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Zoroastrianism

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Good thoughts
Good words
Good deeds

Zoroastrianism in a Minute:

Although today, with little more than 100,000 follows, Zoroastrianism is among the smallest of the world's religions, it is one of the oldest and perhaps the first monotheistic religion.

Originating in ancient Persia (today's Iran) there are many Zoroastrian beliefs which have filtered down into the three big western religions.

• Monotheistic belief, belief in angels and Satan, Holy Books, revelation, prophets, belief in human freewill, heaven and hell, coming Judgment Day and resurrection of the dead. 

• Possible influence on developing Judaism during 6th cent. BCE Jewish Babylonian exile in Persia.

• Beliefs incorporated into Judaism subsequently transferred to Christianity and Islam.

• The Magi who visited Jesus at his birth were probably Zoroastrian priest-astronomers who looked to the stars for signs from God.