:56:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Percy Siganporia - Mumbai, India http://bustedhalo.com/features/the-zarathushtra-effect/comment-page-2#comment-19773 Percy Siganporia - Mumbai, India Sun, 25 Dec 2011 18:12:09 +0000 http://www.bustedhalo.com/?p=10992#comment-19773 As a Proud Zoroastrian, I am confident that our religion will never die. The 3 basic pillars of our religion, 'Humata', 'Hukhta', 'Hvarshta' (Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds) has showed mankind the path of truth. As a Proud Zoroastrian, I am confident that our religion will never die.
The 3 basic pillars of our religion, ‘Humata’, ‘Hukhta’, ‘Hvarshta’ (Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds) has showed mankind the path of truth.

]]> By: CARMEL AUSTRALIA http://bustedhalo.com/features/the-zarathushtra-effect/comment-page-2#comment-8773 CARMEL AUSTRALIA Wed, 14 Apr 2010 01:14:03 +0000 http://www.bustedhalo.com/?p=10992#comment-8773 l agree with RASHNA BOONIWALA coments the ZOROASTRIANS CREED "good thoughts, good works, good deeds " l have experinced this through a parsee family l have known for 60 years and as a catholic l feel privileged to share 3 generations of their family's lives as parsee's l agree with RASHNA BOONIWALA coments
the ZOROASTRIANS CREED
“good thoughts, good works, good deeds ”
l have experinced this through a parsee family
l have known for 60 years and as a catholic l
feel privileged to share 3 generations of their family’s lives as parsee’s

]]> By: Frank Patrick http://bustedhalo.com/features/the-zarathushtra-effect/comment-page-2#comment-8686 Frank Patrick Fri, 02 Apr 2010 23:02:33 +0000 http://www.bustedhalo.com/?p=10992#comment-8686 Great Article! You definitely gave me an overview of something I never heard of until I read your article. It is always interesting learn about other faiths because it gives us more understanding of our own. We look forward to seeing more articles about other faiths from Anthony. Great Article! You definitely gave me an overview of something I never heard of until I read your article. It is always interesting learn about other faiths because it gives us more understanding of our own. We look forward to seeing more articles about other faiths from Anthony.

]]> By: Tehmasp Mogul http://bustedhalo.com/features/the-zarathushtra-effect/comment-page-1#comment-8626 Tehmasp Mogul Sun, 28 Mar 2010 15:21:09 +0000 http://www.bustedhalo.com/?p=10992#comment-8626 All these discussions evade some very basic questions, and the following need to be answered by the die hard religious opinion enforcers. These questions do not require great scholastic knowledge, only the ability to apply the intellect that GOD by whatever name we choose to call Him, has bestowed us with. Q1. As my intellect tells me....Christ was the first Christian, someone liked what he preached and decided to follow his teachings, thereby converting to His theology, leading to the birth of Christianity. Likewise with our Prophet Zoraoster. He was the first Zorastrian, someone found his teachings worth following and converted to accepting His teachings.Presumably Zoaraster must have welcomed the person into the fold. And must have welcomed a series of convertees No.2 and 3 and 4.......and several more.If He did not, the prophet would not have been heard of!! If conversion was OK for the BIG BUY, why is it not OK for us lesser minions? Believe it or not....I have even heard bizarre explanations that Zorastrianism already existed and there was no conversion involved!! Q 2. Why are you using the promise supposedly given to a kind host centuries ago, of not converting the locals! We use that as an excuse against accepting convertees. But if I recollect other aspects of that agreement, our ancestors also added sugar to milk. This is conveniently used as to mean we,the immigrants, would enhance the local system. Could it also not be taken to mean we promised to intergrate into the local society. Which would imply some degree of interaction, and not profess a exclusive separate entity? In any case a promise given 1450 years ago, should be "time barred" by now, and be revisited with the reality of changing times. Q3. Someone in earlier comments has already asked this, but it bears repeating. We Parsees claim ancestry from the ancient Persia ( now Iran ) Has anyone noticed that Persians of that era were fair skinned, blue eyed and probably had light coloured hair as well. Where did our present brown skin come from, if not from intermarriage? From sunburn? Q4. In India we steadfastedly refuse access to a legal non-Zorastrian spouse of a Zorastrian to go to our fire temple to say a silent prayer of thanks....in whatever form of prayer it might be. Does one think Ahura Mazda would approve of anyone being kept out of visiting his sacred abode to say a simple Thank You? I think not! I have posed these questions and have never got a simple answer that would satisfy common intellect. And some of the bizarre reasonings emanate from Indian Zorastrians who have held important designations in prosperous business houses !! How on earth did they make successful business endeavours with such blinkered reasonings???? All these discussions evade some very basic questions, and the following need to be answered by the die hard religious opinion enforcers. These questions do not require great scholastic knowledge, only the ability to apply the intellect that GOD by whatever name we choose to call Him, has bestowed us with.
Q1. As my intellect tells me….Christ was the first Christian, someone liked what he preached and decided to follow his teachings, thereby converting to His theology, leading to the birth of Christianity. Likewise with our Prophet Zoraoster. He was the first Zorastrian, someone found his teachings worth following and converted to accepting His teachings.Presumably Zoaraster must have welcomed the person into the fold. And must have welcomed a series of convertees No.2 and 3 and 4…….and several more.If He did not, the prophet would not have been heard of!! If conversion was OK for the BIG BUY, why is it not OK for us lesser minions? Believe it or not….I have even heard bizarre explanations that Zorastrianism already existed and there was no conversion involved!!
Q 2. Why are you using the promise supposedly given to a kind host centuries ago, of not converting the locals! We use that as an excuse against accepting convertees. But if I recollect other aspects of that agreement, our ancestors also added sugar to milk. This is conveniently used as to mean we,the immigrants, would enhance the local system. Could it also not be taken to mean we promised to intergrate into the local society. Which would imply some degree of interaction, and not profess a exclusive separate entity? In any case a promise given 1450 years ago, should be “time barred” by now, and be revisited with the reality of changing times.
Q3. Someone in earlier comments has already asked this, but it bears repeating. We Parsees claim ancestry from the ancient Persia ( now Iran ) Has anyone noticed that Persians of that era were fair skinned, blue eyed and probably had light coloured hair as well. Where did our present brown skin come from, if not from intermarriage? From sunburn?
Q4. In India we steadfastedly refuse access to a legal non-Zorastrian spouse of a Zorastrian to go to our fire temple to say a silent prayer of thanks….in whatever form of prayer it might be. Does one think Ahura Mazda would approve of anyone being kept out of visiting his sacred abode to say a simple Thank You? I think not!
I have posed these questions and have never got a simple answer that would satisfy common intellect. And some of the bizarre reasonings emanate from Indian Zorastrians who have held important designations in prosperous business houses !! How on earth did they make successful business endeavours with such blinkered reasonings????

