The Survival of Zoroastrianism

Dear Friends

If Zoroastrian philosophy did not exist, we would have to invent it.
Like Baruch Spinoza did in Europe in the 17th century, not knowing about Zoroastrianism (although clearly being inspired by its thinking indirectly, via the Sufis).
So why invent the wheel again, when Zarathushtra invented it?
Whether the Zoroastrian community survives or not is another issue. I certainly believe it will, but without the ethnic connotations. But then again, Zarathushtra never intended to create an ethnic religion. Quite the opposite, his philosophy is universal and not ethnic. So I don't understand in what way the loss of a Zoroastrian ethnicity would be any real loss at all.

Ushta
Alexander

2009/10/27 bfar @sympatico.ca

Ushta Bahaman

The question is not whether Zoroastrianism will survive but whether the Zoroastrian Community will survive that's the question

Choicest Blessings

Farida


To: mazd_yasna@yahoogroups.com; ushta@yahoogroups.com
From: zgarratt@hotmail.com
Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:04:39 +0100
Subject: [Ushta] RE: (Mazd Yasna) Why bother?

hi Bahman,
I believe that Zoroastrainism IS worth surviving, it is a beautiful meaningful religion that has had a huge impact on the world through the many Zoroastrians who have contriuted with their good thoughts, good words and good deeds throughout the years, as well as having a huge influence on Judaism, Christianity, law, architecture, gardening-for the great Persian Empire had a huge impact on western religion,the Greeks and Romans that tends to be forgotten. I have studied Zoroastrainism for about 14 years now and it has certainly helped me and its scriptures and traditions have been amazing to read and study.To me, Zoroastrainism is one of the great religons of the world and very much worth preserving in all its beauty,
every blessing from zaneta


To: ushta@yahoogroups.com; mainstreamzoroastrians@yahoogroups.com; mazd_yasna@yahoogroups.com
From: bahman_noruziaan@hotmail.com
Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:44:46 -0400
Subject: (Mazd Yasna) Why bother?



Is Zoroastrianism worth surviving, I have asked myself times and again?

This I believe is the most essential question that any Zoroastrian whose heart and soul is longing for the continuation of this old and ancient tradition, should be asking and answering.

Why, Zoroastrian tradition and religion is worth surviving? What will happen, if and when no more practicing Zoroastrian remains on the face of the Earth?

At times when I hear on the news that a prominent actor, a musician, an artist, a writer, a philosopher, a scientist, a singer, a poet, a person with elevated soul has passed away: I wish that had not happened. I think and feel that the world is from now missing a great soul, a creative individual, a man or a woman who could still have contributed through his or her talent and acts and words for the betterment of the world. I guess, not many, if any, would feel and think the same if and when one day I depart from this world.

How about us collectively? How about Zoroastrian heritage and tradition that is still living among the 200,000 or so scattered souls in various corners of the globe? Will the world lose a worthy and distinguished part of its existence, like losing a great soul, when there is no more Zoroastrian remaining; or there world will not see a big loss like when an ordinary individual is gone?

Have you thought about this? Have you pondered on this question? Do you have your answers for this question? Are we, as Zoroastrian community worth surviving? What is our most significant contribution to the world that makes us worthy of being around? What is the biggest loss for the world and humanity, if and when no more Zoroastrian prayers are recited and no more flames of our fire do their dance of life in our Atash Bahrams?

What is it that we bring to the table as they say; that others are not having? After all, if other living religions and beliefs are leading humanity to the same path, then why bother keeping this tradition alive? Why not join the bandwagon of a much larger community of hundreds of millions and do contribute to the progress of the world with much larger pool of resources, material and human?

Why bother?

Regards

Bahman