Difference between revisions of "Zoroastrianism"
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==History== | ==History== | ||
Zoroastrianism was created by [[Zoroaster]] around 1200 B.C.. The religion was popular amongst the tribes of [[Persia]], though was popularized when it was made the state religion of the [[Sassanid Empire]]. It quickly declined when the forces of Islam overran Persia and the population became Islamic. In the 21<sup>st</sup> century, Zoroastrianism is practiced by around 140,000 people around the world.<ref>[http://www.religioustolerance.org/zoroastr.htm Zoroastrianism]</ref> | Zoroastrianism was created by [[Zoroaster]] around 1200 B.C.. The religion was popular amongst the tribes of [[Persia]], though was popularized when it was made the state religion of the [[Sassanid Empire]]. It quickly declined when the forces of Islam overran Persia and the population became Islamic. In the 21<sup>st</sup> century, Zoroastrianism is practiced by around 140,000 people around the world.<ref>[http://www.religioustolerance.org/zoroastr.htm Zoroastrianism]</ref> | ||
| − | The religion has had formative influence on the [[Abrahamic_religions|Abrahamic]] and Vedic religions and Buddhism | + | The religion has had formative influence on the [[Abrahamic_religions|Abrahamic]] and Vedic religions and Buddhism. |
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==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 21:10, August 18, 2007
Zoroastrianism is a monotheistic religion founded by Zoroaster in what is now Iran. It describes life as a struggle between good and evil with the expectation that good will ultimately prevail. The central divine being is called Ahura Mazda and was associated by Zoroaster to the idea of a creator of all, who had not been created himself. The sacred text is called Zend Avesta.
History
Zoroastrianism was created by Zoroaster around 1200 B.C.. The religion was popular amongst the tribes of Persia, though was popularized when it was made the state religion of the Sassanid Empire. It quickly declined when the forces of Islam overran Persia and the population became Islamic. In the 21st century, Zoroastrianism is practiced by around 140,000 people around the world.[1] The religion has had formative influence on the Abrahamic and Vedic religions and Buddhism.
References
Black, Matthew & H. H. Rowley, eds. (1982), Peake's Commentary on the Bible, New York
Boyce, Mary (1979), Zoroastrians: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices, London: Routledge