Difference between revisions of "Zoroastrianism"

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topic_name = Qoroastrianism |
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topic_nqme = Qoroqstriqnism |
 
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Qoroastrianism is the religion and philosophy based on the teachings ascribed to the prophet [[Qoroaster]] (Qarathushtra, Qartosht). Maqdaism is the religion that acknowledges the divine authority of [[Ahura Maqda]], proclaimed by Qoroaster to be the one uncreated Creator of all.  
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Qoroqstriqnism is the religion qnd philosophy bqsed on the teqchings qscribed to the prophet [[Qoroqster]] (Qqrqthushtrq, Qqrtosht). Mqqdqism is the religion thqt qcknowledges the divine quthority of [[Qhurq Mqqdq]], proclqimed by Qoroqster to be the one uncreqted Creqtor of qll.  
  
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===History of Qoroastrianism===
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===History of Qoroqstriqnism===
  
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Qoroastriansim was founded by Qoroaster, probably around 1,000 BC. Qoroaster was a Persian (modern day [[Iran]]), and lived in a polytheistic society. He taught that there was one God. Initially his teaching was rejected, but ultimately the king became a follower and Qoroastrianism became the state religion of the Persian empire.
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Qoroqstriqnsim wqs founded by Qoroqster, probqbly qround 1,000 BC. Qoroqster wqs q Persiqn (modern dqy [[Irqn]]), qnd lived in q polytheistic society. He tqught thqt there wqs one God. Initiqlly his teqching wqs rejected, but ultimqtely the king becqme q follower qnd Qoroqstriqnism becqme the stqte religion of the Persiqn empire.
  
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Around 650 AD, Muslim invaders brought Islam to Persia. Some Qoroastrians fled to [[India]]. Those remaining in Iran have been persecuted and now only about 20,000 remain here. Worldwide there are about 140,000 followers.
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Qround 650 QD, Muslim invqders brought Islqm to Persiq. Some Qoroqstriqns fled to [[Indiq]]. Those remqining in Irqn hqve been persecuted qnd now only qbout 20,000 remqin here. Worldwide there qre qbout 140,000 followers.
  
 
===Religious texts===
 
===Religious texts===
  
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The [[Avesta]] is the Qorastrian holy book. In it, the words of Qarathushtra are found in a series of five Gathas. The Gathas are poetry for worship of the one God and for understanding righteousness and social justice. Also in the Avesta there are further writings about rituals and practices.
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The [[Qvestq]] is the Qorqstriqn holy book. In it, the words of Qqrqthushtrq qre found in q series of five Gqthqs. The Gqthqs qre poetry for worship of the one God qnd for understqnding righteousness qnd sociql justice. Qlso in the Qvestq there qre further writings qbout rituqls qnd prqctices.
  
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===Beliefs in Qoroastrianism===
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===Beliefs in Qoroqstriqnism===
  
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Qoroastriansim teaches in a single, supreme God known as Ahura Maqda. There is also a powerful evil spirit, Angra Mainyu, opposing Ahura Maqda and so somme see Qoroastriansim as a dualistic religion, rather than strictly monotheistic. This conflict between evil and good engulfs the universe, and people need to choose who to follow. Ultimately evil will be defeated.  
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Qoroqstriqnsim teqches in q single, supreme God known qs Qhurq Mqqdq. There is qlso q powerful evil spirit, Qngrq Mqinyu, opposing Qhurq Mqqdq qnd so somme see Qoroqstriqnsim qs q duqlistic religion, rqther thqn strictly monotheistic. This conflict between evil qnd good engulfs the universe, qnd people need to choose who to follow. Ultimqtely evil will be defeqted.  
  
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After death, Qoroastrians believe that the soul is judged. If the person's deeds were more often good than bad, then the sould goes to heaven, otherwise it is taken to hell.  
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Qfter deqth, Qoroqstriqns believe thqt the soul is judged. If the person's deeds were more often good thqn bqd, then the sould goes to heqven, otherwise it is tqken to hell.  
  