]]> By: Ervad Hoshang J. Bhadha Ph.D. http://bustedhalo.com/features/the-zarathushtra-effect/comment-page-1#comment-8553 Ervad Hoshang J. Bhadha Ph.D. Sat, 20 Mar 2010 23:54:20 +0000 http://www.bustedhalo.com/?p=10992#comment-8553 Conversion is mixmarriage contyroversies are age-old and so does the religious ignorance among Parsees. Your perception on material events and relationship will not change the scriptures and neither you can force HIM to revisit and reinvent the history. There are references for all cotroversies within our scriptures however it becomes a convenience of majority of Zoroastrians to ignore them and prefer to be rules by their physical conscience & perceptions. Example: If I tell you that Vendidad and Fravardin Yast are the two references I can quote to answer the above controversies would you accept and believe in it? The answer is ..... NO. Because neither you have any idea what is Vendidad & Fravardin yast is all about or your material conscience is willing accept those spiritual expositions. The sad part of Zoroastrianism is unlike any other religious community, the people who claim to be Zoroastrianism are proud to call themselves heretics a openly challenge their scriptures and traditions to prove themselves rational, social, & intelligent - more than Prophet Asho Zarathustra. About Kersi Antia, his education in psychology rules his consccience in promoting anti-Zoroastrian traditions and spriritual laws. That's his version & expression. He is no authority neither he is in Muslim religion otherwise you what where he would be if he had said something about Islam. Our Community has given too much of freedom to almost anyone to say anything against our religion because nobody "owns" it in free society like America. Remember te history our those times when Asho Zarathustra cam with Vedaivodat to spread HIS words, he said exactly opposite of what was then the prevailing practices by Daevayasnis. From the attached comments to this article you can judge that people are complimenting those who speak their mind and the similar trend can be found in Zoroastrian community. If anyone talks contrary to your perception, just like our Prophet how would teh majority react? Friends, ignorance rules your mind and that will continue until you remove that veil and seek spiritual sources in nature that guides your life, existence and beyond. If you do not believe in religion and have anything to do with its practices then as per your thinking, your body is just a lump of meat & bones and you are a product of human passion and biological event that was meant for pleasure. Is there a meaning to life then? Best of luck to your understanding of Zoroastrianism. Conversion is mixmarriage contyroversies are age-old and so does the religious ignorance among Parsees. Your perception on material events and relationship will not change the scriptures and neither you can force HIM to revisit and reinvent the history. There are references for all cotroversies within our scriptures however it becomes a convenience of majority of Zoroastrians to ignore them and prefer to be rules by their physical conscience & perceptions. Example: If I tell you that Vendidad and Fravardin Yast are the two references I can quote to answer the above controversies would you accept and believe in it? The answer is ….. NO. Because neither you have any idea what is Vendidad & Fravardin yast is all about or your material conscience is willing accept those spiritual expositions. The sad part of Zoroastrianism is unlike any other religious community, the people who claim to be Zoroastrianism are proud to call themselves heretics a openly challenge their scriptures and traditions to prove themselves rational, social, & intelligent – more than Prophet Asho Zarathustra. About Kersi Antia, his education in psychology rules his consccience in promoting anti-Zoroastrian traditions and spriritual laws. That’s his version & expression. He is no authority neither he is in Muslim religion otherwise you what where he would be if he had said something about Islam. Our Community has given too much of freedom to almost anyone to say anything against our religion because nobody “owns” it in free society like America. Remember te history our those times when Asho Zarathustra cam with Vedaivodat to spread HIS words, he said exactly opposite of what was then the prevailing practices by Daevayasnis. From the attached comments to this article you can judge that people are complimenting those who speak their mind and the similar trend can be found in Zoroastrian community. If anyone talks contrary to your perception, just like our Prophet how would teh majority react? Friends, ignorance rules your mind and that will continue until you remove that veil and seek spiritual sources in nature that guides your life, existence and beyond. If you do not believe in religion and have anything to do with its practices then as per your thinking, your body is just a lump of meat & bones and you are a product of human passion and biological event that was meant for pleasure. Is there a meaning to life then? Best of luck to your understanding of Zoroastrianism.

