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Zoroastrians. By Cristian Savoldelli, nicholas Harelik, and Sam Postma. Where did it originate. It originated in Persia or modern day Iran and Afghanistan This area was known as Persia. What do they believe in?. They believe in one God- Ahura Mazda. Is there a god?.
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Zoroastrians By Cristian Savoldelli, nicholas Harelik, and Sam Postma
Where did it originate • It originated in Persia or modern day Iran and Afghanistan • This area was known as Persia
What do they believe in? • They believe in one God- Ahura Mazda
Is there a god? • According to them, there is a god- AhuraMazda • Ahura Mazda is known as the ‘wize lord’ • He is also the eternal and universal goodness controlling the cosmos and the destiny of human beings
Do they have a creation myth • Zoroastrians believed that Ahura Mazda created all things • The myth is that (short version) … Ahura Mazda created good things such as the sky, trees, etc. and the Evil Spirit created things that destroyed Ahura Mazda’s creations. Long story short Ahura Mazda won the battle between them
A founder? • The founder of Zoroastrianism was Zoroaster • Zoroaster’s father was a priest • His philosophy he sees humans as the mental struggle between asa (truth) and druj (lie)
A sacred text? • The Zoroastrians use a sacred text made by Zarathustra • These people use a sacred text called Avesta • In the Avesta, there are 17 hymns called Gathas
What rituals do they perform? • They pray 5 times a day • Fire ritual- they are worshipping the elements in honor of Ahura Mazda • Continuous fire in all of the modern temples • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFdEb1sx9bA
Do they have any symbol or material element? • Farvahar- Symbol for Zoroastrianism • Symbolism: • Raised finger indicates that there is 1 god • The head represents wisdom • The large circle represents this world of matter
Do they believe in an afterlife? • Yes, when you die you get judged • To get judged you must cross the Bridge of the Separator • They also believed that
Social aspects? • It is required for a Zoroastrian to marry and have children • A child becomes a full member of the religion at age 7 • It requires an initiation ceremony that lasts 9 days • The father is the head of the household
Ethical Aspects? • Yes, ethical dualism • Ethical dualism- the most distinctive Zoroastrian feature, the belief in the universal forces of good and evil