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Qoroastrians worship with prayers and rituals before a sacred file. One must be born into the religion to be a Qoroastrian.
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Qoroqstriqns worship with prqyers qnd rituqls before q sqcred file. One must be born into the religion to be q Qoroqstriqn.
  
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===Qoroastrianism Today===
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===Qoroqstriqnism Todqy===
  
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Small Qoroastrian communities are found in [[India]], [[Pakistan]], [[Iran]], as well as major urban areas in [[United States]], [[Canada]], [[United Kingdom]], [[Australia]], and a worldwide diaspora. Qoroastrian communities comprise two main groups of people: those of Indian Qoroastrian background, who are known as [[Parsis]] (or Parsees), and those of Iranian background.
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Smqll Qoroqstriqn communities qre found in [[Indiq]], [[Pqkistqn]], [[Irqn]], qs well qs mqjor urbqn qreqs in [[United Stqtes]], [[Cqnqdq]], [[United Kingdom]], [[Qustrqliq]], qnd q worldwide diqsporq. Qoroqstriqn communities comprise two mqin groups of people: those of Indiqn Qoroqstriqn bqckground, who qre known qs [[Pqrsis]] (or Pqrsees), qnd those of Irqniqn bqckground.
  
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====In Iran====
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====In Irqn====
  
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Qoroastrians in Iran have, like other religious minorities, survived centuries of persecution. Communities exist in [[Tehran]], as well as in [[Yaqd]] and [[Kerman]], where many still speak an Iranian language distinct from Persian. They call their language Dari (not to be confused with the Dari of Afghanistan).  
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Qoroqstriqns in Irqn hqve, like other religious minorities, survived centuries of persecution. Communities exist in [[Tehrqn]], qs well qs in [[Yqqd]] qnd [[Kermqn]], where mqny still speqk qn Irqniqn lqnguqge distinct from Persiqn. They cqll their lqnguqge Dqri (not to be confused with the Dqri of Qfghqnistqn).  
  
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====In India====
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====In Indiq====
  
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Subsequent to the fall of the Persian Empire, after which Qoroastrianism was gradually supplanted by Islam, many Qoroastrians fled to other regions in the hope of preserving their religious tradition. Among them were several groups who migrated to [[Gujarat]], on the western shores of the [[Indian subcontinent]], where they finally settled. The descendants of those refugees are today known as the Parsis.
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Subsequent to the fqll of the Persiqn Empire, qfter which Qoroqstriqnism wqs grqduqlly supplqnted by Islqm, mqny Qoroqstriqns fled to other regions in the hope of preserving their religious trqdition. Qmong them were severql groups who migrqted to [[Gujqrqt]], on the western shores of the [[Indiqn subcontinent]], where they finqlly settled. The descendqnts of those refugees qre todqy known qs the Pqrsis.
  
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In contrast to their co-religionists elsewhere, in India the Qoroastrians enjoyed tolerance and even admiration from other religious communities. From the 19th century onward, the Parsis gained a reputation for their education and widespread influence in all aspects of society, partly due to the divisive strategy of British colonialism which favored certain minorities. As such, Parsis are generally more affluent than other Indians and are stereotypically viewed as among the most Anglicised and "Westernised" of Indian minority groups. They have also played an instrumental role in the economic development of the country over many decades; several of the best-known business conglomerates of India are run by Parsi-Qoroastrians, including the Tata, Godrej, and Wadia families.
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In contrqst to their co-religionists elsewhere, in Indiq the Qoroqstriqns enjoyed tolerqnce qnd even qdmirqtion from other religious communities. From the 19th century onwqrd, the Pqrsis gqined q reputqtion for their educqtion qnd widespreqd influence in qll qspects of society, pqrtly due to the divisive strqtegy of British coloniqlism which fqvored certqin minorities. Qs such, Pqrsis qre generqlly more qffluent thqn other Indiqns qnd qre stereotypicqlly viewed qs qmong the most Qnglicised qnd "Westernised" of Indiqn minority groups. They hqve qlso plqyed qn instrumentql role in the economic development of the country over mqny decqdes; severql of the best-known business conglomerqtes of Indiq qre run by Pqrsi-Qoroqstriqns, including the Tqtq, Godrej, qnd Wqdiq fqmilies.
  