]]> By: Porus N Dadabhoy http://bustedhalo.com/features/the-zarathushtra-effect/comment-page-1#comment-8551 Porus N Dadabhoy Sat, 20 Mar 2010 17:52:02 +0000 http://www.bustedhalo.com/?p=10992#comment-8551 After the Crusades, Conquests and Inquisitions of the Past , the methodology of proselytizing today the Zoroastrian faith in N. America is insidiously the same. The new proselytizers plying their trade today in America are not affected by consumer laws that retailers abide by truth in marketing laws. There is no protection to the rabid sales of Zoroastrian religion that the proselytizer makes in the U.S. or overseas and the consumers are the victims. The Muslim world rewards consumers away from Islam with death. Zoroastrians tolerate this insidious practice in N. America and now promote it in India. The Native Americans, the indigenous progeny of Latin America , the Aborigines are silent witnesses to lost religions and decimated traditions that fell to earlier onslaughts. There purpose is to destroy the religion and traditions of the Parsis of India. The violence of conversion practiced by Kersy Antia is very real. The conversion is often a conversion of real intolerance. A convert is asked to repudiate his community, his customs and traditions of his family passed down for generations. A persons conversion begins a cascade of upheaval that tears apart families, communities and societies, creating a demographic tinderbox and too often explodes. The UNDHR needs to be ammended so that no one should be subjected force and fraud and or coercion , including but not limited to harassment, intimidation and exploitation the Zoroastrians such as Kersy Antia are doing in the U.S. under the name of Zoroastrian Religion. Porus Dadabhoy After the Crusades, Conquests and Inquisitions of the Past , the methodology of proselytizing today the Zoroastrian faith in N. America is insidiously the same.
The new proselytizers plying their trade today in America are not affected by consumer laws that retailers abide by truth in marketing laws. There is no protection to the rabid sales of Zoroastrian religion that the proselytizer makes in the U.S. or overseas and the consumers are the victims.

The Muslim world rewards consumers away from Islam with death. Zoroastrians tolerate this insidious practice in N. America and now promote it in India.

The Native Americans, the indigenous progeny of Latin America , the Aborigines are silent witnesses to lost religions and decimated traditions that fell to earlier onslaughts. There purpose is to destroy the religion and traditions of the Parsis of India.

The violence of conversion practiced by Kersy Antia is very real. The conversion is often a conversion of real intolerance. A convert is asked to repudiate his community, his customs and traditions of his family passed down for generations. A persons conversion begins a cascade of upheaval that tears apart families, communities and societies, creating a demographic tinderbox and too often explodes.

The UNDHR needs to be ammended so that no one should be subjected force and fraud and or coercion , including but not limited to harassment, intimidation and exploitation the Zoroastrians such as Kersy Antia are doing in the U.S. under the name of Zoroastrian Religion.

Porus Dadabhoy

]]> By: Naushir Mistry http://bustedhalo.com/features/the-zarathushtra-effect/comment-page-1#comment-8540 Naushir Mistry Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:06:15 +0000 http://www.bustedhalo.com/?p=10992#comment-8540 Whatever people say the faith will soon disappear. I for one do not want this to happen. Unfortunately our seniors and leaders as I would call them are wearing blinkers and are persuading their subjective agendas, not realising one bit that if there are no Zoroastrians left alive very shortly. There has been a dilution of the "pure blood" as some of us call it, inside India. Why we are blinded and cannot see this is beyond comprehension. If we have not mixed where did the dark Parsees come from?. We must allow children from mixed religion parents to enter our fold. At the same time I believe that our Parsee mothers must encourage the young males to achieve higher planes not only in learning and education but in special skills. It is due to a bad crop of young Parsee males that the Parsee females, who are much more educated and accomplished, marry outside the community. Our priests and Panchayat believe that children of a Parsee mother and a non-Parsee father cannot be christened as Parsees. We dont want to accept conversion, not accept adoption, not accept children from mixed marriages into our faith, even GOD cant save the community. Whatever people say the faith will soon disappear. I for one do not want this to happen. Unfortunately our seniors and leaders as I would call them are wearing blinkers and are persuading their subjective agendas, not realising one bit that if there are no Zoroastrians left alive very shortly. There has been a dilution of the “pure blood” as some of us call it, inside India. Why we are blinded and cannot see this is beyond comprehension. If we have not mixed where did the dark Parsees come from?. We must allow children from mixed religion parents to enter our fold. At the same time I believe that our Parsee mothers must encourage the young males to achieve higher planes not only in learning and education but in special skills. It is due to a bad crop of young Parsee males that the Parsee females, who are much more educated and accomplished, marry outside the community. Our priests and Panchayat believe that children of a Parsee mother and a non-Parsee father cannot be christened as Parsees. We dont want to accept conversion, not accept adoption, not accept children from mixed marriages into our faith, even GOD cant save the community.

]]> By: nader http://bustedhalo.com/features/the-zarathushtra-effect/comment-page-1#comment-8492 nader Tue, 16 Mar 2010 22:44:40 +0000 http://www.bustedhalo.com/?p=10992#comment-8492 The article while good provides a clear problem statement.....the decreasing number of Zorastrians; but no root cause analysis or assessment. Fact remains that while these pointless discussions on which philosophy influenced whom goes on indefinitely in the west; the root cause of decreasing numbers: Lack of a place of worship has not been addressed. Just a century back, temples were opened in Hong Kong, Shanghai, & Aden (to name a few)to serve a few hundred devotees. Compare this to North America, where the most numerically affluent Zarathushtis reside........& NO fire temple. Ironically these are devotees who have pledged alliance to a faith that lays emphasis on concrete positive actions (not hot air). & then they complain that their children left the faith. They seem to have forgotten that what goes around comes around. The article while good provides a clear problem statement…..the decreasing number of Zorastrians; but no root cause analysis or assessment.
Fact remains that while these pointless discussions on which philosophy influenced whom goes on indefinitely in the west; the root cause of decreasing numbers: Lack of a place of worship has not been addressed.
Just a century back, temples were opened in Hong Kong, Shanghai, & Aden (to name a few)to serve a few hundred devotees.
Compare this to North America, where the most numerically affluent Zarathushtis reside……..& NO fire temple.
Ironically these are devotees who have pledged alliance to a faith that lays emphasis on concrete positive actions (not hot air).
& then they complain that their children left the faith. They seem to have forgotten that what goes around comes around.

