Zoroastrianism: Monotheistic Religion
Zoroastrianism
I. Zoroastrianism is a monotheistic religion that was once widespread in the Near East and
Middle East. (Molloy 438)
A. It spread widely, but is now mostly present in India. (Molloy 438)
B. Some see possible influence on the development of Essenes, early Christianity, and Islam.
(Molloy 438)
II. The prophet Zoroaster, the founder of the religion, was born about 650 BCE in what is now
Iran. (Molloy 438)
A. He was surrounded by the worship of nature gods, common to his area of upbringing.
(Molloy 438)
i. He did not believe in his religions practices of the sacrifice of animals at the fire altars and the power of the priests. (Molloy 438)
B. At age 30, Zoroaster experienced a vision which completely changed his life. (Molloy 438) …show more content…
He felt himself transported to heaven by a spirit he called Vohu Manah (“good mind”) into the presence of the High God Ahura Mazda (“wise lord”). (Molloy 438)
C. Zoroasters new message was initially met with strong rejection, which he blamed on demons (daevas) and the satanic head of evil forces, Angra Mainyu (“wicked spirit”).
(Molloy 438)
i. His bitter experiences made him have further belief in good vs. evil. (Molloy 438)
D. Eventually Zoroasters teachings reached an Iranian King named Vishtaspa, and he used his power to spread Zoroasters new religion. (Molloy 438)
III. Zoroastrianism has one sacred religious text, called The Avesta. (Boyce 238)
A. It is supposed to be written by Zoroaster himself, and includes the seventeen Gathas
(hymns), Yasna Haptanhaiti ( 'Worship of the Seven Chapters ', a short liturgy accompanying the daily act of priestly worship), and two very holy manthras. (Boyce 238)
B. The entirety of The Avesta was written down in Iran, under the Sasanian dynasty, and was then a massive compilation in twenty-one books. (Boyce
I. Zoroastrianism is a monotheistic religion that was once widespread in the Near East and
Middle East. (Molloy 438)
A. It spread widely, but is now mostly present in India. (Molloy 438)
B. Some see possible influence on the development of Essenes, early Christianity, and Islam.
(Molloy 438)
II. The prophet Zoroaster, the founder of the religion, was born about 650 BCE in what is now
Iran. (Molloy 438)
A. He was surrounded by the worship of nature gods, common to his area of upbringing.
(Molloy 438)
i. He did not believe in his religions practices of the sacrifice of animals at the fire altars and the power of the priests. (Molloy 438)
B. At age 30, Zoroaster experienced a vision which completely changed his life. (Molloy 438) …show more content…
He felt himself transported to heaven by a spirit he called Vohu Manah (“good mind”) into the presence of the High God Ahura Mazda (“wise lord”). (Molloy 438)
C. Zoroasters new message was initially met with strong rejection, which he blamed on demons (daevas) and the satanic head of evil forces, Angra Mainyu (“wicked spirit”).
(Molloy 438)
i. His bitter experiences made him have further belief in good vs. evil. (Molloy 438)
D. Eventually Zoroasters teachings reached an Iranian King named Vishtaspa, and he used his power to spread Zoroasters new religion. (Molloy 438)
III. Zoroastrianism has one sacred religious text, called The Avesta. (Boyce 238)
A. It is supposed to be written by Zoroaster himself, and includes the seventeen Gathas
(hymns), Yasna Haptanhaiti ( 'Worship of the Seven Chapters ', a short liturgy accompanying the daily act of priestly worship), and two very holy manthras. (Boyce 238)
B. The entirety of The Avesta was written down in Iran, under the Sasanian dynasty, and was then a massive compilation in twenty-one books. (Boyce