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'''Zoroastrianism''' is a [[religion]]. [[Zoroaster]], who lived in eastern [[Greater Iran|ancient Iran]] around 1000 BC, created Zoroastrianism.<ref>Zoroastrianism: historical review up to the Arab conquest. [http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/zoroastrianism-i-historical-review].</ref><ref>Zoroastrianism ii. Historical review: from the Arab Conquest to Modern Times. [http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/zoroastrianism-02-arab-conquest-to-modern]</ref> Other names for Zoroastrianism are '''Mazdaism''' and '''Parsiism'''.

Zoroastrianism is a [[monotheism|monotheistic]] religion. The Zoroastrian [[Deity|god]] is called [[Ahura Mazda]]. The [[holy book]] of Zoroastrianism is the [[Avesta (religious scripture)|Zend Avesta]].

Zoroastrianism is also [[dualism|dualist]]. Zoroastrians believe Ahura Mazda created the good [[spirit]]s ([[Spenta Mainyu]]), and [[Angra Mainyu]] the [[Demon|demons]]. Zoroastrians believe people are free to choose between good and bad. Choosing good will lead to [[happiness]], and choosing bad will lead to unhappiness. So it is the best to choose good. Therefore, the [[:wikt:motto|motto]] of the religion is "Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds".

Zoroastrianism was the [[state religion]] of Persia starting in the 6th century BC, including the [[Sassanid dynasty]]. In the 7th century AD, Persia was conquered by [[Islam]]ic [[Arab]]s, and most Persians became [[Muslims]].

Nowadays, there are about 2.6 million Zoroastrians in the [[world]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html |title=Major religions of the world ranked by number of adherents |access-date=2016-09-13 |archive-date=2013-06-22 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6HZF8Uaqj?url=http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Most of them live in [[Iran]], [[Pakistan]] or [[India]]. In Pakistan and India, they are called '''Parsis'''. Many Zoroastrians now live in the [[United States]].

== Basic beliefs ==

These are the basic beliefs of Zoroastrianism:

There is one [[God]], called [[Ahura Mazda]]. He is the one Uncreated [[Creator]]. Zoroastrians [[worship]] only him.

Ahura Mazda created everything. There is a conflict between order (which he created) and chaos (or disorder). Everything in the universe is part of this conflict, including humans.

To help fight the chaos, people need to:
* Lead an active life;
* Do good deeds; and
* Have good words and good thoughts for others.

People also need to do these things in order to be happy. This ''active life'' is the basis of what Zoroastrians call [[free will]]. They do not believe people should live on their own to find God (for example, in [[monastery|monasteries]]).

The conflict will not last forever. Ahura Mazda will win it in the end. When this happens, everything that Ahura Mazda created will be together with him again - even the [[soul]]s of people who [[death|died]] or who were [[Banishment|banished]].

All bad things in the world are represented as Angra Mainyu, the "Destructive Principle". All good things are represented by Spenta Mainyu, the good [[spirit]] which Ahura Mazda created. Through Spenta Maniu, Ahura Mazda is in all humans. In this way, the Creator interacts with the world.

When Ahura Mazda created everything, he made seven "sparks", called [[Amesha Spenta]]s ("Bounteous Immortals"). Each of them represents a part of Ahura Mazda's creation. These seven sparks are helped by many "lesser principles", the [[Yazata]]s. Each Yazata is "worthy of worship" and also stands for a part of the creation.

Some [[historian]]s believe that the [[Three Wise Men]] (Magi) who visited [[Jesus]] after he was born were Zoroastrian [[priest]]s.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
* Kulke, Eckehard: ''The Parsees in India: a minority as agent of social change.'' München: Weltforum-Verlag (= Studien zur Entwicklung und Politik 3), {{ISBN|3-8039-0070-0}}
* Jivanji Jamshedji Modi: A Few Events in The Early History of the Parsis and Their Dates, 2004, 114 p
* Rustom C Chothia: Zoroastrian Religion Most Frequently Asked Questions, 2002, 44 p
* [http://www.unescoparzor.com/ UNESCO Parsi Zoroastrian Project]
* http://parsiana.com/

== External links ==
* [http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Zoroastrianism Zoroastrianism] -Citizendium

{{commonscat|Zoroastrianism}}

{{Classic World Religions}}

[[Category:Zoroastrianism| ]]

Zoroastrianism - Revision history

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