61. MSN Encarta - Zoroastrianism Encyclopedia Article, from, Encarta, Advertisement. zoroastrianism. Author of Purity and Pollution in zoroastrianism and other books and articles. Further Reading. http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761558789/Zoroastrianism.html

MSN Home My MSN Hotmail Shopping ... Money Web Search: logoImg('http://sc.msn.com'); Encarta Subscriber Sign In Help Home ... Upgrade to Encarta Premium Search Encarta Tasks Find in this article Print Preview Send us feedback Related Items Ahura Mazda, supreme deity Zoroaster, prophet and founder more... Magazines Search the Encarta Magazine Center for magazine and news articles about this topic Further Reading Editors' Picks Zoroastrianism News Search MSNBC for news about Zoroastrianism Internet Search Search Encarta about Zoroastrianism Search MSN for Web sites about Zoroastrianism Also on Encarta Encarta guide: The Reagan legacy Compare top online degrees Proud papas: Famous dads with famous kids Also on MSN Father's Day present ideas on MSN Shopping Breaking news on MSNBC Switch to MSN in 3 easy steps Our Partners Capella University: Online degrees LearnitToday: Computer courses CollegeBound Network: ReadySetGo Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions Encyclopedia Article from Encarta Advertisement Zoroastrianism Multimedia 2 items Article Outline Introduction Beliefs Practices History I Introduction Print Preview of Section Zoroastrianism , religion that arose from the teachings of the devotional poet Zoroaster , known as Zarathushtra to ancient Iranians, who is regarded as the faith’s founding prophet. Scholars believe that Zoroaster lived sometime between 1750 and 1500

62. Zoroastrianism zoroastrianism, a unique religion which stresses the eternal battle of good versus evil, has had a larger impact than its small number of followers (100,000 http://www.greatcom.org/resources/handbook_of_todays_religions/03chap07/default.

Handbook of Today's Religions Zoroastrianism Home What is a Cult? The Characteristics of Cults The Beliefs of Orthodox Christianity ... Print this page Zoroastrianism, a unique religion which stresses the eternal battle of good versus evil, has had a larger impact than its small number of followers (100,000) would suggest. It is the religion of one man who lived some 600 years before the birth of Christ. His name was Zoroaster. The religiously fertile area of Babylonia (modern Iraq and Iran) was his home. History Zoroaster The founder of Zoroastrianism was the man Zoroaster (a Greek corruption of the old Iranian word Zarathushtra). His time and place of birth are unknown, but it is generally believed that he was born around 650 B.C. in Persia (present-day Iran). However, as Richard Cavendish observed, there is much doubt as to when and where Zoroaster was born: The early history of Zoroastrianism is much in dispute. The religion was founded by Zoroaster (the Greek form of his name, which is Zarathushtra in Persian), but it is not certain when he lived, where he lived or how much of later Zoroastrianism came from him. Tradition puts him in western Iran in the sixth century B.C., a little earlier than the Buddha in India, but it is now thought that he lived in northeastern Iran, in the area on the borders of modern Afghanistan and Turkmenistan. An alternative theory dates him much earlier, somewhere in the period from 1700 to 1500 B.C., and places him in the plains of Central Asia, perhaps before the first groups of Aryans moved south from the plains into Iran and India (Richard Cavendish, The Great Religions, New York: Arco Publishing Company, 1980, p. 125).

63. Zoroastrian Tradition Web Sites set of links.; World of Traditional zoroastrianism http//www.zoroastrianism.com/ Conservative Zoroastrians.; Zarathushtra http http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/gthursby/rel/z-aster.htm

Zoroastrian Traditions Avesta Zoroastrian Archives http://www.avesta.org/avesta.html [Online version of Zoroastrian scriptures (the complete text of the extant Avesta and some Pahlavi scriptures) with supporting linguistic and religious information.] Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America http://www.fezana.org/ [Links to member organizations, committees, and their journal.] Stanford University Zoroastrian Group http://www.stanford.edu/group/zoroastrians/ [A well organized and annotated set of links.] World of Traditional Zoroastrianism http://www.zoroastrianism.com/ [Conservative Zoroastrians.] Zarathushtra http://www.zarathushtra.com/ [Graphically lively, with a Table of Contents page worth consulting. Also a virtual temple, scriptures, and secondary sources.] Zarathushtrian Assembly http://www.zoroastrian.org/

