Zoroastrianism, one of the oldest living religions, is a pre-Islamic and ancient monotheistic religion. Along with monotheistic features, Zoroastrianism also contains dualistic features and it shares many central concepts with the major world religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It is centered on the words of the prophet Zoroaster and focuses worship upon Ahura Mazda, the Lord of Wisdom, and also acknowledges two competing principles representing good and evil: Spenta Mainyu (“Bounteous Spirit”) and Angra Mainyu (“Destructive Spirit”) (What, n.d.). People are free to choose between the good or evil, but then they are responsible for their choices and deeds. Humans are intimately involved in this struggle, holding off chaos and destruction through active goodness (What, n.d.). …show more content…
There are four sacred elements of Zoroastrian ethics and worships which are the earth, fire, water, and air. Whoever pollutes or violates these sacred elements is considered evil and will be punished in the afterlife in hell. Ahura Mazda is strongly associated with both fire and the Sun, for this reason Zoroastrians respect and recognize fire as a powerful purifier and always keep a fire burning at their temples to represent Ahura Mazda’s eternal power (What,
Religions of the Ancient World Of the seven religions/philosophies, most are polytheistic, with Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as exceptions. These three religions are the three major monotheistic religions, meaning they all only believe in one God. Being a Hindu, you should be grateful, strong, patient, gentle, good, generous, and truthful, as said in the Ancient Indian Epic, Mahabharata in 400 B.C. Hinduism has a Caste System (Doc. 3), which greatly influences the Hindu people. The four major castes are: The Brahmins: priests, The Kshatriyas: warriors, rulers, senators, presidents, and majors, The Vaisyas: farmers, merchants, lawyers, and doctors, The Sudras: unskilled workers, and the Other sub-castes: “untouchables” (Doc. 7). Buddhism
What– according to Gilgamesh, Hammurabi, Plato, Thucydides, Confucius, and the Koran– makes a good society? Thanks to the long lasting scriptures of these ancient thinkers and rulers, today, we are fortunate to be given the knowledge to understand the thoughts of sages; who lived thousands of years before us. Through myths, poetry and legal codes, these wise men express their philosophy on what it takes to create a good society. It is evident in all the texts, a presence of a Supreme Being or “God”, who dictates to the people how to behave, along with its respective consequences.
Their religion was based on monotheism and they believed on only one god. The prophet Zoroaster taught people that the world was constantly being separated
“There is a battle of two wolves inside us all. One is evil. It is anger, jealousy, greed, resentment, lies, inferiority and ego. The other is good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, humility, kindness, empathy and truth.
Both the Mystery Religions and Zoroastrianism have gods that are similar to Christianity because of their Gods’ benevolence. For example, when Isis comes to Lucius in The Metamorphoses, she says,”... here I am, taking pity on your miseries; here I am, benevolent and protective” (The Metamorphoses 2). While Isis declares herself to be benevolent, it is her actions that show this even more. Isis, as a mighty goddess, still makes sure to comfort her followers, confirming her nature of being kind and loving.
In a world ridden with death, evil, tyranny, and corruption, many find it difficult to believe there is any good left. However, even with the existence of groups such as ISIS, the Taliban, and other oppressive institutions, people continue to fight for a happier and better world. Per the futurist author, Jamais Cascio, “Resilience is all about being able to overcome the unexpected. Sustainability is about survival.
According to the culture and religion of the people, the existence of everything can be classified as either good or bad. There are the holy people who are supernatural, and the people that reside on the earth’s surface are two different entities. The holy people through circumstances made their entry into the world and thereby came the first man and woman and they are the first ancestors of all men on earth. Thy provided the earth with all that is needed for survival and then moved to exist in a different realm of the earth that is said to be above the earth. It is, however, to be noted that they are interested in the happenings of the world and the people that inhabit the earth’s surface.
There is a real danger that the powers of chaos and destruction will explode out of hand. Events do in fact develop out of control. Even the gods are shocked by the results of their own action, but nothing shows more strikingly the difference in outlook and purpose than the
All knowing, all powerful, all present is HE. Belief in God as the creator of all things, human race, and ruler of the universe. This God is usually personal and relates to humankind in an intimate way. (Weider & Gutierrez, Finding Your Worldview p.63) Christianity, Judaism, and Islam all fall under this belief system.
Global warming, the arms race, and war situations are upbringing chaotic factors in this age. However, despite this advancement man is alone. These all efforts are fruitless because it makes the existence of humanity
Hinduism: Polytheistic or Monotheistic? Regarded as the 3rd largest religion in the world, originating back to 2750-1750 BCE, Hinduism is a very unique religion practiced mostly by India (80 Percent). When asking the question whether this religion is polytheistic or monotheistic, it can be said that Hinduism can really be considered both of these terms due to different aspects. Hinduism is polytheistic, meaning that this religion worships many different gods all containing different elements, but Hinduism also is monotheistic, as its origins come from one sacred book, the Bhagavad Gita. Hinduism worshipers believe in many different gods, and worshipers participate in different pujas (rituals) to these gods.
The Mapuche people’s spiritual beliefs is closely linked to their natural environment. Their religion is guided by the Machi. The Machi are spiritual leaders that are typically women, the also can be men. Their job is to communicate will the celestial family to maintain the harmony and to combat the powers of evil. With the sacred Kultrun, a drum, the Machi’s use their supernatural powers during their religious ceremonies to chase away evil and to ask for wellbeing.
Zoroastrians’ belief and view of God came from the revelations of Zoroastrian and Judaist view developed from God’s communication to Moses. Similarly, Christians’ view of God is shaped and defined by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. In respect to a coming Savior, Judaists waited for the Messiah, Christians wait for Jesus, and Zoroastrians expected the Saoshyant. Even further, all the religions view the world to be in a constant battle between good and evil, and between God and the devil. From the Zoroastrians’ point of view, the Universe is literally a battlefield between Ahura Mazda, the one good God, and Ahriman, the separate spirit of Evil.
Religion of Tengriism Tengriism is a shamanistic religion practiced in Central Asia. Mongols, Huns, Bulgars, Turic, and Altaic people. Characterized by shamanism, totemism and animism. It is both monotheistic and polytheistic. Ancestor worship is also a big part of Tengriism.
Zoroaster taught a massage that was Spiritual. It was a massage of Monotheism. This religion believe that Ahuramazda was the only God, and they believe that this religion was the only perfect religion out of all other religions. They believe that all humans should aspire to, as such as good thought, right, and piety. Ahuramazda was not opposed, but he was supreme.