1 Frank D.

Felker 13 March 2011 INT-244 Professor Brian Alston Zoroastrianism, Judaism, & Christianity It should be clear to any knowledgeable person that all religions do, in some way, reflect a portion of each others beliefs; some to a large extent, some to a lesser degree. In looking at Zoroastrianism, Judaism, and Christianity, we observe these reflections of one another to a very large degree, alike. Between Judaism and Christianity this sameness in similarity is obvious and to be expected as Christianity is an offshoot or a derivative of Judaism. In Considering Zoroastrianism in comparison to the two, Judaism and Christianity, the similarities, at first glance, are rather unusual. They are unusual in the fact that they developed in different societies with different environments and influences. Yet in all this, they progressed to some very similar beliefs. In reading the text, Religions of the World, (2002), the first thing we observe is that Zoroastrianism is monotheistic with a god named Ahura Mazda. Secondly there is a battle of good and evil, personified by two spirits by the names of Spenta Mainyu (the beneficent spirit) and Angra Manya (the evil spirit). The third and fourth things in view are the existence of heaven and hell. The believer is taught to venerate good works and disparage the bad with the assurance that they will be held accountable in the fifth thing we notice, eternal life. So far, other than nomenclature, we could be speaking of a devout Jew or practicing Christian. Everything we have mentioned so far is easily acceptable to all three religions we are contemplating. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Gen. 1: 10. NKJV) thus did Ahura Mazda. In all three it is good versus evil, reward for good deeds, punishment for

2 bad deeds, and eternal life. So what is the problem? This looks as if we are worshipping the same God, until a closer look is taken. According to him (Zoroaster), two spirits emanate from Ahura Mazda; one is Spenta Mainyu, the Beneficent Spirit; the other is Angra Mainyu, the Evil Spirit, (Religions of the World, 2009, p.239). Both Jews and Christians accept that Satan (evil) was a creation YHWH, originally created for good but ultimately corrupted by pride and greed. Zoroastrianism teaches that after death, the soul will reside either in heaven or hell until it occurs that time ends. At that point the souls in hell are cleansed and place in heaven for eternity, (Religions of the World, p. 242). However, the Evil Spirit is also destroyed in a final death. The Christian belief is that those who have put their faith in the saving sacrifice of the Christ, or Messiah (Jesus) are relegated to eternal life in heaven with God. Those that have not believed in the Messiah (at least that Gentile portion of humanity) are cast into a lake of fire and the final death along with Satan, death, and Hades ( Revelation 22: 1-ff, The Holy Bible)The Jews, who are the chosen of God, are still waiting on the Messiah. The Jewish Messiah is believed to be a great military leader who will lead the Jewish nation to final world victory and world domination. Zoroastrians do not accept converts; you must be born to the religion. Jews will accept converts and Christians proselytize the world over. In all there are many similarities, yet there are many more disparities. It is good if we can all understand each other and share the good. There exists the possibility that God had contacted both founders of Zoroastrianism and Judaism & Christianity, with the message being garbled or misunderstood at some point (according to my Christian faith, by Zarathustra [Zoroaster]). It can be seen that in this day and age, although some teachings are similar and very acceptable to all three; Jehovah God (YHWH) and Ahura Mazda (Amesha-Spenta) are not one and the same. Having similar beliefs and mores, does not mandate that Christians and Jews are worshipping the

3 same God as the Zoroastrian. Consider: Two men working as Ambassadors, one for the United States and one for Great Britain. They both work under very similar laws and ethical strictures. Both of these men work for the ultimate power in their separate countries. The U.S Ambassador serves at the pleasure of the President, the English Ambassador for the Prime Minister. The President is not the Prime Minister. YHWH is not Ahura Mazda. Our separate religions even demand that its opposite does not exist!

References Hopfe, Lewis M. & Woodward, Mark R. (2009). Religions of the World. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.

4 Scofield Study System, the Holy Bible. (2002). New York, New York: Oxford University Press, Inc.