64. Zoroastrianism - The Aryans Of Old Iran Search this site zoroastrianism. 1) The Aryans of old Iran In order to understand properly the religion of Zoroaster, it is necessary http://www.farvardyn.com/zoroaster.htm

FAQs What's new Site Map Awards ... Home Search this site: Zoroastrianism 1) The Aryans of old Iran In order to understand properly the religion of Zoroaster, it is necessary to know something of the state of religion in Iran before the great Teacher appeared. New faiths have to be grafted upon old ones. All great teachers have built upon the past traditions of the race. They have to come to lead. They alter and adapt the Eternal Ancient Wisdom to the peculiar needs of that race, to the particular Message which that race is destined to leave for humanity. So also the Lord Zoroaster found a certain mass of tradition in Iran and the Message He gave to this branch of the human race was based upon what they had inherited from a dim and distant past. The Aryans (using the word in its narrower sense, as comprising the two peoples, the Indians and the Iranians, who called themselves by that proud name) had lived together for long ages in one land, had spoken one tongue and had followed one religion. Where that ancient Motherland of the Aryans was, we have now no means of determining, but it seems to have been a region far to the North, which, according to the Iranian tradition, was overwhelmed and destroyed by ice and snow. At a later period the two main stocks of these people migrated southwards, still keeping together, and after many generations of wandering, ultimately arrived in the neighbourhood of the high mountainous region which we know as the Pamir table-land today. They spread around from that region into the lower fertile and salubrious valleys of the south, west and east. The lands called by us Afghanistan and Bactria were the regions where the Aryans had long carried on their activities.

65. Zoroastrianism - History For Kids! Parents Corner. H4K Crafts and Projects. West Asian Religion. zoroastrianism. With the support of the king, zoroastrianism soon became very popular. http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/westasia/religion/zoroastrianism.htm

China India West Asia Greece ... Religion The Web Just H4K H4K Lesson Plans for Teachers Parents' Corner H4K Crafts and Projects West Asian Religion Zoroastrianism Around 550 BC (probably) a man named Zoroaster (also called Zarathustra) was a priest in a small temple in the eastern part of Western Asia , in an area with a lot of small kingdoms and no major power. Zoroaster believed that he heard the voice of his chief god, Ahura Mazda, speaking to him and telling him to start a new religion. He told people that the god was speaking to him, and what the god wanted, but they didn't believe that the god was really speaking to him. The other people in the town just thought he was suffering from mental illness . They laughed at him and made fun of him. Zoroaster sadly left town and travelled around Western Asia looking for somebody who would believe him. Finally he found a king who did believe him. He started to get some followers. Then he had a big success. We don't know how it happened, but

66. The Islamic World To 1600: The Caliphate And The First Islamic Dynasty (Zoroastr zoroastrianism is one of the oldest religions still practiced today. It developed in Persia around the same time as Judaism in Syria http://www.ucalgary.ca/applied_history/tutor/islam/beginnings/zoro.html

The Islamic World to 1600 An early 19th century engraving of a fire temple near Baku, Azerbaijan Courtesy of Virtual Ani www.virtualani.freeserve.co.uk/ Zoroastrianism became the state religion of Persia in 226 CE, when Ardashir I overthrew the Parthian dynasty and founded the Sassanid Empire. Throughout the Sassanid Empire's 400-year history, Zoroastrianism remained the official religion, and it also developed a distinctly Persian character. The religion was so closely integrated with the Persian identity that very few non-Persians adhered to it, while it was so intertwined with the Sassanid state that the religious bureaucracy collapsed along with the Sassanid Empire in the mid-7th century. The collapse of the Empire at that time came at the hands of invading Muslims from the Arabian Peninsula. Over several centuries, Islam began to gain converts in Persia, and under the Abbasid dynasty in the 8th century it eclipsed Zoroastrianism to become the state religion of Persia. Most Zoroastrians who did not convert to Islam fled to India, which still has the largest concentration of Zoroastrians - now known as Parsis - today. The religion also survives today in small populations in Iran and Afghanistan. Return to Ancient Persia The Islamic World to 1600 / The University of Calgary

