Zoroastrianism

A Persian priest called Zoroaster (sometimes written as Zarathustra) claimed to experience visions of holy beings, who relayed to him what would become the foundation of Zoroastrianism. He taught that humans exist in a world in constant conflict between good and evil, each represented by a spirit. These spirits could be influenced by human deeds, thoughts, and words, and therefore, people were encouraged to do good things and strengthen their resistance to evil and chaos. This effort is known as the Threefold Path: Humata (good thoughts), Huxta (good words), and Huvarshta (good deeds).

When one dies, they cross the Chinvat Bridge, or “bridge of judgment”. The being who greets you is representative of the kind of life you have led. The good and righteous are met by a beautiful woman who escorts them to the House of Song. The evil and wicked are met by a hideous, smelly, old hag who escorts them to the edge of an abyss, where they fall toward the House of Lies. This is not a place of eternal suffering like some other religions preach. Instead, the House of Lies offers redemption through punishments fitting one’s acts in life.

Those who have lived a life of neutrality - not pure goodness, not pure wickedness are sent to a waiting space called Hamistagan. Some believe these neutral souls will have an opportunity to relive their life in an effort to follow the Threefold Path and gain entrance to the House of Song: otherwise, they await the final judgment. According to Zoroastrianism, there is one supreme god of wisdom, Ahura Mazda, who will judge humans at the end of time. This final judgment will require all to be resurrected or brought back from the dead. Those previously in the House of Lies will have their earthly sins purged. They will be purified, rejoin those that were already pure, and all will be made immortal.

Zoroastrianism and worship of Ahura Mazda were firmly established in Persia by the sixth century BCE. Priests of the faith were called Magi. These men exercised influence in all aspects of Persian life, even as advisors to kings. However, other religious beliefs and customs were respected in the empire. In 334 BCE, Alexander the Great invaded the Persian capital of Persepolis during his conquests of the ancient world. At this time Zoroastrianism was somewhat displaced. It was still practiced, but not on the scale that had existed under the Persian Empire.

However, a later Iranian empire known as the Sassanid would renew interest in the religion, as well as force it upon conquered territories. Their currency featured symbols of the faith, like fire (associated with purity). By 620 CE, Zoroastrianism was at its peak and the dominant religion across southwest Asia, eastern Egypt, and western India. The arrival of the Muslim conquerers around 633 forced a decline in the worship of Zoroastrian and other ancient Iranian beliefs. Today the faith is estimated to have only around 115,000 followers worldwide, concentrated in India and Iran.