]]> By: Rustom http://bustedhalo.com/features/the-zarathushtra-effect/comment-page-1#comment-8480 Rustom Tue, 16 Mar 2010 06:03:17 +0000 http://www.bustedhalo.com/?p=10992#comment-8480 Rv. Allgire says that 'we don‚Äôt have any definitive evidence that Zoroastrianism existed in any authoritative way early enough to have impacted Judaism or Christianity' Perhaps Rev Allgire should brush up his history and read up on how the Zoroastrians gave the christians refuge whilst they were not liked in Rome. Also the historical evidence of christian missoneries then playing havoc in Persia, thus instigating the Sasanians to enforce certain rigidity. The fact that Armenia was Zoroastrian and broke up due to instigations of the missoneries is aptly tried to be forgotten by Allgire. In any case if he also brushes up the facts of St Vartan who himself claims to have destroyed fire temples n killed the fire priests also would highlighten the existence of Zoroastrianism. On his claim that judaism impacted Zoroastrianism....the fact that a Zoroastrian King Cyrus( again Allgire can disclaim this)or Kurush the great liberated the jews, built their temple and allowed them to flourish yet not having converted anyone shows that the statements of Zoroastrianism influenced judaism holds more water than voce versa. The fact that the Christains had to use the fable of the 3 magis visiting Jesus..to sort of portray to the jews that even the Persians bowed to their new leader..again shows the insecurity of the faith that waged wars against Zoroastrian Persia which infac had given the new faith refuge once... Rev ALLgire continues to show the insecurity of the faith that began 2000 years back and they with the arab onslaught though have made the Zoroastrians a minority of the world...the Zoroastrian Persians lands stii witness massacre and wars amongst these two faiths...even after 2000 years...the thirst to control Iran, Iraq, Armenia, Azerbaijan etc etc and wars thereoff continue...Perhaps Rev Allgire can close eyes to this too Rv. Allgire says that ‘we don‚Äôt have any definitive evidence that Zoroastrianism existed in any authoritative way early enough to have impacted Judaism or Christianity’
Perhaps Rev Allgire should brush up his history and read up on how the Zoroastrians gave the christians refuge whilst they were not liked in Rome.
Also the historical evidence of christian missoneries then playing havoc in Persia, thus instigating the Sasanians to enforce certain rigidity. The fact that Armenia was Zoroastrian and broke up due to instigations of the missoneries is aptly tried to be forgotten by Allgire.
In any case if he also brushes up the facts of St Vartan who himself claims to have destroyed fire temples n killed the fire priests also would highlighten the existence of Zoroastrianism.

On his claim that judaism impacted Zoroastrianism….the fact that a Zoroastrian King Cyrus( again Allgire can disclaim this)or Kurush the great liberated the jews, built their temple and allowed them to flourish yet not having converted anyone shows that the statements of Zoroastrianism influenced judaism holds more water than voce versa.

The fact that the Christains had to use the fable of the 3 magis visiting Jesus..to sort of portray to the jews that even the Persians bowed to their new leader..again shows the insecurity of the faith that waged wars against Zoroastrian Persia which infac had given the new faith refuge once…

Rev ALLgire continues to show the insecurity of the faith that began 2000 years back and they with the arab onslaught though have made the Zoroastrians a minority of the world…the Zoroastrian Persians lands stii witness massacre and wars amongst these two faiths…even after 2000 years…the thirst to control Iran, Iraq, Armenia, Azerbaijan etc etc and wars thereoff continue…Perhaps Rev Allgire can close eyes to this too

]]> By: Firoz B. Master http://bustedhalo.com/features/the-zarathushtra-effect/comment-page-1#comment-8479 Firoz B. Master Tue, 16 Mar 2010 01:32:43 +0000 http://www.bustedhalo.com/?p=10992#comment-8479 Instead of showing off about our religion, let us be practical and permit SENSIBLE conversion, initially of spouses, and then of others. Decide practical rules. Let us ACT before it is too late. Instead of showing off about our religion, let us be practical and permit SENSIBLE conversion, initially of spouses, and then of others. Decide practical rules. Let us ACT before it is too late.

]]> By: ANONYMOUS http://bustedhalo.com/features/the-zarathushtra-effect/comment-page-1#comment-8472 ANONYMOUS Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:49:36 +0000 http://www.bustedhalo.com/?p=10992#comment-8472 Christianity, Islam and Judaism borrowed entire tenets of Zoroastrianism, viz, Angelology, the concepts of Good & Evil, Heaven & Hell and the final Armageddon which Zoroastrianism attributes to destruction by molten metal (volcanis eruptions perhaps?). The only true authority on Zoroastrianiosm is the Kankash-e-Mobedaan (Cou8ncil of Priests) located in Iran and they allow conversion and inter-marriages based on the instructions in the Avesta scriptures. These scriptures are written in 3 different languages - Avestan, Pahlavi and Persian. The instructions that I am referring to are written in Middle Persian. A basic knowledge of modern day Persian is a mandatory requirement for understanding these instructions. Christianity, Islam and Judaism borrowed entire tenets of Zoroastrianism, viz, Angelology, the concepts of Good & Evil, Heaven & Hell and the final Armageddon which Zoroastrianism attributes to destruction by molten metal (volcanis eruptions perhaps?).