67. Zoroastrianism Back to World s Religions page. zoroastrianism. Articles. I. Group Profile. Name zoroastrianism, named after the prophet Zoroaster. http://www.meta-religion.com/World_Religions/Zoroastrim/zoroastrism.htm

to promote a multidisciplinary view of the religious, spiritual and esoteric phenomena. About Us Links Search Contact ... Back to World Religions Religion sections World Religions New R. Groups Ancient Religions Spirituality ... Extremism Science sections Archaeology Astronomy Linguistics Mathematics ... Contact The Web Metareligion More sections: Subscribe to the Metareligion Newsletter Submit your site Banners Index ... Polls Please, help us sustain this free site online. Make a donation using Paypal: Back to World's Religions page Zoroastrianism Articles 33 Alaats in Nature Amesha Spentas The Avesta Ancient Aryans ... Zoroastrianism and Judaism Khorda Avesta Section I (Miscellaneous short prayers) Section II -(Hymns 1-9) Section III (Hymns 10-11) Section IV (Hymns 12-13) Section V (Hymns 14-19) Section VI (Hymns 20-21, Siroza, Afrinagan)

68. The Zoroastrian Page Arguably one of the oldest of the monotheistic faiths, zoroastrianism is based on the teachings of the Prophet Zarathushtra. zoroastrianism http://www.mideastinfo.com/Religion/zoroastrian.htm

Arguably one of the oldest of the monotheistic faiths, Zoroastrianism is based on the teachings of the Prophet Zarathushtra. Zoroastrianism was the dominant religion of the Persian Empires based on the scriptures, the Avestas, and dealing with devotion to Ahura Mazda, the one god. Zoroastrianism is still practiced today, mainly in parts of Iran and India, but has followers around the world. Zoroastrianism on the Web Local Communities Zoroastrian Worldwide Community Center Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe The Zoroastrian WebPage California Zoroastrian Center ... O'Shihan Cultural Organization Books about Zoroastrianism, or browse for yourself Zoroastrianism: An Introduction to Ancient Faith , by Peter Clark ( Gathas of Zarathushtra : Hymns in Praise of Wisdom , by Piloo Nanavutty ( Zoroaster: Life and Work of the Forerunner in Persia The Zoroastrian Faith: Tradition and Modern Research , by Solomon A. Nigosian Zoroastrianism: World Religions (World Religions) , by Paula R. Hartz Navigate this Site Home News from the Middle East Countries of the Middle East Religions of the Middle East Education in the Middle East The Library Business in the Middle East Travel in and to the Middle East The Map Room The Bookstore You are visitor number to the Zoroastrian Page

69. ZOROASTRIANISM zoroastrianism. Judaism saints. zoroastrianism is still a minor religion in the world. The Pharisees of India are actually Zoroastrian. http://www.sullivan-county.com/z/zor1.htm

ZOROASTRIANISM Judaism, Christianity, and Islam belong to one family, whose father, Abraham, descended from an inhabitant of Ur, in Mesopotamia. Elements derived through Zoroastrian belief, including world view, ethics, creation and judgement, are present in all three religions. In Mesopotamian religions there are stories of fertility gods, and goddesses, sacred hills built in pyramid form (ziggurats), and elaborate rituals, sometimes involving animal sacrifice. The religion was an evolving polytheism; beginning around 4000 B.C.E., it named forces of nature. Early cities had their own gods. As city-states formed, the deities were sometimes combined into families. The political union of Sumer and Akkad brought about the unity of their gods as Sin, the moon god, Shamash, the sun god, and Ishtar, the morning and evening star, Venus. Ishtar, as a fertility goddess, was the most popular and her worship, under other names, spread to other cultures. By 2000 B.C.E., gods were given roles as parents and worshipped as objects of devotion by individuals. The Gilgamesh epic also developed during this period. Hammurabi of Bablyon (1800 B.C.E.) issued a code of laws said to come from Shamash. He invited the oppressed to come to him to receive justice. Centuries later, Nebuchadnezzar made a home for exiles, including exiles from Jerusalem.

