måndag 25 maj 2009

The rich variety of Zoroastrian beliefs, Part 2

Dear Parviz

It is worth reminding ourselves again and again that Zarathushtra had absolutely no idea that his ideas would one day end up in a book. He was not a writer, he was a preacher and a founder of a religion. The Gathas was written down long after Zarathushtra had died. And this is perhaps something we should be jolly about. Writers tend to think that they can catch The Truth when they write. Preachers are much more modest (and therefore ironically also closer to The Truth). A good preacher will always tell you to "don't follow others, think for yourself, without thinking for yourself, you are nothing!", exactly like Zarathushtra did. He was an excellent preacher and teacher but not a man of any book. He had no idea books would ever exist. Especially not as weapons with which one could find an excuse to kill others.

Ushta
Alexander

2009/5/25 Parviz Varjavand



Dear Alex,

I enjoyed reading this post of yours and I red-flagged it for future references. Thank you for your sharp observations about a complex situation Zoroastrianism finds itself in. I think this is to be expected when Zaratustra demands that each of us use our best mind and observe what makes sense to us individually. This is in stark contrast to other religions that demand their followers to dive into some collective soup and surrender their minds to some book or another.

Ushta te,
Parviz

--- On Sun, 5/24/09, Alexander Bard wrote:


From: Alexander Bard
Subject: [Ushta] The rich variety of Zoroastrian beliefs
To: Ushta@yahoogroups.com
Date: Sunday, May 24, 2009, 3:39 AM


Dear Iris

Practiced Zoroastrianism shows a rich variety of beliefs. There are Indian Parsees who are more or less Hinduist (with even beliefs in a caste system and reincarnation) . There are Iranis who believe in a conscious after-life. There is the Gathas-only teachings of The Zarathushtrian Assembly with its dualist interpretation of The Gathas. Some Zoroastrians are happy to decalre their "Atheism" with Ahura Mazda merely as an ethical ideal. Then there are Gathas-centric beliefs there are monist and pantheist (like my own Mazdayasna beliefs) and then there are Zoroastrians who refuse to decide what their beliefs are and rather walk in and out of the different options. We've come to accept this as a more-the-merrier situation. It is quite natural in a large religion with a 3,700-year-old history located geographically and culturally between East and West, North and South. Nothing else should have been expected. What is, however, unifying is the strict ethics of Zoroastrianism. In practice, the religion is actually very uniform around the world. The world is fundamentally a good and sacred place and it's our job to keep it that way.

Ushta
Alexander

2009/5/24 irisfilpot


Hi
I hope I am not wearing you all out. I looked around alittle on the internet etc. What I am understanding is that there are Parsis who do believe in an afterlife etc that have alot of additional literature besides the Gathas. Then there is the Zarthustrian Assembly that is into "The Gathas Only". Is that right? That would be a huge reason for real differences in theological thought etc.
Now what exactly is the difference between Parsis and Zartouche's in Iran (that are not part of the Zarthustrian Assembly)?

Ok Thank you again. I'm sorry for being a pest but not sorry enough to not ask. (I don't have anyone else to ask.)

Iris

2 kommentarer:

liebera sa...

What are scientists Children of the knowledge Primal seed of cosmical machine Schemes and terms from sky laboratories Investigation‘s brought by Creator‘s wit
Physical aspect and lace of metaphysic
Supreme touch urges to create
Science wit knows sense of moving
But Divine can’t be proved by theme

Dear Alex, here is a trifle example my creation and tribute to VACUUM. I’m an author of great amount of poems that are close to your ideas, especially to NETOCRACY. And I want you to be acquainted with them. Please, give me your i-mail, where I can send you in privacy (not for all other net users) I’m real fabric of different ideas and thoughts. It’s very important for me!!! I’m very responsive person! Send your answer on ‘prototype2004@gmail.com”.
I’ll be waiting for your news!

liebera sa...

ARMY OF LOVERS’ CLONES are as French résistance. French communist Michael romances with positive lad from positive French Gestapo. Local stripper Sarah is busy worker. Female Polizei is in jealousy. Unhonest Owner of Milk Factory is only one negative person. There is no blood and horrors in the story that is the result of mobilistic philosophy. Do you want Whole Clip script, Alex? And what about the Romanovs and The communists who live in complete peace or BWO, VACCUUM and ARMY OF LOVERS members as heroes of fancy tales?

PS there may be some silliness in my first commentary. I was shy that time. It’s my explanation…