The only true authority on Zoroastrianiosm is the Kankash-e-Mobedaan (Cou8ncil of Priests) located in Iran and they allow conversion and inter-marriages based on the instructions in the Avesta scriptures. These scriptures are written in 3 different languages – Avestan, Pahlavi and Persian. The instructions that I am referring to are written in Middle Persian. A basic knowledge of modern day Persian is a mandatory requirement for understanding these instructions.

]]> By: Cyrus S. Saiwalla http://bustedhalo.com/features/the-zarathushtra-effect/comment-page-1#comment-8468 Cyrus S. Saiwalla Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:24:50 +0000 http://www.bustedhalo.com/?p=10992#comment-8468 Our Lord Zarathustra was born before 8ooo years ago in Iran (Persia). The meaning of Zarathustra means the 'light' which was sent to our mother earth by Ahura-mazda, the Supreme God, the creator of the Universe. At that time our mother earth was ruled by evil doers- devoid of justice, peace, progress,happiness, etc. So, our mother earth requested to the Supreme God to send His Messenger and the Saviour to redeem her from evil doers. So, Lord Zarathustra was sent here to redeem the mother earth from evil doers and he had established the kingdom of Ahuramazda on this earth. Our Lord Zarathustra had laughed at the time of his birth and so, mother earth rejoiced along with other creations of God. He was full of light but had to take form of human being in order to establish the kingdom of Ahuramazda on this earth. It was said that not only mother earth was polluted by evil doers but whole our Solar system was polluted by evil doers with their evil powers. Thus, our Lord Zarathustra restored the whole Solar system to its glorious devine function. Hence, the creations of Ahuramazda (Source of Light and embodiment of good) proclaimed - 'Ushtanojatavo, Athrava Spitama Zarathustra' We thanked to Ahuramazda for sending His messenger called Spitaman Zarathustra. He is also known as Vakhsure Vakhsuran Spitama Zarathustra- Prophet of prophets known as Spitama Zarathustra. The foremost prophet of this world, taught in his teachings called 'Gathas'. There are five Gathas known as 1, Ahunavad 2. Ushtavad 3. Spentomad 4. Vahushtra 5. Vaieshtoyesh. The other books were called 21 Nashaks comprising the whole knowlege of Universe and its Creator. Then, there are small prayers called 'Niyash' and long prayers called Yashts. Also, the book of DIVINE LAW called the 'VANDIDAD'. Our is the only religion which believes in elements of nature like Holy fire, Pure Air, Holy water, Sun, Moon, etc. We have to keep clean our mother earth, worship holy fire and Sun as they are source of energies which sustain all creations of God. We have to keep our atmoshere pure. Pollution is considerd as one of the greatest sins and that is why our dead bodied are confined to the Tower of Silence called 'DOKHMAS'. We are called Zoroastrians, the follower of Zarathustra and his religion called Zoroastianism. We are born Zoroastrians, believe in quality and not quantity. That is why we had played a lead roll in getting Independence from British Raj,founders in Institute of Science & Technology, Atomic energy, Ship builders, first National Air Ways, first in co-ed in India, Schools,Colleges, Hospitals and first in building charitable institutions in India and giving opportunities to all the communities equally. We were called 'Parsi thy name is charity'. Zarathosti Din shad Bad. Our Lord Zarathustra was born before 8ooo years ago in Iran (Persia). The meaning of Zarathustra means the ‘light’ which was sent to our mother earth by Ahura-mazda, the Supreme God, the creator of the Universe. At that time our mother earth was ruled by evil doers- devoid of justice, peace, progress,happiness, etc. So, our mother earth requested to the Supreme God to send His Messenger and the Saviour to redeem her from evil doers. So, Lord Zarathustra was sent here to redeem the mother earth from evil doers and he had established the kingdom of Ahuramazda on this earth. Our Lord Zarathustra had laughed at the time of his birth and so, mother earth rejoiced along with other creations of God. He was full of light but had to take form of human being in order to establish the kingdom of Ahuramazda on this earth. It was said that not only mother earth was polluted by evil doers but whole our Solar system was polluted by evil doers with their evil powers. Thus, our Lord Zarathustra restored the whole Solar system to its glorious devine function. Hence, the creations of Ahuramazda (Source of Light and embodiment of good) proclaimed – ‘Ushtanojatavo, Athrava Spitama Zarathustra’ We thanked to Ahuramazda for sending His messenger called Spitaman Zarathustra. He is also known as Vakhsure Vakhsuran Spitama Zarathustra- Prophet of prophets known as Spitama Zarathustra. The foremost prophet of this world, taught in his teachings called ‘Gathas’. There are five Gathas known as 1, Ahunavad 2. Ushtavad 3. Spentomad 4. Vahushtra 5. Vaieshtoyesh. The other books were called 21 Nashaks comprising the whole knowlege of Universe and its Creator. Then, there are small prayers called ‘Niyash’ and long prayers called Yashts. Also, the book of DIVINE LAW called the ‘VANDIDAD’. Our is the only religion which believes in elements of nature like Holy fire, Pure Air, Holy water, Sun, Moon, etc. We have to keep clean our mother earth, worship holy fire and Sun as they are source of energies which sustain all creations of God. We have to keep our atmoshere pure. Pollution is considerd as one of the greatest sins and that is why our dead bodied are confined to the Tower of Silence called ‘DOKHMAS’. We are called Zoroastrians, the follower of Zarathustra and his religion called Zoroastianism. We are born Zoroastrians, believe in quality and not quantity. That is why we had played a lead roll in getting Independence from British Raj,founders in Institute of Science & Technology, Atomic energy, Ship builders, first National Air Ways, first in co-ed in India, Schools,Colleges, Hospitals and first in building charitable institutions in India and giving opportunities to all the communities equally. We were called ‘Parsi thy name is charity’.