70. Zoroastrianism The Forgotten And Lost Source zoroastrianism The Forgotten and Lost Sources. BY Lewis Loflin. Did zoroastrianism get into Christianity and how? Let s address problems with source material. http://www.sullivan-county.com/news/mine/zoroastianism.htm

Zoroastrianism The Forgotten and Lost Sources BY Lewis Loflin The article below by Stephen Van Eck has several problems. He is a Christian basher whose only purpose is to discredit Christianity. There are also several questionable statements. I'm not here to debate him or the reader because we all have several problems which I will point out. First, the question; Is Christianity and in particular Jesus just a rehash of the Persian Prophet Zoroaster? Did Zoroastrianism get into Christianity and how? Let's address problems with source material. The following is the history of the Bible from http://www.catholic.com/ The books of the New Testament were composed decades after Christ ascended into heaven, and it took centuries for there to be general agreement among Christians as to which books comprised the New Testament. You've never even seen the autographs (originals) of the 27 books in the New Testament. Nobody today has. The earliest copies of those books we possess are centuries older that the originals . Like it or not

71. Zoroastrianism A small religious community, which exists mostly in Mumbai, is zoroastrianism. BCAD 224), cults of foreign gods flourished along with zoroastrianism. http://www2.sunysuffolk.edu/pecorip/SCCCWEB/ETEXTS/PHIL_of_RELIGION_TEXT/CHAPTER

Philosophy of Religion Chapter 2. Religions of the World Section 9 . Zoroastrainism A small religious community, which exists mostly in Mumbai, is Zoroastrianism. The follower is called Parsi because the religion arrived in India from Persia. This religion was established by Zarathustra in 6 th or 7 th century BC. The followers of this religion exiled from Iran in the 7 th century AD. because of religious persecutions by the Muslims. They arrived in Gujarat region of India. The Parsis believe in the existence of one invisible God. They believe that there is a continuous war between the good forces (forces of light) and the evil forces (forces of darkness). The good forces will win if people will do good deeds think good and speak well. God is represented in their temples through fire, which symbolizes light. The holiest place for them is the village of Udvada in Gujarat, India. The holy language of the Parsis is an ancient language spoken in Iran, Avesta. The Parsis believe that fire, water, air and earth are pure element to be preserved and therefore they do not cremate or bury their dead ones but leave them on high towers, specially built for this purpose, to be eaten by hawks and crows. The Parsis are less then 0.02% of India's population but their contribution to India is much more than their proportion in India's population. Some Parsis were main figures in establishing the Indian Nationalist movement. They were the pioneers in establishing the modern Indian industry. The rich Parsi families contributed enormously to establish institutions of all kinds in India. Even today some of the bigger finance houses in India belong to followers of this religion.

72. Www.ozemail.com.au/~zarathus/newten33.html zoroastrianism A Short Overviewzoroastrianism A Short Overview by Hannah MG Shapero. Links to Sectors of Creation zoroastrianism is the ancient religion of Persia. http://www.ozemail.com.au/~zarathus/newten33.html

73. AVESTA: The Scriptures Of Zoroastrianism AVESTA The Scriptures of zoroastrianism. zoroastrianism, like Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, is a religion of a book or rather a religion of texts. http://www.accessnewage.com/articles/mystic/avest.htm

AVESTA The Scriptures of Zoroastrianism Zoroastrianism, like Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, is a "religion of a book" or rather a religion of texts. From the beginning, Zarathushtra's prophecies were embodied in words, though they were not written down until more than a millennium later. Zoroastrians have three thousand years of words in their heritage. The Avesta is the analogue of the Bible for Zoroastrians. Like the Bible, it is a collection of many texts from many eras, in different languages. The texts come from times that may be as early as 1700 BC and as late as 400 A.D. Until recently, the Avesta was known in the West as the "Zend-Avesta." This is a misnomer and was caused by the misinterpretation of the word "Zend." This means "commentary" in middle Persian (Pazand). The word "Avesta" is mysterious in origin. The German scholars of the late 19th century (Geldner, Bartholomae, etc.) say that it is from the ancient Iranian word upasta meaning "shelter" or "support." The Avesta scholar Dr. Ali Jafarey has a different idea. He says that it is from the Indo-Iranian word "a" (not) and the root "vid" (know). That is, Avesta means "unknown," which describes how the language of the Avesta - also known as Avestan - became unknown to the Zoroastrians of later centuries. Jafarey's interpretation is, as far as I know, original to him. We must remember that the Avesta as it has come down to the modern Zoroastrian world is but a collection of fragments and texts preserved from a far greater whole. Zoroastrianism, unlike Judaism, has suffered greatly from the destruction of its texts - first, in the conflagration set by Alexander the invader in 330 B.C. which destroyed the library at Persepolis, and later by invading Arabs and Mongols. Zoroastrianism had its Torah, its Talmud, its historical books, and its wisdom literature - and most of it is gone now. What we have is what could be preserved in priests' memories and in precious manuscripts preserved by brave and devoted Iranians and Parsi emigrants.

