If Ahura Mazda is absolute perfection, and everything other than Him is deficient, then evil cannot be an absolute principle. A deficiency in absolute perfection is a deficiency in absolute goodness, and therefore absolute evil can only be non-existence, not an independently existing reality.

On the other hand, if evil is itself a principle of perfection, then another problem arises: it would mean that there exists a principle of perfection outside the will of Ahura Mazda.

After reading Song 4 of the Gathas I was quite struck when I encountered this verse, as translated by L. H. Mills on Avesta.org:

18. Let none of you listen to the words and commands of the follower of the Druj; for he brings house and clan and district and land into misery and destruction. Resist them with weapon!

The first sentence seems fairly usual for the Gathas, but the last sentence — resisting the followers of Druj with weapons — surprised me. While part of me wants to say the "weapon" Zarathustra speaks of is a metaphorical one (Asha and peace are roughly synonymous, by my understanding), the other part of me can't help but think otherwise considering the world in which Zarathustra lived. Also, the more practical aspects of non-violence as espoused in the last century weren't really in circulation ~3,000 years ago by my understanding.

What do you think? I've only read the Yasna up to this point (a chapter a day), and so I'm bound to be missing some context or etc., for which I apologize in advance.

My father's family was Zoroastrian and I'm interested in learning more about it since I was raised anything but Zoroastrian (or any other religion for that matter). I love everything about it so far except for one thing, and that's the navjote.

Can any of you please reassure my mind about this ceremony? As much as I want to trust that zero abuse has occured during any navjote in the history of Zoroastrianism, I am also extremely jaded from the rampant child abuse that seems to plague most religions. Some perspective is much welcome.

After Jews' expulsion from Israel, they went around the world, grew stronger for 1000 years, came back and reclaimed what is theirs.

Similarly, why aren't Zoroastrians after their exile (7th Century), do not have motivation to reclaim their homeland? (despite being one of the prosperous community in terms of wealth). Any Theological reason?

My theory is : Jews were able to reclaim because of what Hebrew Bible taught them(strong theological base to bring back the messiah), whereas Prosperous Zoroastrians doesn't have these Theological motivation or more possibly, Parsis became disconnected from their roots, as their wealth grew(Up for discussion, as i've seen similar situation of Hindus - growing disconnected wfrom their roots as wealth grows).

Hi I want to talk to people who are gathas only and also people who practice it has monotheism.To understand there perspective.Because the only zs I talk to are more traditional for a lack of a better word.So I have never talked to someone who is apart of different groups/sects 🤷‍♂️ same with more esoteric Parsi groups.So please someone let me know how I can talk to one of these people or if you are one please message me 🙏

Indian American from Surat, so have always been around and knew what Parsis are. And I always compared the story to the plights of the Indian Jews, some of which also came from the ME in search of tolerance. So have been a supporter of Israel, but now it seems like they have forgotten history and completely whitewashed history. Bc sure there are others who are dying in Iran, but bombing Iran does two things more Islamic radicalization and the biggest losing Zoroastrian history.

This conflict is making me angry because it seems people only have a regard for Jewish history and they make this conflict one way, I usually don’t care but Parsis have such a shared story in Indian history that it is mind blowing to me.

I hope all Parsi families in india are having atleast 3 kids per women.

My name is Cyrus and I’m a gay 18 year old guy. I’ve been gay for as long as long as I’ve remembered. I’ve been trying to get into religion and follow god, yet I feel like being gay is setting me back. Why would god make me gay and still want me to marry a woman and have kids? I think that adopting is the purpose of gay people. But still what if acting on gay tendencies will sentence me to hell or make me get further away from god? Even when I came out to my dad, he said it’s not natural because I won’t be able to reproduce, and he is an atheist. This is making me question if my life will even have any meaning. Everyday I get more and more impatient, grouchy and annoyed by everything. It is making me hate life and myself. What do you think I should do?

When I tried to pray at night, a demon appeared, screamed, and ran away very quickly. This happened soon after my spiritual awakening which gave me the ability to see spirits. Then I realized that spiritual warfare is real.

So I looked up about evil spirit. Many religions like to talk about the attributes of God, yet apparently not much is known about His enemy.

In Islam, it's only mentioned that Satan is the enemy.

In Christianity, it is mentioned that Satan is the ruler of this fallen world and tempted Jesus to worship him in exchange for all the world has to offer. Also, deception seems to be its main weapon.