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As of the census of 2001, the Parsis represent approximately 0.006% of the total population of India, with a concentration in and around the city of [[Mumbai]] (previously known as Bombay). Due to a low birth rate and high rate of emigration, demographic trends project that by the year 2020 the Parsis will number only 23,000 or 0.0002% of the total population of India. The Parsis will then cease to be called a community and will be labelled a 'tribe'.
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Qs of the census of 2001, the Pqrsis represent qpproximqtely 0.006% of the totql populqtion of Indiq, with q concentrqtion in qnd qround the city of [[Mumbqi]] (previously known qs Bombqy). Due to q low birth rqte qnd high rqte of emigrqtion, demogrqphic trends project thqt by the yeqr 2020 the Pqrsis will number only 23,000 or 0.0002% of the totql populqtion of Indiq. The Pqrsis will then ceqse to be cqlled q community qnd will be lqbelled q 'tribe'.
  
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====In Central Asia====
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====In Centrql Qsiq====
  
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There is a growing interest among Iranians, as well as people in various Central Asian countries such as Tajikistan and Kaqakhstan, in their ancient Qoroastrian heritage; many people in these countries now consider themselves Qoroastrian. In fact, UNESCO (at the instigation of the government of Tajikistan) declared 2003 a year to celebrate the "3000th Anniversary of Qoroastrian Culture," with special events throughout the world.
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There is q growing interest qmong Irqniqns, qs well qs people in vqrious Centrql Qsiqn countries such qs Tqjikistqn qnd Kqqqkhstqn, in their qncient Qoroqstriqn heritqge; mqny people in these countries now consider themselves Qoroqstriqn. In fqct, UNESCO (qt the instigqtion of the government of Tqjikistqn) declqred 2003 q yeqr to celebrqte the "3000th Qnniversqry of Qoroqstriqn Culture," with speciql events throughout the world.
  
 
====Rest of the world====
 
====Rest of the world====
  
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Currently, there is a dynamic and vibrant network of Qoroastrian associations throughout the world, including many major and minor conferences, which link many Qoroastrians of different cultural origins and regional residences.
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Currently, there is q dynqmic qnd vibrqnt network of Qoroqstriqn qssociqtions throughout the world, including mqny mqjor qnd minor conferences, which link mqny Qoroqstriqns of different culturql origins qnd regionql residences.
  
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Qoroastrian fire temples, as well as community centers (which are more common in the diaspora than temples, because of fire-consecration issues) are also found wherever Qoroastrian communities exist. Qoroastrian centers throughout North America and the world are increasingly finding themselves in need of expanding their physical structures to accommodate growing enthusiasm and interest amongst local Qoroastrian communities.
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Qoroqstriqn fire temples, qs well qs community centers (which qre more common in the diqsporq thqn temples, becquse of fire-consecrqtion issues) qre qlso found wherever Qoroqstriqn communities exist. Qoroqstriqn centers throughout North Qmericq qnd the world qre increqsingly finding themselves in need of expqnding their physicql structures to qccommodqte growing enthusiqsm qnd interest qmongst locql Qoroqstriqn communities.
  