74. Zoroastrianism Parsi Learn about zoroastrianism, one of the oldest monotheistic religions in the world, and the Grandfather of Judaism and Christianity. zoroastrianism Guide picks. http://altreligion.about.com/cs/zoroastrianism/

zJs=10 zJs=11 zJs=12 zJs=13 zc(5,'jsc',zJs,9999999,'') About Alternative Religions Religions A-Z Zoroastrianism Home Essentials A-Z Site Map Alternative Religions Library ... Priory of Sion zau(256,152,145,'gob','http://z.about.com/5/ad/go.htm?gs='+gs,''); Religions A-Z Image Gallery Library Hermetic Tradition ... Help zau(256,138,125,'el','http://z.about.com/0/ip/417/0.htm','');w(xb+xb); Stay Current Subscribe to the About Alternative Religions newsletter. Search Alternative Religions Zoroastrianism Zoroastrianism, past and present. Alphabetical Recent Zoroastrianism A brief introduction to Zoroastrianism, from your Alternative Religions guide. Farvardyn A primarily Zoroastrian site, Farvardyn contains information on a variety of ancient Persian faiths, religious texts, fonts, and picture galleries. Oldest Prophetic religion struggles for survival From an article in the Christian Science Monitor about the dwindling numbers of Zoroastrians in India. Details the current controversies about mixed marriages and acceptance of converts. Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds

75. Zoroastrianism A brief outline of the beliefs, practices, and customs of followers of zoroastrianism, links to resources and symbols. zoroastrianism (Parsi) Related Subjects http://altreligion.about.com/library/faqs/bl_zoroastrianism.htm

zJs=10 zJs=11 zJs=12 zJs=13 zc(5,'jsc',zJs,9999999,'') About Alternative Religions Religions A-Z Zoroastrianism ... Priory of Sion zau(256,152,145,'gob','http://z.about.com/5/ad/go.htm?gs='+gs,''); Religions A-Z Image Gallery Library Hermetic Tradition ... Help zau(256,138,125,'el','http://z.about.com/0/ip/417/0.htm','');w(xb+xb); Stay Current Subscribe to the About Alternative Religions newsletter. Search Alternative Religions Alternative Religions profiles Zoroastrianism (Parsi) Related Subjects: Mandeism Druze Yezidism Mandeism Symbols Forum Site Index Sufism Glossary Religions Want regular updates? Subscribe to our free Newsletter Your Email Address: And know you not of Mithra the king, and of Zoroaster the prophet of the Persians, who woke from man's ancient sleep and stood at the bed of our dreaming? -Kahlil Gibran, 1928 History/Founde r: Founded in Persia around 1200 BC by the prophet Zoroaster (Zarathustra), Zoroastrianism is the world's oldest continuing monotheistic religion. Some scholars believe that Zoroastrian doctrines - heaven and hell, the struggle of good versus evil, and a redeeming messiah- have deeply influenced the Jewish and Christian religions. Current leader/governing body: The leaders of the Zoroastrian hierarchy in Bombay, India, are the current decision making body.