Zarathosti Din shad Bad.

]]> By: Farrokh Vajifdar http://bustedhalo.com/features/the-zarathushtra-effect/comment-page-1#comment-8465 Farrokh Vajifdar Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:56:02 +0000 http://www.bustedhalo.com/?p=10992#comment-8465 "Influence" has discomfiting connotations. People who seriously enquire into such matters are never fooled into seeing the best aspects of an earlier spiritual system as some kind of take-over claim or threat. Zoroastrianism is a practical philosophy which yields a code for right-living. It does not subscribe to moralistic phrases or to infantile beliefs in supernatural "beings" -- gods, goddesses, godlings, and others of that species. The rationalist teachings of Zarathushtra are universalist, yet based on choice and free-will. There is no coercion, but there is acceptance of all, men and women, who freely choose to embrace such precepts. The strange priestly statement about converts compromising the purity of the faith is absolute hokum, meant for the gratification of low-grade racists and bigots. The nonsense of strict rules begs the question from such types: "Where can we obtain such perverted rule-books?" Furthermore, if indeed he performs his personal cord-tying ritual with any intelligence, he would straightaway know that the hearkening to the Wisdom of the faith is given to whomsoever Mazda (Wisdom) wills it. It is not for such dullards to deliberately disinform the world at large that Zarathushtra's teachings on Mazda are to be restricted to the few through accident of birth! Surely these types are honour-bound to learn the truths of the faith and to abide by them instead of resorting to childish twaddle. To the Christian apologists, whether Protestant or Catholic, we ask only that they learn before debating or denying the truth that Zoroastrianism (a) preceded Christianity by at least six hundred years, and (b) that many of Jesus the Christ's teachings have congruences in the earlier non-Semitic faiths. Finally, Mazda is not just another "God" -- Zarathushtra would have been bemused to learn that the direct approaches of his definitions of Mazda have been distorted by the very persons who use these august names in pursuit of their pointless arguments for or against "conversion" -- it really should read "improvement"! “Influence” has discomfiting connotations. People who seriously enquire into such matters are never fooled into seeing the best aspects of an earlier spiritual system as some kind of take-over claim or threat. Zoroastrianism is a practical philosophy which yields a code for right-living. It does not subscribe to moralistic phrases or to infantile beliefs in supernatural “beings” — gods, goddesses, godlings, and others of that species. The rationalist teachings of Zarathushtra are universalist, yet based on choice and free-will. There is no coercion, but there is acceptance of all, men and women, who freely choose to embrace such precepts. The strange priestly statement about converts compromising the purity of the faith is absolute hokum, meant for the gratification of low-grade racists and bigots.
The nonsense of strict rules begs the question from such types: “Where can we obtain such perverted rule-books?” Furthermore, if indeed he performs his personal cord-tying ritual with any intelligence, he would straightaway know that the hearkening to the Wisdom of the faith is given to whomsoever Mazda (Wisdom) wills it. It is not for such dullards to deliberately disinform the world at large that Zarathushtra’s teachings on Mazda are to be restricted to the few through accident of birth! Surely these types are honour-bound to learn the truths of the faith and to abide by them instead of resorting to childish twaddle. To the Christian apologists, whether Protestant or Catholic, we ask only that they learn before debating or denying the truth that Zoroastrianism (a) preceded Christianity by at least six hundred years, and (b) that many of Jesus the Christ’s teachings have congruences in the earlier non-Semitic faiths. Finally, Mazda is not just another “God” — Zarathushtra would have been bemused to learn that the direct approaches of his definitions of Mazda have been distorted by the very persons who use these august names in pursuit of their pointless arguments for or against “conversion” — it really should read “improvement”!

