Keeping their faith's flame lit

When a group of young Zoroastrian people gathered in a Chicago suburb over the weekend to plan and pray for their religion's survival, they sang a modern hymn of praise to their adopted homeland with a ...

[Ardeshir]

The Parsis, those Zoroastrians who fled to India about 1000 years ago and their descendants, are mixing up the survival of their race with that of the religion. The Parsis will eventually die out, first in India and then in the rest of the world. BUT the religion of Zarathustra will continue to flourish. The religion is reviving in the former Soviet Republics where it was suppressed by Communism. In Russia, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan and Armenia Zoroastrianism is making a come back in a big way. Those Zoroastrian Iranis who migrated to North America after the fall of the Shah in 1979 are more mindful of their culture and religion and generally marry within the community. Hence I see the Zoroastrian faith's leadership gradually changing hands from the Orthodox Parsis of Bombay to North America. They say, that at the heart of every Moslem in Iran, remains the acceptance that his/her ancestors were Zoroastrians. There is an off chance that the Iranians may yet shun Islam and revert to their original faith. Twenty years ago whoever thought that the Soviet Union and Communism will collapse?

[Steve]

It seems reasonable that any organization that holds beliefs like “a judgment day, heaven as the reward for those who live a life of righteousness, an underworld for those who don't, angels and evil spirits” could be reduced to a curiosity in the twenty first century. What I find amazing – and often frightening and appalling – is that such organizations continue to grow in power.

[Jenny]

I think Christianity also has a heaven and hell. Have an abortion and go to hell. Right?

[JFP]

A member of the Zoroastrians Faith states "Imagine what it would be like if we lost Christianity or Islam." I imagine it would be a good start.

[Carol Mayer]

Being a 6th grade teacher & one of ancient civilizations, I realized just how poorly I cover this religion when I teach it to my class. This article cleared up so many questions I had, as well as gave me an understanding that the text book did not. I now teach w/ someone who is Zoroatrian & once she read the text, she informed me there was much misinformation. I'm glad to be informed.

[Ashok Sharma]

Very True.Well written with insights .
Appreciate it a lot.
God Bless

[katie jehang irani]

chiya hame Zorastis rey mazadin u din

[katie jehang irani]

we keep our fire burning we love astash behram kerbun astash Behram yazd

[katie jehang irani]

no 9 is a lucky as it is Adar I put on no in my neck golden chain in form of pendent is Adar

[katie jehang irani]

Kam we say for 1st 3 times one atha vario than 108 times n than one athouvario again 3 times
this prayers is very powerfull

is equal to our paryer book Khunuthro Ahura Mazdao
God Bless Us all

[Feroza Saran]

Zoroastrian children need to be introduced to each other from a very young age, so that friendships forged in childhood, may blosson into adult love, and hence more Zoroastrian marriages. For this to happen it is the parents, and the older generation who will have to make consistent efforts.
Also Panchayats and other Zoroastrian bodies should help newly married couples with accommodation.
Navjotes should be done of children of intermarried couples, if both parents and the child wish it so.
Zoroastrian Industrialists should give financial help to parents of new born children who are not very well off.
Some random thoughts to help the community.

[Jimmy]

very informative, you should run a few more detailed articles so that a lot more people can learn about man's oldest religion, which is not mythology but a montheistic religion & it's followers who may be few in numbers but has given / enriched the world through their enterprise & their religous beliefs.

[mickey]

Agree 100%

Despite being a Parsi, I think Parsis need to
look at the current situation.

The population has gone down rapidly, there are inter-marraiges every day,more girls marry out in increasing numbers,the community is at the cross-roads

Its good to see revival of Zoroastrianism in Iran,Soviet Union.

Great!

Ardeshir wrote:

The Parsis, those Zoroastrians who fled to India about 1000 years ago and their descendants, are mixing up the survival of their race with that of the religion. The Parsis will eventually die out, first in India and then in the rest of the world. BUT the religion of Zarathustra will continue to flourish. The religion is reviving in the former Soviet Republics where it was suppressed by Communism. In Russia, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan and Armenia Zoroastrianism is making a come back in a big way. Those Zoroastrian Iranis who migrated to North America after the fall of the Shah in 1979 are more mindful of their culture and religion and generally marry within the community. Hence I see the Zoroastrian faith's leadership gradually changing hands from the Orthodox Parsis of Bombay to North America. They say, that at the heart of every Moslem in Iran, remains the acceptance that his/her ancestors were Zoroastrians. There is an off chance that the Iranians may yet shun Islam and revert to their original faith. Twenty years ago whoever thought that the Soviet Union and Communism will collapse?

[Cherag-Ahmedabad]

Revival of Zoroastrianism in Iran and surrounded countries is wellcome. Zoroastriansm teaches peace, harmony and respect to other religions. Zoroastriansm has neither converted people from other faiths, nor destroyed any religious places.