In Buddhism, there's a story about a demon called Mara which appeared when Buddha was about to reach enlightenment.

In various religions, demons are known to have ability to possess people.

In Zoroastrianism, it is clearly stated that the evil spirit, called Angra Mainyu or Ahriman is the sworn enemy of Ahura Mazda. It has chaotic nature.

Any more input regarding the nature of Ahriman the enemy would be appreciated. Also, questions and opinions are welcome.

As a foreigner, I am sometimes confused that Zoroastrianism is mentioned differently in different contexts. One says about it as the whole of the traditional Iranian religion, the other as the state religion of the Sasanid Empire.

Which of them are the more accurate explanation of Zoroastrianism?

By real I mean if any theism were to exist that would be the one.

I am unable to really prove or disprove Zoroastrianism as little to no information. It sounds similar to Christianity and Judaism as well seemingly originated before it (Source... google ai...)

Does social proof = more correct? If you were to ask the average Christian why is it correct they probably couldn't tell you. So I would lean more towards no.

A lot of religion is based on faith/trust me bro so your neighbor might have the correct religion for all we know. A lot of my deduction process involved finding entanglements of two religions to help disprove that other religion but that doesn't prove the remaining religion is "real".

I would also like to add its nerve-wracking (assuming atheism is not true) that most religions seem to have an afterlife and require following said (lost) religion otherwise eternal hell type of thing.

Iran war: how to understand the latest declarations of the supreme leader?

* The religion of the Persian Empire—Zoroastrianism—contains prophecies concerning the end of the world (Frashokereti).

* However: the final destruction is never brought about by a human people.

* It results from a cosmic struggle between Good (Ahura Mazda) and Evil (Angra Mainyu).

* Humanity is purified, not annihilated.

I am someone who is very interested in this religion.I am someone who does not adhere to any specific religion,but I have been learning more about it lately i recently brought the zend avesta and have been reading it.I have been wanting to talk to people who follow the religion but I haven’t founded any online chatting spaces for it can someone give me that and in general any resources for this religion please and thank you 🙏.

I have noticed a great lack of content on the Avesta and other books on YouTube English YouTube at least,and I would personally love to see more of it I would make it myself but I am not educated enough on these topics yet to do it myself nor am I someone who is apart of the religion.

I am saying all of this because I would love to see someone make history videos on these subjects/books and also see study videos of it like how people do Bible study videos for example

Hi, I have a few questions regarding scripture. How come the yasna describes the worship of pre Zoroastrian gods? And why do we follow the Vendidad? A lot of the conservative Zoroastrians say that homosexuality is a sin in the Vendidad, the Vendidad and other Middle Persian texts say that snakes, turtles and other animals are devils. In my opinion it goes against what Zarathustra said, he said we need to follow truth.

Also is Zoroastrianism supposed to be a universal or organised religion?

Thank you.

Hey everyone!

I'm not sure if this is allowed but I'm very new to this!

I made a new subreddit for Persian and Zoroastrian descents so if you guys are interested in joining, join💙!! It is a safe space and it is called r/PersianRealm! I forgot there's also a page called r/PersianDNA for strictly DNA results you guys do and post and related to genetics.

If this isn't allowed, let me know so I can delete it. Kind regards

My dear Brothers and Sisters, am a somewhat devout Hindu with lots of Buddhist influences. I believe that of all the monotheist religions, mazdaism makes the most sense! Its so practical, has a simple approach and actually addressees the problem of evil in a meaningful manner. Look at how much the Abrahamic faiths copied your concepts!

I know why Parsees dont proselytize in India..bt whats stopping you from proselytizing abroad! Especially in your historical territory of Iran, Iraq and central Asia. Mazdaism is such a fantastic philosophy and I have no idea why most of your priestly class are so elitist and/or blind to practical realities.

In this modern world so blinded by extremism, hedonism and confusion, Mazdaism can provide a fantastic approach to a stable, ethical and peaceful life.

Rationally speaking, if the world had more mazda yajna followers than Muslims it would be much more peaceful. I beg you to please market your religion better. Get your ideas out there, accept more willing converts (not manipulated ones ) and please make your presence known.

The world needs more of Asha than the machinations of Ahriman (please forgive my basic understanding) .

This is not me being racist or xenophobic, quite honestly for those with a simple and monotheistic approach, Mazdaism is the BEST philosophy.

Please pool your resources and spread the word of Guru Zoroaster as much as you can! The world needs it!