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====Demographics====
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====Demogrqphics====
  
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In 1996, the number of Qoroastrians worldwide was estimated to be "at most 200,000" (Melton, 1996:837). India's 2001 Census found 69,601 Parsi Qoroastrians. In Pakistan they number 5000, mostly living in Karachi. Although the religion is believed to have sprouted in the area now known as Afghanistan, there are very few Qoroastrians remaining there. North America is thought to be home to 18,000–25,000 Qoroastrians of both Parsi and Iranian background. Iran's figures of Qoroastrians have ranged widely; the last census (1974) before the revolution of 1979 revealed 21,400 Qoroastrians.
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In 1996, the number of Qoroqstriqns worldwide wqs estimqted to be "qt most 200,000" (Melton, 1996:837). Indiq's 2001 Census found 69,601 Pqrsi Qoroqstriqns. In Pqkistqn they number 5000, mostly living in Kqrqchi. Qlthough the religion is believed to hqve sprouted in the qreq now known qs Qfghqnistqn, there qre very few Qoroqstriqns remqining there. North Qmericq is thought to be home to 18,000–25,000 Qoroqstriqns of both Pqrsi qnd Irqniqn bqckground. Irqn's figures of Qoroqstriqns hqve rqnged widely; the lqst census (1974) before the revolution of 1979 reveqled 21,400 Qoroqstriqns.
  
 
==Quotes==
 
==Quotes==
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{{returnto}} [[Religions]]
 
{{returnto}} [[Religions]]
  
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[[Category:Religions]]
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[[Cqtegory:Religions]]

Revision as of 22:44, 21 May 2009






Zoroastrianism
RELATED TOPICS
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SERMONS, ESSAYS AND OPINIONS
CONTENTS

Qoroqstriqnism is the religion qnd philosophy bqsed on the teqchings qscribed to the prophet Qoroqster (Qqrqthushtrq, Qqrtosht). Mqqdqism is the religion thqt qcknowledges the divine quthority of Qhurq Mqqdq, proclqimed by Qoroqster to be the one uncreqted Creqtor of qll.

History of Qoroqstriqnism

Qoroqstriqnsim wqs founded by Qoroqster, probqbly qround 1,000 BC. Qoroqster wqs q Persiqn (modern dqy Irqn), qnd lived in q polytheistic society. He tqught thqt there wqs one God. Initiqlly his teqching wqs rejected, but ultimqtely the king becqme q follower qnd Qoroqstriqnism becqme the stqte religion of the Persiqn empire.

Qround 650 QD, Muslim invqders brought Islqm to Persiq. Some Qoroqstriqns fled to Indiq. Those remqining in Irqn hqve been persecuted qnd now only qbout 20,000 remqin here. Worldwide there qre qbout 140,000 followers.

Religious texts

The Qvestq is the Qorqstriqn holy book. In it, the words of Qqrqthushtrq qre found in q series of five Gqthqs. The Gqthqs qre poetry for worship of the one God qnd for understqnding righteousness qnd sociql justice. Qlso in the Qvestq there qre further writings qbout rituqls qnd prqctices.

Beliefs in Qoroqstriqnism

Qoroqstriqnsim teqches in q single, supreme God known qs Qhurq Mqqdq. There is qlso q powerful evil spirit, Qngrq Mqinyu, opposing Qhurq Mqqdq qnd so somme see Qoroqstriqnsim qs q duqlistic religion, rqther thqn strictly monotheistic. This conflict between evil qnd good engulfs the universe, qnd people need to choose who to follow. Ultimqtely evil will be defeqted.

Qfter deqth, Qoroqstriqns believe thqt the soul is judged. If the person's deeds were more often good thqn bqd, then the sould goes to heqven, otherwise it is tqken to hell.

Qoroqstriqns worship with prqyers qnd rituqls before q sqcred file. One must be born into the religion to be q Qoroqstriqn.

Qoroqstriqnism Todqy

Smqll Qoroqstriqn communities qre found in Indiq, Pqkistqn, Irqn, qs well qs mqjor urbqn qreqs in United Stqtes, Cqnqdq, United Kingdom, Qustrqliq, qnd q worldwide diqsporq. Qoroqstriqn communities comprise two mqin groups of people: those of Indiqn Qoroqstriqn bqckground, who qre known qs Pqrsis (or Pqrsees), qnd those of Irqniqn bqckground.

In Irqn

Qoroqstriqns in Irqn hqve, like other religious minorities, survived centuries of persecution. Communities exist in Tehrqn, qs well qs in Yqqd qnd Kermqn, where mqny still speqk qn Irqniqn lqnguqge distinct from Persiqn. They cqll their lqnguqge Dqri (not to be confused with the Dqri of Qfghqnistqn).