]]> By: Arsad Baria, LL.B. Vancouver, Canada http://bustedhalo.com/features/the-zarathushtra-effect/comment-page-1#comment-8457 Arsad Baria, LL.B. Vancouver, Canada Mon, 15 Mar 2010 01:03:46 +0000 http://www.bustedhalo.com/?p=10992#comment-8457 the non conversion thing occurred as stated above in india as it was a promise made by the community to local indian rulers by the new would be settlers that they would not convert. in fact there is a letter from the famous ittoter rivayat, a question posed by the community to zoroastrian authorities in iran, asking about conversion, where the priests responded there was no bar to conversion. regardless, we do not need to follow history always and adaptability = survival and thriving in our species. common sense dictates that this religion/faith/philosophy cannot be made exclusive to a tribal group. it further dictates, that with a high intermarriage, low fertility rate and other factors, the 'numbers' will dwindle to nothing, unless conversion is actively ENCOURAGED with children of non zoroastrian spouses, and conversion of the spouses is welcomed, as in judaism. do you think that the jews started as a nation of l6 million, which they are now, in tiny judea and samaria, in ancient times? more likely, well under a million if that. further, discouraging millions of tajikis and saying they are not zoroastrian, is unforgiveable. our ancestors hailed from that area, they see themselves as inheriting the precepts of zoroastrianism, albeit without our rituals and culture etc. many of those, after overtures from ismailis, joined that faith. for your racial purity types, it is considered a source of the iranian tribes, and one of our two full avestas was stored there for safekeeping before the demon alexander wrought his destruction. get with the program, and get with this day and age. the rest of us dont want to see this faith perish due to the ignorance, with due respect, of a few. the non conversion thing occurred as stated above in india as it was a promise made by the community to local indian rulers by the new would be settlers that they would not convert.
in fact there is a letter from the famous ittoter rivayat, a question posed by the community to zoroastrian authorities in iran, asking about conversion, where the priests responded there was no bar to conversion.
regardless, we do not need to follow history always and adaptability = survival and thriving in our species.
common sense dictates that this religion/faith/philosophy cannot be made exclusive to a tribal group. it further dictates, that with a high intermarriage, low fertility rate and other factors, the ‘numbers’ will dwindle to nothing, unless conversion is actively ENCOURAGED with children of non zoroastrian spouses, and conversion of the spouses is welcomed, as in judaism. do you think that the jews started as a nation of l6 million, which they are now, in tiny judea and samaria, in ancient times? more likely, well under a million if that.
further, discouraging millions of tajikis and saying they are not zoroastrian, is unforgiveable. our ancestors hailed from that area, they see themselves as inheriting the precepts of zoroastrianism, albeit without our rituals and culture etc. many of those, after overtures from ismailis, joined that faith. for your racial purity types, it is considered a source of the iranian tribes, and one of our two full avestas was stored there for safekeeping before the demon alexander wrought his destruction.
get with the program, and get with this day and age. the rest of us dont want to see this faith perish due to the ignorance, with due respect, of a few.

]]> By: Firoz B. Master http://bustedhalo.com/features/the-zarathushtra-effect/comment-page-1#comment-8451 Firoz B. Master Sun, 14 Mar 2010 21:00:00 +0000 http://www.bustedhalo.com/?p=10992#comment-8451 As far as I understand, many Zoroastrians ran away from Iran, when their king Yezdezar Shehriar was defeated by the Muslim Arabs, and the Muslim religion was enforced there. Many Zoroastrians first reached the West coast of India, where king Jadao Rana welcomed them on certain conditions. The conditions were, that the Zoroastrians should NOT convert the Indians living there, and that they should try and observe Indian customs where possible. Since the Zoroastrians spoke the Farsi (Persian) language at that time, they were first known as Farsees, which later changed to Parsees, by which name they are still known. The Zoroastrians at that time promised King Jadao Rana, that they would NOT convert the Indians there. Some Parsees now foolishly think, that non-conversion is a part of our religion, and is not based on a promise given a long time ago. Common sense indicates, that if any non-Zoroastrian wishes to become a Zoroastrian, that person should first study the religion. Then after a period of some years, she/he may be tested and accepted as a Zoroastrian, as I believe is done for conversion to Judaism. I hope good sense will prevail. We have very few religious books left now. At first, Alexander, the Accursed (as he is known even now in some parts of Iran), first burned many of our religious books. Then later on, the Muslim conquerors did further damage to them. ALL religions now believe in ONE GOD, yet there is this unfortunate division, even to the point of having wars. I hope sense will prevail one day soon. As far as I understand, many Zoroastrians ran away from Iran, when their king Yezdezar Shehriar was defeated by the Muslim Arabs, and the Muslim religion was enforced there.

Many Zoroastrians first reached the West coast of India, where king Jadao Rana welcomed them on certain conditions. The conditions were, that the Zoroastrians should NOT convert the Indians living there, and that they should try and observe Indian customs where possible.

Since the Zoroastrians spoke the Farsi (Persian) language at that time, they were first known as Farsees, which later changed to Parsees, by which name they are still known.

The Zoroastrians at that time promised King Jadao Rana, that they would NOT convert the Indians there. Some Parsees now foolishly think, that non-conversion is a part of our religion, and is not based on a promise given a long time ago.

Common sense indicates, that if any non-Zoroastrian wishes to become a Zoroastrian, that person should first study the religion. Then after a period of some years, she/he may be tested and accepted as a Zoroastrian, as I believe is done for conversion to Judaism.

I hope good sense will prevail. We have very few religious books left now. At first, Alexander, the Accursed (as he is known even now in some parts of Iran), first burned many of our religious books. Then later on, the Muslim conquerors did further damage to them.

ALL religions now believe in ONE GOD, yet there is this unfortunate division, even to the point of having wars. I hope sense will prevail one day soon.

]]> By: Mehli Gandevia http://bustedhalo.com/features/the-zarathushtra-effect/comment-page-1#comment-8441 Mehli Gandevia Sun, 14 Mar 2010 14:18:15 +0000 http://www.bustedhalo.com/?p=10992#comment-8441 Rashna Booniwala, is not interested in stuffy theological debates between Zoroastrians and Christians on who influenced whom. “It’s the same God to me,” she says with a shrug. And she is also not too worried about Zoroastrians dying out. “They’re always saying, ‘In the next ten years we’ll be gone.’ But then the next ten years come and go, and we’re still here,” she says. “We’ve been ’still here’ for almost four thousand years already.” I say - Three cheers for Rashna, "Very aptly put, gal" Rashna Booniwala, is not interested in stuffy theological debates between Zoroastrians and Christians on who influenced whom. “It’s the same God to me,” she says with a shrug.