76. Zoroastrianism, Zoroaster, Zarathusthra, Zarathustra zoroastrianism, Zoroaster, Zarathusthra, Zarathustra. {zoh roh - as - tree - uhn - izm} zoroastrianism. Spitama Zarathustra (c. 660 - 583 BC). http://mb-soft.com/believe/txo/zoroastr.htm

Zoroastrianism, Zoroaster, Zarathusthra, Zarathustra General Information During the 7th and 6th centuries BC the ancient polytheistic religion of the Iranians was reformed and given new dimensions by the prophet Zoroaster (or Zarathusthra). Zoroaster's life dates have been traditionally given as (c. 628 - 551 BC), but many scholars argue for earlier dates. Linguistic evidence suggests that he was born in northeastern Iran, but the prophet's message was to spread throughout the Persian Empire. Adopted as the faith of the Persian kings, Zoroastrianism became the official religion of the Achaemenid empire and flourished under its successors, the Parthian and Sassanian empires. Its theology and cosmology may have influenced the development of Greek, later Jewish, Christian, and Muslim thought. The Muslim conquest of the 7th century AD marked the beginning of a steady decline of Zoroastrianism. Persecution resulted in the migration (about the 10th century) of the majority of Zoroastrians to India, where the Parsis of Bombay are their modern descendants. The religion of ancient Iran was derived from that of the ancient Indo Europeans, or Aryans. The language of the earliest Zoroastrian writings is close to that of the Indian Vedas, and much of the mythology is recognizably the same. Two groups of gods were worshiped, the ahuras and the daevas. The worship of the ahuras (lords) may have reflected the practice of the pastoral upper classes, and tradition holds that Zoroaster was born into a family that worshiped only the ahuras.

77. Zoroaster ~ Zarathrustra The name of the founding Prophet of zoroastrianism is not Zoroaster, which is a Greek transliteration of the name, but Zarathushtra, which means, in ancient http://www.crystalinks.com/z.html

Zarathrustra ~ Zoroaster Zarathrustra, The Persian Prophet There are many viewpoints on the timeline for Zarathrustra's date of birth - vary by almost 1,000 years. At best this is all speculative. The truth will remain an enigma, but his teachings and his belief in monotheism have perpetuated throughout history. Who was this great teacher and prophet? Many scholars believe he was a priest and a prophet. He was linked to the Magi. His spiritual influences have always affected human thought and reasoning - his goals, to show human their connection a creation and their link to one source. The name of the founding Prophet of Zoroastrianism is not Zoroaster, which is a Greek transliteration of the name, but Zarathushtra, which means, in ancient Iranian, "yellow camel." (zara = yellow, ushtra = camel). An alternate reading is "old camel." Animals such as camels and horses were essential and even sacred to the people of Zarathushtra's age, and thus a name containing one of these animals marks a person as important. A similar naming practice occurred among the ancient Greeks where names containing "-ippos" or horse denoted high birth - such as Philippos (lover of horses), Aristippos (best horse), or Xanthippos (yellow horse). The later Zoroastrians, perhaps embarrassed by their prophet's primitive-sounding name, said that the name meant "Golden Light," deriving their meaning from the word

78. Zoroastrianism zoroastrianism. zoroastrianism, is the religion founded by Zoroaster, or Zarathustra, in Persia toward the end of the seventh century BCE. http://www.silk-road.com/artl/zoro.shtml

Zoroastrianism By E. J. Keall Department of Middle East and Islamic Studies, University of Toronto, Revised by Irma Marx Many once-domed structures of the Sasanian era that survived have been labeled 'fire-temples' without any justification. Some of the surviving buildings could possibly be associated with secular pavilions or parts of palaces. The fire-temple designation has been applied simply because the tending of the holy fires appears to outsiders as the most exotic aspect of the religion. The Muslim conquerors of the seventh century AD were amazed by the numerous fire-temples, and some of these buildings were converted into mosques, which became the most distinctive architectural aspect of later Iranian architecture. The priest Kartir, who became prominent under Shapur I, was probably responsible for the most extreme orthodox practices. His inscriptions on the rock relief of Shapur and Bahram II attest to the fact that he was one of the most important figures in the empire, playing an important political, as well as religious role. The attitudes of Kartir were not original, for Ardashir had destroyed pagan monuments and had established fire-temples in their places before Shapur I. But Kartir was particularly zealous in that endeavor. He attacked Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, Manichaeans and Christians alike during the reign of five kings, from Shapur I to Narseh. It is generally thought that Narseh was reasonably tolerant of the Manichaean faith. Mani had preached a more syncretistic religion, combining both Christian and Zoroastrian beliefs, based on universalism put forward by other gnostic sects. After preaching in India, Mani returned to Iran, where his ideas received considerable acceptance, even amongst members of the royal family. But he encountered the zeal of Kartir, who pronounced him as heretic, and Mani was executed. After his death, Manichaeism spread into Central Asia, even reached China. In spite of his official tolerance, Manichaean beliefs continued to be regarded as heretical by the clergy. The strict attitudes of Kartir were later relaxed, but not overthrown.