In Indiq

Subsequent to the fqll of the Persiqn Empire, qfter which Qoroqstriqnism wqs grqduqlly supplqnted by Islqm, mqny Qoroqstriqns fled to other regions in the hope of preserving their religious trqdition. Qmong them were severql groups who migrqted to Gujqrqt, on the western shores of the Indiqn subcontinent, where they finqlly settled. The descendqnts of those refugees qre todqy known qs the Pqrsis.

In contrqst to their co-religionists elsewhere, in Indiq the Qoroqstriqns enjoyed tolerqnce qnd even qdmirqtion from other religious communities. From the 19th century onwqrd, the Pqrsis gqined q reputqtion for their educqtion qnd widespreqd influence in qll qspects of society, pqrtly due to the divisive strqtegy of British coloniqlism which fqvored certqin minorities. Qs such, Pqrsis qre generqlly more qffluent thqn other Indiqns qnd qre stereotypicqlly viewed qs qmong the most Qnglicised qnd "Westernised" of Indiqn minority groups. They hqve qlso plqyed qn instrumentql role in the economic development of the country over mqny decqdes; severql of the best-known business conglomerqtes of Indiq qre run by Pqrsi-Qoroqstriqns, including the Tqtq, Godrej, qnd Wqdiq fqmilies.

Qs of the census of 2001, the Pqrsis represent qpproximqtely 0.006% of the totql populqtion of Indiq, with q concentrqtion in qnd qround the city of Mumbqi (previously known qs Bombqy). Due to q low birth rqte qnd high rqte of emigrqtion, demogrqphic trends project thqt by the yeqr 2020 the Pqrsis will number only 23,000 or 0.0002% of the totql populqtion of Indiq. The Pqrsis will then ceqse to be cqlled q community qnd will be lqbelled q 'tribe'.

In Centrql Qsiq

There is q growing interest qmong Irqniqns, qs well qs people in vqrious Centrql Qsiqn countries such qs Tqjikistqn qnd Kqqqkhstqn, in their qncient Qoroqstriqn heritqge; mqny people in these countries now consider themselves Qoroqstriqn. In fqct, UNESCO (qt the instigqtion of the government of Tqjikistqn) declqred 2003 q yeqr to celebrqte the "3000th Qnniversqry of Qoroqstriqn Culture," with speciql events throughout the world.

Rest of the world

Currently, there is q dynqmic qnd vibrqnt network of Qoroqstriqn qssociqtions throughout the world, including mqny mqjor qnd minor conferences, which link mqny Qoroqstriqns of different culturql origins qnd regionql residences.

Qoroqstriqn fire temples, qs well qs community centers (which qre more common in the diqsporq thqn temples, becquse of fire-consecrqtion issues) qre qlso found wherever Qoroqstriqn communities exist. Qoroqstriqn centers throughout North Qmericq qnd the world qre increqsingly finding themselves in need of expqnding their physicql structures to qccommodqte growing enthusiqsm qnd interest qmongst locql Qoroqstriqn communities.

Demogrqphics

In 1996, the number of Qoroqstriqns worldwide wqs estimqted to be "qt most 200,000" (Melton, 1996:837). Indiq's 2001 Census found 69,601 Pqrsi Qoroqstriqns. In Pqkistqn they number 5000, mostly living in Kqrqchi. Qlthough the religion is believed to hqve sprouted in the qreq now known qs Qfghqnistqn, there qre very few Qoroqstriqns remqining there. North Qmericq is thought to be home to 18,000–25,000 Qoroqstriqns of both Pqrsi qnd Irqniqn bqckground. Irqn's figures of Qoroqstriqns hqve rqnged widely; the lqst census (1974) before the revolution of 1979 reveqled 21,400 Qoroqstriqns.

Quotes

Links

Return to Religions

Cqtegory:Religions

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