And she is also not too worried about Zoroastrians dying out. “They’re always saying, ‘In the next ten years we’ll be gone.’ But then the next ten years come and go, and we’re still here,” she says. “We’ve been ’still here’ for almost four thousand years already.”

I say – Three cheers for Rashna, “Very aptly put, gal”

]]> By: J. Owen http://bustedhalo.com/features/the-zarathushtra-effect/comment-page-1#comment-8406 J. Owen Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:21:06 +0000 http://www.bustedhalo.com/?p=10992#comment-8406 Great read and job of making a complex topic understandable. And I agree with Rev. Geleney's wise comment: "the Church recognizes the validity of a spiritual life in other religions." Great read and job of making a complex topic understandable. And I agree with Rev. Geleney’s wise comment: “the Church recognizes the validity of a spiritual life in other religions.”

]]> By: Maria Trotta http://bustedhalo.com/features/the-zarathushtra-effect/comment-page-1#comment-8356 Maria Trotta Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:58:21 +0000 http://www.bustedhalo.com/?p=10992#comment-8356 It was very well explained. As a Catholic, I believe every faith has its own unique way of loving God, the Creator of all things. It was very well explained. As a Catholic, I believe every faith has its own unique way of loving God, the Creator of all things.

]]> By: Rev. Joseph Geleney http://bustedhalo.com/features/the-zarathushtra-effect/comment-page-1#comment-8352 Rev. Joseph Geleney Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:21:07 +0000 http://www.bustedhalo.com/?p=10992#comment-8352 Furthermore, Vatican II, in Nostra Aetate, The Declearation on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions, stated: "The Catholic Church rejects nothing of what is true and holy in these religions." And further, "Let Christians, while witnessing to their own faith and way of life, acknowledge, preserve and encourage the spiritual and moral truths found among non-Christians,..." Simply speaking, the Church recognizes the validity of a spiritual life in other religions. Furthermore, Vatican II, in Nostra Aetate, The Declearation on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions, stated: “The Catholic Church rejects nothing of what is true and holy in these religions.” And further, “Let Christians, while witnessing to their own faith and way of life, acknowledge, preserve and encourage the spiritual and moral truths found among non-Christians,…”
Simply speaking, the Church recognizes the validity of a spiritual life in other religions.

]]> By: Rev. Joseph Geleney http://bustedhalo.com/features/the-zarathushtra-effect/comment-page-1#comment-8348 Rev. Joseph Geleney Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:34:18 +0000 http://www.bustedhalo.com/?p=10992#comment-8348 Some try to interpret CCC 1533 in an exclusive manner. CCC 1533 says that the sacraments of Christian initiation... "confer the graces needed for the life according to the Spirit ..." This does not imply an exclusive interpretation. In no way does CCC 1533 say that the graces needed for a life in the spirit cannot come by other means. Some try to interpret CCC 1533 in an exclusive manner. CCC 1533 says that the sacraments of Christian initiation… “confer the graces needed for the life according to the Spirit …” This does not imply an exclusive interpretation. In no way does CCC 1533 say that the graces needed for a life in the spirit cannot come by other means.

]]> By: Marco W.J. http://bustedhalo.com/features/the-zarathushtra-effect/comment-page-1#comment-8310 Marco W.J. Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:45:18 +0000 http://www.bustedhalo.com/?p=10992#comment-8310 Interesting stuff. I wonder if all religion comes from a common source, but as a Catholic I bristle at Mr. Brannum's comment that the Church doesn't agree that spiriutality begins within. I think the Church SHOULD believe that spiritual begins from within, that's where I personally find it the strongest. For young Catholics, Renken makes a lot of sense. We need to work to find more common ground with other faiths. It's easy to focus on what separates us. Interesting stuff. I wonder if all religion comes from a common source, but as a Catholic I bristle at Mr. Brannum’s comment that the Church doesn’t agree that spiriutality begins within. I think the Church SHOULD believe that spiritual begins from within, that’s where I personally find it the strongest. For young Catholics, Renken makes a lot of sense. We need to work to find more common ground with other faiths. It’s easy to focus on what separates us.

]]> By: Louis Brannum http://bustedhalo.com/features/the-zarathushtra-effect/comment-page-1#comment-8309 Louis Brannum Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:05:43 +0000 http://www.bustedhalo.com/?p=10992#comment-8309 Renken says the Church, like Zarathushtra, agrees that spirituality begins within. I am sure that if this article had been properly vetted this statement would not have been published. The Church does not "agree that spirituality begins within". On the contrary it is through the rites of Christian initiation Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist that graces are given that are need for a spiritual life. (CCC 1533) No graces no spiritual life. Renken says the Church, like Zarathushtra, agrees that spirituality begins within.

I am sure that if this article had been properly vetted this statement would not have been published.

The Church does not “agree that spirituality begins within”. On the contrary it is through the rites of Christian initiation Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist that graces are given that are need for a spiritual life. (CCC 1533)
No graces no spiritual life.

]]> By: Al Santos http://bustedhalo.com/features/the-zarathushtra-effect/comment-page-1#comment-8307 Al Santos Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:57:31 +0000 http://www.bustedhalo.com/?p=10992#comment-8307 Really cool article. I am really interested in different religions and how they influenced one another. And I never knew anything about Zoroastrianism, but after reading this I am going to buy a book or two one it. And I also like how the Catholic church can see a value in other faiths like this one. We all can learn from each other. Really cool article. I am really interested in different religions and how they influenced one another. And I never knew anything about Zoroastrianism, but after reading this I am going to buy a book or two one it. And I also like how the Catholic church can see a value in other faiths like this one. We all can learn from each other.

]]>