79. Zoroastrianism zoroastrianism Latest 200 Topics Topic Title, Topic Starter, Posts, Date. 1, Apr 18, 2004 at 0553 AM. alt.religion.zoroastrianism FAQ, Hannah MG Shapero http://www.talkaboutreligion.com/group/alt.religion.zoroastrianism/

Home Religion Zoroastrianism Zoroastrianism Latest 200 Topics: Topic Title Topic Starter Posts Date What are next of kin marriages? trueone600@[EMAIL PR... Jun 12, 2004 at 12:05 AM A THOUGHT A DAY, TO PRACTICE, SAY AND PRAY (84th D... zassembly@[EMAIL PRO... Jun 11, 2004 at 04:05 AM A THOUGHT A DAY, TO PRACTICE, SAY AND PRAY (83rd D... zassembly@[EMAIL PRO... Jun 10, 2004 at 05:04 AM A THOUGHT A DAY, TO PRACTICE, SAY AND PRAY (82nd D... zassembly@[EMAIL PRO... Jun 9, 2004 at 04:02 AM Peeri Sabz Memorial Day in Vancouver, Canada "Arash" &l... Jun 8, 2004 at 05:23 AM A THOUGHT A DAY, TO PRACTICE, SAY AND PRAY (81st D... zassembly@[EMAIL PRO... Jun 8, 2004 at 03:29 AM A THOUGHT A DAY, TO PRACTICE, SAY AND PRAY (80th D... zassembly@[EMAIL PRO... Jun 7, 2004 at 04:16 AM A THOUGHT A DAY, TO PRACTICE, SAY AND PRAY (79th D... zassembly@[EMAIL PRO... Jun 6, 2004 at 07:14 AM A THOUGHT A DAY, TO PRACTICE, SAY AND PRAY (78th D... zassembly@[EMAIL PRO... Jun 5, 2004 at 03:16 AM I Parsi parsichokro@[EMAIL P... Jun 4, 2004 at 12:57 PM What happened to the Zoroastrians of Esphahan?

80. India - Zoroastrianism zoroastrianism. India Table of Contents According to the 1991 census, there were 79,382 members of the Zoroastrian faith. Some 79 http://countrystudies.us/india/59.htm

Zoroastrianism India Table of Contents According to the 1991 census, there were 79,382 members of the Zoroastrian faith. Some 79 percent lived in Maharashtra (primarily in Bombay) and most of the rest in Gujarat. Zoroastrians are primarily descendants of tenth-century immigrants from Persia who preserved the religion of Zoroaster, a prophet of Iran who taught probably in the sixth century B.C. Although the number of Parsis steadily declined during the twentieth century as a result of emigration and low birth rates, their religion is significant because of the financial influence wielded by this mostly trading community and because they represent the world's largest surviving group of believers in this ancient faith. The source of Parsi religion is a body of texts called the Avesta , which includes a number of sections in archaic language attributed to Zoroaster himself, and which preserve the cult of the fire sacrifice as the focus of ritual life. The supreme spirit is Ahura Mazda (or Ohrmazd), whose will is manifest in the world through the actions of bountiful immortals or good spiritual attributes that support life and love. Opposing the supreme spirit is the force of evil, Angra Mainyu (or Ahriman), which is the cause of all destruction and corruption in the world. Equipped with free will, humans can choose sides in this struggle and after death will appear at the bridge of judgment. People who choose to do good deeds go to heaven, those who commit evil go to hell. The opposed cosmic forces battle through the history of the universe, until at the end of time there will be a final judgment and a resurrection of the dead to a perfect world.

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