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Zoroastrianism

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• One God, Ahura Mazda ("Wise Lord"), revealing himself through a prophet ("divine revelation")

• Amesh Spentas ("Good Spirits"): attributes of God, divine powers: natural forces and abstract concepts later personified as angels - servants of God

• Six primary Amesh Spentas: Good Mind, Divine Law or order (Asha), Power of Good over Evil, Benevolent Spirit of Purity and devotion (Love?), Perfection, Immortality

• Countless minor spirits

• Duality of Good vs. Evil:

• Zoroastrianism is sometimes misunderstood as a dualistic system. However, it is likely that the original teaching held that both good and evil originate in the one Ahura Mazda

• In Zoroastrianism, Good and Evil are not just moral concepts, they are virtual substances, sometimes even personified

• Spenta Mainyu (goodness) and Angra ("angry") Mainyu (evil) are both "subdivisions" or creations of God

• So it is not God vs. Satan but two lesser powers in battle against each other.

• In the end, good will win out over evil

• Micro- macro- cosmic parallel: this world and history is the battlefield between the powers of good and evil with the final battle culminating in the Final Judgment. What happens in this world influences what happens on a cosmic scale.

• Human beings have freewill to do good or to do evil.

• It is human duty and responsibility to fight on the side of Good so as to help achieve the ultimate destiny of the universe wherein Evil is vanquished by Goodness.

• What we do has direct results not just in our lives but for the entire cosmos.

• Thus the moral dictate: "Good thoughts, Good words, Good deeds" is also a cosmic responsibility.

• People are to work toward self-purification by participation in the Good. Purity = righteousness. Good wins out over evil because righteousness is on the side of the Good. It is humanity who can bring righteousness into the world. When we do good we are doing a lot more than just acting good. In being good we bring Goodness into the world and contribute more energy to the side of Good in the battle against Evil.

• Good people have the duty to uplift others toward the life of goodness, to encourage and help others to also work for the Good.

• Human beings are unique among creatures as God’s agent on Earth. We are mind, mind is from God. Improving ourselves, our minds, is of great importance. Zoroastrianism sees humanity with dignity. The power to improve - to grow - comes from within and from above (from God).

• Humanity has the power to change itself and his world with the aid of God. We are, thus, an agent in our own salvation.