UNIVERSAL INTERFAITH CHURCH

Religion of the Month

     We support all faiths and beliefs, whether an individual or organized path.  As a gesture of religious tolerance and in recognition of the Truths in all faiths, we offer these short articles on the Living Religions of our time. These articles are not intended to explain any religious belief but to give the seeker a place to begin to explore and understand the fundamental truths of the spiritual life as seen from different perspectives.
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                                              RELIGION OF THE MONTH - ZOROASTRIANISM
                                                   The Religion of the Magi

             Zoroastrianism is an ancient faith that is still practiced today.  There are over 200,000 followers living mainly in Iran and India with other followers living in other countries around the globe.  It is the religion that was practiced by the Magi, the Wisemen, who followed the star in the heavens to discover the baby Jesus, the Messenger of Light for the Christian faith. Conversion to the faith is not encouraged as this faith believes it is up to each person to find their true path.
          This monotheistic religion (believing in one God) was founded by the prophet Zoroaster, also known as Zarathustra.  He was known as "He of the Golden Light." He lived between 2000-500 BCE (scholars are not sure of the exact date) in northeast Iran.  He was a mystical seeker and spent many years in spiritual retreat. He was inspired to teach and spread his new understandings when at the age of 30 he received a series of visions from the Supreme God, which he called Ahura Mazda. 
          He was described as a magician, an astrologer, a mathematician, and a philospher.  He used fire to represent God, and drew on the power of the natural elements of rain, wind and sun to explain God's attributes. 
          Many of the beliefs of Judaism, Christianity and Islam have their basis in Zoroastrianism: that God is masculine and created everything in goodness;  the coming of a savior, the resurrection of the dead, a day of judgment when wrongdoers will go to hell and the just to heaven; free will to choose between good and evil ( it was not a serpent, but an evil spirit who tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden according to Zoroastrianism); and to do good works in the world.
         Even though the religion does have some rituals, especially the symbol of purification using water, the most important acticity is "to perfect oneself and promote good in the world." "The world will not be refreshed with the work of a single savior; it requires the contributions of many, many people..and the moral responsibility of each person, for the good of the whole." (Living Religions)